Sydney A. David
Buffalo
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Teaching Assistant
University at Buffalo
09.2025 - 12.2025
- Department of Neuroscience
- NRS 301 Teaching Assistant
- Conducted 8 laboratory activities for undergraduate students and gave lectures on current research for students.
Graduate Research Assistant
Ingestive Behavior Laboratory, University at Buffalo
08.2023 - Current
- Department of Psychology
- PI: Derek Daniels, PhD.
- Responsible for providing routine technical support to other laboratory members by performing a variety of tasks in current research.
- Scheduling, training and management of undergraduate volunteers and Biological Sciences graduate rotation students.
- Operation of laboratory tools and equipment, processing and collecting data for current studies being conducted in the laboratory.
- Analyzing existing research materials and experiment results.
- Responsible for management of inventories and stock supplies.
- Supports research by cleaning and maintaining equipment.
- Performing cardiac perfusions via paraformaldehyde and extracting brains of rats.
- Performing of intracerebroventricular surgery (ICV) and microinjections.
- Management of breeding colony and performance of genotyping.
- Mentored undergraduate researchers in laboratory techniques and project management.
- Analyzed data using statistical software to derive insights from research findings.
- Managed multiple research projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and adherence to high-quality standards.
Journal Club
University at Buffalo
07.2022 - Current
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Meeting with other researchers that gathered to discuss publications from peer-reviewed journals.
- Keeping up with current findings, exercised critical thinking skills, and improved scientific presentation skills.
Research Technician
Ingestive Behavior Laboratory, University at Buffalo
07.2022 - 08.2023
- Department of Biological Sciences
- PI: Derek Daniels, PhD.
- Responsible for providing routine technical support to other laboratory members by performing a variety of tasks in current research.
- Scheduling, training and management of undergraduate volunteers and Biological Sciences graduate rotation students.
- Operation of laboratory tools and equipment, processing and collecting data for current studies being conducted in the laboratory.
- Analyzing existing research materials and experiment results.
- Responsible for management of inventories and stock supplies.
- Supports research by cleaning and maintaining equipment.
- Performing cardiac perfusions via paraformaldehyde and extracting brains of rats.
- Performing of intracerebroventricular surgery (ICV) and microinjections.
- Management of breeding colony and performance of genotyping.
Research Assistant
Ingestive Behavior Laboratory, University at Buffalo
12.2020 - 07.2022
- Department of Psychology
- PI: Derek Daniels, PhD.
- Completed lab tasks including completion of required trainings, sorting and mounting rat brains, cutting brains, washing dishes, organizing inventory, and assisting in training other undergraduate assistants.
- Attended lab meetings and analyzing research articles.
- Collected data for ongoing experiments.
- Documented lab data and analysis by utilizing a microscope.
- Began training to complete stereotaxic surgeries and cardiac perfusions.
- Operated lab equipment including autoclaves, microtomes, cryostats and microscopes.
Teaching Assistant
University at Buffalo
01.2021 - 05.2021
- Department of Psychology
- Freshman Psychology Seminar
- Assisted in educating first year students on general psychology concepts with an active lecture style to promote student engagement.
- Graded and provided feedback to student assignments.
- Lead small-group sessions and individual office hours.
Peer Mentor
University at Buffalo
09.2020 - 05.2021
- Department of Psychology
- Actively supported and encouraged first- and second-year psychology students, developed and maintained relationship with students, served as a resource for new students, participated in student meetings and training activities, and served as role models to freshmen and sophomore level students.
