UMBC students and faculty recently participated in the 2026 Grand Challenge Scholars Program (GCSP) Annual Meeting at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, an event dedicated to preparing tomorrow’s engineers to address society’s most pressing global challenges. Nearly 300 students representing 25 countries and more than 70 universities attended February 13–16, 2026, celebrating this year’s theme: “Community, Technology, and Grand Challenges: Together for Global Impact.”

Asantewaa Nyanteh, a mechanical engineering junior, earned first place in the Innovation Award competition for her poster, “Efia: A Wearable Robotic Glove for Hand Rehabilitation After Paralysis.” Her work in the lab of Ramana Vinjamuri, an associate professor in computer science and electrical engineering, advances the development of a lightweight wearable device designed to help users participate more fully in daily activities.

Grand Challenge Scholars participants also represented COEIT and UMBC in other poster presentation categories:

Saumya Brahmbhatt, a computer science junior, presented “Buget2Broker.”

Ini Olaniyan, a chemical engineering junior, presented “Investigating the Effects of Estradiol on Platelet Traction Forces.”

Jessica Thomas, a mechanical engineering junior, received third place in the Service Learning category for her poster presentation, “MagneSense: A Tactile Puzzle.”

Caroline Wehinger, a psychology sophomore presented “Toy Choice: Does Gender Matter?”

Grand Challenge Scholars Program Director Maria Sanchez, who also serves as director of the Engineering and Computing Education Program (ECEP) in COEIT, and Petra Janka, a master’s student in human-centered computing and program coordinator for the Grand Challenge Scholars Program, travelled with the student team.