Chuck Bieberich, professor of biological sciences, has been named The Herbert Bearman Foundation Chair in Entrepreneurship for 2016-2019.

The Herbert Bearman Foundation Chair recognizes and supports outstanding teaching skills, an interest in entrepreneurship, and a strong record of scholarship in entrepreneurial studies or a field related to entrepreneurship. The three-year endowed position will enable Bieberich to offer workshops and related activities to encourage entrepreneurial approaches to expanding research support and commercialization opportunities for faculty.

“For me, being appointed the Bearman Chair is not just a tremendous honor, it’s also a great opportunity to foster entrepreneurialism among my faculty colleagues. A lot of the things we already do to keep our labs running mirror those that are essential to running a business,” says Bieberich.

Bieberich will use his time as Bearman Chair to encourage faculty in the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) and across UMBC to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. In his own research, he plans to expand the application of the biomarker discovery technology in the growing field of personalized medicine.

For the full story please visit: http://news.umbc.edu/chuck-bieberich-biomarker-tech-innovator-named-bearman-foundation-chair-in-entrepreneurship/

The College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) is proud to host the Annual UMBC Summer Undergraduate Research Fest (SURF) to recognize summer undergraduate research at UMBC. Since 1997, summer student researchers including participants in the MARC U*STAR, Meyerhoff Scholars, HHMI, and the Summer Biomedical Training Programs have presented their summer research as oral presentations or posters during this exciting event 

This year's Annual UMBC Summer Undergraduate Research Fest (SURF) will be held August 8, 2018 in the UC Ballroom.

We are pleased to acknowledge Kathie Seley-Radtke and Dottie Caplan from CNMS were recognized at the 2015 UMBC Presidential Faculty & Staff Awards.

Kathie Seley-Radtke
Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
2015–2018 Presidential Research Faculty Award

Kathie Seley-Radtke joined the UMBC faculty in 2003. Internationally known in her field, her research in drug design through chemical synthesis is advancing medicinal chemistry and saving lives.

Seley-Radtke’s current projects focus on the design and synthesis of chemotherapeutic agents to treat cancer and infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis C, Ebola and MERS-CoV, as well as biological probes to explore the structure and function of DNA. In the last 10 years, she received six National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants for which she is the sole principle investigator, and received NIH funding for the Chemistry-Biology Interface graduate training program, which she directs. This prestigious program is one of about 24 such NIH-funded programs in the country, and is recognized for its innovation and positive cross-disciplinary training impact.

She is one of only a few dozen U.S. scientists to have served the White House as a Jefferson Science Fellow. As part of her ongoing assignment at the U.S. Department of State, she continues to work closely with the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, as well as leading scientists, ministry officials, and the Russian Academies of Sciences and Medical Sciences on national security and bioweapons, in addition to emerging and reemerging infectious diseases.

Seley-Radke is currently the president of the International Society for Nucleosides, Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids, the leading scientific society for her field. She is also a member of the Award Nomination and Selection Committee for the American Chemical Society’s Medicinal Chemistry Division and on the Board of Directors of the International Society of Antiviral Research.

In addition to her research, Seley-Radtke has taken a lead role in developing new approaches to attracting and retaining students from diverse backgrounds for the Ph.D. program. She also led efforts to develop a new summer bridge program for incoming chemistry graduate students, designed to improve problem-solving skills and increase retention rates.

Seley-Radtke received her B.A. from the University of South Florida and Ph.D. from Auburn University.

Dottie Caplan
Executive Administrative Assistant, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences
2014–2015 Karen L. Wensch Endowment Award for Outstanding Non-Exempt Staff

Dottie Caplan began her career at UMBC in 1997 as a secretary in what was then known as the College of Arts and Sciences, and joined the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences in 2005. Her dedication to UMBC, its students, faculty, and staff is unparalleled, and her coworkers consider her an invaluable asset to the College and the UMBC community.

Caplan handles a large volume of work and consistently provides support to the Dean and CNMS staff that goes above and beyond her responsibilities, for the good of CNMS and the University. Her helpful, supportive manner is evident in her daily communications. Always offering a smile and an optimistic word, Caplan treats internal and external visitors with the same courtesy and kindness.

Her dedication to CNMS is only matched by her commitment to UMBC’s mission of service. Caplan is president of the Non-Exempt Staff Senate and is known for persistently advocating for her NEES constituents. She embraces shared governance by serving on a number of university committees, including the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. She is a tireless advocate for the Maryland Charity Campaign (MCC), serving on its cabinet and overseeing the annual Non-Exempt Staff/Professional Staff Senate bake sale fundraiser for MCC. In addition, Caplan serves as a mentor for new students and supports both Commencement and Welcome Week activities.

Over the years, Caplan has also served her local community and received awards for her service at the Violetville School, American Heart Association, department of Recreation and Parks, Baltimore City Public Schools, and other organizations.

Phillips Academy, an independent boarding high school located in Andover, Massachusetts, visited UMBC to explore student success strategies in preparation for structural and program changes to its math department. The six-member group met with faculty, staff and students regarding the active-learning centers within the math and science departments, the Meyerhoff Summer Bridge Program, and the success in mathematics at UMBC.

The College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences hosted the February 26, 2015 visit which featured conversations with representatives from the Department of Mathematics, the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Education, the Sherman Scholars Program, the Meyerhoff Scholars Program and the Learning Resources Center. This was the second visit from Phillips Academy that visited UMBC. In 2012, the visit focused on ways to encourage students to work together to improve their understanding of mathematics and sciences.

Professor Hayden elected to the newest class of OSA Fellow Members

Dr. L. Michael Hayden, UMBC Professor of Physics and Department Chair, was honored as a 2015 Fellow Member of The Optical Society (OSA), the leading professional society for researchers, industry leaders, and students focused on the science of light and founded in 1916. Dr. Hayden was one of 76 individuals recognized by OSA for their significant contributions to the advancement of optics and photonics. Dr. Hayden's professional interests involve the study of new materials, including nonlinear optical and electro-optic polymers, and their use in terahertz applications.

“This year’s class of OSA Fellows has offered prodigious service to OSA and the global optics community,” said OSA President Philip Bucksbaum. “The Optical Society is honored to offer recognition for their outstanding contributions and leadership in the optics and photonics profession.”

Reference: http://www.osa.org/en-us/awards_and_grants/fellow_members/recent_fellows/2015_fellows/, downloaded 3/2/15.

Dr. Jeff Leips honored by USM Regents for excellence in teaching Jeff Leips, Associate Professor in Biological Sciences, was presented with the 2014 University System of Maryland Board of Regents Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Presidential Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony held in the University Center Ballroom on April 2, 2014.  He was the only UMBC faculty member to receive a prestigious Regents Award this year.

Leips spear-headed the creation of two new minors at UMBC in Quantitative Biology and Biomathematics.  He also co-chairs the Undergraduate Training in Biology and Mathematics (UBM) program.  In addition, Leips is a leader in creating student-centered experiences in undergraduate biology courses. He leads an HHMI grant-sponsored effort to create, implement, and evaluate student-centered modules in introductory biology classes at UMBC that emphasize quantitative skills.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Leips leads a research lab focused on quantitative and evolutionary genetics in fruit flies. “I like what I’m doing," [said Leips].  It’s part of our job – the teaching part probably affects way more students than anything I do in research.”

In that vein, Leips believes UMBC and other universities need to improve teaching training for graduate students and faculty.  If you are a graduate student thinking about a career in academia, “A large fraction of your job is going to be teaching.  And you’re doing the students a disservice if you don’t treat it seriously,” he said.