Asylum Research

Oral Presentation

Kubiniec, E., Howard, A., Henke, C. “Practical Approaches to Implementing Trauma Informed Care in Healthcare Settings.” Department of Pediatrics Community Health and Advocacy Conference, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, May 2026.

Poster Presentation 

Panzica, H., Garg, B., Onetto, J., Chow E. “Identified Gaps and Evidence-Based Recommendations for National Labor Guidelines for Persons with Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting” Physicians for Human Rights Annual Student Conference, Atlanta, GA, April 2026.

Oral Presentation

Garg, B. and Hoke, M. “Lessons Learned: Developing a Student-Run Asylum Clinic (SRAC) Research Repository.” Physicians For Human Rights Student Conference, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, April 2026.

Oral Presentation

Kubiniec, E., Thoren, R., Griswold, K. “Training Medical Students as Qualified Interpreters to Serve Asylum Seekers and Patients that Speak Languages Other than English in Western New York.” Physicians For Human Rights Student Conference, Harvard University, Boston, MA, March 2025.

Oral Presentation

Funez-de Pagnier, G., Asghar, A., Kolin, D., Hoke, M., Attuwaybi, I., Griswold, K. “The Buffalo Way: Student Run Asylum Clinic.” 2026 LMSA-Northeast Regional Conference, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, March 2026.

Poster Presentation

Panzica, H., Garg, B. “Bridging the Gap: The Urgent Need for National Labor Guidelines for Persons with Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting” American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C, November 2025.

Poster Presentation

Panzica, H., Garg, B. “Bridging the Gap: The Urgent Need for National Labor Guidelines for Persons with Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting” American College of Obstetricians & Gynecology (ACOG) District II Annual District Meeting, Brooklyn, NY, October 2025.

Poster Presentation

Hennig, M., Prasad, S., Funez-dePagnier, G., Donnelly, K., Griswold, K. “Asylum Case Outcomes in Western New York: Analyzing the Impact of Presidential Terms” International Refugee & Migration Health Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, June 2025.

Oral Presentation

Kubiniec, E., Kolin, D., Griswold, K. “Towards Trauma Informed: Predictable Communication, Debriefing, and Responding to Stress Responses in Yourself and Others.” All-Staff Training, Jericho Road Community Health Center, Buffalo, NY, May 2025.

Oral Presentation

Kolin, D., & Kubiniec, E. “Human Rights Initiative: Borders at the Bedside.” Power, Policy and Practice – a Jacobs Community Teach-In. Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, April 2025.

Poster Presentation

Herron, J. and Fretz, A. “Head Trauma Associated with Increased Memory Impairment in Asylum Seekers: A Retrospective Analysis of Medico-Legal Affidavits” Physicians for Human Rights Annual Student Conference, Cambridge, MA, March 2025.

Poster Presentation

Herron, J. and Fretz, A. “Head Trauma Associated with Increased Memory Impairment in Asylum Seekers: A Retrospective Analysis of Medico-Legal Affidavits” University at Buffalo Annual Medical Student Research Forum, Buffalo, NY, February 1, 2025.

Poster Presentation

Cottone, C., Barnett, S., Reese, A., Funez-dePagnier, G., Chang, A., Foote, K., Hobika, K., Griswold, K., Percec, I. “An Interdisciplinary Approach to Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation in Medical Education” North American Refugee Health Conference, Minneapolis, MN, August 2024.

Poster Presentation

Hobika, K., Cottone, C., Sengupta, S., Griswold, K. “Are Age and Type of Trauma for Asylum Seekers Predictors of Psychopathology in Adulthood?” Buffalo Department of Psychiatry Annual Conference, Buffalo, NY, September, 2024.

Poster Presentation

Cottone, C., Funez-de Pagnier, G., Donnelly, K., Alfonsi, A., Hennig, M., Prasad, S. “Demystifying How to Develop a Student-Run Asylum Clinic Research Repository” North American Refugee Health Conference, Minneapolis, MN, August 2024. 

Poster Presentation

Cottone, C., Mangona, E., Barnett, S., Chang, A., Funez-de Pagnier, G., Card, E., Percec, E. “Surgical Reconstruction for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Access and Development” 2024 North American Refugee Health Conference, Minneapolis, MN, August 2024.

Poster Presentation

Reese A, Hobika K, Griswold K. “Female Genital Cutting: An Overview and Research Findings.” 2024 Physicians for Human Rights National Student Conference, Phoenix, AZ, April 2024.

Oral Presentation

Hobika, K., Reese, A., Griswold, K. “Breaking the Silence: What is “Female Genital Cutting” and how do we talk about it?” UB Department of OB/GYN Grand Rounds, Buffalo, NY, January 3, 2024.

