Danielle Larios,

‘25 Chemical Engineering - traditional track, Ancient Studies Minor

When did you begin your Research?

Spring 2023

Where does your Research take place?

Hennigan Lab, Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, UMBC

What is the focus of your Research?

Investigating the effects and properties of Aerosols, such as brown carbons, present in cloud water.

What are you looking forward to the most about your Research?

I look forward to working together with my fellow research assistants towards a real world, practical goal and continuing to do so throughout the next year.

What was the best part of your Research OR What was the biggest learning moment of your Research ?

If you are interested in research or internships, then be proactive! Even if nothing comes from it, you can only benefit from creating relationships with your professors and networking with potential companies.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

Student Ambassador for CBEE, Social Coordinator for Tau Beta Pi

What are your goals after graduation?

Pursue a master's degree in environmental engineering

Learn more about Danielle Larios:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-larios-6936a127b/ 

Matthew Quintanilla,

‘27 chemical engineering - biotechnology &  bioengineering track

When did you do your Internship?

I started in June 2022 as a high school student at Broadneck High School and I am continuing the research as I begin my undergraduate studies at UMBC.

Where does your Research take place?

Marten Lab, Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, UMBC

What is the focus of your Research?

I primarily focused on screening the entire kinase knockout library to find out more about their respective kinases' involvement with the cell wall biosynthesis and repair.

What are you looking forward to the most about your Research?

I am looking forward to the 3-D printing aspect of my internship, meeting a lot of new people, and living in a new area of the country.

What was the best part of your Research OR What was the biggest learning moment of your Research ?

It is crucial for everyone with a future in science to challenge their own thinking; either with in-depth, difficult content, or with unfamiliar content. I implore others to step into areas with the intention to do that.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

I am not yet involved in any clubs or organizations on campus.

What are your goals after graduation?

I would like to attain a PhD in biochemical engineering

Learn more about Matthew Quintanilla:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-quintanilla-101651260/

Carson Wolf, ‘24 Chemical Engineering - traditional track, Economics minor

When did you do your Internship?

Summer 2023 

Where was your Internship?

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA. The Internship is through National Nuclear Security Administration - Minority Serving Institution Internship Program.

What is the focus of your Internship?

Additive manufacturing of liquid crystal elastomers

What are you looking forward to the most about your Internship?

I am looking forward to the 3-D printing aspect of my internship, meeting a lot of new people, and living in a new area of the country.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

Fill out all of the internship opportunities sent through the advising groups and go to the career fairs.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

Tau Beta Pi, President of Lambda Chi Alpha, and Weightlifting Club

What are your goals after graduation?

Pursue chemical engineering within the defense or aerospace industries

Learn more about Carson Wolf:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carson-wolf-292382144 

Pavan Umashankar, '24 chemical engineering - biotechnology &  bioengineering track

When did you start your Research Experience?

Spring 2022 - ongoing

Where is your Research Experience?

Padmanabhan Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, UMBC

What is the focus of your Research Experience ?

I am studying the molecular pathways that regulate protein stability and turnover of ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (USP15) in ovarian cancer cells. USP15 has been implicated in ovarian cancer progression and metastasis, thus study of USP15's roles in the disease is key to constructing a better understanding of ovarian cancer and to develop more effective therapeutic options.

What was the best part of your Research Experience OR What was the biggest learning moment of your Research Experience ?

My biggest learning moments have been with regard to understanding and dealing with experimental failure. More often than not, it is likely that your experiment is not going to work as you intended the first time around (at least, this has been the case for me)! I have grown to understand that failure is especially integral to research, where we are constantly trying to explore unknown territory, and that it offers opportunities to learn new skills, knowledge, or even change research directions! This has helped me grow resilient as a scientist and better appreciate the research process.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

For a young scientist/professional seeking their first experience, it is so much more important to find a supportive environment than finding the "perfect" research/internship topic. Use your network of peers and faculty to check that the program is a good fit for your growth; Your research/professional interests will continue to develop as you gain more experiences.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

Meyerhoff Scholars Program, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Tau Beta Pi, Teaching Fellow for ENCH 215 (Summer & Fall 2022)

What are your goals after graduation?

I plan to continue to pursue my research interests before matriculating into physician-scientist training programs

Learn more about Pavan Umashankar: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavan-umashankar/ 

Daniel Sebrosky,‘24 chemical engineering - environmental engineering & sustainability track

When did you do your Research Experience?

Summer 2023. As part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) https://www.ndsu.edu/cpm/summer_undergraduate_research_experience/

Where was your Research Experience ?

Dr. Andriy Voronov, Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials, North Dakota State University

What is the focus of your Research?

Nanoparticle synthesis

What are you looking forward to the most about your Research Experience? 

I am excited to see North Dakota and learn more about the research in my field.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

Use your resources. Don't be afraid to ask your friends or professors if they have any internship recommendations or connections that you can use to your benefit.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

Teaching fellow, CBEE student ambassador, AIChE

What are your goals after graduation?

My goal is to do anything involved with the environment after I graduate.

Learn more about Daniel Sebrosky: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-sebrosky-26b45a255 

Jasmine Ives, '26 chemical engineering - environmental engineering & sustainability track

When did you begin your research experience?

May 2023

Where was your research experience ?

Ghosh Lab at UMBC

What is the focus of your research experience?

The focus of my research is to analyze the organic carbon content in soil samples. This relates to how the soil will adhere to PCBs in water.

What was the best part of your OR What was the biggest learning moment of your research experience ?

The best part of my research experience so far has been the willingness of members of the lab to teach me new things as I am starting out. I have also enjoyed learning new concepts as well as getting to see their applications directly in the lab.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

My advice for students who are interested in getting involved in research would be to reach out to professors who do research you are interested in.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

I am a member of Society of Women Engineers. I am a part of the C21 cohort of Center for Women in Technology (CWIT). I am hoping to become a peer mentor for CWIT next semester. 

What are your goals after graduation?

My goals for after graduation are to go into industry or continue with research. 

Learn more about Jasmine Ives: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-ives-964a8a23a/ 

Nelanne Bolima,‘24 chemical engineering - biotechnology & bioengineering track

When did you start your Research?

Fall 2021

Where was your Research Experience?

Marten Lab

What is the focus of your Research?

My research focuses on understanding the physical and mechanical properties of mycelial materials, made with the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Our goal is to eventually make mycelial materials that are able to mimic the properties of traditional materials (e.g., plastic) but have greater sustainability.. 

What was the best part of your Research Experience / What was the biggest learning moment of your Research?

The best part about my research experience in the intrinsic mentorship that comes with being in a research lab. My graduate student mentor and PI provide such a warm and supportive environment. 

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

Just try it! Research seems very intimidating as there is no clear solution for the problem you want to solve. But even performing research for one semester will give you invaluable skills such as communication, presenting, and even critical thinking. 

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

UMBC National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) President, CBEE 225L Teaching Fellow, AiChE, Meyerhoff/U-RISE

What are your goals after graduation?

I hope to pursue an MD-PhD in predictive medicine. Long-term I plan to entire academia and ideally become a professor teaching future scientists. 

Learn more about Nelanne Bolima: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelannebolima/