UMBC Special Collections has recently revamped the guide to Researching African American Photographers and invites you to check it out. We have added information on two Baltimore photographers within the collection, Cary Beth Cryor and Irving Henry Webster Phillips Sr. Other changes included the addition of more articles, books on specific photographers, and books on compilations of photographers. There are plenty of examples of research sources and a lot more to find in the included databases, outside resources, and the article searches.

Learn more about the Photography Collections at UMBC on our website and please feel free to contact us if you need assistance. You can reach the Special Collections archivists and librarians at speccoll@umbc.edu.

Image: Roland L. Freeman, "Mrs. Brown. East Baltimore," 1970. Gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 in. Photography collections, P82-03-002. Signed on verso.

Thank you to Jacqueline Ellis, M.A. '22, history, and Special Collections Librarian Susan Graham for their work on this guide update!

Hello Women of Color Community! 

We wanted to adjust our virtual biweekly meeting times so that we can continue connecting and build community with one another. Below is a poll of different meeting times for our Women of Color Community so that we can have discussion group at a time that works best for you! 

Please rank the proposed times only if you identify as a woman of color. 

Un. of Chicago Summer Research Opportunity in Economics
Stipend, Housing, Travel Expenses & Meal Plan- Deadline to Apply Friday, 1/8/21

In special partnership with The Leadership Alliance, the University of Chicago will select up to three current UMBC undergraduates for an amazing research internship in economics.  The program is designed for undergraduate students with strong quantitative and analytical backgrounds of ALL majors.  This nine-week residential program exposes students to three program components: research, mentorship, and graduate school preparation.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday, 1/8/21

PROGRAM COMPONENTS  include:
Research Mentors: Students will be matched with a faculty/research mentor. Students can learn more about research opportunity offerings by looking at faculty research profiles. All students participating in the summer session will also be guided by advisers outside of the laboratory environment.

Activities: Students are expected to spend a minimum of 40 hours/week conducting research and working with faculty/research mentors. In addition, students will participate in several program activities that will allow them to interact with other members of the academic community and summer research programs at the University of Chicago:

Weekly Workshops/Panel Discussions: Workshops on how to navigate the academy, including topics like getting the mentoring you need, self-care and community, communicating your research, the graduate admissions process, preparing grad applications, fellowships and funding opportunities, and study abroad.
Library or Facility tours: Participants will be acquainted with the shared library, research, and laboratory facilities as it pertains to their research placement.

University of Chicago Research Symposium: Near the end of the nine-week summer session, participants will give oral presentations of their work to fellow participants, faculty mentors, and research associates in a symposium on campus.

The Leadership Alliance National Research Symposium: Participants will travel to attend the national meeting of the Leadership Alliance to present their work and to network with other SR-EIP participants from different institutions, faculty/research mentors, and Leadership Alliance members and directors.

Recreational Activities: Social activities organized to acquaint participants with life on the University of Chicago campus and in the city of Chicago at large.

Program Dates:
Monday, June 14, 2021 through Saturday, August 14, 2021 (9 weeks)

STIPEND AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT:
- Housing: Participants will be offered room and board in an air-conditioned student dormitory residence located in the center of campus near several amenities, including a new state-of-the-art athletic facility.
- Participating students are eligible for reimbursement of approved expenses associated with round-trip travel to the University of Chicago from the student’s home city.
- Stipend & Meals: Participants will be offered a $5,000 stipend plus a $550 meal plan. Participating students will be given a dining card for the purchase of meals at the University dining facilities.

It’s finally here – Winter Break!

You worked hard this semester and it doesn’t go unrecognized. Now is the time to get some well-deserved rest and re-charge before the spring semester begins.

It’s easy to binge-watch your favorite tv shows or go down the Tik Tok rabbit hole, but we’d like to challenge you to do some things that will truly restore you during your winter break.

1. Catch up on Sleep

Did you pull more all-nighters this past semester than you would like to admit? Now is the time to re-establish some good sleeping habits.

2. Do some light brainstorming for next semester plans.

If you found yourself too overwhelmed and busy last semester, consider what activities you may need to let go of. On the other end, if you feel you had too much time on your hands, consider some clubs or activities you may be able to get involved in this spring. Many organizations are still meaning virtually and Campus Life continues to offer regular online programming for students.

3. Take time to reconnect with family and friends.

Tell your friends you cherish them! Keep your support system strong and growing into the Spring semester. FaceTime the elders in your family and learn more about your family history and heritage. This discovery about your family roots can be the inspiration you need to keep pushing forward when the going gets tough.

4. Eat a good meal! Or two. Or three...

Take a break from your typical college diet and use this time to enjoy some healthy meals. Check out these easy meals for college students.