Journal Publication

Lazarov, V., Dzik, A., Foote, K., Reese, A., Griswold, K., Hobika, K., Donnelly, K., Zheng, E. A Qualitative Analysis of Medical Student Experiences Following Community Dinners with Asylum Seekers. In: NAPCRG 50th Annual Meeting – Abstracts of Completed Research 2022. Ann Fam Med. Jan 2023; 21(Supplement 1), 4429. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.21.s1.4429

Poster Presentation

Reese A, Siddiqui A, Hannah E, Dzik A, Lazarov V, Griswold K. (2023) An Innovative Approach to Improving Awareness of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). Annual Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Community Research Day; Buffalo, NY.

Poster Presentation

Reese A, Siddiqui A, Hannah E, Dzik A, Lazarov V, Griswold K. (2023) An Innovative Approach to Improving Awareness of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). 2023New York State Academy of Family Physicians Virtual Winter Weekend.

Poster Presentation

Long M, Reese A, Foote K, Griswold K. (2023) Nonprofit Organizations in Support of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in New York State. 2023 New York State Academy of Family Physicians Virtual Winter Weekend.

Poster Presentation

Long M, Reese A, Foote K, Griswold K. (2023) Nonprofit Organizations in Support of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in New York State. University at Buffalo Medical Student Research Forum, Buffalo, NY.

Oral Presentation

Presented by Erika Zheng. (2022). The Forensic Evaluation Part I: History & Physical. Presented at University at Buffalo: Spring Asylum Medicine Elective Session 3 2022, Virtual.

Journal Publication

Siddiqui, A. A., Lazarov, V., Reese, A., Donnelly, K. C., Zheng, E. W., Alfonsi, A., Griswold, K. Addressing psychiatric disease with cultural competence in refugee and asylum populations. Family Doctor: A Journal of the NYSAFP. 2022;11(1):40-45.

Poster Presentation

Lazarov V., Zheng E., Dzik A., Reese A., Griswold K. (2022, November 19). The Utility of Community Engagement in Medical Curriculum: A Qualitative Analysis of Medical Student Experiences Following Community Dinners with Asylum Seekers. [Poster presented]. North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting/Phoenix, AZ, USA.

Oral Presentation

Reese A., Dzik A., Moore S., Soniwala S., Zheng E., Lazarov V., Griswold K. (2022, April 08). Cultural Contexts in the DSM V: Assessing Utility in Serving Asylum Seekers. [Oral Presentation]. University at Buffalo, Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds/Buffalo, NY, USA. 

Oral Presentation

Alfonsi A., Dzik A., Donnelly K., Lazarov V., Griswold K . (2022, June 25). Coordinating Forensic Evaluations for Detained Asylum Seekers. [Oral Presentation]. North American Refugee Health Conference/Cleveland, OH, USA. 

Poster Presentation

Siddiqui A, Reese A, Guy P, Pratt-MacDonald O, Griswold K. (2022) A Gendered Perspective on Coping Mechanisms Experienced by Asylum Seekers. 2022 Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Research Day.

Poster Presentation

Siddiqui AA, Reese AD, Griswold K. (2022) A Gendered Perspective on Coping Mechanisms Experienced by Asylum Seekers. University at Buffalo Medical Student Research Forum, Buffalo, NY.

Oral Presentation

Griswold K., Lazarov V. (2022, February 09). Documentation of Sexual Violence: Writing Gynecological Affidavits for Survivors of Female Genital Cutting. [Oral Presentation]. Physicians for Human Rights Student Advisory Board (PHR SAB) Sexual & Gender Based Violence Seminar Series/Buffalo (virtual), NY, USA. 

Oral Presentation

Reese A, Griswold K. (2022) The Importance of Mental Health Maintenance. [Oral Presentation]. International Institute of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY.

Oral Presentation

Donnelly K, Alfonsi A, Siddiqui A, Reese A, Griswold K. (2022) Medical Evaluations Increase the Likelihood of a Positive Outcome in Asylum Cases [Oral Presentation]. 2022 American Academy of Family Medicine Global Health Pre-Conference, Washington, DC.

Poster Presentation

Donnelly K, Alfonsi A, Siddiqui A, Reese A, Griswold K. (2022) Medical Evaluations Increase the Likelihood of a Positive Outcome in Asylum Cases. 2022 Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Research Day.

Oral Presentation

Reese A, Griswold K. (2021) Brain Health: Keeping the Mind and Body Healthy. International Institute of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY.

Poster Presentation

Lazarov V., Mohammad Y., Schlosser K., Coluccio M., Dzik A., Zheng E., Siddiqui A., Alfonsi A., Boyi T., Griswold K . (2021). Sequelae of Psychological Torture Endured by Asylum Seekers in Western New York. 2021 Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Research Day: A Celebration of Scholarship; Buffalo, NY.

