MathStat

student in bright orange hoodie sits at desk in classroom next to laptop with research slides on screen

William Gao, mentee of UMBC statistician Yi Huang, named finalist in Regeneron Talent Search

Gao and Huang’s research led to the development of a mobile diagnostic system to identify cancerous regions in tumor samples, which they hope will eventually benefit patients in remote areas. Gao will participate in a week-long final Regeneron Talent Search competition next week in Washington, D.C., where he and the other finalists will compete for more than $1.8 million in awards. Continue Reading William Gao, mentee of UMBC statistician Yi Huang, named finalist in Regeneron Talent Search

three students lean over a laboratory counter; the one in the center holds a dropper over a backlit pad, one records data on paper in a math class.

From brine shrimp to blood pressure: New UMBC laboratory course brings math to life

Small groups of students suck brine shrimp out of glass vials, squirt them into petri dishes set over graph paper, then stare intently at the wriggling shrimp while running stopwatches and recording data. It may not sound like a math class, but this is a typical day in MATH 110: Math in Action. “I believe everyone can benefit from some math in their life, so this course is trying to show how different math concepts are applied across various fields.” Continue Reading From brine shrimp to blood pressure: New UMBC laboratory course brings math to life

A bat in flight on a black background

UMBC mathematician Kathleen Hoffman contributes to research on animal decision-making, with robotics applications

A new study finds that species from amoebas to humans demonstrate similar patterns of movement. These results have implications for robotics development, because robots must be programmed to make the same kinds of decisions animals do to move safely and efficiently through unpredictable environments. Continue Reading UMBC mathematician Kathleen Hoffman contributes to research on animal decision-making, with robotics applications

A bright blue and orange-gradient abstract spiraling fractal

‘Big Bang of Numbers’ – The Conversation’s book club explores with author Manil Suri how math alone could create the universe

In this interview, Manil Suri discusses his unique perspective on mathematics and his goals in writing his latest book. “There’s just so much joy to be had out of mathematics,” Suri says. “So this book is written for people who want to really engage with mathematics on the level of ideas rather than get into computations and calculations.” Continue Reading ‘Big Bang of Numbers’ – The Conversation’s book club explores with author Manil Suri how math alone could create the universe

portrait of man standing in front of whiteboard with equations

Justin Webster receives NSF grant to study mathematical models behind oscillation of plane wings, bridges, energy harvesters

Although objects like bridges, buildings, and airplane wings may seem quite rigid, by design they are capable of a surprising deal of bending. This elasticity allows them to deform safely and temporarily in windy conditions. However, very rarely, “Elastic systems like bridges, buildings, and planes can become oscillatory or unstable in the presence of everyday wind, with potential for the oscillations to become damaging,” Justin Webster says. “Understanding this has big implications for fields like civil engineering or alternative energy.” Continue Reading Justin Webster receives NSF grant to study mathematical models behind oscillation of plane wings, bridges, energy harvesters

two people in lab coats, one sitting, one standing, having a conversation at a lab bench.

NEXUS Institute for Quantitative Biology celebrates student success, community college partnerships

In 2018, faculty at UMBC and four of its top-sending community colleges embarked on a project to improve students’ quantitative biology skills and eliminate the achievement gap between transfer and direct-entry students in courses requiring these skills. This summer, they reported significant positive outcomes and committed to continue the work. Continue Reading NEXUS Institute for Quantitative Biology celebrates student success, community college partnerships

a large group of brown and white bunnies milling about

Pi gets all the fanfare, but other numbers also deserve their own math holidays

March 14 is celebrated as Pi Day because the date, when written as 3/14, matches the start of the decimal expansion 3.14159… of the most famous mathematical constant. The true reason to celebrate Pi Day, Manil Suri writes, is that mathematics, which is a purely abstract subject, turns out to describe our universe so well. Continue Reading Pi gets all the fanfare, but other numbers also deserve their own math holidays

Three student walk down a sidewalk on campus holding an orange balloon about five feet in diameter tethered by ropes a few feet above their heads.

Getting Your Research Off the Ground—Balloons Give Students New Perspectives

The balloons have been a mystery to much of the campus community for years, with the colorful orbs dotting the campus sky in about the tenth week of almost every semester. But for the students in Charlie Kaylor’s class, the balloons represent a culmination of the knowledge and skills they’ve gained over the preceding 10 weeks, including disciplines like ecology, statistics, botany, and sociology. Continue Reading Getting Your Research Off the Ground—Balloons Give Students New Perspectives

Man in a suit stands onstage in a dark theatre, with a vertical banner that says "UMBC - GRIT-X" behind him.

Manil Suri’s new book, “The Big Bang of Numbers,” introduces readers to the wonder of math

It’s rare to meet a mathematician who is also a bestselling novelist, but UMBC’s Manil Suri is happy to be unique. “The Big Bang of Numbers,” Suri’s first nonfiction book, is written to show people who aren’t necessarily fond of math that the discipline is foundational to our world—and can even be fun. Continue Reading Manil Suri’s new book, “The Big Bang of Numbers,” introduces readers to the wonder of math

close up of gloved hands manipulating unseen item under a microscope

NIDA EDUCATE program develops the next generation of addiction researchers

In 2021, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) awarded UMBC more than $1 million over five years to create a program specifically for undergraduate scholars interested in research on substance abuse and addiction. A year after the program’s launch, it is thriving as students in fields as diverse as economics, computer science, and chemical engineering find ways to connect their interests to this important topic. Continue Reading NIDA EDUCATE program develops the next generation of addiction researchers

Scroll to Top