Contact

Office Location

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 12:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Wednesdays 12 - 2 p.m.

Thursdays 2 - 4 p.m.

Fridays 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Advanced scheduled appointments:

("Advanced" refers to topics including thinking about and writing internal and external scholarship applications)

Tuesdays

Thursdays

Specialized Advising

Advising for the Source Project

Meet with Source Project Coordinator Caroline Antalek during walk-in hours:

  • Mondays 1 - 2:30 p.m.
  • Thursday 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Advising for the Fulbright Program:

Contact Dr. Elisa Camiscioli (ecamis@binghamton.edu) to schedule a meeting. 

Contact Information

Phone: 607-777-4325
Fax: 607-777-4345
Email: urc@binghamton.edu

Physical Address (for GPS):

Binghamton University
State University of New York
4400 Vestal Parkway East
Vestal, NY 13850

Mailing Address:

External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center
Binghamton University
P.O. Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000

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Meet the Team

Dr. Stephen R. Ortiz (He/Him), Director

sortiz@binghamton.edu

Stephen Ortiz, Director
Stephen Ortiz

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. 


Dr. Beth Polzin (She/Her), Associate Director

bpolzin@binghamton.edu

Beth Polzin
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

cantalek@binghamton.edu

Caroline Antalek
Caroline Antalek

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. 


Dr. Elisa Camiscioli (she/elle), Senior Fulbright Advisor

ecamis@binghamton.edu

Dr. Elisa Camiscioli, 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.


Undergraduate Research Ambassadors

Abby Gifeisman (She/They)

agifei1@binghamton.edu

Abby Gifeisman
Abby Gifeisman
Abby is a junior majoring in philosophy, politics, and law. She facilitates outreach events for the Undergraduate Research Center, including panels that 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 Werner (She/They)

swerner2@binghamton.edu 

Sydney Werner
Sydney Werner

Sydney is a senior graduating in spring 2024 and originally from Schenectady, NY. Her major is comparative literature with a minor in German. Her role at the Undergraduate Research Center includes creating the weekly research newsletter and serving as managing editor for the Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal. Sydney has been involved in research since her first 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. Hobbies of Sydney’s include film, photography, reading, and creating playlists on Spotify. 


Jovana Cvetanovic (She/Her)

jcvetan1@binghamton.edu

Jovana Cvetanovic
Jovana Cvetanovic
Jovana is a Junior majoring in Environmental Science on the pre-med track. Her role in ESURC consists of creating biweekly newsletters and advising students on how to get involved in research. She has been involved in research since her first year as a part of the FRI program in the Biogeochemistry stream. Upon completion of the program, Jovana joined Dr. Sobel's lab. In her free time, she likes to play sports and draw. 


Lalo Lezama (He/Him)

elezama1@binghamton.edu

Lalo Lezama
Lalo Lezama

Lalo is a senior majoring in Environmental Science and Chemistry. His role in ESURC consists of releasing biweekly newsletters and mentoring students by providing guidance and support to help them find research opportunities both on and off campus. Lalo participated in the 2022 Summer Research Immersion Program, where he researched the synthesis of Platinum-based catalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction. Additionally, he has participated in Research Experience for Undergraduates programs. 


Alexandra (Sasha) Novikova (She/Her)
anoviko1@binghamton.edu

Alexandra (Sasha) Novikova
Alexandra (Sasha) Novikova
Sasha is a junior from New York City, NY, majoring in Financial Economics, with a minor in Mathematics. In her role at the Undergraduate Research Center as Engagement Assistant for the Source Project, she oversees student outreach, marketing, and engagement strategies for the program. Sasha participated in the History & Capitalism stream of the Source Project in 2021-22 and is involved in economic research this year.


ESURC Affiliated Offices and Programs

McNair Scholars Program

Gervlyne Auguste (She/Her), McNair Scholars Program Coordinator

gauguste@binghamton.edu

Gervlyne Auguste, Program Coordinator
Gervlyne Auguste

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

rholahan@binghamton.edu

Dr. Robert Holahan, Dickinson Research Team Director
Dr. Robert Holahan

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.