Poster Presentation

Mohmmad, Y., Alfonsi, A., Coluccio M., Schlosser, K., Griswold, K., "Psychological torture endured by clients of the Human Rights Initiative" Poster Presentation submitted to: North American Refugee Health Conference 2021

Poster Presentation

Lazarov V., Mohammad Y., Schlosser K., Coluccio M., Dzik A., Zheng E., Siddiqui A., Alfonsi A., Boyi T., Griswold K . (2021, November 19). Sequelae of Psychological Torture Endured by Asylum Seekers in Western New York. [Poster presented]. Physicians for Human Rights National Student Conference: Human Rights at Home/Charleston (virtual), SC, USA.

Poster Presentation

Schlosser, K., Coluccio, M., Mohammad, Y., Griswold, K., “Awareness Meets Trauma: The Possibility for Re-traumatization of Detained Asylum-seekers.” NAPCRG—Poster Presentation 2021

Oral Presentation

Aghaie, C. “Aiding Asylum: Promoting Human Rights Education through the formation of a student-run asylum Clinic” Scholarly Round Table Discussion at: 2020 Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Annual Spring Conference

Oral Presentation

Coluccio, M., Alexandri, N., “Female Genital Cutting in the Asylum Seeking Population & Medical Forensic Evaluations” University at Buffalo Obstetrics & Gynecology Grand Rounds, January 2020

Poster Presentation

Coluccio, M., Mohammad, Y., Schlosser, K.,Griswold, K., “Demographics, Clinical Characteristics, & Mental Health needs of LGBTI Asylum Seekers” Poster Presentation at: Unite for Sight Global Health & Innovation Conference 2020

Poster Presentation

Mohammad Y., Schlosser K., Coluccio M., Soniwala S., Lazarov V., Griswold K. (2020, November 22). Female Genital Cutting among Asylum Seekers aided by the Human Rights Initiative. [Poster presented]. North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting/San Francisco (Virtual), CA, USA. 

Poster Presentation

Schlosser, K., Coluccio, M., Mohammad, Y., Griswold, K., “History of Trauma: Characteristics of Detained Asylum Seekers in Buffalo, NY” Poster Presentation at: Medical Student Research Forum at Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, January 2020

Journal Publication

Coluccio, M., Raczkowski, G., Chava, A., Et. Al “Aiding Asylum: Clinicians Documenting Human Rights Violation Through Forensic Medical Evaluations at Medical Student Asylum Clinics” Family Doctor 2019; 8(1):18-21

Oral Presentation

Coluccio, M., “Health Related Characteristics & Demographics of Asylum Seeking Clients: The Human Rights Initiative at UB” Oral Presentation at: North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Conference 2019

Poster Presentation

Coluccio, M., Mohammad, Y., Schlosser, K., Griswold, K., “Recognizing Resilience: Coping Mechanisms Utilized by Asylum Seekers at the Human Rights Initiative at UB” Poster Presentation at: North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Conference 2019

Poster Presentation

Mohammad, Y., Schlosser, K., Coluccio M. Griswold K., “Political & Social Climates of LGBTQ Asylum Seekers Aided by the Human Rights Initiative” New York State Association for Rural Health Annual Conference, 2019

Poster Presentation

Raczowski G., Coluccio, M., Griswold, K., “The Human Rights Initiative: A Medical Student Clinic Documenting Sequelae of Torture for Asylum Seekers” Poster Presentation at: 19th World Psychiatric Association Congress of Psychiatry, August 2019

Oral Presentation

Coluccio, M., Griswold, K., “Prevalence of Clinical Sequelae Associated with Exposure to Violence in Asylum Seeking Clients: Human Rights Initiative at UB” Oral Presentation at: Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Summer Research Presentations 2018

Poster Presentation

Coluccio, M., Griswold, K., “Prevalence of Clinical Sequelae Associated with Exposure to Violence in Asylum Seeking Clients: Human Rights Initiative at UB” Poster Presentation at: North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Conference 2018

Poster Presentation

Coluccio, M., Griswold, K., “Mental Health & Psychological Sequelae Associated with Exposure to Violence in Asylum Seeking Clients at the Human Rights Initiative at UB” Poster Presentation at: 13th Annual MSSNY Resident/Fellow and Medical Student Poster Symposium, March 2018

Poster Presentation

Coluccio, M., Griswold, K., “Asylum Seekers, Exposure to Violence, & Mental Health: Clinical Characteristics of Clients at the Human Rights Initiative at UB” Poster Presentation at: Medical Student Research Forum at Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, January 2018

Poster Presentation

Coluccio, M., Griswold K., “Enhancing Cross-Cultural Competency through Engagement with Asylum Seekers of Western New York: The Human Rights Initiative at UB” University at Buffalo Diversity & Inclusion Summit 2017