UMBC’s Mustafa Al-Adhami wins national Three-Minute Thesis competition
Al-Adhami earned first place in two qualifying rounds of the competition, on his path to claiming the national title. In Nashville, Al-Adhami and nine other finalists presented their three-minute talks in front of a live audience that selected the ultimate winner. Continue reading UMBC’s Mustafa Al-Adhami wins national Three-Minute Thesis competition
UMBC welcomes European Union ambassadors to the U.S.
Ambassadors from the European countries of Slovenia, Estonia, and the Czech Republic convened at UMBC this month as part of the first joint European Union State outreach trip outside of Washington, D.C. Delegations from over twenty E.U. member states participated in the day of engagement with Maryland state and local officials, students, educators, and environmental and trade organizations. Continue reading UMBC welcomes European Union ambassadors to the U.S.
Team led by UMBC’s Mehdi Benna is the first to map a planet’s global wind patterns, and they weren’t Earth’s
The research was made possible by “a clever reengineering in flight of how to operate the spacecraft and the instrument,” Mehdi Benna says. “And by doing both—the spacecraft doing something it was not designed to do, and the instrument doing something it was not designed to do—we made the wind measurements possible.” Continue reading Team led by UMBC’s Mehdi Benna is the first to map a planet’s global wind patterns, and they weren’t Earth’s
UMBC welcomes Brian Barrio as director of athletics
UMBC has named Brian Barrio the director of athletics, physical education, and recreation, effective January 2020. He will direct UMBC’s 17-sport NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program, all campus recreational programs (including intramurals, club sports, and recreational activities), and the physical education program. Continue reading UMBC welcomes Brian Barrio as director of athletics
UMBC’s Evan Avila, advocate for equal access to financial services, is a finalist for the Marshall Scholarship
April Householder, director of undergraduate research and prestigious scholarships, shares that Evan Avila emerged as such a strong candidate for multiple national awards “because of his exemplary commitment to public service, and his ability to work with diverse groups of individuals.” She notes, “We felt that he has great potential as a policymaker and social change agent.” Continue reading UMBC’s Evan Avila, advocate for equal access to financial services, is a finalist for the Marshall Scholarship
Times Higher Education names UMBC a leader in life sciences, physical sciences, psychology
The London-based Times Higher Education (THE) has released subject-area listings for its World University Rankings 2020, recognizing UMBC as among the best in the life sciences, physical sciences, and psychology. Continue reading Times Higher Education names UMBC a leader in life sciences, physical sciences, psychology
In 2019 Idea Competition, UMBC students focus on inclusion
Leading up to UMBC’s Idea Competition, participants spend hours refining their presentations and receiving feedback from their mentors, as well as faculty, staff, family, and friends. Their goal: to gain the funding and professional advice needed to make their ideas a reality. Continue reading In 2019 Idea Competition, UMBC students focus on inclusion
UMBC broadens international learning opportunities: Stories from five continents
“It is one thing for international partners to hear how UMBC is diverse and inclusive, it is another to actually see how it works in person,” reflects Rashed. “The success of this program, one we hope to continue, depends on the continued committed of the entire campus to the preparation of teachers from all over the world. This is where the real-life implementation of diversity and inclusion is invaluable.” Continue reading UMBC broadens international learning opportunities: Stories from five continents
UMBC Cyber Dawgs are named CyberForce national champions
UMBC’s Cyber Defense Team, known as the Cyber Dawgs, has emerged the national champion team in the U.S. Department of Energy’s fifth annual CyberForce Competition. The Cyber Dawgs earned first place overall out of more than 100 teams from universities across the country. Continue reading UMBC Cyber Dawgs are named CyberForce national champions
UMBC celebrates opening of student venture OCA Mocha, “where coffee meets community”
Two years ago, local business and community groups asked a UMBC entrepreneurship class for ideas on how to better connect the University and its surrounding communities. The idea for OCA Mocha was born. After more than two years of planning, construction, relationship-building, and first-hand experience with the ups and downs of starting a business from scratch, the coffee shop and community gathering space in downtown Arbutus has officially opened its doors. Continue reading UMBC celebrates opening of student venture OCA Mocha, “where coffee meets community”
UMBC’s Aaron Smith examines molecular role of iron in human health with $1.5M in new grants
“Metals open up the toolbox for the protein to be able to accomplish so much more,” Aaron Smith says. His new NSF and NIH funding will allow Smith’s lab to increase understanding of how one metal, iron, is involved in adding molecules to proteins after they are made. This process can significantly change a protein’s function and play a role in disease. By focusing at the molecular level, “We think that we fit in very nicely in this research space,” Smith says. “We’re filling a niche that remains really uncovered at this point.” Continue reading UMBC’s Aaron Smith examines molecular role of iron in human health with $1.5M in new grants
