Catherine Wraback, '23 chemical engineering, traditional track and AIChE co-president 

Meet Catherine Wraback, a senior in the chemical engineering traditional track, President of the AIChE student organization, and a CWIT (Center for Women in Technology) Scholar. Catherine was also the President of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) ChemE Jeopardy team which won first place at the 2022 national competition. She will be heading to GE Aerospace to become a part of the Edison Engineering Development Program. Take it away, Catherine! 

Catherine Wraback, chemical engineering '23, poses in the GE Aerospace office after accepting the Edison Engineering Development Program offer. Image courtesy of Wraback.

Q: Why did you choose UMBC?

The Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering (CBEE) department at UMBC has a strong sense of community, which I experienced firsthand during a campus tour. I was impressed by the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of the department, and it was clear that the faculty and students form a close-knit group. One of the main reasons why I was attracted to UMBC is the family-like environment within the CBEE department, where professors and staff not only care about the academic success of their students, but also their personal well-being. This dynamic ensures that students receive the support they need to thrive both personally and professionally.

Q: Tell us about someone in the department who has inspired you or supported you & how did they do it?

Dr. Raikar and Dr. Castellanos are remarkable professors at UMBC, who go above and beyond to support their students. Dr. Raikar is known for her open-door policy, which makes her approachable to all students, and she is always willing to lend an ear and provide guidance on any topic. Her classes are not only inspiring, but also challenging and intellectually stimulating, which keeps students engaged and motivated.

Dr. Castellanos is an advocate for the needs of her students and encourages them to approach problem-solving from a holistic perspective, considering the broader impact on society. Her passion for thermodynamics is contagious and inspires her students to develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter. 

Both Dr. Raikar and Dr. Castellanos are instrumental in running the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChe) at UMBC. Their guidance and support ensure that the student organization runs smoothly and provides a valuable platform for students to develop their leadership skills, network with peers and professionals, and participate in various academic and social events.

Q: What do you love about your academic program?

The chemical engineering bachelor's program at UMBC offers a variety of tracks, which allows students to tailor their education to their specific interests and career goals. One of the most beneficial aspects of the program is the ability to choose elective courses, which provides students with the flexibility to customize their curriculum and explore various topics in depth. I particularly appreciated the ample opportunities to take labs, which provided me with hands-on experience and helped me develop my practical skills. Additionally, the program encourages students to design their own projects, which fosters creativity and innovation, and provides a platform to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Q: What clubs and orgs are you a part of and why? How was that experience?

I have had the privilege of serving as the President of the AIChE chapter at UMBC, as well as being a part of the Jeopardy Team, which has won at both the regional and national level. I am on the women's ultimate frisbee team at UMBC and attend practice twice a week. Being involved in these extracurricular activities has taught me valuable lessons in teamwork, conflict resolution, and leadership. Through these experiences, I have learned to approach disagreements with empathy and respect for diverse perspectives, while also managing multiple responsibilities and growing as a leader.

Moreover, being part of these teams has given me the opportunity to have fun and connect with my peers outside of the classroom. I have formed close personal connections with my teammates and learned a lot from their unique perspectives and experiences. These extracurricular activities have also taught me the importance of compassion and understanding towards others, and the value of taking time to enjoy the company of friends.

Q: What would you tell others who are in your shoes at UMBC?

I strongly encourage everyone to get involved in extracurricular activities and events on campus. Don't hesitate to attend office hours, ask questions, and engage with your professors, as they are a valuable resource and can provide guidance and support beyond the classroom. Additionally, attending student organization meetings and other events is an excellent way to meet new people, build connections, and broaden your horizons. Getting involved in extracurricular activities can help you build a well-rounded skill set that will serve you in your future endeavors.

2022 AIChE ChemE Jeopardy National Championship team and their advisor (l-r): Max Bobbin, Catherine Wraback, Dr. Neha Raikar, Colin Jones, and Pavan Umashankar. Image courtesy of Wraback

Shawn Serafin, ‘23 chemical engineering - traditional track, minor in chemistry

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

When did you do your Research Experience?

Hennigan’s Lab: May 2021-May 2022

Where was your Research Experience?

I worked in Dr. Hennigan’s Lab in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering at UMBC.

What is the focus of your Research Experience?

I focused on two different projects. The first project focused on characterizing the solubility of environmentally relevant gasses into salt solutions with varying conditions. The second project focused on characterizing the effect of pH on the presence of brown carbon with cloud water samples.

What was the best part of your Research Experience?

Our periodical meetings with Dr. Henningan where we learned about new ideas and projects, presented and discussed ongoing results, and recalibrated and refreshed our efforts.

INTERNSHIP

When did you do your Internship?

May 2022-May 2023. I went for a summer in-person, and continued remotely during the 2022-2023 school year. 

Where was your Internship?

I went to Santa Fe Springs, CA, for an summer in-person and continued remotely during the school year.

What is the focus of your Internship?

Process/Manufacturing Engineering of Carbon-Carbon Composite Plane Brakes

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

The unexpected test failures of parts that required fast, on your feet thinking, and lots of extra long hours of work and thinking.

