This year's UMBC Summer Undergraduate Research Fest or SURF is being hosted virtually by the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences from August 5 to 14, 2020. This marks the twenty-third year for this event and the first time that CNMS has used the VoiceThread platform for an asynchronous conference featuring student-narrated poster and slide presentations.
We encourage faculty, staff, students, and guests to embrace this easy to use technology, which is allowing CNMS to continue the annual tradition of showcasing student summer research projects despite the COVID-related campus closure.
With its 24/7 availability, the Virtual SURF 2020 provides a ten-day opportunity to listen and view the variety of presentations. Visitors are encouraged to leave written or recorded comments or questions about the presentations. The student researchers will write or record their responses to visitor comments and questions, making this a truly interactive experience.
The link provided below gives detailed WIKI instructions for participation. Please enjoy this conference and support the SURF student presenters!
VoiceThread instructions for presenters and visitors with and without UMBC credentials
Our College will likely remember Spring 2020 most vividly for the impact of COVID-19. Faculty members, staff, and students rose to the challenge of teaching, learning, and working remotely, and connecting online in meaningful ways. And administrators worked to protect their staff's health while maintaining critical research facilities. Still, we have a great deal to celebrate this year that goes beyond our community-minded response to the pandemic.
Programs that will change the face of science
This year saw CNMS receive significant funding for new programs and student success initiatives. For example, the National Science Foundation awarded UMBC $2.8 million todevelop and launch a new environmental science master’s degreeprogram focused on diversifying the environmental science workforce. The team behind this grant is led by biologist Tamra Mendelson and Chris Swan, an ecologist in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
The STEM BUILD program also successfully renewed its funding for five more years. This program is an NIH-funded initiative administered by CNMS with the goal of diversifying the biomedical workforce. STEM BUILD offers financial support, research training, and a supportive community for students from all backgrounds interested in pursuing graduate school in biomedical fields. Students in STEM BUILD were featured prominently in UMBC News articles aboutURCAD andthe class of 2020.
Neurobiologist and director of the MARC U*STAR Scholars program Phyllis Robinson also received anew $7.7 million NIH grant for URISE. MARC funding is coming to an end this spring, after more than twenty years. The URISE program will offer all the same benefits to students, like financial support, advising, and research development, plus some additional programming.
CNMS research: Quantum computer chips to outer space
This year also saw significant research and creative achievements from students and faculty. Two CNMS studentsreceived Goldwater Scholarships. Tagide deCarvalho received an international art prize for herstriking image of a water bear, which was featured in Smithsonian magazine.
Joshua Brown, Ph.D. ’18; Mike Summers, chemistry and biochemistry; 15 undergraduates; and two high school studentspublished breakthrough findings on HIV in Science. Kevin Omland’s teamidentified a new species of robin in the South Pacific. Matt Pelton, physics, and Marie-Christine Daniel, chemistry and biochemistry, received fundingto develop light-driven computer chips that will process information at incredible speeds.Katherine Seley-Radtke received a Fast Grant to test antivirals for their efficacy against COVID-19.And so much more.
In a very exciting development, a CubeSat carrying an instrument designed and built at UMBClaunched into space in November. HARP is a product of UMBC’sEarth and Space Institute, led by physics professor Vanderlei Martins and composed of students, faculty, and researchers in physics, engineering, and math. After a decade in the making, the CubeSat is now sending back data about tiny particles in the atmosphere that contribute to air quality and climate. A UMBC team is already hard at work on HARP2, scheduled to launch in 2023.
Recognizing excellence
This spring, the college also honored the following faculty members for their achievements in research, teaching, and mentorship:
Carl S. Weber Excellence in Teaching Award – Terrence Worchesky, physics
Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award – Nandita Dasgupta, mathematics and statistics
Early Career Faculty Excellence – Bedrich Sousedik, mathematics and statistics
Mid-Career Faculty Excellence – Songon An, chemistry and biochemistry
Excellence in Teaching - Cynthia Wagner, biological sciences
Active Learning Inquiry Teaching Certificate – Can Ataca, physics, and Justin Webster, mathematics and statistics
To read more stories about the achievements of students, faculty, and alumni in CNMS and from around the university, visitUMBC News andUMBC Magazine.
