Chinese American parents and children have experienced increased racism due to COVID-19, report UMBC researchers in Pediatrics
A team of researchers led by UMBC psychology professor Charissa Cheah has found that a high percentage of Chinese American parents and children have witnessed and experienced an increase in racial discrimination since the outbreak of COVID-19. The researchers’ findings are now published in Pediatrics. Continue reading Chinese American parents and children have experienced increased racism due to COVID-19, report UMBC researchers in Pediatrics
UMBC sees solid enrollment in Fall 2020, celebrating returning students and high-demand graduate programs
“Our strong enrollments this fall affirm that, even with the challenges our world is facing, our new and continuing students value the UMBC experience and recognize the importance of staying on track with their degrees,” says Vice Provost Yvette Mozie-Ross. Continue reading UMBC sees solid enrollment in Fall 2020, celebrating returning students and high-demand graduate programs
New U.S. News rankings honor UMBC strengths in teaching, innovation, and inclusion
The 2021 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings affirm that UMBC remains one of the top universities in the nation, with a uniquely distinguished profile. UMBC has advanced to #11 for undergraduate teaching and holds the #9 position on the list of most innovative schools in the nation, among other prominent rankings. Continue reading New U.S. News rankings honor UMBC strengths in teaching, innovation, and inclusion
UMBC engages Howard Community College students with environmental science—online and in their own backyards
“My goal for the students was to capture what I think is the most important part of scientific research—curiosity through observation,” Chris Hawn says. By training their eyes and learning to see in new ways, Hawn says, “People were making discoveries literally inside their houses, or on a walk, or in their yard. It was really wonderful to see that transformation.” Continue reading UMBC engages Howard Community College students with environmental science—online and in their own backyards
Dipanjan Pan demonstrates new method to produce gold nanoparticles directly in cancer cells with possible applications in x-ray imaging, cancer treatment
UMBC’s Dipanjan Pan, professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering, and collaborators have published a seminal study in Nature Communications that demonstrates for the first time a method of biosynthesizing plasmonic gold nanoparticles within cancer cells, without the need for conventional bench-top lab methods. It has the potential to notably expand biomedical applications. Continue reading Dipanjan Pan demonstrates new method to produce gold nanoparticles directly in cancer cells with possible applications in x-ray imaging, cancer treatment
UMBC’s Daniel Lobo receives $1.9 million NIH grant to explore genetic control of development and regeneration
Salamanders regenerate their tails. Sea stars regenerate their arms. Most species of planaria, a type of flatworm, can regenerate everything from their brains to their digestive organs. But if you lose part of a finger in a shop class accident, or while chopping vegetables for dinner, you’re out of luck—for now. “Why can the worm do it, and we cannot?” asks Daniel Lobo, assistant professor of biological sciences. That’s not really the question, though, he explains. Continue reading UMBC’s Daniel Lobo receives $1.9 million NIH grant to explore genetic control of development and regeneration
UMBC celebrates 2020 – 2021 Fulbright recipients
Ten recent UMBC alumni are recipients of 2020 – 2021 Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards, including seven from UMBC’s Class of 2020. Each year over 11,000 students apply and just over 2,000 are selected from hundreds of colleges and universities across the United States. The award secures funding for U.S. students to pursue international graduate study, research, internships, or teaching. Continue reading UMBC celebrates 2020 – 2021 Fulbright recipients
UMBC’s Taka Yamashita receives $1.4 million grant for research supporting workers returning to community college
UMBC’s Taka Yamashita has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences for an innovative three-year research project on how adult literacy impacts success in community college STEM education and job training programs. Yamashita is an associate professor of sociology and faculty member in the UMBC/UMB gerontology Ph.D. program. Continue reading UMBC’s Taka Yamashita receives $1.4 million grant for research supporting workers returning to community college
UMBC’s Elizabeth Patton dives into history of remote work with “Easy Living: The Rise of the Home Office”
Elizabeth Patton’s new book explores how Americans think about the modern home office and why. Due to COVID-19, remote work has hit unprecedented highs, but Patton’s scholarship reveals that it’s far from a new idea. Continue reading UMBC’s Elizabeth Patton dives into history of remote work with “Easy Living: The Rise of the Home Office”
Bedrock to treetops: NSF awards $4.8M to urban environment study led by UMBC’s Claire Welty
UMBC is leading an eight-institution effort to improve our understanding of Earth’s critical zone (from bedrock to treetops) in urban contexts. Most critical zone research happens in more pristine wilderness areas, because the added effects of urban processes make the research more complicated. But, Welty says, “that’s the most interesting part.” Continue reading Bedrock to treetops: NSF awards $4.8M to urban environment study led by UMBC’s Claire Welty
