2022 Sydney Gross Alumni Symposium

Sydney Gross Symposium Program.

A signature program of our 50+ Anniversary Celebration on April 6, 2022, the Sydney Gross Alumni Symposium will convene young alumni who are leading practice innovation across the fields of architecture, urban planning and real estate development. Join us in celebrating the boundary-pushing drive of our graduates. 

Wednesday, April 6, 2022
1 pm - 5 pm
Hayes 403

Program.

Meet our Alumni Panelists

Ayla Abiad.

Ayla Abiad (MArch '12)

Project architect/Project manager, R.M Chin; Founder, Build a Bridge (BAB) Foundation

Native Syrian Ayla Abiad understands the challenges and complicated adjustment process facing immigrants and refugees entering the US. She established the Build a Bridge (BAB) Foundation to help ease that process.

F. Jason Campbell.

F. Jason Campbell (BS Arch '11)

Creative director, [ELL]; Project architect, Smithgroup

F. Jason Campbell is also a lecturer at the UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design, teaching core and advanced option studios in the undergraduate and graduate divisions.

Albert Chao.

Albert Chao (MArch/MFA '11)

Artist, architect, tinkerer

Albert Chao is a licensed architect in New York State and directs atypicalpractice, which speculates on the conditions that shape the everyday.  His research interrogates the typical: typical behavior, typical design, and typical methodologies. 

Margaret Cowell.

Margaret Cowell (MUP '04)

Associate professor of urban affairs, Virginia Tech

Margaret (Maggie) Cowell, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Urban Affairs and Planning at Virginia Tech, where she teaches courses on economic development, urban economics, and public policy. 

Rana Abu Ghazaleh.

Rana Abu Ghazaleh (MUP '08)

Capital Project Manager, City of Alexandria, Va.

Rana Abu Ghazaleh is a capital project manager at the City of Alexandria and former President of the International Planned Parenthood Federation's policy-making body, where she fought for social justice and equality for women.

Shawntera Hardy.

Shawntera Hardy (MUP '04)

Co-founder, Civic Eagle 

Shawntera M. Hardy is an awardwinning policy professional and serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience leading work in areas including government affairs, healthcare access, economic development and international relations.

David Heaton.

David Heaton (MArch'17, BS Arch '14)

Associate, Studio Daniel Libeskind 

Since joining the Studio Libeskind in 2017, David Heaton has been involved in a wide range of projects including the Ngaren science museum in Kenya, Africa, and a large-scale office complex in Sydney.

James Kubiniec.

Laura Schmitz Lubniewski (BS Arch '11)

Architect, WENDEL Companies; faculty member, UB Department of Architecture

Laura Schmitz Lubniewski brings expertise in high-performance, energy-efficient, sustainable and community-based design. 

Andrew Perkins.

Andrew Perkins (MArch '12, BS Arch '10)

Operations manager, UAP Company

Andrew Perkins obtained a Master of Architecture at the University at Buffalo, where he took interest in architecture and urbanism in moments of material scarcity, political tension, and natural calamity.

Brandon Stone.

Brandon Stone (MArch '17, BS Arch '15)

Senior Environment and 3D Technical Artist, COSM

Brandon Stone is a digital artist and designer who works at the intersection of many fields of design. His current work and research explores both the design and technical aspects of Video Game, AR/VR, Movie Production, and Exhibition design, Sports Broadcasting, and Museum Installations.

Joey Swerdlin.

Joey Swerdlin (BS Arch '13)

Creative; Community director, The Morpholio Project

Joey Swerdlin (he/him) is in pursuit of architectural happiness and is currently obsessed with chairs.

Sydney Gross Memorial Fund

This symposium is supported by the Sydney Gross Memorial Fund in honor of former UB architecture student Sydney Gross. Learn more

Symposium Organizers

The 2022 Sydney Gross Symposium is organized by Joyce Hwang, UB associate professor of architecture, and Christopher Romano, UB assistant professor of architecture.