All posts by: Sarah Hansen, M.S. '15

Explore or exploit: Research with robotics and medical applications that decodes animal decision-making earns NIH grant

A glass knifefish darts back and forth in a short tube, its brain activity being recorded in real time. This small fish, alternating between swift bursts of sensing activity and slower, task-driven behaviors, is helping scientists understand how animals decide when to gather information about their environment versus act on it. A team of researchers is blending neuroscience, math, and engineering to decode these choices, with potential to guide robots in uncertain terrains or unlock secrets of the brain.

The team’s research has just been funded by the Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS) program—a joint initiative of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) that supports interdisciplinary research. Kathleen Hoffman, professor of mathematics and statistics, co-leads the grant.

The CRCNS program emphasizes collaborative efforts to advance understanding of nervous system functions through computational tools. With the lead investigator at Johns Hopkins University and additional collaborators at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and the University of Minnesota, the team for the newly funded project spans biology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science—a mix well-positioned to discover deeper insights into brain mechanisms.

portrait of woman sitting in armchair — Kathleen Hoffman is leading data analysis for the newly funded project. (Courtesy of Hoffman)

‘Explore’ or ‘exploit’?

The new project builds on the same team’s prior research, published in 2023 in Nature Machine Intelligence, which revealed similar decision-making patterns across species, from amoebas to humans. In that work, the team analyzed the behavior of glass knifefish—weakly electric fish that navigate dark waters using self-generated electric fields—in experiments run by Noah Cowan, the lead investigator for the new grant. Then they compared their findings to the behavior of other species as described in the scientific literature, uncovering similar patterns in 11 species, including bats, mice, moths, and humans.

In the prior work, “We looked at velocity distributions, and we found that there were two modes of movement. We called them ‘explore’ and ‘exploit,’ but you could also describe them as ‘fast’ and ‘slow,’” Hoffman explains. During experiments in narrow tubes, the fish alternated between two modes: rapid, exploratory movements to sense their surroundings (“explore”) and slower, deliberate actions using the information they’d collected (“exploit”).

That research challenged robotics norms, showing that animals don’t constantly scan their environment, but rather burst into action when needed, a strategy the team showed is both more economical and more effective. The new project ramps up data collection—from 40 seconds per trial to 10 minutes—allowing the team to reveal subtler patterns, like burst lengths and correlations between the fish’s movement mode and its position in the tube.

a partially transparent fish swimming, black background — This glass knifefish is participating in the team’s experiments, which involves measuring the velocity of the fish’s movements. (Courtesy of Noah Cowan)

Deciphering animal decisions

A primary goal is to uncover what prompts the mode switch. “How does it decide when to switch? And the hypothesis that we’re considering is that it’s based on some internal measure of uncertainty in the fish, meaning that if the fish isn’t sure if it’s inside the tube, it’s going to move so it can gather sensory information,” Hoffman says.

To test this, the team integrates several methods. At the University of Minnesota, engineers led by Andrew Lamperski will apply machine learning to map relationships between sensory inputs and behavioral outputs in the form of mathematical functions. Hoffman handles data analysis, starting with manual pattern-spotting before coding.

“I can’t wait to get my hands on the data,” Hoffman says. She’ll start by simply printing out the velocity and position results and poring over them visually. “I don’t think there’s anything better than the human brain to see patterns, and mathematics is the study of patterns,” she adds. After observing what looks like a pattern, she’ll bounce her ideas off the rest of the team, and eventually “go write a program to automatically go through all the data and see if that pattern recurs.”

A boon for the project comes from NJIT, where biologist Eric Fortune will record neural activity via electrodes inserted into the fish’s brains during the movement experiments—a technique unavailable in prior work. This will let the team compare brain signals with behavior in real time, and look for an underlying mechanism that drives the switch from “explore” to “exploit.”

A scientific ‘dream team’

This project’s power lies in its teamwork. Hoffman coordinates from UMBC, analyzing data from all the collaborators. Cowan oversees behavioral tests on fish without brain probes, which allows for more complex experimental setups. Fortune at NJIT is handling the neural recordings, while Lamperski at Minnesota focuses on machine learning models that reflect what the others are seeing in the lab.

“What I love about this project is that all the components are necessary to elucidate the mechanism,” Hoffman reflects. “Nobody could do this completely on their own.”

