Volcanology: UB faculty research inspires an episode of the History Channel's "Mega Disasters" series called "The Next Pompeii?" Professor Michael F. Sheridan, director of UB's Center for Geohazards Studies, recently coauthored a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggesting that the next eruption of Vesuvius might pose a serious threat to Naples, home to more than 3 million people. It wasn't exactly welcome news in Naples, where hazard mitigation plans did not include the possibility that the next eruption of Vesuvius might pose a serious threat to Naples. Dr. Chris S. Renschler, UB associate professor of geography, also is featured in the Mega Disasters episode, which was filmed in part at the Center for Computational Research, along with Dr. Maurizio Trevisan, former dean of UB's School of Public Health and Health Professions. More information about this project...
Pharmaceutical Drug Design: Binding in a drug receptor complex: Thrombin is a human protein that reacts with fibrinogen to create blood clots, which are responsible for strokes and heart attacks. The activity of Thrombin can be regulated by small molecules that bind to its active site. CCR's supercomputers are being used by UB scientists Dr. Marek Freindorf and Dr. David Hangauer to discover new molecules with strong affinities for the protein active site that will reduce the ability of Thrombin to generate clots, thereby saving lives.
Urban Visualization: The Center for Computational Research at the University at Buffalo is providing city residents with a multi-faceted, interactive, real-time visualization of what activity on Main Street in downtown Buffalo would be like if vehicular traffic returns after an absence of more than 20 years. Vehicular traffic was eliminated from approximately 11 blocks of Main Street in the heart of downtown Buffalo with the creation of a light rail rapid transit system and a pedestrian mall. With hopes of revitalizing commerce on Main Street, the City of Buffalo, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and other partners now have proposed a shared right-of-way for the rail system and vehicles. But what would that be like? How would trains and cars co-exist on Main Street? What would the experience be like for pedestrians? The answers are provided in a visualization - "Cars Sharing Main Street" - prepared and presented to the public by the Center for Computational Research. More information can be found on our visualization pages
Additional faculty projects