The Future of W.E. B. Du Bois: Nimi Wariboko presents UMBC’s 41st annual W.E.B. Du Bois lecture
“W.E.B. Du Bois’s foundational work on black consciousness, citizenship, and racial inequality is as relevant today as it was in 1903,” shares Maleda Belilgne, assistant professor of Africana studies and English. Continue reading The Future of W.E. B. Du Bois: Nimi Wariboko presents UMBC’s 41st annual W.E.B. Du Bois lecture
We have liftoff! UMBC-developed mini satellite launched into space to study climate, air quality
“As an engineer, I’m looking to develop technology that can make the science happen,” says Dominik Cieslak. That’s exactly what Cieslak and the rest of the team have accomplished with their cubesat, HARP. When it is released from the International Space Station in about a month, it will collect new kinds of information about clouds and tiny particles in the atmosphere to increase our understanding of climate and air quality. Continue reading We have liftoff! UMBC-developed mini satellite launched into space to study climate, air quality
UMBC expands offerings at The Universities at Shady Grove to grow Maryland’s STEM workforce
The new Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Facility at The Universities at Shady Grove is a big piece of the expansion. “This building symbolizes an opportunity to bring the disciplines together to address societal problems,” Annica Wayman says, “and to discover how they can work together to address the biggest challenges.” With state-of-the-art scientific equipment and ample opportunity for interaction among students, faculty, and biotech professionals, the facility will enhance programming at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Continue reading UMBC expands offerings at The Universities at Shady Grove to grow Maryland’s STEM workforce
2020 U.S. News global ranking names UMBC a top university, a leader in geosciences and space science
U.S. News & World Report has again named UMBC one of the best universities worldwide, with UMBC appearing as one of the top 150 U.S. institutions on the 2020 global list. The ranking highlights UMBC’s international leadership in geosciences and space science. Continue reading 2020 U.S. News global ranking names UMBC a top university, a leader in geosciences and space science
UMBC shines at Brilliant Baltimore with artwork, talks, performances, a reception, and more
From November 1 through 10, UMBC will again join in two of Baltimore’s signature events — Light City and the Baltimore Book Festival — which will be held together in 2019 under the theme of Brilliant Baltimore. UMBC’s contributions include a talk by President Freeman Hrabowski, a UMBC-Light Ekphrastic panel discussion, a panel discussion on Baltimore Revisited, and the SPARK gallery. Continue reading UMBC shines at Brilliant Baltimore with artwork, talks, performances, a reception, and more
UMBC’s Livewire new music festival celebrates its 10th anniversary
On October 24 – 27, UMBC’s department of music celebrates the tenth anniversary of its fall Livewire festival, an annual event that explores the classical music of our time through concerts, lecture-recitals, paper presentations, multi-media installations, and conversation. Continue reading UMBC’s Livewire new music festival celebrates its 10th anniversary
In Baltimore Revisited, UMBC and community authors reflect on the city’s history of inequality and resistance
King and Drabinski recognized the need for an updated history of Baltimore, written by and for scholars and community members alike, so they took up the task. “We wanted our work to reach beyond the academy because these histories belong to everyone,” shares Drabinski. “We hope readers can find pieces that speak to them.” Continue reading In Baltimore Revisited, UMBC and community authors reflect on the city’s history of inequality and resistance
UMBC supports emerging higher ed leaders through ACE Fellows program
The newest ACE Fellow to arrive on campus is a two-time UMBC alumna who is shadowing UMBC leaders for the year. Kate Tracy M.A. ‘01, Ph.D. ‘03, psychology, was one of 39 people from across the country to be named ACE Fellows for the 2019-2020 academic year. Tracy is a professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Continue reading UMBC supports emerging higher ed leaders through ACE Fellows program
UMBC spotlights the power of collaboration and community in opening of new science building, GRIT-X talks
“Already there are research teams working in this building on such complex issues as age-related disease, environmental degradation, and health disparities,” says Dean Bill LaCourse. Solutions to our most complex challenges “are found through a convergence of talent and effort,” bringing together the perspectives of people from different fields and backgrounds. This is what the new building is designed to achieve. Continue reading UMBC spotlights the power of collaboration and community in opening of new science building, GRIT-X talks
MHEC selects UMBC’s Jordan Troutman, who bridges technology and policy, as student commissioner
Jordan Troutman has been selected to be the student commissioner for the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). He’s a computer science and mathematics major passionate about applying his work at the intersection of technology and policy to improve society. Continue reading MHEC selects UMBC’s Jordan Troutman, who bridges technology and policy, as student commissioner
UMBC’s Ann Sofie Clemmensen explores The Kennedy Center’s REACH through choreography
