UMBC’s Stephen Freeland receives Trotter Prize for pioneering origins-of-life research
Freeland’s research has always centered on how and why living things evolved a system of genetic coding, which has taken him from biology to astrobiology and has inevitably led him to grapple with one of the big questions many people ask themselves: “Where do we come from?” Continue reading UMBC’s Stephen Freeland receives Trotter Prize for pioneering origins-of-life research
UMBC ranks in top 3.3% of universities worldwide
UMBC has again been named one of the top universities in the world for 2019-2020. Rankings released this week by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) place UMBC in the top 3.3% of universities worldwide, as well as among … Continue reading UMBC ranks in top 3.3% of universities worldwide
UMBC’s Qianqian Song receives FINESST Fellowship from NASA for research on dust clouds and climate
“When I visited UMBC, I felt like everyone knows each other and supports each other in the physics department,” Song remembers. “That’s why I chose here.” Now, she’s rising to become a leader in the field of dust aerosols, which play a role in climate change. Continue reading UMBC’s Qianqian Song receives FINESST Fellowship from NASA for research on dust clouds and climate
UMBC’s Baja SAE team finishes with second highest total points in program’s 30-year history
The team ended this year’s season strong, finishing in the top 12 overall at each of three competitions across the country. Continue reading UMBC’s Baja SAE team finishes with second highest total points in program’s 30-year history
Inaugural Maryland Arts Summit convenes at UMBC
On June 6–8, UMBC hosted the inaugural Maryland Arts Summit. During the three-day event, five hundred artists, educators, advocates, and arts administrators from across the state convened for workshops, award programs, networking sessions, performances, and more. Continue reading Inaugural Maryland Arts Summit convenes at UMBC
UMBC’s Mejdulene B. Shomali receives Woodrow Wilson Foundation fellowship for research on gender and sexuality in transnational Arab culture
“Most people don’t know there are twenty-two countries in the Arab league. These countries share Arabic as the primary national language. Many are Muslim-majority nations,” shares Shomali. “Many, but not all.” She notes, “There is great linguistic, cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity within the Arab world.” Continue reading UMBC’s Mejdulene B. Shomali receives Woodrow Wilson Foundation fellowship for research on gender and sexuality in transnational Arab culture
Jessica Berman is named the 2019 UMBC Lipitz Professor for her global radio research
“Jessica Berman’s new book will be an important contribution to the growing academic literature on a previously ignored medium,” shares Jason Loviglio, “pushing radio studies and modernist studies in important new directions.” Continue reading Jessica Berman is named the 2019 UMBC Lipitz Professor for her global radio research
UMBC partners with five universities in the US, UK, and Japan to launch International Cybersecurity Center of Excellence
UMBC has partnered to create a global university network dedicated to securing critical systems against cyber threats: the International Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (INCS-CoE). Continue reading UMBC partners with five universities in the US, UK, and Japan to launch International Cybersecurity Center of Excellence
UMBC’s Tom Cronin, mantis shrimp vision expert, receives international Rank Prize for Optoelectronics
The mantis shrimp visual system “is just extraordinarily strange,” says Tom Cronin. His study of this remarkable system alongside colleague and co-winner Justin Marshall over the last 30 years has led to applications such as guided breast cancer surgery and detection of otherwise camouflaged objects, among others. Continue reading UMBC’s Tom Cronin, mantis shrimp vision expert, receives international Rank Prize for Optoelectronics
UMBC’s Erickson School celebrates new grads as innovators in aging services
“Our ceremony provides an opportunity to reflect upon the tremendous personal growth of each of our graduates,” explains Dana Bradley, dean of the Erickson School. “We celebrate the amazing opportunities our graduates have as leaders in aging services to ensure that our society is ready to embrace the longevity economy.” Continue reading UMBC’s Erickson School celebrates new grads as innovators in aging services
New ranking names UMBC among world’s top universities for faculty research
According to the recent QS World University Rankings 2020, UMBC is one of the top 500 universities in the world overall and among the best of the best in a key measure of faculty scholarship. Continue reading New ranking names UMBC among world’s top universities for faculty research
Leadership Montgomery recognizes UMBC’s Annica Wayman and Sunil Dasgupta
