UMBC has again been recognized by U.S. News for exceptional graduate programs in the newly released rankings for 2020. Continue reading U.S. News recognizes UMBC graduate programs as among nation’s best in new 2020 rankings
“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 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
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
“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
“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
“I was really interested in looking at transfer from an asset-based perspective,” says UMBC’s Sarah Jewett. “Transfer students bring so many experiences and talents to this campus, just like every other student, and I think those strengths need to be recognized and tapped.” Continue reading UMBC and community colleges collaborate to boost transfer student success in STEM
Traveling far from home for an immersive research experience can be transformational for an undergraduate. Living and working in a completely new environment, with new colleagues, can be intimidating, but it also offers powerful opportunities for growth. Five STEM BUILD students from UMBC took that plunge this summer, and all made lasting memories that will inform their paths forward. Continue reading South Africa to Colorado: Summer research helps UMBC STEM BUILD students chart their course
More than 30 faculty mentors, 120+ undergrad and high school students, and dozens more attendees celebrated the students’ achievements at the conclusion of their summer research experiences. “The experience helped us to think like scientists,” says Olufolake Majekodunmi ’21. Continue reading UMBC’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fest 2018 spotlights talents of emerging scientists
UMBC’s Office of the Provost has launched a university-wide initiative to celebrate faculty who go above and beyond as educators, scholars, and leaders on campus and in their fields. This initiative strives to highlight tenure-track junior faculty, lecturers, and adjunct, research, and clinical faculty whose work is essential to UMBC’s success. Continue reading New UMBC initiative celebrates exceptional faculty dedication to teaching and scholarship
For the first time, An and his students have determined a function of a particular signaling pathway associated with metastasis. “Looking at this metabolic switch—which pathways are in use during metastasis versus when the cell is attached—may be where our research goes in the future,” says An. Continue reading UMBC’s Songon An discovers new molecular mechanism likely involved in cancer cell metastasis
The large number of honorees “shows the quality of student we have here at UMBC and what they’re doing,” says Keith Harmon, director of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program. “It also shows the quality of their research experiences at UMBC, and the commitment of the faculty to mentoring these students as undergraduates.” Continue reading NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program honors 18 UMBC students and alumni
“Now I see the proof that I am strong enough to create my own future and inspire others,” says Linda Wiratan. “The Goldwater Scholarship is that final push that will help me fly.” Continue reading UMBC “rising star” Linda Wiratan receives Goldwater Scholarship for leadership in scientific research
“My time at UMBC was filled with adventures,” says Vital, “whether I was experiencing a new culture through an event on campus or challenging myself in a course that was outside of my comfort zone.” Continue reading Valedictorian Eudorah Vital to pursue neurobiology-focused M.D./Ph.D. at Emory University
“UMBC nurtured my passions and connected me with professional and personal resources,” Falat reflects. Thanks to that support, she says, she’ll soon enter a rigorous Pharm.D./J.D. program. Continue reading Biochemistry researcher and award-winning figure skater Arissa Falat to pursue Pharm.D./J.D.
“The terrific mentorship I have received here has given me confidence to continue in research and, ultimately, enter the professoriate,” Baptiste shares. Continue reading Janae Baptiste, dedicated HIV researcher and educator, to continue as a postdoc at UMBC
From theatre productions to HIV research, Daniel Morris has taken advantage of the breadth of opportunities UMBC offers. “Being involved with performing and social student groups helped me to appreciate the value of being a well-rounded individual,” he says. Continue reading Daniel Morris to pursue microbiology Ph.D. at Penn without losing sight of love for the arts
“I’m hoping that in the future many people will be working in this area of cellular biochemistry, studying many metabolic enzymes in living cells,” says Songon An, whose work is on the leading edge of “the next stage in biochemistry.” Continue reading UMBC scientist opens a “new chapter for biochemistry” with $1.5 million NIH grant to study sugar metabolism
“As the biotechnology industry translates basic research from ‘bench to bedside,’ it needs a well-trained workforce,” says Dean Bill LaCourse. “The TLST program is designed from the ground up to meet that need through a flexible and interdisciplinary approach with intensive industry-inspired laboratory skills training.” Continue reading UMBC launches program to prep students for biotech careers in partnership with Montgomery College and The Universities at Shady Grove
“The BUILD participants at URS exemplify the objectives of the program,” says Laura Ott. “By participating in the BUILD program, they’re helping us explore novel strategies to increase participation in undergraduate research for all students.” Continue reading Undergraduate Research Symposium award winners embody success of UMBC STEM BUILD program
On October 14, more than 300 students from across the East Coast descended on campus to share their research with each other, participate in workshops, and learn about UMBC. The event celebrated the diversity among young scientists and the potential for their work to have a positive impact on the world. Continue reading 20th Undergraduate Research Symposium shines a light on students’ diverse contributions to science