“I’m excited to have this dream team of mathematicians, engineers, and neuroscientists to assemble behind this problem,” Cowan said. “My lab at Hopkins has struggled to make sense of these movements for over a decade. This new team puts us on a path to finally decode the neural mechanisms animals use to switch gears between gathering task information, on the one hand, and getting the task done, on the other.”

portrait of man sitting at desk in front of computer monitor, which has images of fish on it — Noah Cowan at Johns Hopkins University is the overall lead for the new project. (Courtesy of Cowan)

‘My favorite kind of science’

This research could eventually transform robotics.

“If you want to build a robot that is going to mimic the motion of animals that exhibit this explore/exploit pattern for incorporating sensory information, you have to know how the animals do it,” Hoffman says. “This grant is focused on figuring out what that mechanism is.”

A robot that mimics natural intermittent sensing might navigate uncertain spaces, like disaster zones, more efficiently than constant-scanning models. The shared explore-exploit pattern also suggests broader relevance for the research, potentially informing understanding of neurological disorders—though Hoffman stresses those possibilities are further down the road.

The grant will also open doors for students: Hoffman plans to involve undergraduates in data visualization and analysis, offering hands-on experience in interdisciplinary research that demonstrates how together, diverse minds can unlock secrets of the brain—with ripple effects in tech and health.

“The one thing I’m really excited about in this grant is that it’s completely multidisciplinary,” Hoffman says. “Everybody has a different perspective that helps us understand what’s going on. This is my favorite kind of science.”

Retrievers rising: Welcoming the largest-ever incoming class

As the fall 2025 semester takes off at UMBC, the campus hums with the energy of our largest-ever incoming class, reflecting a Retriever spirit that draws talent from near and far. With total undergraduate enrollment rising 2.6 percent, this fall UMBC welcomed 2,280 first-time, first-year students and over 870 new transfer students. In addition, an increased first-year retention rate shows UMBC’s supportive environment helps students thrive and stay the course toward their goals.

“We are thrilled to welcome another record-breaking first-year class,” shares Yvette Mozie-Ross ’88, vice provost for enrollment management and planning. “What excites us most is this year’s geographically diverse student body, with more international, out-of-state, and Baltimore City undergraduates, fostering a vibrant campus community.”

students hauling move-in supplies in large yellow rolling bins — The “Retriever Haul Stars” team of student volunteers helped their peers unload dorm supplies on move-in day. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

Diving into community

Welcome, Retrievers kicked off on August 23 with the excitement of move-in day, where family, friends, faculty, and staff helped Retrievers settle into their home away from home. As new arrivals hauled storage bins, they bonded with roommates and volunteers through laughter and shared anticipation. Commuting students connected with each other at Commuter Welcome Day.

two students laughing, seated at a table with a yellow tablecloth, surrounded by other full tables — At Commuter Welcome Day, incoming students heard from experienced commuters and connected with each other. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

four panelists sit on a stage, full tables in front of the stage, on the stage reads "Testimonial Panel" — At Commuter Welcome Day, incoming students heard from experienced commuters and connected with each other. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

Among the many activities that set the stage for the year ahead, Involvement Fest drew hundreds of students. Filling the Retriever Activities Center, more than 200 student organizations invited students to join academic clubs, sports, Greek life, service groups, and more. These activities give all students the chance to explore their interests and find new ones while developing lasting friendships.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and also spending time with my friends,” shared Annamarie Walther, a senior financial economics major, at Involvement Fest. As the communications lead for the Catholic Retrievers, “I’m excited to serve,” she added.

student in a bright orange Pokemon costume stands next to a "Pokemon Fan Club" poster and talks to another student — Students met with representatives from hundreds of student organizations at Involvement Fest, including (clockwise from top left) the Pokémon Fan Club, Japanese American Student Association, American Chemical Society, and Cubers Club. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

student waves hello to another student passing by her poster, which reads "TASA" at the top — Students met with representatives from hundreds of student organizations at Involvement Fest, including (clockwise from top left) the Pokémon Fan Club, Japanese American Student Association, American Chemical Society, and Cubers Club. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

An institution where you belong

A few days earlier at UMBC’s Fall Opening Meeting, first-year student Andrew Whipple shared that attending college was never a given for him. “Being here at UMBC is about more than just academics,” Whipple, a visual arts major and a Linehan Artist Scholar, shared. “It’s about breaking barriers and creating a future for myself that I can be proud of.”

