Artificial intelligence (AI) can bridge the gap between computer scientists and other fields, including education and medicine, explains Marie desJardins, associate dean in the College of Engineering and Information Technology and professor of computer science, in a new in-depth interview in TechRepublic. “The thing about computer science in general and AI in particular is that it’s really a very interdisciplinary field inherently, because there’s a very small number of people who are computer scientists who only work on theoretical computer science,” says desJardins, adding “whatever fields you’re interested in, you could do that in computer science.” In the article, desJardins… Continue Reading Marie desJardins on the past, present and future of artificial intelligence
Robust evidence supports the finding that humanity has entered a new geological era, reports a new paper in Science, co-authored by Erle Ellis, professor of geography and environmental systems. The Anthropocene is defined through the impacts that human activity has had on the Earth. This latest article on the concept outlines findings to justify the establishment of the Anthropocene as a new geological epoch. Ellis is among 24 internationally-known geoscientists who make up the Anthropocene Working Group of the International Commission on Stratigraphy, the international scientific organization in charge of the geologic time scale, which produced the Science article. He explains,… Continue Reading “Science” article argues Earth has entered a new epoch defined by human impacts on the planet
In low- and middle-income countries, gaps in healthcare infrastructure and high costs for medical supplies and services can mean high numbers of babies dying in their first week of life. Often, these deaths are due to “extremely preventable causes,” says Govind Rao, professor of chemical and biochemical engineering and director of the Center for Advanced Sensor Technology (CAST) at UMBC. Rao described for The Hindu, a major Indian newspaper, how he and a team of faculty and student researchers designed an affordable infant incubator that addresses two of the three leading causes of infant death (which include preterm birth, lack… Continue Reading UMBC researchers develop affordable incubator for vulnerable newborns in low-resource areas
Current common tests for sexually-transmitted infections (STI) require sending samples off to a lab to be grown and analyzed, which means that patients must wait a few days to receive the results and that the tests can be more expensive than anticipated. Chris Geddes, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and director of UMBC’s Institute of Fluorescence, has developed a new STI test that costs around $1 and allows health care providers to diagnose gonorrhea and chlamydia within eight minutes and at the point-of-care. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, this rapid, affordable test will help patients receive treatment more… Continue Reading Rapid, affordable STI test designed by UMBC chemistry professor reaches clinical trial stage
The UMBC Chess A chess team finished in tenth place in the 2015 Pan– American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship, held December 27-30 at Oberlin College in Ohio. This marks the 25th year UMBC teams have participated in the event. UMBC has won or tied for first place in the Pan-Am Championship ten times, and has frequently placed in the final four, to continue on to the President’s Cup held in each spring. UMBC has not qualified for this year’s President’s Cup, but team members will go on to other competitions held throughout the year. UMBC’s A team got off to… Continue Reading UMBC places 10th in Pan-Am Chess Championship
Bachelor’s and master’s programs in cybersecurity at Maryland colleges and universities are growing rapidly as more students become interested in careers in the industry. At UMBC, the number of graduate students studying cybersecurity has grown nearly five-fold over the past six years, explains Rick Forno, director of UMBC’s graduate cybersecurity program and assistant director for UMBC’s Center for Cybersecurity, in an article in The Daily Record. UMBC’s proximity to government agencies like the National Security Agency (NSA) and private security and tech firms, has contributed to the growth of the university’s cybersecurity programs. One draw, engaging both introductory students and… Continue Reading Maryland universities see rapid growth in cybersecurity programs due to vibrant cyber job market
UMBC environmental engineering students have created a YouTube video to help middle and high school students and the broader public understand the kinds of work environmental engineers do and the impacts their work has on the world. They developed the video as part of a national competition hosted by the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) with the theme “Environmental Engineers Protect Public and Ecological Health.” UMBC students Helena Gaifem ‘16, Ph.D., chemical and biochemical engineering; Nick Rogers ‘15, environmental engineering; Utsav Shashvatt ‘19, Ph.D., environmental engineering; and Kiranmayi Mangalgiri ‘16, Ph.D., environmental engineering, approached Lee Blaney, assistant… Continue Reading UMBC students explain what environmental engineers do in video for international competition
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) hosted a small gathering of national thought leaders in computer science education on Friday, December 11, as part of Computer Science Education Week 2015. Julie Ross, dean of UMBC’s College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT), and Marie desJardins, COEIT associate dean and professor of computer science, attended the event, where participants identified obstacles and opportunities to increase access to computer science curriculum in K-12 schools. Both Ross and desJardins are known nationally for their work to improve and promote K-12 education in STEM fields, encouraging more girls and underrepresented… Continue Reading UMBC leaders attend White House event promoting computer science in K-12 schools
NASA scientists and researchers released data showing that physical processes like meteoroid stream impacts, helium and hydrogen particles from the sun, and thermal absorption impact the composition of the moon’s surface. The observations from the data, collected by the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) spacecraft, will be incorporated into future models of the atmosphere surrounding the moon to help scientists understand how the solar system originated and how it is changing. “We’re using these findings to build new exosphere models of how the space environment interacts with the surfaces of airless bodies, which we can use to better… Continue Reading Meteor showers significantly impact moon’s exosphere, says NASA-UMBC scientist
The Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) connected to NOAA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) is NASA’s new tool to provide scientists with a unique perspective of the Earth’s clouds, land surfaces, and aerosols. EPIC captures measurements in visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared wavelengths, and collects color images of the Earth every two hours. Researchers use these photos to track identifying features as the planet rotates. Jay Herman, senior research scientist at UMBC’s Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET) and the EPIC instrument lead investigator at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, explains that ultraviolet and near-infrared wavelengths allow him to watch… Continue Reading New NASA camera gives scientists an EPIC perspective of Earth, UMBC researcher explains
A U.S. News article on strategies to attract diverse students to STEM fields, and support their success in those fields, highlights the new STEM BUILD at UMBC program, which launched with its first cohort of students this fall. STEM BUILD at UMBC provides a strong example of how U.S. universities are leveraging the power of community to recruit and retain student from all backgrounds (including women and minority students) in STEM majors at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. These program-based communities allow students to connect with peers who are pursuing similar majors and who are facing similar challenges. … Continue Reading Collaboration and community key to supporting diverse students in STEM fields