UMBC welcomes a remarkable class in an exceptional year
The start of UMBC’s academic year may look a little different from years past, but Retriever pride remains steady as ever. New students won’t get to experience walking through a tunnel of cheering faculty and staff on way to Convocation … Continue reading UMBC welcomes a remarkable class in an exceptional year
UMBC’s Tulay Adali receives prestigious Humboldt Research Award for advanced data analysis at Paderborn University
UMBC’s Tulay Adali, professor of computer science and electrical engineering (CSEE) and distinguished university professor, has received the prestigious Humboldt Research Award. Continue reading UMBC’s Tulay Adali receives prestigious Humboldt Research Award for advanced data analysis at Paderborn University
UMBC STEM BUILD students conduct and present viral research in reimagined summer program
“It was different,” says instructor Maria Cambraia, “but we kept the main goal. We wanted to offer them an authentic research experience, and we did.” Continue reading UMBC STEM BUILD students conduct and present viral research in reimagined summer program
UMBC alumnus Mark Doms is appointed chief economist of the Congressional Budget Office
UMBC alumnus Mark Doms ‘85, economics and mathematics, has been appointed chief economist of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Doms will be one of the leads of the agency that provides Congress with objective, nonpartisan, and high quality information about the economic and financial impacts of existing laws, new laws, and policies under consideration. Continue reading UMBC alumnus Mark Doms is appointed chief economist of the Congressional Budget Office
UMBC’s first virtual conference on inclusive language engages hundreds of education professionals from around the world
“To acknowledge that Black lives matter, that abuse of power must be stopped is paramount,” shared DàVida Plummer, keynote speaker at UMBC’s Inclusive Language Conference. “And for journalists the world over, we must capture this reality, tell our stories, and maintain objectivity.” Continue reading UMBC’s first virtual conference on inclusive language engages hundreds of education professionals from around the world
UMBC study reveals gender bias in bird song research and impact of women on science
“I believe this paper is a great example of how diversity expands the type of research scientists are doing,” says Casey Haines ’19. “A diverse pool of researchers may result in new questions being asked and new approaches to answering those questions. I would love to see this type of research applied in other areas of STEM.” Continue reading UMBC study reveals gender bias in bird song research and impact of women on science
Retrievers focus on community to prepare for a fall semester unlike any before
To create a roadmap for the fall, UMBC has relied on a strong tradition of community collaboration, bringing together committees of faculty, staff, and students to address every aspect of campus activity. In this way, UMBC can continue to live out its strong commitment to inclusive excellence and provide a distinctive academic and social experience during this unprecedented time. Continue reading Retrievers focus on community to prepare for a fall semester unlike any before
Princeton Review highlights UMBC’s dedicated students, engaging faculty
“To put it simply, UMBC made it onto The Princeton Review list because of our amazing students,” says Associate Professor Lee Blaney. “The list is developed through responses to student surveys, and so we (quite literally) have to thank our students for this honor, which highlights the excellent academic and social community that all of us have built at UMBC.” Continue reading Princeton Review highlights UMBC’s dedicated students, engaging faculty
UMBC students complete internships virtually amid COVID-19 pandemic
Each summer, hundreds of UMBC students complete summer internships to get hands-on experience related to their majors and career goals. The COVID-19 pandemic has moved many networking opportunities and jobs online, including some internships. Still, undergraduate and graduate students from across the University have spent the summer developing their skills and connections virtually. Continue reading UMBC students complete internships virtually amid COVID-19 pandemic
UMBC-led team receives Dept. of Energy grant to advance nuclear fusion energy research
“While there will be important materials and engineering questions that will need to be addressed before scaling up to a commercial reactor, we will address the most important physics questions that could put us in a path to a demo reactor in years, not decades. We are very excited to be working on a truly transformational technology that will enable a virtually inexhaustible energy source with very small impact to our planet,” says Romero-Talamas. Continue reading UMBC-led team receives Dept. of Energy grant to advance nuclear fusion energy research
Small satellite, big ambitions: UMBC’s HARP named SmallSat Mission of the Year
“I would like to thank the HARP team as a whole, because HARP is really the result of the perseverance of the team over many years,” said Vanderlei Martins, as he accepted the award on behalf of the team, which has included many students. Continue reading Small satellite, big ambitions: UMBC’s HARP named SmallSat Mission of the Year
Kimberly Moffitt appointed interim dean of UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