student speaking at podium — Andrew Whipple (left) and Archana Thakkar (right) spoke at Fall Opening Meeting, attended by hundreds of faculty and staff (center). (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

many tables on a gym floor, filled with people, some seated, some standing, animated and mingling — Andrew Whipple (left) and Archana Thakkar (right) spoke at Fall Opening Meeting, attended by hundreds of faculty and staff (center). (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

Archana Thakkar, an incoming transfer student pursuing a degree in business technology administration, also shared hopes held by many students. “I am excited to join UMBC and become part of a community that thrives on collaboration and innovation. I look forward to building connections with professors and classmates, engaging in student organizations, and taking part in opportunities that encourage both personal and academic growth,” Thakkar says. “More than anything, I am eager to contribute to the vibrant spirit of UMBC while learning from the diverse perspectives that make this university so special.”

the UMBC pep band marching on a concrete plaza, surrounded by black and gold balloons and streamers — Convocation combined formal pomp and pep rally vibes, including remarks from President Valerie Sheares Ashby (center) and appearances by the Down and Dirty Dawg Band (left) and True Grit (right). (Kiirstn Pagan ’11/UMBC)

President Sheares Ashby in regalia speaking from a podium — Convocation combined formal pomp and pep rally vibes, including remarks from President Valerie Sheares Ashby (center) and appearances by the Down and Dirty Dawg Band (left) and True Grit (right). (Kiirstn Pagan ’11/UMBC)

At Convocation, UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby officially ushered in the start of a new school year. She shared an uplifting message with students, faculty, and staff, promising all would be supported as they pursued their potential. “I want you to know that you have come to an institution that wants you here and that is sure that you belong and that you can be successful,” she said, “even if you are not so sure yourself yet.”

After Convocation, attendees spilled out of the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena and toward a lively cookout on the Quad. As conversation and lemonade flowed, strangers began to turn into friends, setting the tone for a year of achievement among community.

large group of students walking away from the CEI Arena, one gives a peace sign — Students streamed out of the CEI Arena straight to a community-building cookout, complete with snoballs, the classic Maryland treat. (Kiirstn Pagan/UMBC)

two smiling students holding snoballs — Students streamed out of the CEI Arena straight to a community-building cookout, complete with snoballs, the classic Maryland treat. (Kiirstn Pagan/UMBC)

From Nepal to NASA: A journey of resilience and discovery

In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives worldwide, Greema Regmi began her Ph.D. in UMBC’s atmospheric physics program. Studying remotely from her home in Nepal, she navigated a grueling schedule due to the time difference.

“One class started at 1 a.m. Nepal time, and one final went until 4:30 a.m.,” she recalls. Yet, she embraced the challenge. “I didn’t mind. I like working at night, so it worked for me. And because of COVID, I had nothing else to do. At least this way, I was making progress towards my studies.”

Now in her fifth year, Regmi’s perseverance has earned her NASA’s prestigious Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) fellowship, which will provide up to $50,000 annually for up to three years to fuel her research on atmospheric dust.

Regmi’s passion for atmospheric physics took root in Nepal. For an undergraduate project, she analyzed meteorological factors surrounding a tragic local plane crash. “Nepal has a lot of hills and mountains, so it channels wind in certain directions,” she explains. “Based on my analysis, unexpected turbulence could have been a factor in the crash.”

As a senior at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal, Regmi traveled to the U.S. for the first time, to present at the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting. The event was a turning point in her scientific trajectory.

“I really liked sharing my work in front of a huge crowd. Everybody was listening, and that boosted my confidence,” she says. In Nepal, it sometimes felt like research was a lower priority, but the U.S. offered a fresh stage for her work, Regmi says: “The AGU meeting was great—people appreciated my work. That was a huge motivation to continue and do grad school.”

visualization of a world map, with tan, orange, and ran bands swirling near the equator. Nepal — This still image from a simulation shows dust and other aerosols moving around the globe. Greema Regmi’s research has focused on dust traveling over the Atlantic Ocean between Africa and the Caribbean, visualized here in shades of red to tan. (NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center)

Decoding dust for climate science

Regmi’s FINESST-funded research aims to improve the accuracy of climate forecasting by refining how atmospheric dust is accounted for in climate models. How dust scatters light affects how much heat is reflected back to space versus absorbed. She combines data from LiDAR and multi-angle polarimeters, such as NASA’s Research Scanning Polarimeter, to analyze dust’s role.

