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Angela Keppel (MUP ’09) is Buffalo through and through—a lifelong resident with a deep love for the city’s history and an enduring commitment to shaping its future. Keppel is fascinated by Buffalo’s unique character: a mix of hard-earned realism, particularly about our reputation, and an enduring “there’s always next year” optimism. That spirit, she notes, is nothing new. It dates back to the War of 1812, when Buffalo was burned to the ground during the final days of 1813.

UB alumnus Matthew Long (MArch ’14) has dedicated his career to designing affordable, accessible housing that strengthens communities. Not one to mince words, he’s guided by honesty and empathy—values instilled by his father—and he firmly believes in the importance of listening. These principles have shaped his ability to authentically connect with people and design places they can truly call home.

Whether she’s in the studio, on a construction site, or at the ice rink, UB alumna Kimberly Sass (MArch ’16) has built a career that defies convention. Weaving together architecture, art, athletics, and advocacy, she’s proof that sometimes the most fulfilling paths emerge at the intersection of diverse passions. 

Throughout his life, UB architecture student Nathan Ruffalo (MArch ’26, BS Arch ’24) has nurtured a curiosity for making and for mastering new tools. After earning his bachelor of science in architecture at UB in 2024, he entered the master of architecture program—another step toward shaping his future career. During that time, his talent for fabrication has stood out brilliantly, earning him recognition from faculty and landing him the Advanced Fabrication Graduate Fellowship, awarded during his first year in the master’s program.

Crosby Hall buzzed with energy as students from the UB School of Architecture and Planning gathered for the presentation of the top 10 housing projects from this year’s City Life Senior Studio. These finalists—shortlisted from 43 total teams—were presenting to an international jury of architectural professionals and scholars.

In spring 2025, Christian Powell (END ’24, MUP ’26) and Liliana Visca (END ’24, MUP ’26) took the next step in their academic journey—beginning the Master of Urban Planning (MUP) program at the University at Buffalo’s School of Architecture and Planning. Both had already distinguished themselves by earning their Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design (END) from UB, summa cum laude with highest distinction in the major—all at an accelerated pace.

When SUNY Distinguished Professor Despina Stratigakos began her doctoral dissertation, she stumbled upon an obscure Austrian architect named Ella Briggs and was instantly captivated. But finding information about Briggs proved nearly impossible. For decades, Stratigakos carried her unanswered questions with her.

In October 2025, Dr. Jane Dai became the newest member of the University at Buffalo’s Food Systems Planning and Health Communities Lab (Food Lab) in the School of Architecture and Planning. She joins the team to support a major initiative funded by a three-year, $795,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The project aims to examine community food systems dashboards and develop guidelines for how to leverage these dashboards as tools to advance data equity for food equity.