three people work on a laser layout in Matt Pelton's quantum photonics laboratory

Quantum photonics expertise earns UMBC spot in DOE Frontiers in Energy Research Center

Sep 11, 2024 / 2 minutes of reading

UMBC has been selected to participate in the Quantum Photonics Integrated Design Center (QuPIDC), which is led by Purdue University and also includes Los Alamos National Laboratory, Stanford University, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the University of Oklahoma, and Virginia Tech. The collaboration is one of 10 new Frontiers in Energy Research Centers recently funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The centers support top-tier interdisciplinary teams as they pursue transformative basic research that will advance energy technologies. The quantum optics center will receive $13.9 million overall, and UMBC will receive $570,000. QuPIDC aims to develop ways to generate… Continue Reading Quantum photonics expertise earns UMBC spot in DOE Frontiers in Energy Research Center

people in white coats stand in a lab with metal tanks in the background

UMBC chemical engineering student intern finds purpose giving patients hope

Aug 16, 2024 / 2 minutes of reading

A few weeks into her summer internship with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, rising senior Ortisemoyowa “Moyo” Ikomi, chemical engineering, attended an event celebrating a milestone in the company’s construction of a new drug manufacturing plant in Rockville, Maryland. During the event, the organizers played a video featuring a young girl whose seemingly terminal cancer was cured with immunotherapy drugs—the same type of drugs that would be manufactured in the new facility. “This girl was in hospice care, at home with her family who thought they might just have to wait for her life to end, and this drug gave her a… Continue Reading UMBC chemical engineering student intern finds purpose giving patients hope

outdoor pedestrian corridor with a large group of professionally dressed students walking across; in foreground an easel with poster advertising Summer Undergraduate Research Fest that reads "SURF's UP 2024" at the top

27th Summer Undergraduate Research Fest prepares students for scholarly next steps

Aug 14, 2024 / 3 minutes of reading

In early August, 124 students from seven states and the District of Columbia participated in UMBC’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fest (SURF), sponsored by the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS). The students came from UMBC and other universities, community colleges, and three high schools, and they presented 106 posters and gave six “lightning talks” about research projects they completed over the summer. Almost all participants had completed their research under the mentorship of UMBC faculty. CNMS Dean William R. LaCourse encouraged the students to carry their experience at UMBC with them after the summer ends. “I hope this summer… Continue Reading 27th Summer Undergraduate Research Fest prepares students for scholarly next steps

A girl with curly hair in a ponytail and a black t-shirt stands in front of a large building with paw prints on the Side and "Adoption Center"

Liz Willman uses internships to make childhood vet dreams a reality

Aug 14, 2024 / 4 minutes of reading

“What did you say?” is the phrase most likely to be heard when you’re walking the halls at Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) and the answer is most likely drowned out by a cacophony of barks, meows, and even some bird chirps. But Liz Willman wouldn’t have it any other way. As most animal lovers do at some point in childhood, Willman decided she wanted to be a veterinarian when she grew up. But unlike most kids, it wasn’t just a phase for this rising senior. That passion for pets brought her to UMBC—where she’s pursuing a major… Continue Reading Liz Willman uses internships to make childhood vet dreams a reality

Woman stands between two signs near a road. One sign reads "International Space Station, On-ramp" another heads "Moon Ahead."

Leah Narat ’24 lands elite NASA internship in business intelligence

Aug 8, 2024 / 2 minutes of reading

UMBC student Leah Narat experienced the real-world of data management with a business intelligence internship at NASA. Continue Reading Leah Narat ’24 lands elite NASA internship in business intelligence

a white microscope on a white lab bench in a bright laboratory; two people in lab coats and two without have a conversation in the background

Biotechnology student Parag Shinde gains industry experience through summer pharma role

Aug 2, 2024 / 3 minutes of reading

Parag Shine is relishing the opportunity to work in a biotechnology laboratory for the summer. The hands-on experience is challenging, but preparing him well for the next steps in his career. Continue Reading Biotechnology student Parag Shinde gains industry experience through summer pharma role

A hazy image of a spiral galaxy known as NGC 3627. Here, the galaxy appears pitched at an oblique angle, tilted from our upper left down to our lower right. Much of its face is angled toward us, making its spiral arms, composed of red and purple dots, easily identifiable. Several bright white dots ringed with neon purple speckle the galaxy. At the galaxy’s core, where the spiral arms converge, a large white and purple glow identified by Chandra provides evidence of a supermassive black hole.