“A polarimeter measures how much radiation you see from the top of the atmosphere,” integrating information from every atmospheric layer, “versus LiDAR, which gives you information on each layer of the atmosphere separately. So when you combine both of those, you have a very rich dataset,” she explains.

Regmi’s work challenges outdated assumptions. “Our existing models assume that dust has a simple shape, such as spherical, but for a long time we’ve known that it isn’t that simple,” she says. In her work, she models dust as hexahedral instead—a 3D shape with six faces. The most familiar hexahedron is a cube, but the angles can shift to make it more or less pointy.

Regmi was surprised by how much using a spheroid versus hexahedral model for dust affects the overall climate models she is investigating. “I did not expect the shape of dust particles that tiny to have such a huge impact. And that was very exciting for me,” she says.

Her research focuses on dust traveling across the Atlantic Ocean from the Sahara Desert. The solid, dark ocean background makes it much easier to pull out clean information about dust, avoiding uncertainty introduced by variegated background landscapes, like the shadows that form in mountain ranges or a wide range of vegetation colors. Improved climate models based on her work could inform decision-making related to climate resilience and mitigation.

specialized airplane flying with dusky skies in the background; silhouetted trees at ground level. Nepal — NASA’s ER-2 high-altitude plane carried the instruments that collected the data Regmi used in her research. (NASA)

A community that lifts you up

Regmi has been able to accomplish so much in part because of the supportive community she found at UMBC, after finally arriving on campus in fall 2021. Her Ph.D. advisor, Vanderlei Martins, professor of physics and director of UMBC’s Earth and Space Institute, fosters a collaborative lab.

“Vanderlei is a great professor, but what I really appreciate about him is the group that he has built over years. Everybody in the group is as supportive as he is,” Regmi says. “He has done so much in the field, yet he’s still so humble.”

The positive feelings are mutual. “From the very first classes it was obvious that Greema had great potential and tremendous enthusiasm to learn, to grow scientifically, and to work with others,” Martins says.

Regmi is co-advised by Reed Espinosa, Ph.D. ’17, atmospheric physics, a research physical scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. “He is an outstanding mentor—patient, thorough, and always encouraging,” Regmi says. “Most of what I know about conducting research I have learned from him.” And Espinosa learned much of that from Martins, who was his own Ph.D. advisor.

group photo of three people standing in front of a research poster mounted on a corkboard — Reed Espinosa (left) and Vanderlei Martins (right) have both mentored Greema Regmi (center) during her Ph.D. at UMBC. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

Pengwang Zhai, professor of physics, has been another mentor. “Regmi is a hardworking and intelligent student,” Zhai says. Despite starting her Ph.D. during the pandemic, “she embraced the difficulties, overcame steep learning curves, and has grown into a valuable member of the atmospheric physics program.”

Martins highlights her cohort’s strength. “Regmi has joined an enthusiastic group of Ph.D. students in the atmospheric physics program at UMBC, who have clearly shown that together we are better, and can go farther,” he says.

Regmi values the camaraderie. “In Vanderlei’s group, people help you in every way they can,” she says. Her office near the elevator sparks connections. “Every time someone comes up, they will stop to say ‘hi.’ I’ve made a lot of friends and learned so much from them,” she shares. “I like my department a lot.”

Bridging two worlds

Regmi’s journey bridges her unique perspectives as a student in Nepal and the U.S. “You learn different things when you work back home in a developing country. And when you come here to a developed country, it’s a very different perspective,” she reflects. “In Nepal, it’s more about, ‘These are the resources we have, so how can we make the most out of them?’” she says. At UMBC, she’s embraced broader opportunities. “I think here you can push the limit. I don’t even know what the limit is in the U.S. Here you can dream more and be more experimental,” she observes.

Regmi is inspired by her father, also an atmospheric physicist, but she has forged her own path. This spring, she returned to Nepal for only the second time since starting her Ph.D. to conduct research with him. “I finally got to work with him professionally, which was great,” she says.

Grounded in the UMBC physics department’s community of support, Regmi’s confidence has only grown since her arrival in Maryland. “There’s always a place for my opinion, which is very nice. Because of that, and all of the experiences I’ve had, now I have the confidence to start my own project,” she explains. “And that’s why I think now I’m confident to go back home, lead something there, and be helpful in some small way.”

Learn more about atmospheric physics research at UMBC.

From coursework to career: UMBC interns shine at AstraZeneca

In the heart of the BioHealth Capital Region—spanning Maryland, Virginia, and D.C.—more than 2,300 life science companies, 78 federal laboratories, and 35 million square feet of laboratory space create a vibrant hub for biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation. For UMBC students interning at AstraZeneca, a global leader in healthcare, this summer offered a chance to bridge classroom learning with real-world challenges. Through their work, Mustafa Akpinar, Alek Read, and Ty Allen honed technical expertise, built teamwork and communication skills, and forged connections with peers and professionals on the Baltimore/D.C. biotech scene.

Building technical mastery

At AstraZeneca, UMBC interns are diving into hands-on projects that align with their academic training and career ambitions. Akpinar, a senior information systems major, works as a cyber threat intelligence and threat detection intern, analyzing potential cyber threats and sharpening detection systems using tools like Splunk.

“This internship is a perfect fit for both my academic path and long-term career goals,” Akpinar says, noting how the role builds on his data communications and networks and database design courses. “Long term, I want to work in cloud security or threat detection,” he adds, “and this internship gives me practical exposure to both.”

Alek Read, a senior environmental science major, contributes to sustainability efforts at AstraZeneca’s Frederick Manufacturing Center as an environmental health safety intern. His projects include measuring biochemical oxygen demand in wastewater and ensuring environmental compliance, directly tying into his passion for sustainable innovation.

selfie of man in yellow fluorescent vest and safety goggles standing on an elevated grate platform outside a building — Left: Alek Read snapped this selfie while on a spill, prevention, control, and countermeasure (SPCC) inspection during his internship with AstraZeneca. Right: Read conducted parts of his internship in a high-level clean room, where strict procedures are in place to prevent contamination. (Courtesy of Read)

man in full-body blue plastic scrubs, with a hair net, face mask, and gloves, in an AstraZeneca laboratory. — Left: Alek Read snapped this selfie while on a spill, prevention, control, and countermeasure (SPCC) inspection during his internship with AstraZeneca. Right: Read conducted parts of his internship in a high-level clean room, where strict procedures are in place to prevent contamination. (Courtesy of Read)

“This experience has helped me explore how large companies manage their environmental footprint,” Read explains. “It has been exciting to see how environmental practices are applied in real-world production settings.” He’s also learned about the environmental permitting process, he says.

Allen, a junior mechanical engineering major, is a site operations intern at AstraZeneca. He applies his engineering skills to edit technical drawings in AutoCAD. The role offers him a practical glimpse into the day-to-day life of an engineer, Allen says, allowing him to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting. “It’s a great way to experience what being an engineer is like outside of school,” he shares.

Communicating for team success

Beyond technical skills, the interns are developing essential relational skills like collaboration and communication. Akpinar highlights the collaborative nature of his work, saying, “One major takeaway is how critical collaboration is in cyber defense—threat intelligence isn’t done in a vacuum.” His ability to share ideas with mentors and teammates has grown, and his suggestions are taken seriously and encouraged by his team, Akpinar says.

Read collaborates regularly with teammates across departments, giving him ample opportunities to practice clear communication. Plus, his teammates trust him to set task deadlines independently, boosting his project management skills. Similarly, Allen values the confidence his team has in him, explaining that as long as he checks in regularly, he can manage his work as he sees fit. Developing the ability to manage one’s workload independently and coordinate with colleagues across an organization are valuable skills that will serve these interns well in any future career.

Alek Read, left, enjoyed the alumni and intern mixer at AstraZeneca, where he met Zulqifar Shah, M.P.S. ’13, engineering management. (Courtesy of Miriam Friedman)

A launchpad for future careers

The internship experience extends beyond individual tasks, offering opportunities to connect with fellow interns and industry professionals. Akpinar has enjoyed bonding with other UMBC interns across diverse roles at AstraZeneca. “It’s been great having that shared experience—we support each other and exchange insights from our different teams,” he says.

Read especially appreciated an AstraZeneca UMBC alumni and intern mixer, where he networked with former UMBC students now thriving at the company. These interactions not only broaden the interns’ perspectives on the kinds of careers available in the region, but also help them build lasting professional connections that could serve them in the future. Touring manufacturing facilities and participating in inspections was another highlight for Read.

