Physics

Five adults stand outside next to each other on a pathway. Fulbright.

UMBC’s 2022 Fulbright student scholars will travel the world to explore difficult questions

Nine recent UMBC graduates and alumni will soon travel to the UK, El Salvador, Kuwait, France, Colombia, Taiwan, South Korea, and Germany as 2022 Fulbright U.S. Student scholars. They include emerging leaders in education, astrophysics, cybersecurity, human rights, and more, and they are excited to explore difficult questions through fresh perspectives. Continue Reading UMBC’s 2022 Fulbright student scholars will travel the world to explore difficult questions

First-generation grad reflects on the power of seeing potential, giving support

“As a first generation college student … I didn’t know if going to graduate school would be possible for me, but people believed in me, saw my potential, and gave me the ability to succeed,” Kaitlynn says Kaitlynn Lilly ’22, mathematics and physics. “Being able to give that back to other people has been really powerful for me and has made my UMBC experience very fulfilling.” Continue Reading First-generation grad reflects on the power of seeing potential, giving support

Ten million reads: UMBC researchers hit milestone in sharing knowledge through The Conversation

Articles on The Conversation offer context to current events, explain natural phenomena, introduce new research in an accessible way, and more. “The Conversation helps us contribute to our public service mission as a public university,” says Vice President for Research Karl Steiner. “This milestone underscores the importance of academic researchers actively participating in the public discourse of complex issues.” Continue Reading Ten million reads: UMBC researchers hit milestone in sharing knowledge through The Conversation

UMBC research group tackles ongoing hurdles to efficient solar power tech

Two new papers from Can Ataca’s research group at UMBC set the stage for further advances in solar power and other renewable energy technologies. Graduate students Daniel Wines and Gracie Chaney led the projects. Ataca’s group’s work is theory- and computation-based, but these projects took advantage of collaboration with experimental researchers. As work in this field develops from theory to implementation in devices, “There’s a need for both kinds of research at every stage,” Wines says. Continue Reading UMBC research group tackles ongoing hurdles to efficient solar power tech

New study led by UMBC’s Qianqian Song furthers understanding of atmospheric dust’s role in climate

“These results are important because spatial variation of dust around the globe can help determine whether dust is cooling or warming the planet overall,” which is still unknown, Qianqian Song says. Using new techniques to identify dust among all atmospheric particles opens up new avenues for research in this area. Continue Reading New study led by UMBC’s Qianqian Song furthers understanding of atmospheric dust’s role in climate

a swirling white storm over ocean and islands

Hurricanes, well-being, and AI: START Awards set up UMBC researchers for success

Physicist Steve Guimond and collaborators have received a new $682,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to develop, run, and analyze complex hurricane models on supercomputers. However, Guimond might never have received the grant if he hadn’t received a UMBC Strategic Award for Research Transitions (START) first. A new cohort of START funding recipients begins their projects this summer. Continue Reading Hurricanes, well-being, and AI: START Awards set up UMBC researchers for success

roses in foreground, open field, two brick buildings in background

NASA, Dept. of Energy grant prestigious research awards to UMBC physics Ph.D. students

Noah Sienkiewicz, the NASA recipient, says UMBC’s partnerships with the agency helped set him up for success. “I’ve gotten to be more exposed to actual NASA work, and sit in meetings with NASA officials,” he says. “So, as far as the childhood dream of ‘I want to work for NASA,’ I feel like it’s been a great stepping stone to doing that.” Continue Reading NASA, Dept. of Energy grant prestigious research awards to UMBC physics Ph.D. students

UMBC’s Anthony Johnson, pulse laser innovator, elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Being elected as a member of the Academy is one of the highest honors a scholar can receive. Founded in 1780, its members, who come from every field of study, “examine new ideas [and] address issues of importance to the nation and the world.” Anthony Johnson has spent his career dedicated equally to creative applications of ultrashort pulse lasers and to teaching and mentorship. Continue Reading UMBC’s Anthony Johnson, pulse laser innovator, elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Three young adults in professional clothing stand by a park bench.

UMBC students set new record in prestigious Goldwater Scholarships for STEM research

Four UMBC students have been named 2021-2022 Goldwater Scholars, setting a new university record for the most Retrievers to earn this prestigious undergraduate award in a single year. “The impact that these students will have in their respective fields is immense, and they are ready for the challenge,” says April Householder, director of undergraduate research and prestigious scholarships. Continue Reading UMBC students set new record in prestigious Goldwater Scholarships for STEM research

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