Looking ahead to UMBC Giving Day—shining a spotlight on ways to make a difference
At midnight on Thursday, February 28, UMBC Giving Day will officially begin, kicking off the university’s second annual 24-hour marathon of giving. The goal: for as many UMBC alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students as possible to make a gift, supporting UMBC students and projects. UMBC is relying on Retriever Nation to make the 1,000 donor goal a reality. Continue reading Looking ahead to UMBC Giving Day—shining a spotlight on ways to make a difference
UMBC men’s and women’s swimming and diving shatter records, capture America East titles
After a record-setting championship tournament, UMBC Swimming & Diving Coach Chad Cradock reflects, “From the minute the events started, we all rallied around each other to compete at our best.” Continue reading UMBC men’s and women’s swimming and diving shatter records, capture America East titles
UMBC connects insightful students with growing companies through the Maryland Technology Internship Program
MTIP launched in fall 2018 to increase the number of paid technical internships in the state by providing financial assistance to businesses, as well as state and local agencies, to hire more interns. Continue reading UMBC connects insightful students with growing companies through the Maryland Technology Internship Program
President Hrabowski shares an inclusive approach to difficult conversations in Bipartisan Policy Center interview
In a recent interview at the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Bob and Elizabeth Dole Series on Leadership, UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski shared his perspective on leading diverse and inclusive communities in today’s political environment.
Continue reading President Hrabowski shares an inclusive approach to difficult conversations in Bipartisan Policy Center interview
UMBC Mock Trial takes top prize at Georgetown’s Hilltop Invitational as competition season kicks into high gear
“As someone who was a four-year competitor for the program and was the program’s president as a senior, I find weekends like this past one to be both rewarding and exciting,” says Dylan Rogers Elliott ‘17, history. “I came through the program and have been able to come back and coach while in law school, and nothing makes me happier than seeing both the success and potential of the UMBC Mock Trial Program continue to grow.” Continue reading UMBC Mock Trial takes top prize at Georgetown’s Hilltop Invitational as competition season kicks into high gear
UMBC chosen to host AAAS science and faith dialogue project
“UMBC is blessed with such diversity in every imaginable dimension that it is an exciting place to experience a scholarly exploration of the interface between science and faith,” says event co-organizer Steve Freeland. Continue reading UMBC chosen to host AAAS science and faith dialogue project
UMBC scientists tackle persistent hurdles in the aquaculture industry with new NOAA grant
The grant will support efforts to optimize an innovative procedure for growing fish that can’t reproduce. “Everybody has been looking for another way to develop reproductively sterile fish,” Yonathan Zohar says. Sterile fish produce higher-quality meat and can’t breed with local populations if they escape from net pens. Continue reading UMBC scientists tackle persistent hurdles in the aquaculture industry with new NOAA grant
Dean Scott Casper continues UMBC’s strong partnership with Maryland Humanities and the Greater Baltimore Alliance as a new board member
“Both Maryland Humanities and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance immeasurably enrich our communities, region, and state,” says Scott Casper. “They nurture our collective humanity, our creativity, and our understanding of contemporary and historical contexts for our challenges and endeavors.” Continue reading Dean Scott Casper continues UMBC’s strong partnership with Maryland Humanities and the Greater Baltimore Alliance as a new board member
UMBC’s Ivan Erill finds resistance to modern drug in ancient bacteria
“The drug you design ten years from now may already be obsolete,” Ivan Erill says. In a new study in Frontiers in Microbiology, Erill and colleagues describe how bacteria that existed hundreds of millions of years ago were already resistant to an antibacterial drug not invented until the 1930s. Continue reading UMBC’s Ivan Erill finds resistance to modern drug in ancient bacteria
UMBC biologist Phyllis Robinson recognized for research, advocacy, and mentorship
At UMBC, “I’ve been able to do my science and also put energy into the social justice aspects of the world that are important to me,” Phyllis Robinson says. “One doesn’t exclude the other.” Continue reading UMBC biologist Phyllis Robinson recognized for research, advocacy, and mentorship
UMBC’s Aaron Smith works toward developing new antibiotic targets with NIH grant