Education
Ph.D - Behavioral Neuroscience
University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY05-2027
B.S. - Psychology
University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY05-2022
A.A.S. - Social Sciences
SUNY Erie
Buffalo, NY12-2019
Affiliations
- Society of Neuroscience Member
- Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior
Certification
CITI Program Certifications
- Biomedical Responsible Conduct of Research Course (ID 25472)
- Working with the IACUC - Investigators, Staff and Students (ID 54505)
- Reducing Pain and Distress in Laboratory Mice and Rats (ID 54507)
- Working with Rats in Research Settings (ID 54511)
- Aseptic Surgery (ID 54519)
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Training
- Basic handling and restraint
- Approved euthanasia and anesthesia administration
- Working with Rats in Research Settings, Rodent Handling, and Aseptic Surgical Techniques
Timeline
Teaching Assistant
University at Buffalo
09.2025 - 12.2025
Graduate Research Assistant
Ingestive Behavior Laboratory, University at Buffalo
08.2023 - Current
Journal Club
University at Buffalo
07.2022 - Current
Research Technician
Ingestive Behavior Laboratory, University at Buffalo
07.2022 - 08.2023
Teaching Assistant
University at Buffalo
01.2021 - 05.2021
Research Assistant
Ingestive Behavior Laboratory, University at Buffalo
12.2020 - 07.2022
Peer Mentor
University at Buffalo
09.2020 - 05.2021
Ph.D - Behavioral Neuroscience
University At Buffalo
B.S. - Psychology
University At Buffalo
A.A.S. - Social Sciences
SUNY Erie
HONORS AND AWARDS
- 2nd Place CIBR Travel Award – 2025
- Runner-up for the 2025 Robert W. Rice Memorial Award – 2025
- 2nd Place CIBR Travel Award – 2024
- Spring 2021, University at Buffalo, College of Arts & Sciences, Deans List, Fall 2019, SUNY Erie, Deans List, Spring 2019, SUNY Erie, Deans List
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
REPRESENTATIVE JOURNAL ARTICLES
David, S.A., D.J. Brakey, M.J. Paul, and D. Daniels (2025) The role of vasopressin deficiency in the fluid intake suppression hyper-responsivity to central glucagon-like peptide-1 in the Brattleboro rat. Physiology & Behavior, [PubMed link]
PRESENTATIONS
Poster Presentation, “Microstructural analysis of baseline and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist-suppressed drinking in wildtype and vasopressin-deficient rats”
Destiny J. Brakey, Gaayathri Varavenkataraman, Sydney A. David, Kelcie C. Schatz, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels
Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Psychology, and the Center for Ingestive Behavior Research, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY USA.
30th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, Portland, Oregon.
Poster Presentation, “Microstructural analysis of baseline and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist-suppressed drinking in wildtype and vasopressin-deficient rats”
Destiny J. Brakey, Gaayathri Varavenkataraman, Sydney A. David, Kelcie C. Schatz, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels
Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Psychology, and the Center for Ingestive Behavior Research, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY USA.
Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, 2023, Buffalo, New York.
Poster Presentation, “Convergent approaches to identify targets of glucagon-like peptide-1 in the control of fluid intake” Destiny J. Brakey, Gaayathri Varavenkataraman, Kelcie C. Schatz, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
University at Buffalo Department of Biological Sciences Symposium 2023, Buffalo, New York.
Poster Presentation, “Convergent approaches to identify targets of glucagon-like peptide-1 in the control of fluid intake” Destiny J. Brakey, Gaayathri Varavenkataraman, Kelcie C. Schatz, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience 2022, San Diego, CA. Abstract published in Society for Neuroscience.
Poster Presentation, “Diabetes insipidus contributes to the effect of central glucagon-like peptide-1 in Brattleboro rats” Sydney A. David, Destiny J. Brakey, Gaayathri Varavenkataraman, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
University at Buffalo Department of Neuroscience Symposium 2023, Buffalo, New York.
Poster Presentation, “The role of diabetes insipidus in the hypersensitive fluid intake suppression by central glucagon-like peptide-1 in the Brattleboro rat” Sydney A. David, Destiny J. Brakey, Gaayathri Varavenkataraman, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience 2023, Washington, DC. Abstract published in Society for Neuroscience.
