Research Centers and Institutes

Biology with X-ray Free Electron Lasers (BioXFEL) is a Science and Technology Center established by the National Science Foundation in 2013. Composed of eight U.S. research universities and aimed at addressing the fundamental questions in biology at the molecular level. Using a pulsed hard X-ray laser, our researchers can capture biological molecules in atomic detail, view their functional motions by taking brief snapshots, and observe interactions in their native environment. This opens up a new world to biology, to science, and to human health.

The UB Blockchain ThinkLab is a collaboratory involving faculty, students, staff, entrepreneurs and industry representatives who are passionate about blockchain technology. Both physically and virtually, the ThinkLab is a gathering spot for diverse perspectives collaborating on innovative applications of and uses for blockchain technology. 

The Cell, Gene and Tissue Engineering Center (CGTE) aims to develop innovative technologies for regenerative medicine and educate future leaders in the field. Faculty from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the Department of Biomedical Engineering collaborate to focus on research areas such as stem cell engineering, tissue engineering and regeneration; biomaterials; cell and tissue biomechanics; gene, protein and drug delivery (including novel vectors, vaccines and CRISPR technologies), novel imaging technologies; high-throughput data acquisition technologies; BioMEMS; and omics (genomics, proteomics, glycomics) and associated systems, computational and big data engineering. 

The Center for Advanced Semiconductor Technologies brings together researchers across campus to work collaboratively on cutting-edge research in microelectronics while training the next generation of leaders and engineers for the semiconductor industry. 

Founded in 2018, the Center for Analytics Research and Applications (CARA) promotes basic and applied big data related research, and multidisciplinary efforts to apply data analytics to all technology and engineering fields, natural sciences, medical sciences and health, social sciences, and arts and humanities. 

The Center for Embodied Autonomy and Robotics (CEAR) facilitates multidisciplinary research and education by uniting faculty groups working on robotics and autonomy-related topics across multiple departments and decanal unites. CEAR promotes interaction among UB faculty, alumni and local industry stakeholders, and provides targeted workshops and seed funding to address specific high-impact challenges facing robotics and autonomy-related research. 

The Center for Hybrid Rocket Exascale Simulation Technology, or CHREST, aims to advance space exploration through interdisciplinary research that will improve the operation of hybrid rocket motors and enable the next generation of low-cost space flight. By bringing together faculty and students in engineering, computer science and mathematics, and industry and government partners, CHREST will leverage UB's expertise in both exascale computing and machine learning to better describe turbulent reacting flows. These flows are critical to the combustion environment needed to operate next-generation hybrid rocket motors.

The Center for Information Integrity brings together nationally-renowned faculty from computer and data science; communications and linguistics; law and political science; medicine and public health; learning and information sciences; geography and psychology and the humanities. It identifies, evaluates and mitigates the impact of mis/disinformation in key areas of public life, including public health climate change and the integrity of democratic processes.

The Center for Space Cyber Strategy and Cyber Security is the only academic, system-focused, space cyber center in the United States.

The center focuses on all possible space cyber threats, including security of space assets from cyber intrusions such as hijacking, jamming and obfuscation of satellite operations whether they be physical (such as blocking a satellite’s view) or electronic (spoofing, use of directed-energy weapons), satellite-to-satellite communication disruptions such as relay interruptions, and ground station defense, including protecting existing ground stations and mitigating adversarial ground stations meant to breach existing security systems.

The Center for Unified Biometrics and Sensors (CUBS) is focused on advancing the fundamental science of biometrics and providing key enabling technologies to build engineered systems. UB researchers are taking a unified view of biometric technologies by integrating software algorithms for accurate identification of various biometrics and data analysis (informatics) with hardware acquisition devices.

The Center of Excellence in Information Systems Assurance, Research and Education (CEISARE) offers graduate education and coordinated research in computer security and information assurance. Research topics include the broad areas of e-commerce, security, networks and secure voting. Current projects address critical issues such as the development of cyber-attack recognition systems, protecting documents from insider threats, real-time intrusion detection, unintended information retrieval, and the security of corporate intranets.