“We have to think about more strategic and clever ways of attacking bugs,” says Aaron Smith. His work studies nutrient uptake mechanisms, specifically how bacteria acquire iron, as potential targets for new antibiotics. Continue reading UMBC’s Aaron Smith works toward developing new antibiotic targets with NIH grant
UMBC’s Amy Lien helps NASA unravel the mystery of an unusual blast from across the universe
“We’ve never seen anything exactly like the Cow,” Amy Lien says, “which is very exciting.” Her team at NASA’s Swift Observatory hypothesizes that a black hole tearing apart a white dwarf star caused the blast. Continue reading UMBC’s Amy Lien helps NASA unravel the mystery of an unusual blast from across the universe
UMBC’s Colleen Burge helps show oyster aquaculture can limit disease in wild oysters
“Oyster aquaculture is growing in Maryland,” says Colleen Burge. As long as growers employ proper management techniques, “This paper suggests this growing aquaculture industry could actually support restoration efforts and also the wild fisheries.” Continue reading UMBC’s Colleen Burge helps show oyster aquaculture can limit disease in wild oysters
UMBC’s Top 10 Highlights of 2018
It wouldn’t be a proper farewell to 2018 without reminiscing about some of the biggest UMBC stories from the year. Here are ten highlights from a year we won’t soon forget. Continue reading UMBC’s Top 10 Highlights of 2018
U.S. News ranks UMBC’s online master’s in information systems among top 20 in the nation
The program climbed up four places this year, reaching #19 and joining other leading institutions on the 2019 Best Online Information Technology Programs list. Continue reading U.S. News ranks UMBC’s online master’s in information systems among top 20 in the nation
Hour of Code brings Baltimore 3rd and 4th graders to UMBC for fun intro to computing
“It’s important for UMBC to have an impact in our local community. UMBC is a public university and we are part of the community,” says Fayo Ojo ‘20, computer science, who helped coordinate the event. “Hosting events like this shows that UMBC is committed to education beyond the courses offered here.” Continue reading Hour of Code brings Baltimore 3rd and 4th graders to UMBC for fun intro to computing
The Baltimore Sun again names UMBC one of Baltimore’s top places to work
UMBC ranked eighth among all top large employers in the region—the only university and only government institution featured on the list. In describing UMBC as a workplace, President Hrabowski has said: “UMBC is truly a supportive and inclusive community. This is a place where we believe in mutual respect and in achieving great things when we combine our strengths and work together toward our shared vision.” Continue reading The Baltimore Sun again names UMBC one of Baltimore’s top places to work
UMBC places 10th at Pan-Am Team Chess Championship
UMBC Chess competed in the 2018 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship, held in San Francisco, California, December 27 – 30. “The Pan-Am tournament was great for all of the players on the team,” says team member Ewa Harazinska ‘20, chemistry. “We take a great pride in representing UMBC in a national competition, and we were delighted to place in the top 10 chess teams.” Continue reading UMBC places 10th at Pan-Am Team Chess Championship
UMBC ranks among top 150 U.S. universities in federal research funding
The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently released its latest Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey, including UMBC among the top 150 U.S. universities in federal research and development expenditures for fiscal year 2017. Continue reading UMBC ranks among top 150 U.S. universities in federal research funding
UMBC’s Tim Finin named an ACM fellow for advancements in artificial intelligence and semantic web technology
“It’s a great honor to be selected as an ACM fellow, since it is based on the recommendations of one’s peers and recognizes contributions to the field of computing,” says Finin. “I am especially honored since ACM fellows include so many pioneers of the field whose work and contributions I have studied and used over the past 40 years.” Continue reading UMBC’s Tim Finin named an ACM fellow for advancements in artificial intelligence and semantic web technology
Grit and community support help UMBC grads envision—and claim—their futures
Each UMBC student has a unique journey, including challenges to tackle with tenacity, courage, and grit. For many of UMBC’s newest grads, a culture of community support has made all the difference, enabling them to both claim their future and help others along the way. Continue reading Grit and community support help UMBC grads envision—and claim—their futures
From visual effects to cybersecurity, UMBC grads share transformative career connections
Each year, thousands of UMBC students complete high-value internships, service-learning, research, and other applied learning experiences, and they have an impact. Surveys of UMBC graduates show that 90 percent head directly to a job, advanced degree, or both. Of those employed, a majority worked for or interned with their employer as a UMBC student. Continue reading From visual effects to cybersecurity, UMBC grads share transformative career connections
