close up of gloved hands manipulating unseen item under a microscope

NIDA EDUCATE program develops the next generation of addiction researchers

May 24, 2022 / 5 minutes of reading

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

a large group on a rocky outcropping, backed by rolling green hills and a river

NIH awards UMBC $5.6M to support underrepresented graduate students in STEM

May 20, 2022 / 5 minutes of reading

“We’re really excited that the NIH has the confidence that we can do the work,” says Justine Johnson. G-RISE builds on a solid foundation from the successful Inititiative for Maximizing Student Development Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Program, but, says Rachel Brewster, “We’ve built onto that a number of new elements.” Continue Reading NIH awards UMBC $5.6M to support underrepresented graduate students in STEM

UMBC Albin O'Kuhn Library in springtime.

Can you catch a deepfake? UMBC researchers receive NSF award to help people identify audio deepfakes

May 9, 2022 / 4 minutes of reading

Vandana Janeja and Christine Mallinson have received a two-year, $300,000 grant from NSF to study deepfakes, focusing on audio clips. Deepfakes are images, videos, and sounds that are developed using artificial intelligence, but that are designed to appear as real-life recordings. They can be highly deceiving for audiences, impacting public opinion and behavior. Continue Reading Can you catch a deepfake? UMBC researchers receive NSF award to help people identify audio deepfakes

Four tips from UMBC faculty on what to do and see at Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day

Apr 18, 2022 / 4 minutes of reading

UMBC’s annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day—known on campus as URCAD—has long been a must-see event. It’s a chance for community members to get a glimpse of what students have dedicated hours to exploring and creating throughout the year. Continue Reading Four tips from UMBC faculty on what to do and see at Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day

UMBC’s Cynthia Matuszek receives NSF CAREER Award to study how robots understand spoken language

Apr 15, 2022 / 3 minutes of reading

Robots are becoming increasingly capable of complex tasks and are moving into roles that previously could only be done by people, in sectors like healthcare, education, and elder care. UMBC’s Cynthia Matuszek has received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to study how robots learn about the physical world from spoken language to improve how they work with people. Continue Reading UMBC’s Cynthia Matuszek receives NSF CAREER Award to study how robots understand spoken language

Undefining life: UMBC’s Stephen Freeland offers fresh perspective on life’s origins

Apr 14, 2022 / 4 minutes of reading

What if no single moment in time pinpoints when life began on Earth? Perhaps, rather than identifying a single point where life began, “it all traces back in a seamless ad infinitum progression,” Steve Freeland says. “That’s a very different way of thinking about the universe.” Continue Reading Undefining life: UMBC’s Stephen Freeland offers fresh perspective on life’s origins

Four UMBC students receive Goldwater Scholarship for STEM research, tying prior record

Apr 8, 2022 / 4 minutes of reading

Four UMBC students have been named 2022-23 Goldwater Scholars, tying the university’s past record, set just last year. This year’s recipients are Christopher Slaughter ‘23, computer engineering; Rachel Myers ‘23, chemical engineering; Tobi Majekodunmi ‘23, mechanical engineering; and D’Juan Moreland ‘23, biological sciences and music. UMBC had more winners this year than any other institution in the state of Maryland. Continue Reading Four UMBC students receive Goldwater Scholarship for STEM research, tying prior record

UMBC researchers discover genes linked to medication response, laying foundation for precision medicine

Apr 7, 2022 / 5 minutes of reading

A new study that tested thousands of fruit flies may eventually give doctors the ability to make better-informed decisions about which medications to prescribe for older adults. “Our genetics matters,” says Mariann Gabrawy. “Humans don’t all react the same to various prescription medications. So it’s really important to be able to look at an individual patient and figure out if some particular medication is going to work for them or not.” Continue Reading UMBC researchers discover genes linked to medication response, laying foundation for precision medicine

U.S. News names UMBC graduate programs among the nation’s best

Mar 29, 2022 / 3 minutes of reading

U.S. News announced its 2023 Best Graduate School rankings today, including outstanding UMBC graduate programs across all three colleges. Top fields where UMBC excels range from computer science and several types of engineering to psychology and statistics. Among UMBC’s 14 Best Graduate School rankings for 2023 are seven top-100 programs. Continue Reading U.S. News names UMBC graduate programs among the nation’s best

UMBC’s Riadul Islam receives NSF funding to secure cars against communication system attacks

Mar 11, 2022 / 3 minutes of reading

As vehicles become more advanced, opportunities increase for hackers to remotely attack their embedded systems, creating significant safety concerns for drivers and passengers. UMBC’s Riadul Islam, assistant professor of computer science and electrical engineering, received a grant from the National Science Foundation to study how to better detect and protect against these cyber attacks. Continue Reading UMBC’s Riadul Islam receives NSF funding to secure cars against communication system attacks

UMBC’s Deepa Madan develops bendable zinc-based batteries

Mar 9, 2022 / 3 minutes of reading

Rechargeable alkaline batteries are readily available at many stores and pharmacies, but they are rigid and cannot be used in slim or small devices that require batteries. Deepa Madan, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and her research team are working to develop zinc-chitosan gel-based batteries that are enclosed in flexible plastic. This would revolutionize how consumers power devices they use every day. Continue Reading UMBC’s Deepa Madan develops bendable zinc-based batteries

$21M Sherman Family Foundation gift supports UMBC’s bold commitment to PreK-12 research, teaching, and learning

Feb 24, 2022 / 8 minutes of reading

The largest gift in the history of UMBC—a $21 million donation from the Sherman Family Foundation—will dramatically expand the reach and impact of the university’s K-12 and early childhood education work. The transformational gift will provide funding to launch the Betsy & George Sherman Center as a national model to advance excellence in urban schools. Continue Reading $21M Sherman Family Foundation gift supports UMBC’s bold commitment to PreK-12 research, teaching, and learning