Students from Mt. St. Joseph High School had an engaging day at the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering (CBEE) today, where they toured cutting-edge labs and learned about innovative research and CBEE’s academic excellence from leading faculty members. They were accompanied by Jason Ader, Mt. St. Joe’s Director of Sustainability, STEM, and Innovation, and Dr. Rebecca Obniski, a STEM coordinator.

The visit kicked off with a tour of the laboratories of Drs. Josephson, Blaney, and Marten, where students got a firsthand look at ongoing projects in the field. Each lab showcased unique research efforts, sparking curiosity and inspiring future engineers.

Following the lab tour, the students enjoyed a pizza lunch, where they had the opportunity to discuss their interests and ask questions about the engineering field. Dr. Marten, Chair of CBEE, shared insights into the department's research efforts and academic program.

Additionally, COEIT advisor Krista Wallace provided valuable information on the application process for the CBEE program, highlighting opportunities for prospective students to engage in research and hands-on learning.

The visit was a fantastic opportunity for high school students to connect with university faculty and explore potential career paths in engineering, fostering a deeper understanding of the impact of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering on society.

UMBC News | Published: Sep 18, 2024 |By:Catherine Meyers

On September 12, UMBC’s Upal Ghosh, from the Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, was sworn in as a member of the Washington, D.C., mayor’s Leadership Council for a Cleaner Anacostia River (LCCAR). The council consists of 25 high-level government officials, community leaders, and environmental experts who support the vision of a swimmable and fishable Anacostia River. The members meet quarterly to advise the D.C. government on ongoing restoration projects. 

The Anacostia River, which runs from Prince George’s County in Maryland into Washington, D.C., before joining the Potomac River and ultimately flowing into the Chesapeake Bay, has historically suffered from high levels of industrial pollution and contamination from sewage overflow. In recent years, government officials have been making concerted efforts to clean up the river. UMBC was invited to sit on the council, with Ghosh as the representative, based on the university’s key contributions to these clean-up efforts. 

Since 2016, Ghosh and his UMBC colleagues and students have developed innovative methods of measuring contaminants in the river and created models to elucidate where the contaminants come from and how they travel through and accumulate in the water, sediment, and aquatic life, such as fish. Nathalie Lombard, a research assistant professor at UMBC who has played a significant role in the projects, will serve as the alternate representative on the LLCAR when Ghosh cannot attend. 

In addition to his work on the Anacostia, Ghosh and his students have studied and contributed to the cleanup of the waterways throughout Maryland, Delaware, and across the country. “Students learn a lot from being out in the field,” Ghosh says. “They learn how the science and engineering we do helps guide major decisions. Our ultimate goal is making a positive difference in the health of the river, lake, or bay. That gives me a lot of excitement, and it really motivates the students too.”

Read original post via UMBC NEWS: Upal Ghosh Appointed To D.C. Mayor’s Leadership Council For A Cleaner Anacostia River - UMBC