CNMS

Bob Provine, Psychology, sheds light on yawning, hiccups and other curious behaviors

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In a recent Chicago Tribune article, UMBC’s Bob Provine explained the origin and meaning behind some of our most curious behaviors. From the contagious yawn to the annoying hiccup, Provine unravels the mysteries of these often embarrassing, uncontrollable instincts in hopes of shedding new light on our evolution as a social animal. “It’s your body, and you like to think you’ve got it under control,” says Provine. “But underneath the calm exterior lurk unruly instincts and urges that are struggling to escape, putting you at risk of embarrassment or ridicule.” You can also hear Provine discuss his research in a… Continue Reading Bob Provine, Psychology, sheds light on yawning, hiccups and other curious behaviors

Manil Suri Reacts to Supreme Court Ruling on DOMA in New York Times, Elsewhere

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On the heels of the landmark Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Manil Suri, Mathematics, spoke out on what it means for the culture in India and the rest of the world. A June 30 opinion piece by Suri in the New York Times examined the future of gay rights in India. “America is not the first to propose an alternative precept, reversing centuries of such discrimination,” writes Suri. “But it has worked hard to project its image of supporting freedom, and its voice will carry the strongest. DOMA’s repudiation will burnish this image, and the effects will… Continue Reading Manil Suri Reacts to Supreme Court Ruling on DOMA in New York Times, Elsewhere

Stephen Freeland selected as new director of Interdisciplinary Studies

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Interdisciplinary Studies (INDS) is pleased to welcome Dr. Stephen Freeland as its new Director. Dr. Freeland succeeds Patricia La Noue, praised for building a solid foundation during her time in the position. In his new role, Dr. Freeland will extend the strengths of INDS. He has particular interests in the interface of science and religion and in using the full spectrum of creative arts to visualize and communicate social science, natural science and engineering. In this capacity, Dr. Freeland initiated activities by presenting a public lecture in Washington D.C. for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) dialogue… Continue Reading Stephen Freeland selected as new director of Interdisciplinary Studies

Manil Suri, Mathematics, on BBC’s “The Forum”

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Manil Suri, professor of mathematics, was recently a guest on the BBC World Service program “The Forum” to discuss “Obsessions, new and old, in literature and technology.”  Joining Suri on the show, which was hosted by Bridget Kendall, were internet analyst and cyber-sceptic Evgeny Morozo and Spanish novelist and translator Javier Marias. Suri discussed his recent novel, “The City of Devi,” in which the main character is obsessed with bringing a pomegranate to her missing husband. “She feels that having this symbol almost will somehow lead her to her husband. And in a way it does tell her something about her marriage, but in… Continue Reading Manil Suri, Mathematics, on BBC’s “The Forum”

Manil Suri, Mathematics, on the Marc Steiner Show

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Manil Suri, professor of mathematics, was a guest on the Marc Steiner show on March 14 to discuss his new book “The City of Devi.” Steiner asked Suri how he reconciles his background in mathematics with the spiritual themes that run through his books, which feature Hindu deities. “There’s a lot of contrast. On the one hand, I’m very enamored by these ideas from spirituality and almost mysticism,” “But on the other hand, the logical part of me says, ‘hey, wait a minute, that’s not really what’s happening.’” The full segment can be heard here.

Manil Suri, Mathematics, on “The Daily Beast”

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Manil Suri was deep into writing his latest novel, “The City of Devi,” when he realized something alarming: the novel was impossible to finish. The mathematics professor even used a mathematical construct, a possibility tree, to arrive at his conclusion.  He described the process of creating this mathematical “proof” in an essay for “The Daily Beast.” Of course, Suri did eventually finish the novel, which was published earlier this year. Despite the fact that he disproved his own proof, Suri feels that his mathematical conclusion was a worthwhile endeavor, because it allowed him to reach the insights he needed about… Continue Reading Manil Suri, Mathematics, on “The Daily Beast”

Recognition, Regulation and Research of Headwater Streams in the Contemporary Landscape

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The Department of Geography and Environmental Systems presents our next seminar of the 2012-2013 academic year, The Recognition, Regulation and Research of Headwater Streams in the Contemporary Landscape. The seminar will be presented by Dr. Sean M.C. Smith, University of Maine at Orono, School of Earth and Climate Sciences and Bryand Global Sciences Center. The seminar is next Wednesday, March 13, at noon in Sondheim 001. For more information, click here or contact Andrew Miller at miller@umbc.edu.

Kevin Omland, Biological Sciences, Featured in the Baltimore Sun

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“As the Baltimore Ravens’ march to victory in Super Bowl XLVII defied the common wisdom of the sports world, so, too, has an examination of the genetics of their winged namesakes in the western United States led one local biologist to evidence he says defies the common wisdom of his field,” writes reporter Arthur Hirsch in the February 17th edition of the Baltimore Sun. Hirsch’s story follows the work of Kevin Omland, Professor of Biological Sciences here at UMBC. Omland who has been working for the past 15 years on reverse speciation of ravens. Vist the Baltimore Sun to learn… Continue Reading Kevin Omland, Biological Sciences, Featured in the Baltimore Sun

Maricel Kann, Translational Bioinformatics

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Maricel Kann, assistant professor in the department of biological sciences, recently published a new online book, Translational Bioinformatics on PLOS-CB (first open access book in PLOS.)   This is a great resource for our students, the textbook is a good introduction to many of the topics in the emerging field of Translational Bioinformatics, and it is free to all, says Kann. The e-pub file is downloadable from the collection page: www.ploscollections.org/translationalbioinformatics It’s also in mobi format for Kindle users. If you don’t have an ipad/tablet/ereader to view the epub or mobi file on, you should be able to view it… Continue Reading Maricel Kann, Translational Bioinformatics

Manil Suri, Mathematics, in Baltimore Magazine

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Baltimore magazine reviewed Manil Suri’s latest book, The City of Devi, in the February 2013 issue.  Calling the book “a preculiar love story that’s both tawdry and hopeful,” the magazine says that it is “super-charged by religion, sexuality, and the overarching political conflict.” The magazine also posted a Q and A with the mathematics and statistics professor on their website, where they asked Suri about teaching a math class for non-math majors.  “It taught me that without at least some basic motivation on the part of the learner, it’s simply impossible to engage people in mathematics, no matter how interesting or… Continue Reading Manil Suri, Mathematics, in Baltimore Magazine

UMBC and Four Md. Community Colleges Partner to Ensure More Transfer Students Succeed in STEM

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The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is pleased to announce today a $2.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to build a national model for ensuring more transfer students earn degrees in science, technology, engineering and math. Anne Arundel Community College, the Community College of Baltimore County, Howard Community College and Montgomery College will work with UMBC on the “STEM Transfer Student Success Initiative.” Sarah Gantz of the Baltimore Business Journal wrote: “Transfer students account for about 38 percent of UMBC’s new students in STEM fields and largely come from the initiative’s partner community colleges. “How… Continue Reading UMBC and Four Md. Community Colleges Partner to Ensure More Transfer Students Succeed in STEM

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