Wayman and Dasgupta are the first members of the UMBC community to be selected since the program’s inception in 1990, an indication of UMBC’s growing presence in Montgomery County through the Universities at Shady Grove. Christopher Steele shares, “These two remarkable leaders perfectly reflect the fact that UMBC offers its very best to Montgomery County.” Continue reading Leadership Montgomery recognizes UMBC’s Annica Wayman and Sunil Dasgupta
UMBC convenes research forum on immigration and mobility in higher education
“The research results showed that for each undocumented student that graduates from a four-year college, who would not have gone otherwise, the net benefits to the state were $350,000,” explains Gindling. “Providing access to higher education and financial aid to undocumented youth is a good investment for the individual, for the state, and for the government as a whole.” Continue reading UMBC convenes research forum on immigration and mobility in higher education
Phage Hunters: Popular UMBC research program opens doors to biotech careers
“All the techniques we learned in Phage Hunters directly translate to the work we do in the lab on a daily basis,” says Anna Kawa ’18. “Being on the cutting edge of biotech is really exciting,” adds Viet Dang ’18. “Just being right there, potentially changing history, is really exciting.” Continue reading Phage Hunters: Popular UMBC research program opens doors to biotech careers
UMBC honors social work students for commitment to social change
“You committed to academic excellence,” said Carolyn Tice, associate dean of social work at UMBC, “but you also demonstrated a commitment to community and overwhelming service to people—people who are often left behind.” Continue reading UMBC honors social work students for commitment to social change
UMBC celebrates student achievement in the arts, humanities, and social sciences
“CAHSS’s amazing students do it all: think and learn across boundaries and borders, develop their identities as scholars and citizens, and contribute their imagination and expertise to local and global communities,” says Scott Casper, dean of CAHSS. “Given all they’ve already accomplished, it’s exciting to envision what they’ll do next.” Continue reading UMBC celebrates student achievement in the arts, humanities, and social sciences
CNMS celebrates a year of growth in partnerships to support student success
“The college has laid the foundation, and now is really in a strong position for growth,” says Dean Bill LaCourse. “It’s all about paying attention to the people and their needs,” he explains, so faculty, staff, and students can do their best work and create a thriving community together. Continue reading CNMS celebrates a year of growth in partnerships to support student success
UMBC’s Jeff Leips receives NIH grant to explore how genes affect immune system function as we age
With this new NIH grant, Jeff Leips says, “Ideally, I want to understand the mechanisms—what goes wrong with age and immunity? Once we know that, the next question is whether we can find ways to try to ameliorate the effects of aging on those traits.” Continue reading UMBC’s Jeff Leips receives NIH grant to explore how genes affect immune system function as we age
UMBC’s Hua Lu works to decode plant defense system, with an eye on improving farming and medicine
“It’s quite cool,” Hua Lu says, “because, in both plants and animals, people are beginning to study the crosstalk between the circadian clock and the immunity system.” Continue reading UMBC’s Hua Lu works to decode plant defense system, with an eye on improving farming and medicine
UMBC’s Sarah Stellwagen first in world to sequence genes for spider glue
Sequencing spider glue genes is like, “picking a needle from a haystack,” says UMBC postdoc Sarah Stellwagen. She is the lead author of a new G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics article on sequencing two spider glue genes for the first time. They’re massive — the largest has a coding sequence over 42,000 bases long. Continue reading UMBC’s Sarah Stellwagen first in world to sequence genes for spider glue
UMBC’s Glenn Wolfe develops new method to gauge atmosphere’s ability to clear methane, a potent greenhouse gas
“Hydroxyl radicals control the lifetime of nearly every reactive gas,” including methane, explains Glenn Wolfe. However, “globally, we don’t have a way to directly measure them.” His new research puts scientists on the path to changing that, and toward improving global climate models. Continue reading UMBC’s Glenn Wolfe develops new method to gauge atmosphere’s ability to clear methane, a potent greenhouse gas
UMBC communications team wins CASE writing award for research news coverage
UMBC’s communications team has earned an Excellence in News Writing Award for research, medicine, and science news writing from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. UMBC was one of just two universities to receive the award in the mid-Atlantic, CASE’s largest district, representing 700 U.S. and Canadian colleges and independent schools. Continue reading UMBC communications team wins CASE writing award for research news coverage
