Smoke particles provide “seeds” that increase cooling by helping form clouds, and as a result, “The seeding effect is winning,” over the warming effect of smoke blocking the clouds from reflecting light, explains Zhibo Zhang. Continue Reading UMBC physicists discover unexpected effect of African wildfires on climate
“Because speciation reversal is a big part of our own history,” says Kevin Omland, “getting a better understanding of how that happens should give us a better sense of who we are and where we came from.” Continue Reading Two species of ravens nevermore? UMBC research finds strong evidence of “speciation reversal”
Marie desJardins, associate dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology and professor of computer science, recently wrote a piece for The Baltimore Sun about the importance of computer science education in K–12 schools. She is a leader in the artificial intelligence field and has been nationally recognized for her commitment to mentoring, work increasing diversity in computing, and success expanding computer science education in K–12 schools. In the op-ed, desJardins writes about why it is important to expose K–12 students to computer science, for both their benefit (in terms of expanded career options) and the benefit of fields… Continue Reading Marie desJardins, new AAAI fellow, advocates for computer science education in K–12 schools
While working in the city comes with challenges, Chris Swan hopes to discover a Goldilocks concoction of plants that tolerate the poor soil found in vacant lots, attract native pollinators, and reduce runoff of contaminant-laced water into the Chesapeake Bay. Continue Reading UMBC’s Chris Swan featured in The Atlantic for transforming vacant lots in Baltimore
Thomas Smith and Yanhua Shih are hoping their new research will bring about a sea change in the physics community, and encourage even the most traditional physicists that quantum interference applies in optics experiments using non-laser light. “It should change the whole picture,” says Shih. The work has implications for both fundamental physics and immediate applications. Continue Reading UMBC physicists develop cost-saving tech for detecting gravitational waves and other applications
UMBC’s fourth annual Engineers Week will feature a dozen creative, hands-on activities and eye-opening events, February 19–23, to highlight how engineering impacts society and contributes to solving global challenges. Continue Reading UMBC students organize Engineers Week to “inspire wonder”
The grant will enable UMBC to continue boosting support for diverse students in mechanical engineering, to propel them toward success in mechanical engineering careers Continue Reading NSF grants UMBC nearly $1 million to expand supports for mechanical engineering students
“This new collaboration with T. Rowe Price’s security team will provide great opportunities for our students to be exposed to cybersecurity in financial services and prepare them for promising careers protecting critical infrastructure,” says Anupam Joshi, director of the Center for Cybersecurity and chair of computer science and electrical engineering. Continue Reading UMBC Center for Cybersecurity receives funding from T. Rowe Price to support students
Zhang explains that data stored and secured using commercial cloud storage systems is encrypted, which means that without the key, the information looks like a series of meaningless characters. “Just like regular keys, if someone else has them, they might be stolen or misused without the data owner knowing,” he says. Continue Reading UMBC’s Haibin Zhang shares tips to secure data in the cloud
Many travelers find GPS technologies useful, but they can also have frustrating limitations. Stacy Branham received nearly $85,000 from the Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program (MIPS) and TRX Systems, Inc. to develop a technology system that will deliver start to finish routing services, including for travelers with disabilities. Continue Reading Trouble with your GPS? UMBC’s Stacy Branham works to improve travel apps for all users.
“I’m hoping that in the future many people will be working in this area of cellular biochemistry, studying many metabolic enzymes in living cells,” says Songon An, whose work is on the leading edge of “the next stage in biochemistry.” Continue Reading UMBC scientist opens a “new chapter for biochemistry” with $1.5 million NIH grant to study sugar metabolism
To address such big ideas, “You need the solar system as your laboratory,” says Sander Goossens. NASA’s MESSENGER satellite collected data during its years orbiting Mercury that enabled the research team to answer questions about the Sun’s interior processes and our fundamental understanding of gravity. Continue Reading UMBC space scientist further confirms Einstein’s theory through new solar research