CNMS Awards and Recognition Day is an annual event to acknowledge the achievements of current CNMS undergraduate, graduate students, and faculty. Each year the event is held in late spring, however due to UMBC campus closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 CNMS Awards and Recognition Day in-person ceremony was cancelled. We still felt it was important to recognize the outstanding achievements of our faculty and students, therefore we are honoring the awardees by publishing a digital version of the CNMS Awards and Recognition Day program (attached) and we will be sending certificates to the awardees once campus resources are open and available. Many departments under the college have also chosen to recognize their student honorees through a virtual ceremony.
Congratulations to all our honorees and graduates!
]]>The CNMS Scholars Program at UMBC is a selective undergraduate initiative designed to support talented individuals interested in the advancement of women students in the sciences and engineering. This prestigious program is being sponsored by the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) at UMBC to provide comprehensive support to students pursuing majors where women are still underrepresented, specifically: mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, bioinformatics/computational biology, mechanical engineering, and chemical/biochemical engineering. The program will connect high-potential students to a community of designated faculty mentors and a myriad of campus support services in an effort to facilitate their academic success in these rigorous majors. CNMS Program Scholarships are for one year and could be renewable annually for up to two additional years, in accordance with funding availability and meeting program requirements as defined in an award agreement.
The online application process includes uploading an application letter to the selection committee with an essay that covers three topics, as well as the submission of academic transcripts and a resume. The link to the application form can be found here. Applications are due by Friday, April 17.
All applicants to the CNMS Scholars Program must have and
maintain:
Ms. Cormier earned an M.F.A. from
UMBC's Intermedia and Digital Arts program and a B.F.A. from Radford
University. She most recently gained experience in the Department of Visual
Arts as a professional staff program specialist, graduate program coordinator,
and an adjunct instructor of drawing and visual concepts courses.
Both artistically and professionally, Ms. Cormier actively collaborates across
the disciplines of art and science to better inform her work and feed her
enthusiasm. Her work was recently published in a collection by Aperture in Seeing Science: How Photography Reveals the Universe by Marvin
Heiferman. In addition, she was recently asked to speak on a panel at Brilliant
Baltimore about her collaborative works in The Light Ekphrastic, an online journal founded by UMBC's Jenny O'Grady, which pairs writers and artists together to
create new works.
Ms. Cormier is active in both the
UMBC and broader Baltimore arts communities through participation in
organizations such as the PSS Mentoring Program and the Program Advisory
Committee (PAC) of Maryland Art Place. The PAC is comprised of nominated
Maryland area artists and arts professionals who provide analyses and responses
to proposals and annual exhibitions several times a year. The PAC is also responsible
for advising the organization on contemporary art trends and best practices.
Ms. Cormier’s experience with photographic processes and printing techniques,
as well as her personal interest in nature and the sciences, makes her a great
fit and enthusiastic resource to anyone in the wider UMBC community searching
for expertise in imaging and design to support their research, promote their
lab's mission, and explore visual projects.
CNMS is pleased to offer a Research Graphics Open House for community members who would like to learn more about how Research Graphics can support their work.
Research Graphics Open House
Wednesday, February 26, 12 – 1 p.m.
Biological Sciences Building, Room 102
Light refreshments will be served.
Ms. Cormier will also be offering an AOK Library Spotlight presentation on April 1 from noon to 1 p.m. She can be reached at researchgraphics@umbc.edu for any questions.
]]>Nearly 300 students from six states and the District of Columbia traveled to UMBC this October to present their work at the 22nd Undergraduate Research Symposium for the Chemical and Biological Sciences. The symposium consistently draws a large and diverse group of students and mentors for a judged research poster competition, professional development workshops, and a plenary research presentation. The event, which is organized by UMBC’s College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) and supported by Sheppard Mullin, also offers students the chance to network with their future colleagues and strengthen their identities as scientists.
“What you’re really doing here is building a scholarly community. At the end of today you will be a better scientist,” shared CNMS Dean Bill LaCourse, in his opening remarks. “Talk to each other,” he encouraged the students. “You never know who will be standing next to you when you accept your Nobel Prize.”
Student posters covered a broad array of research topics, from improving tools for DNA analysis to making more affordable biofuels.
Ryan Santilli and Jack Williamson from Penn State developed a low-cost DNA ladder—a set of short pieces of DNA of known lengths that researchers use to measure and identify their own unknown DNA fragments. Danielle Guillen from Monmouth University demonstrated a low-cost, easy-to-use technique for deactivating harmful bacteria while leaving associated DNA intact. James Madison University’s Kendahl Ott is working on understanding a protein mutation that causes heart failure with limited warning signs. Makhalia Aiken discussed her work at Hood College to improve the affordability of biofuels. Cierra Wiggins is working with the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Science to test techniques for detecting fingerprints on gloves found at crime scenes—a form of evidence DC courts just started accepting in 2018.