Poster Presentation, “The role of diabetes insipidus in the hypersensitive fluid intake suppression by central glucagon-like peptide-1 in the Brattleboro rat” Sydney A. David, Destiny J. Brakey, Gaayathri Varavenkataraman, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
University at Buffalo Department of Biological Sciences Symposium 2024, Buffalo, New York.
Talk Presentation, “The role of vasopressin deficiency in the hypersensitive fluid intake suppression by central glucagon-like peptide-1 in the Brattleboro rat” Sydney A. David, Destiny J. Brakey, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, 2024, Buffalo, New York.
Poster Presentation, “The role of vasopressin deficiency in the hypersensitive fluid intake suppression by central glucagon-like peptide-1 in the Brattleboro rat” Sydney A. David, Destiny J. Brakey, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, 2024, Chicago, Illinois.
Poster Presentation, “Re-examining the impact of the Brattleboro mutation on cerebellum weights of weanling rats” Chloe N. Cordes*, Sydney A. David, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Behavioral Endocrinology, 2024, Columbus, Ohio.
Poster Presentation, “Vasopressin deficiency enhances central GLP-1-mediated suppression of fluid intake in the Brattleboro rat” Sydney A. David, Destiny J. Brakey, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience 2024, Chicago, Illinois. Abstract published in Society for Neuroscience.
Poster Presentation, “Vasopressin deficiency enhances central GLP-1-mediated suppression of fluid intake in the Brattleboro rat” Sydney A. David, Destiny J. Brakey, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Online Research Symposium, 2024.
Poster Presentation, “Vasopressin deficiency enhances central GLP-1-mediated suppression of fluid intake in the Brattleboro rat” Sydney A. David, Destiny J. Brakey, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
University at Buffalo Department of Neuroscience Symposium 2024, Buffalo, New York.
Poster Presentation, “Vasopressin deficiency enhances central GLP-1-mediated suppression of fluid intake in the Brattleboro rat” Sydney A. David, Destiny J. Brakey, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
University at Buffalo Department of Psychology Recruitment Day, Buffalo, New York.
Poster Presentation, “Neural activity after glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist treatment in a rat model of selective GLP-1 hypersensitivity” Joseph Ahmann*, Sydney A. David, and Derek Daniels.
University at Buffalo Department of Biology REU, Buffalo, New York.
Poster Presentation, “Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Expression After Deprivation-Induced Fluid Intake Using Vasopressin-Deficient Brattleboro Rats” Sydney A. David, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels.
Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, 2025, Buffalo, New York.
Talk Presentation, David SA, JL Sirkin, and D Daniels* (2025) Probing the exaggerated response to fluid intake suppression by a GLP-1 receptor agonist in Brattleboro rats. Benjamin Franklin & Lafayette Seminar, Frejus, France.
Poster Presentation, “The impact of drinking on neural activity and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor immunoreactivity in vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro rats” Sydney A. David, Johanna L. Sirkin, Destiny J. Brakey, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels
University at Buffalo Department of Neuroscience Symposium 2025, Buffalo, New York.
Poster Presentation, “The impact of drinking on neural activity and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor immunoreactivity in vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro rats” Sydney A. David, Johanna L. Sirkin, Destiny J. Brakey, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels
University at Buffalo Department of Neuroscience Symposium 2025, Buffalo, New York.
Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience 2025, San Diego, CA. Abstract published in Society for Neuroscience.
Talk Presentation, “Control of water intake by GLP-1 action in the anteroventral third ventricle region” Sydney A. David, Johanna L. Sirkin, Destiny J. Brakey, Matthew J. Paul, and Derek Daniels
University at Buffalo Department of Neuroscience Symposium 2025, Buffalo, New York.
Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience 2025, San Diego, CA. Abstract published in Society for Neuroscience.
STUDENTS MENTORED
- Rihta Munguyupo - Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program
- Funmilayo Ajani - Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program
- Joseph Ahmann - Biological Sciences Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program