“This strategy, if successful, will not only ensure delivering high payloads of anticancer drugs directly to tumors where they are needed the most, but also result in an overall reduction of drug dosage, and thereby reducing systemic toxicity in other body organs,” explains Liang Zhu, professor of mechanical engineering and PI of the grant. Continue reading UMBC faculty awarded NSF grant to shrink tumors with heat and nanoparticles
“You see this great cadre of people who represent the best of our university, the best of our country and the best of humankind. They are solving the problems of humankind,” said President Hrabowski. “This is by far the best of UMBC.” Continue reading 2017 Alumni Awards celebrate impressive contributions across disciplines from UMBC alumni and faculty
Ken Baron is committed to helping students “get grounded in their career areas early,” and focuses on connecting students at all levels with opportunities. In the end, programs like this one represent “the best of what a university can do for its students.” Continue reading UMBC undergrads conduct pharmaceutical research at UMB through new partnership
“It is a privilege to have so many students coming from far and near to participate in the authentic research experience UMBC provides,” shared Dean Bill LaCourse. “I assure you that your discoveries have added to scientific knowledge, which in the end benefits society through empowerment.” Continue reading UMBC’s 20th Summer Undergraduate Research Fest spotlights emerging science talent from across the nation
Their experiences will range from teaching English in Colombia to using animation to recreate Viking Age artifacts in Norway. Continue reading Seven new UMBC grads to pursue Fulbright fellowships around the globe
The work these legends did to support minority students “made a positive difference, and our students not only survived, but thrived,” shared Cynthia Hill, and President Hrabowski pointed out that UMBC now serves as a national model for elevating people from all backgrounds. Continue reading Legends of Excellence Awards celebrate UMBC faculty and staff who inspire black and Latino students
Summers reflects, “The satisfaction that goes with helping our students achieve their dreams, and showing colleagues elsewhere new ways that they can approach and support their own students, is a reward without measure.” Continue reading Mike Summers honored as “Best Academic” by Baltimore Sun
“The amazing mentorship I have received at UMBC has brought me the courage and confidence I needed to apply to competitive graduate programs and pursue my Ph.D.,” says Frank. Continue reading Heather Frank to pursue Ph.D. at Harvard after Summers Lab nurtured her passion for HIV research
“UMBC has provided the best environment for me to challenge myself, discover new passions, and grow both personally and academically,” says Maduka. Continue reading Austin Maduka, dedicated mentor, to pursue M.D./Ph.D. at Duke University
“UMBC embodies students giving back to their peers,” says Johnson. “I spent my college career in a give and take relationship where older students provided guidance, and my classmates and I worked as a team to achieve success.” Continue reading Da’Kuawn Johnson, future M.D./Ph.D., combines commitments to research and peer mentorship
“The idea behind the competition,” says Greg Cangialosi ‘96, English, a long-time supporter of emerging business innovators, “is to enable the students who want to become entrepreneurs to have the opportunity to manifest their reality.” Continue reading Fourth annual Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition celebrates student entrepreneurs
“Your collaborative work empowers people like me to help improve the human condition. You need to know that your work is critically important,” shared UMB President Jay Perman. Continue reading Third annual UMBC-UMB Partnership Symposium reveals impact of collaborative research
The internal funding opportunities support faculty who wish to pursue new areas of research, and compete for external funding and support. Continue reading START and SFF awards support UMBC faculty pursuing research in new directions
“Mechanical engineers and historians are here in the same room talking to one another,” said Dean Scott Casper during his featured talk focused on communication skills. “That is what is really exciting about today.” Continue reading Reimagined Graduate Research Conference focuses on clear communication across all fields
“We’re very proud to be part of the UMBC community,” shared Barbara Hill, one of the donors who made the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program possible. “We couldn’t think of a better home for this program.” Continue reading UMBC celebrates launch of Hill-Lopes Scholars Program focused on supporting women in STEM
Seley-Radtke’s passion for supporting women and other underrepresented groups in the sciences extends to all areas of her work and service. “You have a duty to engage and help train the upcoming generation,” she says. Continue reading Katherine Seley-Radtke, leader in medicinal chemistry, named Maryland Chemist of the Year
UMBC celebrated a banner year in 2016. In thousands of ways, big and small, this golden anniversary has been full of moments to remember for the university community. Here are 12 top highlights. Continue reading UMBC’s Top 12 Highlights of 2016
At 19th annual symposium, 331 students learned from workshops and received insightful feedback on their research projects from cricket behavior to breast cancer to biodegradable polymers. Continue reading Life sciences research symposium attracts a record number of students from across the mid-Atlantic
President Hrabowski shared, “All of you here today represent the best in your disciplines, and we wanted to celebrate what you have done…from literature and history, to the sciences and social sciences, to the arts.” Continue reading UMBC honors faculty fellows, recognizing decades of exemplary scholarship and service
Students from all backgrounds who work in the Summers Lab say it has boosted their scientific skills, increased their confidence, and set them on a path to success in research. For Summers, this “is a reward without measure.” Continue reading Nature spotlights Summers Lab for showing how science can be for everyone
“Exactly what’s happening at UMBC is what we’re looking for,” says Jennifer Hammaker, MII director. Since its inception, UMBC has had a remarkable success rate in the MII program. Continue reading UMBC faculty win four new Maryland Innovation Initiative grants, bringing total MII awards to $2.4M