UMBC’s Kimberly Moffitt, professor of Language, Literacy & Culture and affiliate professor of Africana Studies, has been appointed Interim Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Continue reading Kimberly Moffitt appointed interim dean of UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
UMBC’s Meghan Grenier receives top NROTC teaching honor from the U.S. Navy
The UMBC midshipmen “are an impressive group of individuals who will go on to serve as excellent Navy and Marine Corps officers,” Meghan Grenier says. “I hope what they have learned from me and the NROTC program will … prepare them for the challenges of leadership in our Navy.” Continue reading UMBC’s Meghan Grenier receives top NROTC teaching honor from the U.S. Navy
Two UMBC student teams win USM COVID-19 app challenge
Earlier this summer, the University System of Maryland (USM) COVID-19 Task Force invited members of the USM community to develop mobile apps that would help Maryland residents respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the six winning teams just announced are two groups from UMBC. One team developed an app to support the healthcare of people with COVID-19. The other focused on connecting residents with dining options and restaurant policies as they change during the pandemic. Continue reading Two UMBC student teams win USM COVID-19 app challenge
UMBC’s Foad Hamidi receives NSF RAPID grant to expand free, secure internet access in Baltimore during COVID-19 and beyond
During the COVID-19 pandemic, internet access has become more critical, with people relying on it to work, learn, and connect with family and friends. However, the internet is not equally accessible to all people. UMBC’s Foad Hamidi recently received a collaborative Rapid Response Research (RAPID) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase high-speed wireless internet access to communities in Baltimore. Continue reading UMBC’s Foad Hamidi receives NSF RAPID grant to expand free, secure internet access in Baltimore during COVID-19 and beyond
UMBC’s Sydney Gaskins competes in the final round of Trial by Combat, a national mock trial championship
UMBC Mock Trial continues to reach new heights at a national level, even with COVID-19 impacting the competition season. Sydney Gaskins ’22, political science, finished as a runner-up in the final round of the national Trial by Combat (TBC), a head-to-head individual mock trial championship hosted this summer by the UCLA School of Law and Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law. Continue reading UMBC’s Sydney Gaskins competes in the final round of Trial by Combat, a national mock trial championship
UMBC and Baltimore’s Lakeland Elementary/Middle School launch innovative online summer math program
UMBC’s Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars Program has launched an intensive virtual math incubator for Lakeland Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore City this summer. The free, voluntary five-week program is a math intervention for 150 Lakeland students in third through eighth grade. The program seeks to prevent summer learning loss, which could increase this year, intensified by COVID-19’s impact on student learning during the school year. Continue reading UMBC and Baltimore’s Lakeland Elementary/Middle School launch innovative online summer math program
UMBC completes pilot COVID-19 testing in preparation for fall semester
UMBC recently completed its first round of pilot COVID-19 testing, in preparation for the Retriever community’s gradual return to campus in the coming weeks and months. The pilot invited participation from faculty, staff, and students who are approved to be on campus this summer. Over the course of two days, University Health Services completed 325 COVID-19 tests and shared educational material on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Continue reading UMBC completes pilot COVID-19 testing in preparation for fall semester
UMBC historian Constantine Vaporis brings samurai scholarship to the public through TED-Ed animation
UMBC’s Constantine Vaporis, professor of history, has partnered with TED-Ed Animations to produce “A Day In The Life of A Teenage Samurai.” This original video draws from over thirty years of scholarship Vaporis has completed on Japanese history and culture, and it’s already received over 550,000 views. Continue reading UMBC historian Constantine Vaporis brings samurai scholarship to the public through TED-Ed animation
UMBC’s Gloria Chuku is named the 2020 – 21 Lipitz Professor for her research on the Igbo people of Nigeria
Gloria Chuku, chair and professor of Africana studies, has been named UMBC’s Lipitz Professor for 2020 – 21. This distinguished professorship recognizes and supports innovative teaching and research. Chuku will carry out research for her new book project, “Becoming Igbo in Nigeria and the Diaspora: A History of Ethnic Identity Formation and Negotiation.” Continue reading UMBC’s Gloria Chuku is named the 2020 – 21 Lipitz Professor for her research on the Igbo people of Nigeria
UMBC’s Dipanjan Pan receives two NIH grants to continue rapid COVID-19 testing research
Dipanjan Pan has received two new grants from the National Institutes of Health to support research poised to improve COVID-19 testing. Continue reading UMBC’s Dipanjan Pan receives two NIH grants to continue rapid COVID-19 testing research
Student cost to attend UMBC reduced for Fall 2020 semester
