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UMBC receives $2.8M from NSF for master’s program to prepare a diverse environmental science workforce


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“The primary mission of UMBC is inclusive excellence, and our program applies that mission to the environmental sciences,” says Tamra Mendelson. “Our main objectives are to bring a diversity of backgrounds to the environmental workforce and to improve the way that scientific research is applied to environmental problems.” Continue reading UMBC receives $2.8M from NSF for master’s program to prepare a diverse environmental science workforce

UMBC’s Qianqian Song receives FINESST Fellowship from NASA for research on dust clouds and climate


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“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 newest grads share what inspired their unique paths


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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

Biology graduate students from UMBC earn national honors for unique aquatic research


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Whether wading in a cold stream or in the lab, mentors who foster independent thinking balanced with guidance—for research and for life—make the difference for UMBC graduate students on the national and international stage. A close-knit graduate student community adds a level of support that helps students succeed. Continue reading Biology graduate students from UMBC earn national honors for unique aquatic research

Alex Sestok, Ph.D. student in chemistry, at GRC 2018. Photo by Marlayna Demond '11 for UMBC.

New GEARS symposium offers professional development opportunities to grad students across disciplines


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“We want to provide an avenue for people to learn skills that they’re not going to get in the classroom or the lab,” says Alex Rittle, Ph.D. student in geography and environmental systems and chair of the GEARS planning committee. Continue reading New GEARS symposium offers professional development opportunities to grad students across disciplines

UMBC recognizes Renetta Tull for transformative leadership advancing diversity in STEM


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Renetta Tull has worked with students, faculty, and staff across UMBC and the University System of Maryland to increase diversity in STEM disciplines for over a decade. At the end of March, Tull will begin a new role as vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion at UC Davis. Continue reading UMBC recognizes Renetta Tull for transformative leadership advancing diversity in STEM

UMBC launches PROMISE Academy with USM partners, to support diverse faculty in the biomedical sciences


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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’s 6th Critical Social Justice Week focuses on passion and pathways to have an impact


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CSJ: Ignite takes place October 22 – 26, 2018. The week’s programs have been designed both to tap into the passion people already feel for issues that matter to them and to provide pathways for people who haven’t been engaged in traditional forms of activism to see opportunities to have an impact. “It’s about being able to share your strengths and skills for activism and social change, and being able to share the message with others,” says Jess Myers, director of UMBC’s Women’s Center. Continue reading UMBC’s 6th Critical Social Justice Week focuses on passion and pathways to have an impact

UMBC, NASA, and partners mount intensive Chesapeake Bay air-quality study


Science & Technology

“My favorite part of this project is giving the students hands-on experience,” says Ruben Delgado. “They get to contribute to the process from start to finish.” Delgado is the UMBC lead on the project, in partnership with the NASA lead John Sullivan, Ph.D. ’15, atmospheric physics. Continue reading UMBC, NASA, and partners mount intensive Chesapeake Bay air-quality study

UMBC’s 40th Graduate Research Conference to focus on communication and collaboration


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“GRC gives graduate students training on how to ace professional conferences in the field, and by participating, students practice how to communicate their research in an accessible way,” says Morgan Bunting, a gerontology Ph.D. student and member of the GRC planning committee. “It’s also just a wonderful way to engage the community and learn what amazing work is going on in the Graduate School.” Continue reading UMBC’s 40th Graduate Research Conference to focus on communication and collaboration

UMBC a founding partner in coalition to increase transparency on life science career prospects


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UMBC is among nine U.S. research universities and a major cancer institute that just announced plans to give would-be life scientists clear, standardized data on graduate school admissions, education and training opportunities, and career prospects. Continue reading UMBC a founding partner in coalition to increase transparency on life science career prospects

UMBC participates in national study on Ph.D. career pathways at pivotal moment for new grads


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“The assumption that the Ph.D. is primarily a pathway to the professoriate is just not the case,” says Janet Rutledge, dean of the Graduate School. “We’re hoping that by being part of this study, we will determine the best ways to focus our time and our resources to most effectively guide our students.” Continue reading UMBC participates in national study on Ph.D. career pathways at pivotal moment for new grads

