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/

Are you a CBEE Alumni? Stay connected via Linkedin

A PhD student is sought for Fall 2022 to carry out a PhD project under Dr. Tyler Josephson's guidance on developing and applying molecular simulation techniques and artificial intelligence tools to gain molecular-scale insights on processes in the environment to enable new solutions for cleaner air and water. 

Applicants should have a Masters or Bachelor’s degree in a related field and can apply to either the Environmental Engineering PhD program or the Chemical & Biochemical Engineering PhD program

Environmental Engineering PhD Program Overview

Applicant's prior coursework must include the completion of key prerequisites courses with a B or better. The prospective students must be admitted to the Environmental Engineering Doctoral program at University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering

Chemical & Biochemical Engineering PhD Program Overview

Applicant's prior coursework must include the completion of key prerequisites courses with a B or better. The prospective students must be admitted to the Chemical & Biochemical Engineering Doctoral program at University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering

Benefits: 

Full-time PhD students admitted to the department are paid a stipend plus tuition remission and health insurance. The Fall 2022 PhD stipend is of $34,967/year.

Over the weekend, UMBC's American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) ChemE Jeopardy team returned to the National competition and came home with second place in the National Championship, for the second year in a row. 

The 2021 national competition team members were: 

• John Laporte, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology & Bioengineering track; 

• Sumana Peddibhotla, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology & Bioengineering track; 

• Erin Huber, Chemical Engineering, Traditional track; 

• Max Bobbin, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering & Sustainability track. 

To prepare for this year's competition, the team practiced virtually and in person regularly with other students in the department and were coached by Dr. Neha Raikar.

The AIChE ChemE Jeopardy team is part of the UMBC AIChE Student Chapter that houses ChemE Jeopardy, ChemE Car, and ChemE-Sports; co-advised by Dr. Mariajosé Castellanos and Dr. Neha Raikar.

The team reached the national competition after winning the AIChE Regional competition in April 2021. There are nine AIChE Student Chapter Regions, with approximately fifty teams total. UMBC belongs to the Mid-Atlantic Region. The national competition took place in Boston, MA at the 2021 AIChE Annual Student Conference. The team made it through two rounds of competition, including a tie breaker, to reach the finals. 

In the finals, UMBC faced off against Iowa State and University of Iowa. We are so proud of the UMBC-CBEE team members and the continued success in the AIChE Jeopardy competition! 

READ MORE

• continued success of UMBC’s AIChE ChemE Jeopardy Team.
• Learn more about the AIChE ChemE Jeopardy Competition
• UMBC News article

A PhD student is sought for Fall 2022 to carry out a PhD project under Dr. Chris Hennigan's guidance on Air Pollution, Atmospheric Chemistry, and Aerosol Science. 

Applicants should have a Masters or Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Their prior coursework must include the completion of key prerequisites courses with a B or better. The prospective students must be admitted to the Environmental Engineering Doctoral program at University of Maryland Baltimore County in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering. Environmental Engineering PhD Program Overview

Benefits: 

Full-time PhD students admitted to the department are paid a stipend plus tuition remission and health insurance. The Fall 2022 PhD stipend is of $34,967/year.

UMBC is seeking applicants in the following areas for urban environmental work:

Masters Student Traineeships - iCARE