The cost to attend UMBC will decrease 22 percent compared to last fall for undergraduate students registered for courses offered by the main campus. UMBC’s Student Business Services Office notes that student bills will reflect stable tuition rates for undergraduate and graduate, resident and non-resident students, and decreased fees. Continue reading Student cost to attend UMBC reduced for Fall 2020 semester
UMBC develops future STEM teachers, researchers through pilot program pairing high school and college students
Now one of the high school participants, Kimani Reed, is starting at UMBC this fall. “The warm welcome I felt when I walked through the doors on the first day already made UMBC feel like home,” she says. Continue reading UMBC develops future STEM teachers, researchers through pilot program pairing high school and college students
Mantis shrimp eyes get even wilder: UMBC team finds twice the expected number of light-detecting proteins
“One of the reasons I love science is that we took this animal with an exceptional visual system, and it’s become even more complex,” Megan Porter says. “Every level that we look at adds another layer of complexity to how the visual system is working.” Continue reading Mantis shrimp eyes get even wilder: UMBC team finds twice the expected number of light-detecting proteins
UMBC collaborates with MxD to develop cybersecurity curriculum for workers in manufacturing
UMBC researchers will collaborate with the Chicago-based MxD to develop a curriculum and online platform for manufacturing professionals to increase their cybersecurity skills and to protect manufacturing plants from cyber breaches. “The program will accelerate training of practitioners in the manufacturing industry in cybersecurity. It will also expand UMBC’s impact on cybersecurity education in the manufacturing sector,” says Nilanjan Banerjee. Continue reading UMBC collaborates with MxD to develop cybersecurity curriculum for workers in manufacturing
UMBC mathematician Kathleen Hoffman receives new grants to improve HIV modeling
The improved models of disease spread Kathleen Hoffman and colleagues are working toward will help governments and non-profits get “the biggest bang for [their] buck in terms of resource allocation,” Kathleen Hoffman says. Where these groups should focus their time, energy, and money is “the kind of question this kind of work can usually answer.” Continue reading UMBC mathematician Kathleen Hoffman receives new grants to improve HIV modeling
UMBC faculty on a mission to prepare robust, high-quality online classes for fall semester
Faculty members are setting the bar high for themselves this fall, and they have demonstrated it by showing up in droves for a variety of programs offered through UMBC’s Faculty Development Center (FDC), Division of Information Technology (DoIT), and the colleges and academic departments. Since May, more than half of all faculty have participated in training activities associated with online teaching, not including the faculty members serving as mentors and instructors for these trainings. Continue reading UMBC faculty on a mission to prepare robust, high-quality online classes for fall semester
UMBC’s Fei Han, of The Hilltop Institute, receives grant to develop model predicting patients’ COVID-19 hospitalization risk
UMBC’s Fei Han has received a COVID-19 Accelerated Translational Incubator Pilot (ATIP) award for research to help predict and reduce patients’ risk of being hospitalized due to COVID-19. He will further develop the Hilltop Pre-AH Model™, a preventative risk model, to apply to pandemic conditions. Continue reading UMBC’s Fei Han, of The Hilltop Institute, receives grant to develop model predicting patients’ COVID-19 hospitalization risk
UMBC’s Nihira Mugamba, literacy advocate, is named a Newman Civic Fellow
Nihira Mugamba ‘21, political science and Africana studies, has been named a 2020 Newman Civic Fellow—the sixth UMBC student to earn this public service award. The fellowship honors her work promoting literacy in Uganda and the United States. Continue reading UMBC’s Nihira Mugamba, literacy advocate, is named a Newman Civic Fellow
Groundbreaking fish research by UMBC’s Yonathan Zohar spawns partnership with AquaCon on $1 billion Maryland aquaculture project
“I’ve been working in Maryland for almost 30 years, and we’ve been developing a lot of these technologies,” Yonathan Zohar says. “Our mission is research, education, and economic development, and we have been working to create connections between academia and industry to fulfill that mission.” Continue reading Groundbreaking fish research by UMBC’s Yonathan Zohar spawns partnership with AquaCon on $1 billion Maryland aquaculture project
UMBC’s Eric Ford, Choice Program director, leads Maryland group supporting youth development
Eric Ford, director of The Choice Program at UMBC, has been appointed to serve as chair of the Maryland’s State Advisory Group (SAG) a part of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services (GOOCP). Continue reading UMBC’s Eric Ford, Choice Program director, leads Maryland group supporting youth development
Flood Bot: UMBC researchers expand flood warning work in Ellicott City
Ellicott City, a town about five miles from UMBC, suffered devastating flooding in 2016 and 2018. These events left residents and officials wondering how technology could help predict future severe weather events, potentially saving lives and property. In response, UMBC’s Nirmalya Roy received funding from NSF to develop a rapid flood warning system for Ellicott City, combining sensor data and social media monitoring. Continue reading Flood Bot: UMBC researchers expand flood warning work in Ellicott City