UMBC Ph.D. candidate Kavita Krishnaswamy receives Google and Microsoft awards for robotics research


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The honors recognize emerging scholars in computing who are dedicated to increasing diversity in the field. Krishnawamy’s awards will support her research on “Smart Algorithms via Knowledge Management of Safe Physical Human-Robotic Care.” Continue reading UMBC Ph.D. candidate Kavita Krishnaswamy receives Google and Microsoft awards for robotics research

Grad students explain complex research simply through UMBC storytelling workshop


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“Failure is a great theme for storytelling,” said Laura Wexler from The Stoop Storytelling Series. She explained that sharing struggles on the path to success can help a researcher explain what motivates them and why their work matters. Continue reading Grad students explain complex research simply through UMBC storytelling workshop

UMBC support for STEM grad students from underrepresented groups featured as a national model


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UMBC’s Summer Success Institute creates opportunities for mentorship and community building among graduate students, supplementing academic programs to “[make] sure students have the emotional and community support they need to thrive,” says Renetta Tull. Continue reading UMBC support for STEM grad students from underrepresented groups featured as a national model

New research highlights Dissertation House as an effective support model for minority STEM Ph.D. candidates


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Students in the program were 92 percent more likely to complete their degrees than peers not in the program. “We’re pleased that the model has helped so many students to reach their goals,” says Renetta Tull. Continue reading New research highlights Dissertation House as an effective support model for minority STEM Ph.D. candidates

Congressman Elijah Cummings discusses UMBC’s research leadership and commitment to Baltimore during campus visit


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Faculty speak about UMBC’s well-rounded research portfolio and focus in on research strengths in physics, geosciences, space science, and bioengineering; students share career goals and experiences working with local communities. Continue reading Congressman Elijah Cummings discusses UMBC’s research leadership and commitment to Baltimore during campus visit

Renetta Tull presents LSAMP program as model for improving STEM education in high schools


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Renetta Tull, associate vice provost for graduate student development and postdoctoral affairs, presented at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning for All forum supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on November 9, 2015. She discussed the University … Continue reading Renetta Tull presents LSAMP program as model for improving STEM education in high schools

Renetta Tull selected as one of three finalists for GEDC Airbus Diversity Award


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Renetta Tull, associate vice provost for graduate student development and postdoctoral affairs, has been selected as one of three finalists for the GEDC Airbus Diversity Award. Dr. Tull has been invited to present her work and ideas to a jury of experts at the annual … Continue reading Renetta Tull selected as one of three finalists for GEDC Airbus Diversity Award

Renetta Tull shortlisted for GEDC Airbus Diversity Award


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Renetta Tull, associate vice provost for graduate student development and postdoctoral affairs, is one of ten impressive candidates shortlisted for this year’s GEDC Airbus Diversity Award. The GEDC Airbus Diversity Award honors people and projects worldwide that “have encouraged students of all … Continue reading Renetta Tull shortlisted for GEDC Airbus Diversity Award

Robert Deluty, Graduate School, Publishes his 49th Book


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Robert Deluty, associate dean of the graduate school, has published a new book, “A Mingled Yarn.” In his review, Ronald Pies writes: “Robert Deluty’s wonderful new collection of poems draws its title and inspiration from Shakespeare’s line, ‘The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together.’ In Deluty’s poems, there is certainly the recognition of evil — e.g., ‘neo-Nazi teen/ planning to change his surname/ from Brown to White’ — but also the eternal force of good, as in, ‘in the mailbox/ finding her lost wallet/ with extra cash.’ Also evident in these poems is … Continue reading Robert Deluty, Graduate School, Publishes his 49th Book

Renetta Tull, Graduate School, Interviewed on Global Webcast


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Renetta Tull, associate vice provost for graduate education and postdoctoral affairs, was interviewed as part of a global webcast featuring women in data. The webcast was hosted by O’Reilly Media, which published a report on Women in Data in February that also featured Tull. In the interview, Tull spoke about resources for women in tech from underrepresented backgrounds and mentioned programs such as the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Bridge to the Doctorate at UMBC. Tull was joined by Michele Chambers, president and COO at RapidMiner, Laurie Skelly, data scientist at Datascope and curriculum developer and instructor for … Continue reading Renetta Tull, Graduate School, Interviewed on Global Webcast