The Collaborative Institute for Multisource Information Fusion (CIMIF) serves as a focal point for the conduct of research and development in information fusion. In addition, it serves as an incubation center for small businesses, and professorial and individual entrepreneurial activities.

The Initiative on Plastics Recycling Research and Innovation (IPRRI) is a multidisciplinary initiative addressing a range of contemporary issues related to plastics recycling, with the goal of advancing plastics recycling in NY state and beyond. It is a New York State (NYS) Center of Excellence in Plastics Recycling Research & Innovation.

The Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (IAD) brings together researchers, labs, institutes, and centers of excellence at the University at Buffalo that are focused on advancements in AI, data science, and related areas of research to tackle these complex problems. Their mission is to provide infrastructure and opportunities to build relationships and facilitate creative interaction to address pressing societal issues of today and the future. 

The Institute of Bridge Engineering provides practicing engineers and students with the skills and knowledge to advance the nation's bridge infrastructure enterprise. The Institute offers practical coursework and research opportunities, and helps to address areas of need like the creation of sustainable, cost-effective hazard-resistant structures.

MCEER is dedicated to the discovery and development of new knowledge, tools and technologies that equip communities to become more disaster resilient in the face of earthquakes and other extreme events. MCEER accomplishes this through a system of multidisciplinary, multi-hazard research.

The center derives support from several federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, New York State, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and private industry.

The National AI Institute for Exceptional Education is a National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institute led by the University at Buffalo and funded by the National Science Foundation and the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education. The institute’s research will lead to advancements in AI, human-AI interaction, and learning science to improve educational outcomes for children with speech and language related challenges. 

UB RENEW is university-wide and interdisciplinary, focusing on complex energy and environmental issues, as well as the social and economic ramifications. It helps develop and coordinate innovative research, education and outreach programs.

Under the leadership and vision of deans and faculty from seven participating schools and colleges including the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, RENEW fosters new collaborations and produces new ideas.

The Space University Research Initiative (SURI) aims to improve the nation’s ability in tracking and monitoring spacecraft and other objects such as debris and meteoroids. Supported by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and its basic research office, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the program will spur university research into new technologies for the Air Force and U.S. Space Force.

The Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine (SCiRM) program aims to train students in the field of stem cell biology, quantitative aspects and applications of stem cell bioengineering and regenerative medicine, and legal and ethical issues facing stem cell research and clinical applications.

Faculty members affiliated with SCiRM are from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.  They work in various aspects of stem cell biology and bioengineering with emphasis on applications of stem cells in regenerative medicine.

The Stephen Still Institute for Sustainable Transportation and Logistics unites faculty from across UB to transform the transportation, logistics and supply chain management industries. A collaboration of engineers, visionary planners, business administrators, and political scientists, the Institute aims to create livable, connected communities through interdisciplinary research and education. The Institute offers research programs, interdisciplinary master’s degree and graduate certificate, and mechanisms for collaboration.

The Strategic Partnership for Industrial Resurgence (SPIR) – a program of the State University of New York (SUNY) – connects corporate partners with the engineering brainpower of UB, Binghamton and Stony Brook. Whether an entrepreneur seeking a way to bring innovations to the next level, a small firm looking to upgrade or introduce new technologies, or a high-technology firm addressing the challenges of product development and testing, SPIR can help pay for these and many other initiatives that require technically advanced assistance. UB TCIE is the regional administrator of the program. 

The Sustainable Manufacturing and Advanced Robotic Technologies (SMART) Community of Excellence is using design, smart materials and automation to transform advanced manufacturing. Industry leaders, faculty and students are focused on innovative and sustainable ways to bring customizable products to market.

The Center for Industrial Effectiveness (TCIE), an elite university extension program, connects the business community with expert resources of the University at Buffalo’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. TCIE fosters business growth and guides entrepreneurs, mid-sized businesses and mature companies toward improved performance. TCIE provides technical assistance through services such as facility layout and workflow analysis, finite element analysis and systems engineering.

Results-oriented Operational Excellence offerings include consultation in ISO, Lean, Six Sigma and industrial engineering. Professional development training is delivered through traditional, blended and online learning modes for the working adult.