On October 18 and 19, choreography by Ann Sofie Clemmensen, assistant professor of dance, will be presented at the new REACH expansion of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Featuring 20 dancers, including UMBC students, Clemmensen’s three-part experience — In To and Out Of — transports audiences through different spaces of the REACH using the unique characteristics of each location to explore concepts in pattern and timing, light and dark, and limitation and transformation. Continue reading UMBC’s Ann Sofie Clemmensen explores The Kennedy Center’s REACH through choreography
Retriever Courage one year later: UMBC community listens, learns, and acts
One year ago, the UMBC community spoke out about experiences, urgent concerns, and hopes for change related to sexual and gender-based harassment and violence. This September 18, student, faculty, staff, and administrative leaders of the Retriever Courage initiative hosted an open gathering to update the campus on early progress and next steps toward fostering a campus climate in which all feel a sense of belonging, safety, and support. Continue reading Retriever Courage one year later: UMBC community listens, learns, and acts
UMBC receives $2.8M from NSF for master’s program to prepare a diverse environmental science workforce
“The primary mission of UMBC is inclusive excellence, and our program applies that mission to the environmental sciences,” says Tamra Mendelson. “Our main objectives are to bring a diversity of backgrounds to the environmental workforce and to improve the way that scientific research is applied to environmental problems.” Continue reading UMBC receives $2.8M from NSF for master’s program to prepare a diverse environmental science workforce
New UMBC study shows powerful effects of road salt and urban infrastructure on waterways
The relationship between urbanization and water chemistry was “more complex than we thought,” Matthew Baker says. Overall, though, he says, “We need to pay closer attention to the materials we’re using in and on infrastructure,” and “we definitely have to lower the amount of road salt we’ve been applying,” to keep our local ecosystems healthy. Continue reading New UMBC study shows powerful effects of road salt and urban infrastructure on waterways
Meet six Retrievers who went from internship to career success with UMBC Career Center support
Decades after the start of the internship boom, internships continue to be invaluable for both undergraduate and graduate students. As UMBC students demonstrate, gaining real-world experience and networking within an area of interest can have a lasting impact when it comes time to search for a full-time position. Continue reading Meet six Retrievers who went from internship to career success with UMBC Career Center support
UMBC’s Sander Goossens determines structure of Mercury’s core as part of NASA team
Sander Goossens and his team used their new analysis “to see if there was anything we could say about the planet’s deep interior that people hadn’t been able to say before.” There was: The team discovered the percentage of the planet’s core that was solid versus molten, which provides clues to the evolution process for Mercury and other planets. Continue reading UMBC’s Sander Goossens determines structure of Mercury’s core as part of NASA team
Times Higher Ed and Wall Street Journal again name UMBC a leading global and U.S. university
Just days after U.S. News again recognized UMBC as one of the nation’s top universities for teaching and innovation, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings have named UMBC a top global university. UMBC is listed as among the top 800 universities worldwide, and #130 among U.S. universities on the global list. UMBC performs particularly well on an important measure that reflects the visibility of UMBC faculty research on a global stage. Continue reading Times Higher Ed and Wall Street Journal again name UMBC a leading global and U.S. university
UMBC’s Erle Ellis crowdsources global archaeological research to trace the history of human impacts on Earth
“Our hope is that this is only the first achievement of what will become a new, massively collaborative scientific approach to understanding the global environmental changes caused by humans over the long term,” shares Erle Ellis, professor of geography and environmental systems. Continue reading UMBC’s Erle Ellis crowdsources global archaeological research to trace the history of human impacts on Earth
Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities hosts literacy-focused institute for Baltimore teachers
UMBC’s Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities recently welcomed to campus early childhood educators from four Baltimore City public schools. They gathered for a Summer Teacher Institute designed to enhance their expertise on improving reading and writing instruction and outcomes for young English language learners. “These strategies support and build on the skills students have and open worlds of unexplored possibilities,” says Olivia Grimes ‘19, individualized study, an early childhood teacher at Maree G. Farring Elementary/Middle School and a presenter at the event. Continue reading Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities hosts literacy-focused institute for Baltimore teachers
National Institute on Aging funds UMBC’s Erin Green to investigate how cells do “quality control” as we age
The project will explore the function of an enzyme called Set6, about which little is known. Erin Green hopes to “break open a broader understanding in the field of what its role is, especially in the context of protein quality control,” which could inform pharmaceutical development for treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Continue reading National Institute on Aging funds UMBC’s Erin Green to investigate how cells do “quality control” as we age
UMBC partners with Latino Racial Justice Circle and Maryland Humanities in community-engaged research in Baltimore