Robert Deluty, Graduate School, Publishes his 48th Book


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Robert Deluty, associate dean of the graduate school, has published a new volume of poetry “Worthy of Consideration.” In his review, Ronald Pies writes: “Robert Deluty’s excellent new collection of short poems presents us with an intriguing dialectic, partly inspired by epigrams from the writer Hermann Hesse. On the one hand, for Hesse, ‘. . . every man’s story is important, eternal, sacred.’ On the other hand, Hesse tells us that his own story is ‘not sweet and harmonious’ but is filled with ‘folly and bewilderment’ – even madness. Deluty’s poems vibrate with this dynamic tension: sometimes evoking the eternal … Continue reading Robert Deluty, Graduate School, Publishes his 48th Book

Renetta Tull, Graduate School, Featured in “Women in Data”


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Renetta Tull, associate vice provost for graduate education and postdoctoral affairs, is featured on the cover of Women in Data: Cutting-Edge Practitioners and Their Views on Critical Skills, Background, and Education. The report includes interviews with 15 women about their success, motivation and views on opportunities available to women in tech fields. In her interview, Tull focuses on the need for early exposure to computing careers. She says, “Women can be more involved with computing fields, and certainly, opportunities for ubiquitous computing limit restrictions for engagement. However, women need to know that they are invited to the table; they need to … Continue reading Renetta Tull, Graduate School, Featured in “Women in Data”

Robert Deluty, Graduate School, Publishes Six Poems in The Faculty Voice


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Robert Deluty, associate dean of the Graduate School, has published six poems in the Fall 2014 issue of The Faculty Voice. The poems may be found here. The first poem, “Abnormal Psychology,” appears in Dr. Deluty’s latest book, “Human Recordings.” All of Dr. Deluty’s books are on sale at the Bookstore. Continue reading Robert Deluty, Graduate School, Publishes Six Poems in The Faculty Voice

Renetta Tull, Graduate School, to Chair Session at World Engineering Education Forum


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Renetta Tull, associate vice provost for graduate student development and postdoctoral affairs and director of PROMISE, will chair the “Women in Engineering, Partnerships and Professional Development” session at the 2014 World Engineering Education Forum (WEEF), which will host the International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning. She will also present her research on graduate student diversity and Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) at the conference. Additionally, Tull has been invited to participate in meetings for the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies based on her work with women in STEM through the National Science Foundation ADVANCE project … Continue reading Renetta Tull, Graduate School, to Chair Session at World Engineering Education Forum

Janet Rutledge, Graduate School, Elected to Council of Graduate Schools Board of Directors


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Janet Rutledge, vice provost and dean of the Graduate School, was elected to the Council of Graduate Schools Board of Directors this week. The Council of Graduate School (CGS) is the only national organization dedicated to advancing graduate education and research and serves as a voice for the graduate dean community. “I am honored to join the Board of Directors of the Council of Graduate Schools,” Rutledge said. “UMBC has participated in several of the CGS best practices projects such as the Ph.D. Completion Project, the Doctoral Initiative on Minority Attrition and Completion, and the TIAA-CREF Enhancing Student Financial Education … Continue reading Janet Rutledge, Graduate School, Elected to Council of Graduate Schools Board of Directors

Robert Deluty, Graduate School, Publishes his 46th Book


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Robert Deluty, associate dean of the Graduate School, has published a new volume of poetry, “Human Recordings.” In his review, Ronald Pies writes: “The title of Robert Deluty’s wonderful new collection was inspired by the late rock band musician, Layne Staley, who struggled with depression and drug addiction throughout his adult life. But, like Staley’s music, Deluty’s moving poems are highly-condensed recordings of ‘being human,’ in all its tragic and comic tonalities. From the ‘taxidermist’s son/ wooing the depressed daughter/ of the mortician’ to the ‘Arby’s manager/ fuming that his sons opened/ a vegan bistro,’ Deluty regales us with the … Continue reading Robert Deluty, Graduate School, Publishes his 46th Book