Increasing STEM Diversity

SUNY Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Faculty Information

The Buffalo Region SUNY Alliance for Minority Participation (SUNY LSAMP) is a student enrichment and support services program sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The goal of SUNY LSAMP is to improve the academic performance, retention, graduation and graduate school admission rates of historically underrepresented students who are pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by providing meaningful experiences including, but not limited to: paid research internships with faculty mentors during the academic year, an intensive summer research program, “soft skills” workshops, and graduate school preparation. SUNY LSAMP provides both support and enrichment activities for its students who are majoring in or intend to major in STEM disciplines:

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biophysics
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemical and Biological Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Environmental Design
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Studies/Science
  • Geological Sciences
  • Industrial and Systems Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Physics/Mathematical Physics
  • Statistics/Biostatistics

The LSAMP program is not funded to support students declaring majors in pre-medicine, pharmacy, nursing, or allied health sciences.

See the NSF Crosswalk for a complete list of eligible STEM majors.

Faculty Mentors Responsibilities and Expectations

  • Be willing to mentor an undergraduate student interested in research
  • Provide LSAMP Scholar(s) with a meaningful research experience
  • Support LSAMP’s mission by encouraging LSAMP Scholar(s) to graduate and pursue a graduate degree in STEM
  • Communicate with LSAMP staff regarding student progress 

Student Eligibility

  • Full-time undergraduates majoring in a STEM discipline at UB
  • GPA 2.8 or better (students below 2.8 have one year to improve their grades to 2.8)
  • Demonstrate an interest in research in a STEM discipline
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • LSAMP supports broadening participation from groups that have been historically underrepresented (African American, Latino/a, American Indians, Native Pacific Islanders, etc.) in STEM disciplines
  • Must be active LSAMP student to be eligible for paid internships

Contact Information

Letitia Thomas

Director for STEM Diversity Programs

School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

107 Furnas Hall

Phone: (716) 645-3071

Email: lthomas@buffalo.edu