Bangia Lab Members

Naveen Bangia - Principal Investigator
Born in New Delhi, India and raised in Toronto, scientific research for me has been a slow growing passion that now has me excited about far too many topics. To young people, being cool is important (myself included - past tense); I never thought I would become a science geek, yet here I am - excited about protein bands on gels and strange results. I love to teach by asking questions of students. It has been pointed out to me that this is not new (I thought it was). It's apparently called the Socratic method. It engages students, forces them to think and formulate a full sentence thereby making teaching a discussion rather than a one-way monologue. Many students have trouble with this and with formulating full sentences. But the students often use the same method on me to clarify myself in a full sentence too; so it works both ways. The other advantage of this is that students come up with some (crazy) ideas and comments that force me to think as well. Outside the lab, I'm an avid tennis player and recreational ice hockey player. My lab is filled with tunes, energetic people that like to think and challenge themselves to do better and often lots of laughter (usually at ourselves). We work hard, but have fun too. A New Years fondue and a summer barbecue are a lab ritual (although the gluttony at the chocolate fondue is getting to be excessive - we may have to find another New Years celebration). Hope you enjoy the website and if you have any questions or are interested in the lab email me at naveen.bangia@roswellpark.org.

Gillian Cady, PhD Student
I was born in southern California though I now make my home in Orchard Park via Belgium, California, Illinois and Michigan. I became a science geek after my first biology class in high school. From that point on the "cell" and I became inseparable. What’s not to love !?! I got my undergraduate degree at Southampton College on Long Island. I decided I wanted to go into cancer research in college. My main interest in cancer biology is cellular signaling pathways. One could say that I am obsessed. This is my second lab here at Roswell and I am very happy to be working with Naveen and his crew. I hope to gain more experience in molecular biology techniques. I am very intrigued by the work going on in the lab. My other interests include running, pole vaulting, music, dance, snowboarding and spending time with family and friends.

Nilofar Sarvaiya, Undergraduate Student
I was born and raised in Jamestown, NY, a little town in the middle of absolutely nowhere. I am currently an undergrad at UB studying Biomedical Sciences. I came to the Bangia lab in 2007 as a volunteer assistant in the lab. Since then, my interest in science has grown and I have even begun to do a little research of my own. Although my experiements are mostly unsuccessful, I am learning many things and exploring new options. I am excited to become a full time member of the lab in the summer and get the hang of loading gels without poking through the wells.

Michelle Golding, MS Student
I am currently a Master of Science student here at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. I graduated with my Bachelors degree from the University at Buffalo, and during undergrad I moved to Buffalo from a little town called Newark, located in the Finger Lakes region of New York. When I have a chance I like to travel, read, and go to the movies with friends and family. I have been working at Roswell Park now for two years and have just recently started my thesis project. I am very excited to be working with Naveen and his lab team! I look forward to learning as much as I can about lab techniques and immunology principles. In the first two days, I mastered testing pipet calibration, I'm learning how to move decimals around and keeping my eye on units. And Yes I knew that the density of water is 1 g/ml !! 

Haley Spangler, Graduate Student