Faculty/Staff Achievements Roundup: Pennuto selected to join inaugural SUNY Research Leadership Academy

This is part of a monthly series highlighting the honors and achievements of Buffalo State University faculty and staff. The roundup is compiled from the previous months’ submissions to the Daily Bulletin and department newsletters.

Christopher M. Pennuto, interim director of Buffalo State’s Great Lakes Center, has been selected to join the inaugural SUNY Research Leadership Academy. The Academy will include approximately 30 faculty members from across SUNY’s 64 campuses whose work exemplifies excellence in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) research and leadership. 

This system-wide initiative, led by Stony Brook University, empowers faculty to strengthen SUNY's research enterprise by engaging the public, driving innovation, and championing inclusion across STEMM fields. A key feature of the Academy is the integration of the Alda Method®, a leading communication framework developed by the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, which works closely with the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University. This dynamic training is designed to help researchers communicate research directly and vividly to different audiences.

“I’m thrilled that Dr. Pennuto was selected to participate in the SUNY Research Leadership Academy,” said Kelly Frothingham, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. “This is an excellent opportunity for Chris that I know will benefit his own research, as well as broader Great Lakes Center research.”

In addition to Pennuto’s selection, here are some other recent outstanding achievements by Buffalo State faculty members:

Naila Ansari Carbonell Catilo, assistant professor of theater and Africana Studies; and Karen Saxon, lecturer of music co-directed and co-produced a production of the musical DREAMGIRLS with Shea’s Performing Arts Center. Ronald Schwartz, technical director and production manager for the Buffalo State Theater Department served as the production’s technical director and scenic designer. Mark Filsinger, associate professor of music and Rick Fleming, professor of music, director of bands, and chair of the Music Department, played in the production’s orchestra. Jonise Hall, assistant director of Buffalo State’s Anne Frank Project, appeared in the ensemble of the show.

Bridget Maria Chesterton, professor of history and social studies education, has published a chapter entitled “The Chaco War, 1932–35” in the edited volume, A Violent Peace: A Global Military History of the Interwar Period (University of Kansas Press, 2025; pages 239-259), edited by Ian Ona Johnson and Robert Clemn. The chapter considers military technology and strategy in one of Latin America's lesser known international conflicts between Paraguay and Bolivia.

David Mawer, assistant professor of art and design, recently had a textbook chapter proposal accepted for publication. The textbook is titled Critical Thinking Through Interdisciplinary Digital Pedagogies and Mawer’s contribution will be a writeup of research on how students in a media arts classroom learn computer programming. Mawer also received a consulting contract for graphic design and identity work for the National Cancer Institute under the National Institute of Health.

Joseph A. Miller, associate professor of art and design, had his painting “After II” featured in Luxury Abode magazine. His graphite drawing, “Fallen” was published in Stirring Literary Journal. 

Shasti O’Leary-Soudant, assistant professor of art and design, was invited to speak at the 2025 Buffalo Humanities Festival. O’Leary’s session was entitled “Every Rodeo is my first Rodeo.”

Colleen Toledano, assistant chair of art and design and associate professor of ceramics, had her ceramics piece “Ripe” acquired by the Everson Museum in Syracuse. It is currently on view in the exhibition Nancy Friedemann-Sánchez: Dream Map and Cornucopia through October 19.

Jie Zhang, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Sociology and director of the Center for China Studies, published the article “Measuring Psychological Strains: A Psychometric Study to Develop a Shortened Version of the Psychological Strain Scales” in Behavioral Sciences 14(12):1157 (2024) with coauthors Ching Sin Siau, Won Sun Chen, Nur Zakiah Mohd Saat, Bob Lew, Xiaodong Ma, and Kairi Kõlves. Zhang also published “The impact of intergenerational support on older adults’ life satisfaction in China: Rural-urban differences” in Healthcare and Rehabilitation 1(1):100011 (2024) with coauthors Junnan Li, Cihang Li, and Jichao Wang.

Photo by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer.