U.S. News, Colleges Work to Engage Women, Minorities in STEM Fields, Penny Rheingans

Jul 18, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

Delece Smith-Barrow of U.S. News & World Report, recently wrote about the importance of engaging women and minorities in STEM fields. Smith-Barrow interviewed UMBC’s Penny Rheingans, director for the Center of Women in Technology (CWIT). Smith Barrow wrote: “If students struggle in class and have few peers and faculty that look like them, it’s easy for them to think, “maybe I’m not supposed to be here, either,” says Penny Rheingans, director for the Center for Women in Technology at the University of Maryland—Baltimore County. Prospective college students who are women or underrepresented minorities can determine if a school can help them in their STEM… Continue Reading U.S. News, Colleges Work to Engage Women, Minorities in STEM Fields, Penny Rheingans

Say Something: Jesse Smith

Jul 18, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

The Chronicle has just featured math major and Meyerhoff Scholar Jesse Smith in their Say Something audio series. Smith talks about his experience with the Meyerhoff program and how peer connections through the program have given him a sense of confidence and what is possible to achieve in his career. The article also links to the HHMI story about the Meyerhoff Replication Project.

Ramon Goings, Sherman Scholars Program, Named “Narrative Changer” by Living Education eMagazine

Jul 17, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

Ramon Goings, Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars Program, has been recognized by Living Education eMagazine for his work to change the conversation about how people talk about and work with Black males, especially in the area of academic achievement. He was named one of 10 “Narrative Changers” for his work. Click here to read more.

IMET Receives $600,000 Grant from Ratcliffe Foundation

Jul 10, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

The Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET) received a three year, $600,000 grant from the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation to implement the Ratcliffe Environmental Entrepreneurs Fellowship Program. IMET is a research institute supported by UMBC, University of Maryland Baltimore’s School of Medicine and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. The fellowship program supported by the grant will help young scientists gain leadership and business skills that will allow them to introduce their research to a commercial market. IMET Director Russell Hill commented, “This is a tremendous opportunity not only for IMET but also for… Continue Reading IMET Receives $600,000 Grant from Ratcliffe Foundation

UMBC Students and Potomac Photonics Create 3D Replica of UMBC

Jul 3, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

Potomac Photonics, a micro digital fabrication company located in bwtech@UMBC, has 3D-printed a mini replica of the UMBC campus as part of Ecosynth, a UMBC project that creates 3D models for ecological study. Lindsay Digman and Stephen Gienow ’15, mechanical engineering, helped to create the map by using a helicopter-mounted camera to capture aerial photographs of the campus. President and CEO of Potomac Photonics Mike Adelstein ’96, biochemistry, described the map, saying, “This cool project that combines robotics, 3D modeling, and 3D printing is part of our Education Manufacturing Initiative, whereby we donate or discount… technologies to researchers, faculty and… Continue Reading UMBC Students and Potomac Photonics Create 3D Replica of UMBC

Lemuel Sun ’15, Computer Science, in U.S. News

Jun 26, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

In a new article on the value of study abroad programs, U.S. News highlights the experience of UMBC student Lemuel Sun ’15, computer science. Sun participated in a two week study abroad program to China with Howard Community College in order to improve his language skills and visit his parents’ home country. The experience inspired him to minor in Chinese after transferring to UMBC. Sun commented on his study abroad experience, saying, “I definitely did see firsthand the importance of knowing a second language and reconnecting with my culture.” Click here to read the article.

Manil Suri in the Washington Post on “How Not to Be Wrong”

Jun 18, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

“Can mathematics help you win at Powerball? Improve your chances of finding a handsome man to date who’s not a jerk? How about prove the existence of God? While we’re at it, might the promise of such provocative explorations lure you into picking up a treatise on perhaps your least favorite subject?” writes Manil Suri in the opening paragraph of his Washington Post Book Review. The book in question is, “How Not to Be Wrong,” by Jordan Ellenberg. “Ellenberg’s talent for finding real-life situations that enshrine mathematical principles would be the envy of any math teacher. He presents these in… Continue Reading Manil Suri in the Washington Post on “How Not to Be Wrong”

Warren DeVries, COEIT, Elected Honorary Member of ASME

Jun 17, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

Dean Warren DeVries of the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT) has been elected an Honorary Member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). DeVries will be recognized in November for his “distinctive contributions to engineering education and research as a professor, for dedication to advancing the frontiers of discovery and innovation through public service, and for striving to advance the recognition of engineering’s contributions to humankind through leadership in professional societies.” Honorary membership is ASME’s oldest award and just five members are selected annually to receive this special recognition. DeVries will step down as dean of COEIT… Continue Reading Warren DeVries, COEIT, Elected Honorary Member of ASME

UMBC Partners With Newcastle University in Urban Water Quality Study

Jun 9, 2014 / 2 minutes of reading

Upal Ghosh, professor in chemical and biochemical engineering, has partnered with Newcastle University in the project: Development of Sustainable Technologies to Investigate, Restore and Protect the Urban Water Environment. Newcastle University, University of Maryland Baltimore County (US), Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (India) and CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute Nagpur (India) The grant instituted through Newcastle University will support student and faculty research exchanges among the partnering institutions. The project will examine urban water quality and was summarized by the researchers: Urban water quality is under enormous pressure around the world because of increasing population… Continue Reading UMBC Partners With Newcastle University in Urban Water Quality Study

Rachel Brewster in Science Magazine

Jun 3, 2014 / 2 minutes of reading

Rachel Brewster, an associate professor in the department of biological sciences, was profiled in a recent issue of Science magazine. The article titled, The Adapter, explores how Brewster, in a world of tight funding, adapts her work on neural development, and continues training graduate students. Jennifer Couzin-Frankel writes in Science: “Brewster landed at UMBC in 2003, after marrying a biologist she met at New York University (NYU) who accepted a job at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Since securing tenure, she aspired to create a different culture from the one she experienced during her postdoc, in a prestigious lab at NYU’s… Continue Reading Rachel Brewster in Science Magazine

Dr. Belay Demoz Appointed Director of UMBC’s Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET)

Jun 2, 2014 / 2 minutes of reading

Dr. Belay Demoz has been appointed as Professor in the Department of Physics and Director of the Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET), a cooperative center between UMBC and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). Dr. Demoz’s appointment will be effective August 1, 2014. Dr. Demoz joins the UMBC community from Howard University where he held the position of Professor of Physics and Atmospheric Science. Prior to his appointment at Howard University, he served as a Physical Scientist at NASA GSFC from 2002 to 2008. Between 1998 and 2002 he held the position of Research Assistant Professor at UMBC… Continue Reading Dr. Belay Demoz Appointed Director of UMBC’s Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET)

Zhibo Zhang receives $710K grant from NASA

May 28, 2014 / 2 minutes of reading

Zhibo Zhang, an Assistant Professor in the Physics Department, and his collaborators received a three-year grant of $710K from NASA’s Sciences of Terra and Aqua program to study the Marine Boundary Layer (MBL) clouds. The MBL clouds cover about 20% of Earth’s surface. They play a pivotal in Earth’s radiative energy budget. Prof. Zhang’s research will help us understand the horizontal and microphysical structure of MBL clouds and provides guidance for the development of future NASA satellite missions. As PI, Zhang will lead a group of researchers from UMBC, NASA GISS, and the Univ. of Illinois. Zhang was also recently… Continue Reading Zhibo Zhang receives $710K grant from NASA