The External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center is located on the second
floor of the University Union (UU 260) above the Fleishman Center.
Advising
Basic walk-in advising:
("Basic" refers to topics including how to get started with undergraduate research
and learning how to utilize resources such as our databases: Campus Research Opportunity
Postings (CROP) and Scholarships and Other Award Resources)
Mondays 2-3:30 p.m.
Wednesdays 12:00-2 p.m.
Thursdays 2-4 p.m.
Fridays 11-1 p.m.
Advanced scheduled appointments:
("Advanced" refers to topics including thinking about and writing internal and external
scholarship applications)
Stephen Ortiz joined Binghamton University in 2010 as a member of the History faculty.
He has published two books on the role of veterans in American politics. From 2016-2021,
he served as Collegiate Professor of College in the Woods. In 2021, Ortiz took on
the position of Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Enrichment. He became Director
of the External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center in 2023, as part of
his AVP responsibilities.
Beth Polzin
Dr. Beth Polzin has a long track record of providing students with broad-based skills
and individualized guidance to identify approaches to design and articulate their
research. A first-generation college graduate originally from Western New York, she
has taught and tutored writing and research at research universities and community
colleges. Dr. Polzin earned a BA in politics and history, a certificate in African
Studies, an MFA in creative writing, and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature. She lived
in Accra, Ghana for two years, first as an undergraduate student, and later, as a
fellow with a Fulbright grant. At Binghamton University, she has taught inquiry-based
courses to undergraduates in the Department of Comparative Literature, the Institute
for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH), and the Latin American and Caribbean
Area Studies Program (LACAS), and to doctoral students of the Translation Research
and Instruction Program (TRIP). In previous professional staff roles on campus, Dr.
Polzin served as a Grant and Contract Administrator with the Office of Sponsored Programs
and as Program Coordinator for TRIP.
Caroline Antalek (She/Her), Source Project Program Coordinator
Caroline Antalek is a Binghamton University alumna with a bachelor's degree in Spanish
language and literature, and a minor in education. As the Source Project Program Coordinator,
Caroline assists in the program’s facilitation and helps plan the poster sessions
for Research Days. As a former exchange student with Rotary International, having
spent a year in Puebla, Mexico, Caroline has a passion for diverse cultures, language
learning, and education. Prior to starting at ESURC, she worked for Binghamton's undergraduate
admissions. She also has experience working for Broome County as a career counselor.
When Caroline is not working with undergraduate research, you can find her at a concert,
in the gym, or hanging out with her daughter and husband.
Linda DeNucci
Linda DeNucci (She/Her), Office Assistant
Linda DeNucci has recently joined the team at the ESURC as an Office Assistant. A
graduate of SUNY Broome with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science and Medical
Records Technology and Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences
degree, Linda enjoyed her time as a student on Binghamton’s campus as an adult learner
attending night school. Linda’s wide-ranging professional background includes positions
with Universal Instruments and BAE, in human services serving as a Broome County Case
Manager, and in medical records and credentialing positions with various hospitals
and medical offices, including Lourdes Hospital and at offices in Georgia and Nevada.
Linda’s hobbies include landscaping, swimming, kayaking, working around the house,
listening to music and attending live events. She is a creative person who volunteers
and has a strong sense of community. Linda enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren
and watching them grow up.
Dr. Susan Flynn (She/Her), Faculty Research and Scholarship Advisor
Dr. Susan Flynn
Dr. Flynn is a research assistant professor in biomedical chemistry for the First-year
Research Immersion Program. Her research interests include medicinal chemistry, neurobiochemistry,
and disease cellular processing.
Dr. Elisa Camiscioli (she/elle), Senior Fulbright Advisor
Dr. Elisa Camiscioli
Dr. Camiscioli helps students navigate applying to the Fulbright Program, a renowned
and competitive cultural exchange program. Dr. Camiscioli is passionate about international
collaboration and serves on research, teaching and granting committees in France,
Belgium and the United Kingdom. She received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence
in Teaching and offers classes on race and racism in Europe, human trafficking in
history, intimate labor and global migrations.
Abby Gifeisman
Abby is a junior majoring in philosophy, politics, and law. She facilitates outreach
events for the Undergraduate Research Center, including panels which showcase the
research of BU students and staff. Abby founded the Interdisciplinary Research Club
in September 2021 and has served as president since. Abby participated in the People,
Politics, and Environment stream of the Source Project in 2020-21, researching the
relationship between small businesses and gentrification.
Sydney is a junior graduating in the fall of 2023 from Schenectady, NY. Her major
is comparative literature with a minor in German. Her role at the Undergraduate Research
Center includes all email correspondence, and creating the weekly research newsletter. Sydney has been involved in research since her freshman year at Binghamton and finalized
her research during her time in the Summer Scholars and Artists Program. Her research involves Virginia Woolf’s novel To The Lighthouse. Her work has been published in the university’s undergraduate journal, Alpenglow. Hobbies of Sydney’s include film photography, reading, and creating playlists on
Spotify.
Gervlyne Auguste currently serves as the program coordinator for the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program). She brings over 15 years of experience in educational and administrative management.
Her academic experiences serve as an important framework that better allows her to
understand and identify with a diverse range of students. Gervlyne's familiarities
of being a first-generation college student with English as a second language present
the main ideals that are the backbone of her educational philosophy. As a project
coordinator, her primary mission is to help students navigate successfully through
their academic careers while exploring their educational and career options. Her immediate
responsibility is to prepare students to be self-sufficient and life-long learners.
Her obligation is to contribute and remain attentive to issues pertaining to student
services and retention. This is especially important when addressing the needs of
underrepresented and underserved students.
In her spare time, she serves on several nongovernmental organizations as an advocate
for better access to education, youth development and women owned businesses reaching
life-long independence.
Gervlyne holds a Masters in Science degree with an Administration and Planning concentration
from the University of Massachusetts in Boston and a Bachelor of Science in Biology
from Emmanuel College, Boston.
Dickinson Research Team (DiRT)
Dr. Robert A. Holahan (He/Him), Dickinson Research Team Director
Robert Holahan is an associate professor of environmental studies and political science
and director of the Dickinson Research Team (DiRT). DiRT is a residential community-based
research program that is the first of its kind in the United States. DiRT is open
to students who are interested in research, regardless of major and prior research
experience.
