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UMBC students (community builders), some standing and some kneeling and sitting, holding a stuffed dog toy. In the center of the photo is a brown dog, Chip, UMBC's campus comfort dog.

Leading through service: Meet the community builders in UMBC’s Class of 2023

When the impacts of COVID-19 had the world on pause in March 2020, like many others, Ify Jacob spent time sheltered at home thinking of what he would do once it was safe enough to return to life as he knew it. One of the first decisions that he made was to become more active on UMBC’s campus. His experience of approaching leadership through the lens of service is shared by many community builders in UMBC’s Class of 2023.  Continue Reading Leading through service: Meet the community builders in UMBC’s Class of 2023

A group of people are seated around a dining table. They smile at the camera.

UMBC’s vibrant learning community helps students discover careers to fit their passions

Performers of the music piece “Corporel,” by the French-Slovenian composer Vinko Globokar, must use their own body as a percussion instrument. To Brandon Gouin ’23, music performance, learning the work was a highlight of his time at UMBC. Gouin credits his teachers and mentors with helping him reach that moment on stage—as well as with helping him find his career path as an artist. Other Class of 2023 graduates say they encountered similar opportunities for growth and expression at UMBC. Continue Reading UMBC’s vibrant learning community helps students discover careers to fit their passions

Group of five people in fieldwork clothing, one holding a small bird. Tropical forest in the background.

Mentors help students grow their research skills, from fieldwork in Puerto Rico to labs at UMBC

Ellie Bare completed multiple projects with Kevin Omland’s research group, gaining valuable leadership and research skills that will support her future success. “Dr. Omland encourages that in his undergrads, which is really special,” Bare says. “He’s really supportive of undergrads getting the full research experience.” Continue Reading Mentors help students grow their research skills, from fieldwork in Puerto Rico to labs at UMBC

Man smiles at camera, inside of building.

Creating “AI Scientists”: Tyler Josephson advances a new field of research through $650,000 NSF CAREER award

Tyler Josephson’s lab sits off a main corridor in the department of chemical, biochemical and environmental engineering at UMBC. Open the door, though, and you’ll see nary a beaker, chemical closet, or lab coat. Inside, a few computers sit on tables. You might see equations scrawled on the white board or a few students poring over lines of code. Using this modest setup, Josephson has launched an ambitious project to equip computers to make scientific discoveries—starting in the realm of chemistry. This March he won a prestigious NSF CAREER award to advance the project. Continue Reading Creating “AI Scientists”: Tyler Josephson advances a new field of research through $650,000 NSF CAREER award

A Star Trek spacecraft seen orbiting above the Earth.

Lessons from ‘Star Trek: Picard’ – a cybersecurity expert explains how a sci-fi series illuminates today’s threats

Society’s understanding of technology and cybersecurity often is based on simple stereotypes and sensational portrayals in the entertainment media. But sometimes Hollywood gets it right by depicting reality in ways that both entertain and educate. Richard Forno, a former cybersecurity industry practitioner and current cybersecurity researcher, believes the final season of “Star Trek: Picard” is the latest example of entertainment media providing useful lessons about cybersecurity and the nature of the modern world. Continue Reading Lessons from ‘Star Trek: Picard’ – a cybersecurity expert explains how a sci-fi series illuminates today’s threats

Headshot of student who is wearing glasses on UMBC's campus.

McNair Scholar reflects on the power of research mentorship and leadership through supporting others

McNair Scholar Joana Hernandez is a research enthusiast who found her interest in scientific exploration and mentorship while at UMBC. Since 2019, Hernandez has worked as a research assistant in the lab of Fernando Vonhoff, biological sciences. It was in Vonhoff’s lab where she realized that there were opportunities to turn her love of learning into a career in research. Continue Reading McNair Scholar reflects on the power of research mentorship and leadership through supporting others

UMBC student Ify Jacob on campus, looking into the camera.

An engineer builds community in student housing, with an impact campus-wide

Ify Jacob’s mentors describe him as someone who has worked tirelessly to create community among Retrievers in on-campus student housin particularly as they dealt with the challenges and traumas of COVID-19. Jacob currently serves as vice president of UMBC’s Residential Student Association, but his journey of leadership through service has taken place over the course of years at UMBC. Continue Reading An engineer builds community in student housing, with an impact campus-wide

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