Undergraduate Research and Creativity Alumni Profiles 

Matt Coia, B.S. '06

Performance Test Analyst, M&T Bank
Major(s): Physics Education

What research or work have you done since graduating from Buffalo State?

In the seven years following graduation, I worked as a local teacher and taught sciences at the middle- and high-school level. During that time, I also received a master's in education from the University at Buffalo. More recently, I returned to UB and completed another undergraduate degree in computer science. I now work in technology for M&T Bank.

Can you translate your work for the general public?

My role involves testing software applications to make sure the infrastructure and code is capable of handling as many users as it needs to.

Why did you decide to get involved in undergraduate research?

It helped me gain experience in my field and allowed me to help a local school.

How did your undergraduate research experience influence your career path?

The project allowed me to gain valuable experience inside a classroom and do a project that had meaningful effects on everyone involved.

Describe the research you did and if you presented it at any professional conference, juried art exhibit, or other off-campus location.

My project involved bringing additional resources into a classroom for an extended unit on renewable wind energy. I worked with the teacher to measure outcomes and helped the school plan for future activities. The project blossomed into a full blown (pardon the pun) wind turbine that got installed on the school campus within the following year.

Undergraduate Research Mentor: Dr. Dan MacIsaac