Katherine Carver is helping astronomers analyze James Webb Space Telescope data

Aug 1, 2024 / 4 minutes of reading

As a Space Astronomy Summer Program intern at the Space Telescope Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University, Katherine Carver is making it easier for scientists around the world to access and analyze data from the James Webb Space Telescope. Continue Reading Katherine Carver is helping astronomers analyze James Webb Space Telescope data

Microscope image shows twisted rope-like structures made from carbon nanotubes.

UMBC scientists show twisted carbon nanotubes might power “wind-up” sensors and other devices

Jul 30, 2024 / 3 minutes of reading

An international team of scientists, including two researchers who now work in the Center for Advanced Sensor Technology (CAST) at UMBC, has shown that twisted carbon nanotubes can store three times more energy per unit mass than advanced lithium-ion batteries. The finding may advance carbon nanotubes as a promising solution for storing energy in devices that need to be lightweight, compact, and safe, such as medical implants and sensors. The research was published recently in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. Continue Reading UMBC scientists show twisted carbon nanotubes might power “wind-up” sensors and other devices

Group of students take a selfie in front of a Constellation sign.

With eye to research, UMBC expands partnership with Baltimore-based energy company Constellation

Jul 30, 2024 / 2 minutes of reading

UMBC is strengthening the university’s research connection with the energy company Constellation, expanding on a partnership of more than 20 years with the Baltimore-based business. Constellation, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free energy, funds scholarships and has endowed a professorship in mechanical engineering at UMBC, regularly recruits students for internships and jobs, and hosts its annual Youth Energy Summit on the UMBC campus. In March, UMBC and Constellation signed a Master Research Agreement, which will facilitate greater research collaboration between the two organizations. In April, Constellation sent representatives to the College of Engineering and Information Technology’s (COEIT’s) inaugural Research Day… Continue Reading With eye to research, UMBC expands partnership with Baltimore-based energy company Constellation

A woman points at a screen displaying text and images.

Karen Chen wins NSF CAREER award to build tools to empower students with data

Jul 17, 2024 / 5 minutes of reading

UMBC’s Karen Chen has won an NSF CAREER award to advance data science and student-centered learning analytics. Continue Reading Karen Chen wins NSF CAREER award to build tools to empower students with data

One professor and three students stand around a building sign that reads "Meyerhoff Chemistry Building" outside on a fall day, backed by a walkway and brick buildings

Three decades of student mentoring earns UMBC chemist Paul Smith the Braude Award

Jul 15, 2024 / 5 minutes of reading

Chemist Paul Smith has been recognized for him commitment to mentoring undergraduate students at UMBC for nearly three decades. Early opportunities “allowed me to immerse myself in research as an undergraduate,” Smith says, “so I think because of that, it’s always been important to me to include undergrads in the research that we do in my lab.” Continue Reading Three decades of student mentoring earns UMBC chemist Paul Smith the Braude Award

scientist in tie-dye lab coat working at a lab bench

Partnership with biotech giant Genentech benefits UMBC graduate students

Jun 25, 2024 / 3 minutes of reading

UMBC doctoral students are reaping the benefits of an innovative partnership between UMBC and biotech leader Genentech. In year three of a five-year program, six students have received financial support and started conducting research with the company through Genentech Fellowships. In addition, many more students have benefited from regular contact with Genentech senior scientists through their on-campus lecture series. Continue Reading Partnership with biotech giant Genentech benefits UMBC graduate students