Three generations, thousands of miles: Scientists unlock the mystery of a dragonfly’s migration
“We know that a lot of insects migrate, but we have full life history and full migration data for only a couple. This is the first dragonfly in the Western Hemisphere for which we know this,” says Colin Studds. “We’ve solved the first piece of a big mystery.” Continue reading Three generations, thousands of miles: Scientists unlock the mystery of a dragonfly’s migration
Faculty receive START and SURFF awards to pursue new research and creative work
UMBC’s Office of the Vice President for Research presented awards to support the work of two dozen UMBC faculty examining topics from health disparities among people with diabetes to natural language processing. Continue reading Faculty receive START and SURFF awards to pursue new research and creative work
From lab to museum, new UMBC grads show the powerful impact of original research
Student passion guided by faculty support is part of the fabric of UMBC. Four students’ stories, from Asian studies to biological sciences, shed light on how this winning combination makes possible big breakthroughs. Continue reading From lab to museum, new UMBC grads show the powerful impact of original research
UMBC’s newest grads leave a legacy of community-building and support
Meet a few of the many UMBC students graduating this December who exemplify the Retriever spirit of building connections and community by offering a compassionate ear, a helping hand, and a voice of support when it is most needed. Together, these students have created a more inclusive, accessible, and supportive UMBC for everyone, and they continue to reach together to help UMBC grow. Continue reading UMBC’s newest grads leave a legacy of community-building and support
CS3 leads research summit on community-based violence prevention in Baltimore
“We wanted to purposefully use this summit to convene as many researchers as possible to examine, discuss, and share expertise and data,” Mallinson says. “Our intent is increasing collaboration and resources beyond this room, between institutions and the community, to create tangible, applicable and responsive human- and community-centered research in violence prevention with and for Baltimore.” Continue reading CS3 leads research summit on community-based violence prevention in Baltimore
Student entrepreneurs share fresh perspectives at UMBC’s 9th annual Idea Competition
UMBC’s Idea Competition offers students from all fields an opportunity to present business ideas to a panel of expert judges and receive immediate feedback on moving from vision to reality. The university’s Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship hosts this competition … Continue reading Student entrepreneurs share fresh perspectives at UMBC’s 9th annual Idea Competition
UMBC launches PROMISE Academy with USM partners, to support diverse faculty in the biomedical sciences
The PROMISE Academy will draw on the expertise of universities around the nation and evidence-based best practices to recruit and retain a diverse group of faculty members in STEM fields. “With so many top programs supporting the success of diverse students and faculty, UMBC has a strong foundation on which to build,” Renetta Tull said. Continue reading UMBC launches PROMISE Academy with USM partners, to support diverse faculty in the biomedical sciences
UMBC partners with Blackboard, VitalSource on research to support student success
UMBC, Blackboard and VitalSource researchers found that by combining data from a wide range of sources, they were able to develop a model that was 70-98 percent accurate in predicting, by week four in the semester, which students would go on to earn a C or higher final grade. Continue reading UMBC partners with Blackboard, VitalSource on research to support student success
Amy Bhatt shines light on gender and immigration policy in new book High-Tech Housewives
“Now more than ever, Professor Bhatt’s research is crucial in helping all of us understand the everyday impact of high-skilled immigration,” shares Jessica Berman, director of the Dresher Center for the Humanities. “Thriving academic research communities are enriched by the knowledge and expertise highly-skilled international faculty, staff, and students bring and share.” Continue reading Amy Bhatt shines light on gender and immigration policy in new book High-Tech Housewives
UMBC joins innovative ACE Internationalization Lab, expanding commitment to global engagement
“UMBC’s participation in this year’s cohort of the ACE Internationalization Laboratory is a key component in our work to create the university’s first-ever internationalization roadmap,” shares Tony Moreira, vice provost for academic affairs. “Given today’s global landscape for higher education, universities need to implement international, intercultural, and global elements in all areas of the institution to ensure that they stay relevant and continue to provide a high-quality education to all students.” Continue reading UMBC joins innovative ACE Internationalization Lab, expanding commitment to global engagement