Professional development workshops offered by UMBC faculty and staff covered career pathways in the life sciences, ethics for scientists, and communicating science beyond traditional academic channels. Professor Jeff Leips discussed his research on the relationship between genetics and how animals age in an engaging plenary talk in the afternoon.
In wrapping up a busy day, Dean LaCourse reminded the students, “What you do is very noble.” As they headed back to their home universities, he wanted them to always remember, “You persevere through failure to contribute to a body of knowledge that helps society.”
LaCourse compared science to pointillism, an artistic style where an artist combines many distinct, small dots to form a complete image. He reflected, “You’re all adding your dot to increase what we can see collectively with science.”
To learn more about this event, please contact Caitlin Kowalewski, assistant director for undergraduate initiatives in CNMS.
Photo: Student volunteers help participants get checked in for the symposium. Photo and story by Sarah Hansen, M.S. '15.
This prestigious program provides scholarships, mentorship, and support to individuals interested in the advancement of women in the sciences and engineering to increase student persistence in academic majors where women are still underrepresented, specifically:
- mathematics/statistics
- physics
- chemistry/biochemistry
- mechanical engineering, and
- chemical/biochemical engineering.
The program is designed to connect high-potential students to a community of designated faculty mentors and a myriad of campus support services in an effort to facilitate student academic success in these rigorous majors.
More information can be found at https://sites.google.com/umbc.edu/cnmsscholars/home?authuser=1
Apply here: https://sites.google.com/umbc.edu/cnmsscholars/program-application?authuser=1
]]>Open house: Taking the pulse of the UMBC community
11 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Commons Main Street
Stop by Main Street in The Commons to share a brief message about your thoughts on the intersection of science and faith and get the dialogue started with your peers. Staff will be available to help facilitate conversation.
Workshop for Researchers: Science communication and engagement with religious publics
Noon – 4 p.m., Library 7th Floor - walk-ins are welcome!
Are you involved in public science engagement, or thinking about it? Are you interested in promoting dialogue about science with a broader spectrum of individuals and communities? Are you concerned about effectively navigating potential tensions at the intersections of science, culture, and faith in your classroom, your laboratory, on social media, in policy discussions, or in public settings? Then this workshop is for you. It is geared toward STEM researchers. The limit is 50 participants and as of tonight we are not at capacity per registration, so walk-ins will be welcome, including undergraduate researchers, as space allows.
Public Panel: Science engagement and dialogue with faith communities
5:30 – 7 p.m., University Center Ballroom
Open to the public, followed by a heavy hors d'oeuvres reception. Panelists include four leaders active in work at the intersection of science and faith. They are scientists who personally practice a range of faiths and bring a rich set of stories around how their own experiences have influenced their work. The panel is moderated by Steve Freeland, director of the Individualized Study Program at UMBC and himself a leader in work at this intersection.
Please join us however you can and share with others!
Rabbi Geoff Mitelman
Rabbi Mitelman founded Sinai and Synapses, an organization with expertise in constructive discourse on science and society topics with religious communities. He was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Religion and Jewish studies. Rabbi Mitelman led the congregation of Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester for seven years, and his writing on the intersection of religion and science has appeared widely.
Dr. Pamela Payne-Foster
Dr. Payne-Foster is a preventive medicine/public health physician who is an associate professor in the Department of Community and Rural Medicine and deputy director of the Institute for Rural Health Research at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Regional Campus. She has expertise in community health partnerships with churches and other faith communities.
Dr. Altaf Saadi
Dr. Saadi is a neurologist and fellow at the National Clinical Scholars Program at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she focuses on promoting healthcare leadership in health policy, health services, and community-partnered research. Dr. Saadi is a scientist of faith, and she is active in social justice and science-informed advocacy in the public sphere.
Dr. Caitlin Shrein
Dr. Shrein is strategic communications editor at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and a science communicator specializing in anthropology and evolution. Her doctoral research examined the relationship between human evolution education and students’ interest in science and their decision-making about social issues with a scientific basis, such as climate change. She particularly focused on life sciences pedagogy that is sensitive to students’ culture, faith, and worldview.