“I think this project has really big implications for how we think about development and how organs and tissues function,” Michelle Starz-Gaiano says, “because it’s looking at aspects that people haven’t yet paid attention to.” Continue Reading UMBC duo using math to reveal how and why cells move with new NSF grant
“I’m really interested in how the brain integrates a lot of different kinds of information to regulate complex behaviors, such as seeking rewards,” LeGates says. Her findings published in Nature, and her lab’s continuing work, pave the way for new treatments for disorders such as addiction and depression. Continue Reading UMBC’s Tara LeGates is first runner-up for prestigious international neurobiology prize
Salamanders regenerate their tails. Sea stars regenerate their arms. Most species of planaria, a type of flatworm, can regenerate everything from their brains to their digestive organs. But if you lose part of a finger in a shop class accident, or while chopping vegetables for dinner, you’re out of luck—for now. “Why can the worm do it, and we cannot?” asks Daniel Lobo, assistant professor of biological sciences. That’s not really the question, though, he explains. Continue Reading UMBC’s Daniel Lobo receives $1.9 million NIH grant to explore genetic control of development and regeneration
Elizabeth Patton’s new book explores how Americans think about the modern home office and why. Due to COVID-19, remote work has hit unprecedented highs, but Patton’s scholarship reveals that it’s far from a new idea. Continue Reading UMBC’s Elizabeth Patton dives into history of remote work with “Easy Living: The Rise of the Home Office”
UMBC is leading an eight-institution effort to improve our understanding of Earth’s critical zone (from bedrock to treetops) in urban contexts. Most critical zone research happens in more pristine wilderness areas, because the added effects of urban processes make the research more complicated. But, Welty says, “that’s the most interesting part.” Continue Reading Bedrock to treetops: NSF awards $4.8M to urban environment study led by UMBC’s Claire Welty
“To acknowledge that Black lives matter, that abuse of power must be stopped is paramount,” shared DàVida Plummer, keynote speaker at UMBC’s Inclusive Language Conference. “And for journalists the world over, we must capture this reality, tell our stories, and maintain objectivity.” Continue Reading UMBC’s first virtual conference on inclusive language engages hundreds of education professionals from around the world
“I believe this paper is a great example of how diversity expands the type of research scientists are doing,” says Casey Haines ’19. “A diverse pool of researchers may result in new questions being asked and new approaches to answering those questions. I would love to see this type of research applied in other areas of STEM.” Continue Reading UMBC study reveals gender bias in bird song research and impact of women on science
“While there will be important materials and engineering questions that will need to be addressed before scaling up to a commercial reactor, we will address the most important physics questions that could put us in a path to a demo reactor in years, not decades. We are very excited to be working on a truly transformational technology that will enable a virtually inexhaustible energy source with very small impact to our planet,” says Romero-Talamas. Continue Reading UMBC-led team receives Dept. of Energy grant to advance nuclear fusion energy research
“I would like to thank the HARP team as a whole, because HARP is really the result of the perseverance of the team over many years,” said Vanderlei Martins, as he accepted the award on behalf of the team, which has included many students. Continue Reading Small satellite, big ambitions: UMBC’s HARP named SmallSat Mission of the Year
“One of the reasons I love science is that we took this animal with an exceptional visual system, and it’s become even more complex,” Megan Porter says. “Every level that we look at adds another layer of complexity to how the visual system is working.” Continue Reading Mantis shrimp eyes get even wilder: UMBC team finds twice the expected number of light-detecting proteins
The improved models of disease spread Kathleen Hoffman and colleagues are working toward will help governments and non-profits get “the biggest bang for [their] buck in terms of resource allocation,” Kathleen Hoffman says. Where these groups should focus their time, energy, and money is “the kind of question this kind of work can usually answer.” Continue Reading UMBC mathematician Kathleen Hoffman receives new grants to improve HIV modeling
UMBC’s Fei Han has received a COVID-19 Accelerated Translational Incubator Pilot (ATIP) award for research to help predict and reduce patients’ risk of being hospitalized due to COVID-19. He will further develop the Hilltop Pre-AH Model™, a preventative risk model, to apply to pandemic conditions. Continue Reading UMBC’s Fei Han, of The Hilltop Institute, receives grant to develop model predicting patients’ COVID-19 hospitalization risk