For Akpinar, Read, and Allen, interning at AstraZeneca is more than a summer job—it’s a stepping stone to their future careers. From protecting digital assets to advancing sustainability and engineering innovation, their work has the potential for real-world impact well beyond the BioHealth Capital Region. As they grow in their roles, these UMBC students are building skills, forging connections, and laying the foundation for success in the booming biotech industry.

A web of mentorship: Weaving support and arachnid research at UMBC

A web of mentorship, as intricate as the arachnids Mercedes Burns studies, stretches from her UMBC lab to University of North Carolina at Charlotte and University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

At the web’s center is Burns, a passionate arachnologist whose guidance heavily influenced Sarah Stellwagen, a former postdoctoral fellow in Burns’ lab and now a faculty member at UNC Charlotte. Burns and Stellwagen both mentored Tyler Brown, Ph.D. ’24, biological sciences, at UMBC, and today Brown is a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow with Stellwagen in North Carolina. The web extends to Emily Marinko ’23, biological sciences, who coauthored research with Brown and Burns and today is pursuing graduate work in Nevada.

Like spider silk, this network is strong, flexible, and enduring—fostering a love for science and a supportive environment that extends beyond the lab and into the community. All four of these researchers share a commitment to spreading their love for the often-maligned arachnids they study with broad audiences as a means of dispelling myths, reducing fear, and promoting the value of diversity.

two researchers in lab coats; one sits at a lab bench using a pipet, the other observes — Tyler Brown (left) earned his Ph.D. in 2024, mentored by Mercedes Burns (right). (Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC)

Guiding the next generation

Burns’ mentorship style is “a very one-on-one approach,” Stellwagen says. “She has an open door and wants to talk about details and help you think through your experiments and your projects. That was a very successful way to mentor me, and I’m trying to mentor students in that way, too.”

Burns meets students where they are, helping them pursue their interests within her research program’s framework. Burns focuses on the evolutionary ecology of Opiliones, commonly known as daddy longlegs, while Stellwagen explores the material properties of arachnid silks and glues.

“I appreciated Mercedes’ willingness to open up her lab to my interests, so we could push our expertise together, which has made me a lot more successful down the line,” Stellwagen says. “I took that openness to heart. Today, I’m a silk lab, a biomaterials lab—but for people who have different interests, as long as you can incorporate some bit of silks and glues into your research, I’m very open.”

That attitude extends to Brown, who is more interested in behavioral research. In Burns’ lab, he led a study of Opiliones mating behaviors using a novel video-tracking method driven by machine learning. Marinko conducted many of the trials, and both are co-authors with Burns on the resulting paper. Now in Stellwagen’s lab, Brown is continuing to pursue behavioral work with a silk-and-glue twist.

researcher stands in front of a research poster in a ballroom poster hall. Title of the poster reads, "Behavioral tracking reveals sexual conflict is elevated in Opiliones species with reduced nuptial gifts" — Emily Marinko (above) conducted research with Mercedes Burns as an undergraduate. Here they present her findings at UMBC’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day in 2022. (Sarah Hansen, M.S. ’15/UMBC)

“Connecting with them personally is something I’ve really appreciated with both Mercedes and Sarah. It makes the lab a more comfortable place to be in,” Brown says. In turn, “Being accessible on a personal and professional level to Emily was something that was important for me. I made sure that they had the level of independence they were hoping for.”

The personal, high-touch mentoring style in the Burns lab worked well for Marinko. “Dr. Burns and Tyler were very supportive, and I felt very welcomed. It helped me feel like I was able to ask questions, which I think is a really important part of learning in science,” Marinko says. “I wasn’t just a pair of hands that did busy work. I felt like I was really learning and contributing to the research, and that experience helped me get my position as a grad student.”

Sharing science, breaking down barriers

While much of their work happens in the lab, Burns’ team understands that thoughtful outreach can help the public care for—and perhaps even learn to like—arachnids.

“We’re talking about organisms that most people dislike,” Burns acknowledges, “so if we understand them and are curious about them, that’s going to take some of the fear away.”

For Brown, it started with “getting to know them on a more personal level”—the arachnids, that is. “Working with arachnids every day and learning so much more about them, it just becomes so much more interesting, and any fear you have sort of goes away, the more you understand them,” he says. He wants to help others overcome their fears, too.

an arachnid (a tarantula) in a terrarium — Burns and her lab members use this tarantula as part of their educational outreach to shift how people think about arachnids. (Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC)

To that end, Brown recently participated in a children’s outreach event at a local library. “A lot of people were very nervous when they saw a bucketful of tarantula molts, but even in the short time frame of the event, getting to explain things and seeing people overcome that initial fear because they’re learning a bit—that has really helped guide me toward what I want to do with outreach.”

