What is the focus of your research/internship?

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What is the focus of your research/internship?

The UMBC LSAMP 2020-2021 Annual Report highlights involvement in the UMBC LOUIS STOKES ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION (LSAMP) program. LSAMP participants have access to individualized advising, campus workshops, funded research experiences, and national and international conferences to strengthen their STEM identity and promote entry into top graduate programs. 

"...sometimes you feel as if you're not making much progress but then you come to understand that your data can be helpful to others. My PI has taught me that my role in the research lab is valuable and that routine observations can lead to progress in an experiment. "

- Excerpt From A Chemical Engineering Major '23 Research Reflection -

FALL 2020 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (Pg 32 )

Name and Class | Major | Topic | Faculty Mentor | University

Sahaadat Hammed-Owens ‘23 | Chemical Engineering | Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering | Dr. Jennie Leach | UMBC

SUMMER 2021 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (pg 34)

CLASS OF 2021 GRADUATING FELLOWS AND POST-GRADUATION PLANS (pg 40)

Excerpt from UMBC NEWS: 

UMBC's new AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellows focus on STEM workforce inclusion, youth justice

Published: Sep 8, 2022 | Dinah Winnick

Erin Lavik, professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering at UMBC, is an innovator in developing  nanoparticles to stop internal bleeding. She's also hard at work on a very different challenge: building STEM workforce development programs that are more inclusive and equitable.

Lavik and Erika Fountain, assistant professor of psychology, will serve as 2022-23 Science and Technology Policy Fellows (STPF) with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), in the prestigious program's 50th class. 

"AAAS policy fellows have been demonstrating excellence in science policy for the past half-century -- defining what it means to be a scientist and engineer in the policymaking realm," said Rashada Alexander, STPF program director. 

The 300 fellows chosen for the 2022-23 class will serve in a range of government offices, working to inform actionable, science-based policies. Lavik will be based in the Advanced Manufacturing Office of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, known as Manufacturing USA. Fountain will be hosted by the American Psychological Association (APA), serving as a Congressional Fellow.

The 2022-23 fellowship class is sponsored by AAAS, the Moore Foundation, and partner societies, with an eye on both the value of this experience for participating fellows and the impact fellows will have throughout their careers.

Inclusive high-tech workforce

"With the CHIPS Act passing, I'll be focusing on building workforce development programs that are equitable, inclusive, diverse, and accessible," says Lavik.

"CHIPS" stands for Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors -- legislation that will provide nearly $53 billion to support semiconductor production in the U.S., supporting both research and high-tech jobs. The goal of CHIPS, the White House notes, is "to sustain U.S. leadership in the sciences and engineering as the engine for American innovation." 

Lavik, who is also associate dean for research and faculty development in UMBC's College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT), will play an important role at NIST in shaping the programs that will generate these high-tech jobs, maximizing their benefit. At the same time, she will learn about federal policymaking and implementation first-hand.

"Dr. Lavik has worked as both a researcher and as an associate dean elevating research and advancing faculty development. This combination has given her a broad insight into product development," says COEIT Dean Keith J Bowman. "I am certain that expertise will serve her well in supporting advancement of our nation's manufacturing enterprises. I know from direct experience that Manufacturing USA has changed how we think about and carry out manufacturing, and Dr. Lavik's strategic and innovative mindset is a great match for this opportunity."

[Read full article]

Photo credit:  Erin Lavik (left) works with then-graduate student Adam Day (right) in her lab, 2018. (Marlayna Demond '11/UMBC)

Precious Oyinloye, ‘23, chemical engineering was interviewed for the article ‘A Bright Spot in the Fight for Equality’ by Susan Milligan on Aug. 25, 2022, at 6:00 a.m. in U.S. NEW & World Report. 

The story includes powerful reflections from Carolyn Seaman (CWIT/IS), Autumn Reed (provost's office), President Sheares Ashby, CNMS Dean LaCourse, Phyllis Robinson (biological sciences), student Precious Oyinloye (chemical engineering), and graduate student Alexis Nobleman (biological sciences), highlighting CWIT, ADVANCE, WISE, and many other units and programs.

Link to full article: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/equality-is-evasive-in-stem-but-there-is-progress

Photo Credit: Marlayna Demond of Deepan Madan (mechanical engineering) with a student

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Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2022! 

We are so proud of all of the 2022 chemical engineering majors and their accomplishments. 

The following Chemical Engineering majors of the Class of 2022 have received offers to continue their education:

• Justin Damon, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology & Bioengineering Track ‘22, will be attending the Georgia Institute of Technology to study Bioengineering.
• Sumana Peddibhotla, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology & Bioengineering Track ‘22, will be attending JHU Fall 2022 to earn her PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
• Courtney Cavin, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology & Bioengineering Track ‘22, will be attending UMBC to work towards her Master’s of Science in Biochemical Engineering.
• Makayla Headley, Chemical Engineering, Traditional Track ‘22, will be attending Clemson University and pursue a PhD in Engineering and Science Education

The following Chemical Engineering majors of the Class of 2022 have accepted positions for employment at the following businesses, agencies, and organizations:

• Rodney Azzu, Chemical Engineering, Traditional Track ‘22, will be working at Amazon as an Operations Engineer.
• Jeremy Olver, Chemical Engineering, Traditional Track ‘22, will be working at Citrus & Allied as a Distillation Operator.
• Preston Carter will be working at NIH as a bioanalyst.
• Carlos Castillo Lara, Chemical Engineering, Traditional Track ‘22, will be working at Northrop Grumman as a Systems Engineer.
• Nikki Nacion, Chemical Engineering, Traditional Track ‘22, will be working at Northrop Grumman as an Associate Electronics Pathways Engineer.
• Sakina Esterberg, Chemical Engineering, Traditional Track ‘22, will be working at ExxonMobil as a Process Engineer.