Festive COEIT Celebration honors achievement, service, and community
The COEIT Celebration has quickly become a defining annual event for the community of faculty, staff, and students in UMBC’s College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT). The celebration showcases the achievements of COEIT’s numerous highly active student organizations. It’s also an opportunity for community members to reflect on the year and to honor those whose work has been essential to the College’s impact and growth. Continue reading Festive COEIT Celebration honors achievement, service, and community
Pitch perfect: 2019 Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition standouts
UMBC’s annual Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition is a Shark Tank-style event for students who are serious about starting companies to solve real challenges. Ahead of the competition, each team is paired an industry mentor who provides professional advice and learns about tools at UMBC that can support their business ideas. Continue reading Pitch perfect: 2019 Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition standouts
“Appreciate the differences”: How study abroad shaped four UMBC student experiences
Many students come to UMBC with the goal of leaving the familiar behind to take on new challenges and gain a fresh perspective. Once they’re on campus, that’s also what inspires some Retrievers to explore international learning opportunities. Balancing course requirements, activities, research, and other responsibilities, while also pursuing study abroad, can prove challenging. But for these four UMBC students earning undergraduate degrees this month, it’s also been transformative. Continue reading “Appreciate the differences”: How study abroad shaped four UMBC student experiences
Five UMBC students see their degrees as a step toward community impact
“Being a valedictorian for me is about honoring South Asian women feminists whose achievements were not as visible when I was growing up. It is also about the need to transform research and community service skills into direct activism.”—Samiksha Manjani Continue reading Five UMBC students see their degrees as a step toward community impact
Laser focus without limits: UMBC’s newest grads choose their own adventures
He’s a bassoonist and chemical engineer. She’s a dancer and social justice advocate. UMBC students have a lot of focus, but that doesn’t mean they have to focus on one thing. For many, the UMBC experience is about figuring out how to combine their passions, not chose one or the other. Here, four UMBC students graduating this spring share how they have found their own unique balance. Continue reading Laser focus without limits: UMBC’s newest grads choose their own adventures
UMBC makes intro computing courses available to students in any major through X + Computing pilot
Computing and coding skills are becoming integral to many jobs and industries, but students outside of computing disciplines are not always exposed to these fundamentals. UMBC is working to change that with new learning pathways for non-computer science majors. Continue reading UMBC makes intro computing courses available to students in any major through X + Computing pilot
Leaders in public service, music, and addiction research to address UMBC’s Class of 2019
At UMBC’s upcoming commencement ceremonies, students and their families and supporters will hear from three distinguished speakers recognized as leaders in their different fields. They include a UMBC alumnus recently elected county executive, the first woman conductor of a major American orchestra, and one of the world’s top addiction researchers. Continue reading Leaders in public service, music, and addiction research to address UMBC’s Class of 2019
From dream to drive to degree: Five UMBC journeys
“My goal is to be a part of the change that I’d like to see,” says Vanessa Gonzalez ’19, American studies, sharing the vision of so many UMBC students graduating alongside her. “I want to be part of helping lift up a community that deserves more.” Continue reading From dream to drive to degree: Five UMBC journeys
UMBC softball clinches first America East title, advancing to the NCAA tournament
UMBC softball swept the America East tournament for their first title win. The Retrievers will advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002. Continue reading UMBC softball clinches first America East title, advancing to the NCAA tournament
Fourteen UMBC students and recent alumni receive Fulbright awards, setting new record
