Buffalo, NY – Curiosity, conversation and collaboration reverberated throughout Science Hall on Wednesday, October 22 when Canisius University faculty came together to celebrate what connects them all – scholarship. The occasion marked the inaugural Celebration of Faculty Scholarship, organized by the university’s IMPACT Center to highlight the breadth and depth of research taking place across campus.
“Being a scholar is a defining characteristic of being a teacher in higher education,” said IMPACT Center Director Jonathan Rodgers, PhD. “Our scholarship represents our unique and motivating expertise that drives our excellence in teaching. We are better educators because not only do we know our subjects but we also add to human knowledge and understanding of them.”
Showcasing Discovery Across Disciplines
Scholars, students and staff crowded the Chester HON ’01 and Diane Stranczek Commons to hear from faculty on topics that spanned almost every discipline. More than 50 faculty members presented on academic inquiry ranging from gene regulatory networks in cancer cell reprogramming and ocean noise pollution’s impact on marine life to social media’s role in connecting immigrant communities in Western New York.
Others shared their scholarly pursuits on narrative storytelling as a tool for social change, bibliometric analysis in concussion treatment and the rising incidence of infertility in the Western New York Community. In addition to poster presentations, the event featured a series of lightning talks in which speakers gave rapid insights on artificial intelligence, cultural assessment, cybersecurity and more.
“I was so excited to hear from my colleagues on the topics they are passionate about,” stated Associate Professor of Biology Jennifer Snekser, PhD. “I see my fellow Canisius faculty members at meetings where we discuss curriculum, university policies and student issues but we rarely discuss our scholarly work.”
Associate Professor of Multimedia Journalism Delaware Arif, PhD, concurred, calling it “a wonderful opportunity to show appreciation for the scholarship and creativity of the faculty, as well as to showcase the research productivity on campus.”
Research that Enriches the Classroom
Beyond showcasing their research efforts, faculty participants discussed how their research informs and strengthens what happens in the classroom.
Snekser, whose scholarship focuses on the social behavior of fish species, regularly integrates her findings into her coursework. She also mentors undergraduate researchers in her lab, where they analyze data, isolate hormones from fish water samples, and present their findings at Ignatian Scholarship Day and national scientific conferences.
“I am constantly discussing my scholarship in class and sharing insight with students into the process of scientific investigation,” Snekser explained. “Without my commitment to my scholarly work, I would not have the firsthand knowledge to share with our students.”
Assistant Professor of ABEC Christina Perazio, PhD, whose academic inquiry explores humpback whale communication, said events such as the Celebration of Faculty Scholarship are essential to fostering collaboration and appreciation across disciplines – and across campus.
"It’s important for people at every level of the university to know what the faculty are doing,” she said. “It reminds everyone of the positive change being created through interdisciplinary scholarship.”
Scholarship that Extends Beyond Campus
The celebration also drew members from the neighboring community, underscoring how faculty research not only advances knowledge but benefits the broader public.
“Events like this are awesome and should be the norm,” continued Assistant Professor of Political Science Shyam Sriram, PhD, who presented on how Buffalo’s religious landscape is changing as former Catholic churches are being repurposed into mosques. “It’s a reflection of the city’s growing diversity – and of Canisius’ commitment to engage meaningfully with the broader community.”
A Mission Brought to Life
That commitment to scholarship that serves both campus and community embodies the Canisius mission of pursuing truth and knowledge for the benefit of the greater good, said Vice President for Academic Affairs Bridget Niland, JD, PhD.
“This world is spinning fast and it isn’t going to stop so it’s important that we remain curious, protect the beauty of human curiosity and keep that spirit alive, which is what we’re doing today," Niland said.
The IMPACT Center plans to build on the celebration’s inaugural success by making it an annual tradition. Next year's Celebration of Faculty Scholarship is already scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