5. Spend an afternoon exploring the great outdoors!

Yes, it’s a bit cold in the winter, but all you need is some winter gear to enjoy some fresh air and nature. If you call Maryland home, many of the state parks are still open. And if you aren’t feeling as adventurous, even a walk around your neighborhood can do a world of good!

6. Research a graduate or professional school.

Whether you are just starting to think about grad school or are actually working on applications, many schools are offering virtual fairs or meetings to prospective students.

7. Set up an informational interview with a working professional.

Find out what a profession is really like and make connections with people in your future field by conducting an interview unrelated to a job search. Sample question: “What are the most important qualities for an aspiring pilot/engineer/dance therapist?” Keep a journal to record notes from these experiences.

8. Update and upgrade your resume.

Opportunities sometimes come up quickly and you want to be ready with that polished resume. Every college student needs a polished resume!

9. Plan an independent research or creative project and prepare an application for the UMBC Undergraduate Research Award (URA).

The URA provides up to $1500 to support research expenses such as equipment, travel, and materials. Here is a link to the full details.

Summer internships can provide both $ and valuable experience. The more competitive internships have deadlines in fall, but some are still open in January-March. If you have already missed a deadline, get all the information so you can apply early next year. Some internships are open to recent college graduates.

10. Work on your graduation game plan.

Winter break is an excellent time to create, revise or update your plan. Here are suggestions for a pathway you can take for graduation, and it includes a worksheet to start the plans on! Don’t forget to refer to your myUMBC profile for more academic information!

Please see the latest updates on UMBC’s Retriever Ready website. Questions? Email covid19@umbc.edu.

Counseling Center and University Health Services Hours

• The Counseling Center and University Health Services are operating throughout the rest of the fall semester and during winter break. We are here to help!

Upcoming Virtual Programs at the Counseling Center 

• The Counseling Center is offering Skills 4 Success Recap: Getting Ready for Finals on Wednesday, December 2 at noon, and a series of December 2020 De-Stress Events beginning Thursday, December 3 at 2 p.m.

Campus Building Status

• All campus buildings will remain locked for the rest of the semester and during winter break. If you need one-time emergency access, please call Major Bruce Perry at 443-677-2195 or Lieutenant Derrick Johns at 410-207-0850.

Resources for Assistance with Utility Bills

• The Maryland Public Service Commission's utility shut-off moratorium expired on October 1, and shut-offs resumed as of November 15. If you need assistance with paying your utility bills, there are resources available:

• The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) provides assistance to low-income Marylanders to make energy costs more affordable and to help prevent shut-offs and restore home energy service. Visit their website for information on how to apply. 
• The Fuel Fund of Maryland assists income eligible BGE customers. For more information or to apply for assistance, visit their website to fill out an application or call 410-235-9080.
• Pepco also provides assistance to customers in need. For more information or to apply for assistance, visit their website.

UMBC Together

• Visit the UMBC Together website for recent social media posts and the UMBC Together myUMBC group for information on upcoming events.

Title: The Effect of Neuronal Network Plasticity and Refinement in Drosophila melanogaster

Nociceptors are sensory neurons that fire in response to sharp pain or heat, but unstimulating firing has also been observed in developing drosophila neuronal networks. We are investigating whether the frequency of this firing could play a role in signaling a synapse to be pruned.

Who is your mentor(s) for your project?
My mentor is Dr. Fernando Vonhoff from the Biology Department. I used to study in the lab break room with some friends who worked on that floor of the Biology Building. I knew some people who were familiar with Dr. Vonhoff’s work and the projects lined up quite well with my interests. The same friends told me how Dr. Vonhoff provided excellent guidance and freedom to those working under him and so I asked if there was anything I could do for the lab.

How did you become interested in this project?
I had previously done some neuroscience research and this project allowed me to not only work on investigating pruning at the scale of a single synapse but also more macro topics such as refinement of a developing neuronal network as a whole.

What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher?
The hardest part of this project has been the day to day collection of data. It can be repetitive, but it takes a long time to investigate something substantial.

What has been the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part has been learning new skills and being able to use them to further the project. There is a real feeling of being a part of the neuroscience community when you can perform an experiment that you’ve read in a paper and then actually use that data. 

How will you disseminate your research?
Hopefully, we will have something to publish soon and I plan to present at the Spring URCAD event.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
I would tell them to read around a good bit to make sure you are interested in the work that you’ll be doing. It is also equally, if not more, important that you find a mentor who you will enjoy working with and who has the time to guide you. As far as getting into a lab, simply send out as many emails as it takes for someone to invite you in for an interview. It might take a month or two but there are so many opportunities on campus to get involved in research.

What are your career goals?
I hope to become a physician.