Meet UMBC’s Linda Wiratan, Rhodes Scholar finalist
“Being a Rhodes finalist tells me that I can combine my passion for cell biology research, my interest in educating the public, and also my promotion of mental illness discussion within academia—and have a really unique, rewarding career,” Wiratan says. Continue reading Meet UMBC’s Linda Wiratan, Rhodes Scholar finalist
Student scientists take center stage at UMBC’s largest-ever Undergraduate Research Symposium
“It is so inspiring to see hundreds of undergraduate researchers from over 40 colleges and universities and nearly a dozen states coming together to present research to fellow students, mentors, and faculty judges,” shares CNMS Dean Bill LaCourse. Continue reading Student scientists take center stage at UMBC’s largest-ever Undergraduate Research Symposium
UMBC and Morgan Stanley support students and research in data-intensive computing fields
The collaboration is made possible by Morgan Stanley’s contribution of $125,000 toward several UMBC initiatives, renewable annually for up to four additional years. “Morgan Stanley already employs so many UMBC graduates and student interns,” says Anupam Joshi, UMBC’s chair of computer science and electrical engineering. “This scholarship fund further supports our shared commitment to developing a diverse talent pool for the future.” Continue reading UMBC and Morgan Stanley support students and research in data-intensive computing fields
UMBC men’s soccer advances to the America East Championship
After a 1-0 victory against No. 1 Stony Brook, UMBC men’s soccer travels to New Hampshire to play for the America East Championship. Continue reading UMBC men’s soccer advances to the America East Championship
UMBC celebrates 40 years of the W. E. B. Du Bois Lecture with talk on genetics, race, and racism
UMBC’s annual W.E.B. Du Bois lecture series “provides an important platform for intellectual dialogue on crucial aspects of African American experiences and those of peoples of African descent,” says Chuku. “It offers us an opportunity to draw inspiration from Du Bois’s scholarship and activism.” Continue reading UMBC celebrates 40 years of the W. E. B. Du Bois Lecture with talk on genetics, race, and racism
UMBC’s Ashe and Berry-McCrea earn national honors for doctoral research addressing inequities
UMBC doctoral student Jason Ashe and new Ph.D. recipient Erin Berry-McCrea have been selected for notable national honors as emerging leaders in work to address inequalities, in health care and in educational and professional spaces. Continue reading UMBC’s Ashe and Berry-McCrea earn national honors for doctoral research addressing inequities
UMBC welcomes Beth Saunders as the new curator and head of Special Collections
Saunders comes to UMBC from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she was assistant curator in the Department of Photographs. She will oversee the management, preservation, and exhibition of UMBC’s photography, rare book, and archival collections. “One of the things that excites me about Special Collections is that it’s a nerdy collection in the best possible way, bridging the sciences, the humanities, the arts, and other fields of research,” she says. Continue reading UMBC welcomes Beth Saunders as the new curator and head of Special Collections
Bahama Oriole Project team awarded NSF grant to offer more UMBC undergrads international research experiences
“Being on the Bahama Oriole Project was my first hands-on glimpse at international research,” Matthew Kane ’19 says. “It was the first time I had seen scientists from two different countries collaborating on a conservation project on this scale.” Continue reading Bahama Oriole Project team awarded NSF grant to offer more UMBC undergrads international research experiences
UMBC’s Alan Sherman and colleagues receive over $5M in NSF support for cybersecurity education
The National Science Foundation recently awarded Alan Sherman, professor of computer science and electrical engineering (CSEE), two grants totaling over five million dollars to support his students and research at UMBC. Sherman will work with several faculty across campus, including Rick Forno and Dhananjay Phatak (CSEE) and Linda Oliva (education). Continue reading UMBC’s Alan Sherman and colleagues receive over $5M in NSF support for cybersecurity education
New UMBC research suggests need to rethink goals of global reforestation efforts
Forests store carbon, clean water, prevent soil erosion, and provide habitat for a wide range of species, “but all those benefits start kicking in when forests are older,” says Matthew Fagan. Based on their new research, Fagan and colleagues argue that nations would do better to take the long view when committing to forest restoration. Continue reading New UMBC research suggests need to rethink goals of global reforestation efforts