UMBC students help create richer online courses for peers in engineering and computing fields


Community, Science & Technology

As UMBC faculty prepare for spring, they are reflecting on lessons learned from a primarily online fall 2020 semester. In UMBC’s College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT), this means honoring teaching fellows and teaching assistants for their role in making sure courses met student needs. Continue reading UMBC students help create richer online courses for peers in engineering and computing fields

Students focus on mental health and the environment in 2020 UMBC Idea Competition


Community

Six student groups recently vied for the top prize in UMBC’s annual Idea Competition, presenting to a panel of alumni judges their innovative solutions to everyday challenges. The competition, hosted by UMBC’s Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship, was held virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s winning ideas focused on physical and mental health and the environment. Continue reading Students focus on mental health and the environment in 2020 UMBC Idea Competition

UMBC’s Alan Sherman and collaborators develop strategy for secure online voting in future U.S. elections


Science & Technology

Researchers from UMBC and xx.network have been working to design an online voting system that is resistant to coercion and would provide a secure way for people to cast their ballots from computers, tablets, and smartphones in the future. Continue reading UMBC’s Alan Sherman and collaborators develop strategy for secure online voting in future U.S. elections

Entrepreneurs and experts gather for bwtech@UMBC Cybertini event on election security


Community, Science & Technology

Nearly 100 industry experts and entrepreneurs gathered virtually for Cybertini 2020, hosted by bwtech@UMBC, UMBC’s research and technology park, on October 15. The annual event offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn from industry professionals and experts in academia, and this year focused on cybersecurity related to elections. Continue reading Entrepreneurs and experts gather for bwtech@UMBC Cybertini event on election security

UMBC students complete internships virtually amid COVID-19 pandemic


Community

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

Two UMBC student teams win USM COVID-19 app challenge


Science & Technology

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 collaborates with MxD to develop cybersecurity curriculum for workers in manufacturing


Science & Technology

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 researchers receive NSF RAPID grant to speed COVID-19 detection through a deep neural network


Science & Technology

A research team from UMBC and the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) has received a Rapid Response Research (RAPID) grant from the National Science Foundation to detect COVID-19 infections earlier through computing. Aryya Gangopadhyay, professor of information systems at UMBC and PI on the grant, explains that this work will use machine learning to improve the speed and accuracy of COVID-19 diagnosis, helping to limit spread of the disease. Continue reading UMBC researchers receive NSF RAPID grant to speed COVID-19 detection through a deep neural network

UMBC students create products to meet community needs at Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition


Community, Policy & Society, Science & Technology1 Comment

Four UMBC student groups vied for the top prize in the finals of this year’s Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition (CBIC), held entirely online for the first time on April 30. Their projects ranged across industries, from fashion to artificial intelligence. Continue reading UMBC students create products to meet community needs at Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition

UMBC Cyber Dawgs win Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition


Science & Technology1 Comment

Over the weekend, the UMBC Cyber Dawgs took first place in the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, which was held virtually. Now, they head to the national competition. “We are so proud of our team, and their ability to work together as a team under such extraordinary conditions,” says faculty advisor Charles Nicholas. Continue reading UMBC Cyber Dawgs win Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition

Two scientists in protective suits stand next to a piece of equipment with a large lens

UMBC once again ranks among the top 150 universities in federal research funding


Science & Technology

The Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey aggregates federal research and development expenditures for fiscal year 2018. The survey data combines total funding from all federal agencies and also provides information on research funding from non-federal and non-governmental sources.  Continue reading UMBC once again ranks among the top 150 universities in federal research funding

UMBC receives NSF support to enhance data science courses, research, and student experiences


Science & Technology

Data science has rapidly grown at UMBC, and faculty are now working to enhance data science courses, research, and student experiences. The goal is to ensure they are inclusive, empowering, and effective in preparing students to tackle the urgent problems our society is working to solve, and can scale up to meet student and workforce demands. Continue reading UMBC receives NSF support to enhance data science courses, research, and student experiences

UMBC students confront ethical challenges through new computing curriculum


Science & Technology

“We want to capitalize on this curiosity and diversity of perspectives,” says Helena Mentis. “Alongside technical skill development, every week we want to introduce challenges around ethics, equality, human behavior, and societal impact, reiterating that a fundamental component of development is thinking through implications.”  Continue reading UMBC students confront ethical challenges through new computing curriculum

MHEC selects UMBC’s Jordan Troutman, who bridges technology and policy, as student commissioner


Community, Science & Technology1 Comment

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

Meet six Retrievers who went from internship to career success with UMBC Career Center support


Community1 Comment

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

Festive COEIT Celebration honors achievement, service, and community


Community, Science & Technology

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


Policy & Society, Science & Technology

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

UMBC makes intro computing courses available to students in any major through X + Computing pilot


Science & Technology

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

UMBC labs share four essentials for undergraduate research success


Community, Science & Technology

#1: Developing scientist identity. For example, in Ruben Delgado’s lab, “Every undergraduate has a project that they can define when they first start and then fine tune it as they move along,” says Meredith Sperling ’19. “Graduate students and Ruben are great at providing guidance, pointing out possible pitfalls, etc., but at the end of the day it’s really our research and where we want to take it.” Continue reading UMBC labs share four essentials for undergraduate research success

Hour of Code brings Baltimore 3rd and 4th graders to UMBC for fun intro to computing


Science & Technology, Strategic Planning

“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

UMBC places 10th at Pan-Am Team Chess Championship


Community

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


Arts & Culture, Policy & Society, Science & Technology2 Comments

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


Science & 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

Victoria Herr, right, talking with CWIT's Cindy Greenwood during a stress buster event during finals.

From visual effects to cybersecurity, UMBC grads share transformative career connections


Class of 2018, Policy & Society, Science & Technology1 Comment

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

UMBC and Morgan Stanley support students and research in data-intensive computing fields


Science & Technology

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’s Alan Sherman and colleagues receive over $5M in NSF support for cybersecurity education


Science & Technology

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

Third annual UMBC GRIT-X talks highlight thought-provoking ideas, experiences, and discoveries


Community

Artists, scientists, and social change agents from across UMBC presented the third annual GRIT-X talks on October 13, sharing their ideas and perspectives on stage in UMBC’s Dance Cube. “All our talks gave a different facet, a different beam of light, on what we do at UMBC,” said Vice President for Research Karl Steiner, who spearheaded the event. Continue reading Third annual UMBC GRIT-X talks highlight thought-provoking ideas, experiences, and discoveries

Alumni startup at bwtech@UMBC earns unique award for artificial intelligence work with UMBC research team


Science & Technology

RedShred—cofounded by two UMBC alumni and housed in the bwtech@UMBC incubator—has received a rare Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Award from the National Science Foundation to expand in a new direction, in collaboration with UMBC faculty and graduate students. Continue reading Alumni startup at bwtech@UMBC earns unique award for artificial intelligence work with UMBC research team