More about Shawn…

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

Start with on campus research: show interest in a professor’s research and try to get involved. Then, utilize that relevant experience to build your knowledge and interests. Finally, work to attend as many career fairs as possible to speak with people and try to show interest in their work and be likable, and the opportunities will come flowing in. Become more than just another name on the page. 

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

I am a member of Tau Beta Pi, The Engineering Honor Society. I was the treasurer for the 21-22 academic year and the president for the 22-23 academic year. I have also been a teaching fellow for the CBEE department every regular semester since I was eligible.

What are your goals after graduation?

I have a position at Northrop Grumman as a Systems Engineer in the pathways program. Perhaps, I will move into a more managerial position, and then farther down the line I will run various business ventures.

Learn more about Shawn Serafin: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-serafin

An Dang, '24 chemical engineering - biotechnology & bioengineering track

When did you do your research/internship?
May 2023

Where was your research experience?
Purdue University, with Dr. Brandon Boor, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering

What is the focus of your research/internship?
Air filtration

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?
Make sure to start looking for opportunities as early as late October, and start asking your Professors/supervisors for recommendations early!

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?
I was a teaching fellow for ENCH225L in Fall 2022 and Spring 2023, we mainly graded homework, quizzes, exams, held review sessions, and had office hours. I am a CBEE ambassador. I help run the tiktok account, attend outreach and recruitment events, and give department tours to prospective students. I am an ISSS Global ambassador: I answer prospective students' questions on Unibuddy, write blogs (sometimes...), and film promotional videos for UMBC. I am also involved in the UMBC chapter of AIChE, I am the 2023-2024 service chair. 

What are your goals after graduation?
Industry or Graduate school

Learn more about An Dang: ✓ @anhongdang (Twitter) Check out An Dang’s profile on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anhongdang 

We are proud to announce that the Chemical, Biochemical, Environmental Engineering Department was acknowledged for our involvement in the Fall 22 STEM Expo and Fall Fair, as well as for representing the COEIT department in the First Lego Program STEM Education Research at the Annual Annapolis Area Christian School STEM Program.

We extend our gratitude to the Annual Annapolis Area Christian School system, the COEIT department, and all the students, staff, and faculty members from CBEE for their generous support and contributions.

When did you start your research experience?

May 2022 in Hennigan Lab UMBC, Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering

What is the focus of your research/internship?

Our project looks at the evolution of brown carbon molecules in cloud water when exposed to changes in pH or UV radiation, and how this affects their light absorbing properties. We are currently performing experiments in photolysis, where light splits these organic compounds that changes their interaction with light and thus, their effects on climate. Light absorption is important for understanding how atmospheric aerosols can increase or decrease global warming.

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

If there are topics you learn about in class such as water treatment, air pollution, etc that seem interesting or you want to learn more about, there is probably a UMBC professor who is actually doing research that is advancing our understanding of that topic!

Meredith Morse
'25 chemical engineering - biotechnology & bioengineering track, 

When did you start your research?

January 2021 in MartenLab at UMBC, Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering

What is the focus of your research?

I am focused on characterizing the Aspergillus nidulans kinase deletion library for increased septation in response to cell wall stress. More broadly, I use microscopy techniques to investigate gene deletions in filamentous fungus in order to determine the gene products' role in the upkeep and repair of the cell wall. 

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

Do not be afraid to reach out to professors, older students, or others for advice! Getting involved can seem overwhelming, especially when you do not know where to start. Turning to those with experience can be really helpful as they can provide guidance and mentorship. The real world advice and support they can provide is invaluable as you discover your own path. 

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

Center for Women in Technology (CWIT) Scholars Program, Phi Mu Fraternity for Women

What are your goals after graduation?

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Madison McLaren 

Where did you conduct your research: 

Dr. Hennigan's lab, UMBC

When did you start your research on campus?

I started my research in June of 2022. I was partnered with Dr. Hennigan through the LSAMP program, which I participated in during the summer of 2022. For the fall semester, I was hired under Dr. Hennigan as an undergraduate student researcher and I plan to continue to research in the lab until graduation in May of 2023.

What is the focus of your research/internship?

The focus of my research is to study brown carbon content in cloud water. Brown carbon is light absorbing organic material that has an effect on climate change.

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

Reach out to professors and do your research on other clubs and organizations on campus. Your connections are your best bet in getting involved in a lab.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

AIChE, Tau Beta Pi. 

What are your goals after graduation?

I will be attending Rice University to obtain a PhD in biomedical engineering starting Fall 2023

Learn more about Madison McLaren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclrmadison/ 

John Velkey, '23 chemical engineering - traditional track, mathematics minor

When was the internship? 
Summer 2022

Where was the internship? 
Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, in Newport News, Virginia

What was the focus of your research/internship?
As the Plant Utilities Operations Engineering Intern, John provided facilities and utilities engineering support. 

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?
Apply early, apply often, consider a wide range of internships/research fields

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?
John works for the UMBC Undergraduate Admissions Office.

What are your goals after graduation?
John would like to pursue a career in industry after graduation. 

Learn more about John Velkey:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-velkey-2a3507189