“Our goal as researchers was to use dialogue and digital stories as two ways to bring different communities together around religion, race, and immigration,” explains Felipe Filomeno, professor of political science and global studies. Continue reading UMBC partners with Latino Racial Justice Circle and Maryland Humanities in community-engaged research in Baltimore
Six Baltimore City Schools in UMBC Math Project partnership see math test score gains
Maryland PARCC test results, released last week, reveal that Baltimore City schools partnering with UMBC have seen dramatic growth in student math performance. The Baltimore Sun has called this trend one of the “bright spots” at a challenging moment, when many schools across the state are struggling to move the needle on student learning in math. Continue reading Six Baltimore City Schools in UMBC Math Project partnership see math test score gains
Retriever Nation welcomes another class to its ranks
The start of the school year is invigorating for the whole university community, whether you’re starting your first year in college, transferring from a different institution, or gearing up to teach for the tenth year. And UMBC is channeling all that energy in classic Retriever ways. Continue reading Retriever Nation welcomes another class to its ranks
UMBC’s Minjoung Kyoung to help develop first 4D map of a cell’s metabolic pathways
“I’ve always been interested in how proteins are working in the real system, in real time, in real action,” Minjoung Kyoung says. She’ll get to explore those dynamics with funding from a new five-year, $1.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The pathways she’s studying are relevant to some of the most pervasive diseases in the country. “My dream is to be able to predict disease before symptoms occur,” she shares. “That would be the best.” Continue reading UMBC’s Minjoung Kyoung to help develop first 4D map of a cell’s metabolic pathways
Preminda Jacob focuses on building connections as new associate dean of research and community engagement
Scott Casper, dean of CAHSS, is excited about the level of expertise Jacob brings to the team. “Preminda Jacob brings a wealth of experience as a scholar, teacher, and UMBC citizen, and leader to the Dean’s Office,” says Casper. “I am delighted that she has joined our leadership team and look forward to her continued contributions to the College and the University in this new role.” Continue reading Preminda Jacob focuses on building connections as new associate dean of research and community engagement
UMBC’s Lee Blaney and federal, state partners publish landmark study on contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay
UMBC’s Lee Blaney and research partners have published a landmark study on contaminants of emerging concern in the Chesapeake Bay that quantifies concentrations of antibiotics, estrogenic hormones, and UV-filters in multiple locations of the Bay. The work highlights the importance of understanding how previously unexamined chemicals impact the environment. Continue reading UMBC’s Lee Blaney and federal, state partners publish landmark study on contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay
Open spaces nurture open minds in UMBC’s new Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building
“When you share a kitchenette with a biologist, a chemist, an engineer and somebody from public policy, it’s inevitable that new things will brew,” says Greg Szeto, who is moving in to the ILSB with the new Translational Center for Age-Related Disease and Disparities. The ILSB “is a total game-changer for me,” adds Chris Hawn. With its state-of-the-art instrumentation, “There are protocols where I can get ‘level unlocked.’ It just opens things up for me and my students.” Continue reading Open spaces nurture open minds in UMBC’s new Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building
Wind, solar, and…flutter? UMBC’s Justin Webster is using math to move this emerging tech forward
“There’s no such thing as free energy, but there are lots of situations where there’s ambient energy available,” like a flapping flag, Justin Webster says. “You just have to find an efficient mechanism for turning it into meaningful, useful energy.” That’s what Webster and colleagues from Duke and Carnegie Mellon hope to help make happen with their new grant from the NSF. Continue reading Wind, solar, and…flutter? UMBC’s Justin Webster is using math to move this emerging tech forward
Princeton Review lauds UMBC as one of the best colleges in the nation
UMBC is once again featured in the Princeton Review guide, The Best 385 Colleges, for 2020. This is widely considered one of the leading guides for prospective undergraduate students in North America. Continue reading Princeton Review lauds UMBC as one of the best colleges in the nation
Team of UMBC grad students takes first place at 2019 BMEidea competition
UMBC’s team competed in the biomedical and bioengineering innovation student category of the competition, and presented a device called ASTEK, which allows physicians to more effectively treat bacterial infections. Continue reading Team of UMBC grad students takes first place at 2019 BMEidea competition
NASA and DoE fund UMBC’s Zhibo Zhang to pursue ambitious atmospheric research
“You can look at the data and you see discrepancies between the climate models and the observations,” says graduate student Kylie Hoffman. “Some of it we can explain, and some of it we can’t. Identifying the discrepancies and being able to modify the climate models to be more accurate down the road is very important.” Multiple projects in Zhibo Zhang’s lab are helping labs all over the world address questions like this. Continue reading NASA and DoE fund UMBC’s Zhibo Zhang to pursue ambitious atmospheric research