Since 1970, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program has chosen more than 70 UMBC students and recent alumni to represent the United States through conducting research, teaching English, or pursuing graduate studies internationally. This year’s recipients will pursue Fulbright experiences in Rwanda, Malaysia, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and more. Continue reading Fourteen UMBC students and recent alumni receive Fulbright awards, setting new record
UMBC’s newest grads share what inspired their unique paths
When students come to UMBC, they bring with them life experiences that shape the program they choose, the mentors they find, the research questions they ask, and the communities they build on campus. Here, five UMBC students earning their degrees this month share experiences that shaped their paths. Continue reading UMBC’s newest grads share what inspired their unique paths
UMBC to face No. 1 seed Penn State in NCAA men’s lacrosse tournament
Just four days after winning the America East men’s lacrosse championship, UMBC defeated Marist to head to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament. They’ll face No. 1 seed Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania, at noon on Sunday, May 12. Continue reading UMBC to face No. 1 seed Penn State in NCAA men’s lacrosse tournament
UMBC advances to the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship after America East victory
The Retrievers are America East champions again, with UMBC’s men’s lacrosse reclaiming the title for the first time in a decade. Now, the team is heading to the opening round of the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship, facing MAAC Champion Marist on May 8, 7 p.m., at Tenney Stadium in Poughkeepsie, New York. Continue reading UMBC advances to the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship after America East victory
UMBC international students find connection on campus, from day one to degree
When international students arrive on campus, they find a warm welcome from their departments and fellow students. These four May graduates share how they made a home on campus during their time at UMBC. Continue reading UMBC international students find connection on campus, from day one to degree
UMBC alumna Adrienne A. Jones makes history as Maryland Speaker of the House
“Delegate Jones exemplifies what we want to see in elected office today – leaders who are working hard for the good of all people,” said President Freeman Hrabowski. “Like so many of our alumni, she is making a real difference in people’s lives. We are so proud of her.” Continue reading UMBC alumna Adrienne A. Jones makes history as Maryland Speaker of the House
Business First names UMBC one of nation’s best public universities
Business First works to pinpoint “the public universities and colleges that offer the best educational experiences to their students.” Their ranking assesses over 500 four-year higher education institutions based on 22 key indicators, measuring academic excellence, affordability, diversity, and economic strength. Continue reading Business First names UMBC one of nation’s best public universities
UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars replications at Penn State, UNC show notable success in first four years
“These findings confirm that Meyerhoff-like programs and student outcomes can be achieved elsewhere, even at institutions very different from UMBC,” says Michael Summers. “It is my hope that this initial effort has laid the groundwork for partnership expansion with an even broader range of institutions.” Continue reading UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars replications at Penn State, UNC show notable success in first four years
UMBC community responds to launch of new icon and homepage following two-year branding initiative
Earlier this month, UMBC officially launched a new icon and homepage as the culmination of a two-year, community-driven brand message and logo development process—the first University-wide branding initiative in UMBC history. Continue reading UMBC community responds to launch of new icon and homepage following two-year branding initiative
URCAD 2019 features diversity-focused student research, with Baltimore, LGBTQ+, and international focus areas
These presentations affirm a core goal of URCAD. As Katharine H. Cole, vice provost and dean of undergraduate academic affairs, has shared, “UMBC encourages students of all disciplines to engage in mentored projects and through creative thought and focused inquiry, to discover in themselves their passion.” Continue reading URCAD 2019 features diversity-focused student research, with Baltimore, LGBTQ+, and international focus areas
“Researching” to “researcher”: UMBC students share why mentoring is the key
Mechanical engineering major Karla Negrete was drawn to Deepa Madan’s lab after she took a course about the chemical and physical aspects of materials. “Dr. Madan has been a mentor to me in many ways,” Negrete reflects, “but the most important has been her ability to believe in me and stand behind me.” Continue reading “Researching” to “researcher”: UMBC students share why mentoring is the key