The entire Stellwagen lab participated in an outreach event at a major youth museum in Charlotte. “I think the commitment to outreach is born from having such a strong love for these organisms,” she says. “We do this because we love them so much, and we want people to learn about them so they don’t have this stigma. In the end, it’s about, ‘How do you get this information effectively to the public so they can care about and preserve these precious things?’”

Events at libraries, schools, and museums can foster scientific literacy and humanize scientists and the scientific process, leading to a better informed and more open-minded community.

Marinko started out with some of their own hangups around arachnids, but over time, that changed. “When Dr. Burns talked about her research, she was so passionate about it that I wanted to be more like her, I guess. I wanted to overcome my fear; I wanted to be braver,” they say. Today Marinko works with a potentially even scarier organism: ticks. “And obviously since I ended up working with ticks, I’m not as afraid of them as I used to be, either,” Marinko says.

two people on a high lookout platform, lush mountains on either side of a river valley in the background — This summer, Mercedes Burns (left) and Harper Montgomery ’20 (right) traveled to Japan and South Korea to collect arachnid specimens and work in a collaborator’s laboratory. Montgomery is currently pursuing a Ph.D. with Burns, adding to the mentorship web. (Courtesy of Burns)

Embracing difference

Reducing fears of organisms we don’t understand can even affect how we think about and interact with people who are different from us, Burns says. “I don’t think it’s an accident that I’m interested in biodiversity, and I also care a lot about human diversity—about celebrating that experience and how people bring different ideas, passions, and interests to the table,” she says.

Burns strives to promote curiosity, a genuine desire to learn, and a willingness to change one’s mind in all of her students. “If you’re curious about something, there’s less fear and more of a motivation to understand,” she says. “By getting a broad range of students involved in research, they’ll go out and have those casual conversations with friends and family that lead overall to a more open perspective on biodiversity and, more broadly, an appreciation of diversity.”

“When you go into Mercedes’ lab, there’s an excitement about these organisms that you feel,” Stellwagen says. That passion helps attract outstanding students and keep them motivated, she adds. “Mercedes has created arachnology ‘lifers’ with her enthusiasm, and now that’s trickled down into me being able to pull in some lifers, too.”

two women, one with an arm around the other's shoulders, outdoors with green trees and a brick building in the background — Sarah Stellwagen (left) and Mercedes Burns (right) developed a close personal relationship when Stellwagen was a postdoc with Burns; Burns even fills the role of adoptive “auntie” to Stellwagen’s children. Today they are continuing their highly productive research collaboration, with Stellwagen now a faculty member at UNC Charlotte. (Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC)

Teamwork fuels discovery

The culture of supportive mentorship in Burns’ lab extends beyond work in the lab to the group members’ collaborative approach to applying for grants to fund their ongoing research. Together, Burns, Stellwagen, and Brown refined a strategy—ranking reviewer concerns and proposing solutions—that won funding after initial rejections.

“We collaboratively came up with techniques to go through the grant application process, and that has helped us all a lot,” Burns notes. Having each other for support also kept the group’s morale up, even when they received harsh feedback from reviewers.

Brown was involved in some of those applications, which he says “definitely helped me make mine into a successful application in my second year in Sarah’s lab.”

Burns collaborated with Stellwagen on a major grant when Stellwagen was still a postdoc in her lab, which is not necessarily typical. “I feel like a collaborative approach to grant-writing has been more my style,” Burns reflects. “If we want rich collaborative experiences, we need to enable our colleagues to be co-PIs and apply with us.”

The mentorship web spun by Burns, Stellwagen, Brown, and Marinko at UMBC illustrates a dynamic cycle of learning, collaboration, and outreach. Their shared passion for arachnids not only drives innovative research but also fosters a supportive environment where students can grow into confident scientists.

This network, built on personal connections and open inquiry, extends its impact through public engagement, encouraging broader appreciation for biodiversity. By fostering curiosity and embracing diverse perspectives, the lab’s legacy weaves an ever-expanding web, inspiring new generations to advance science and understanding—and maybe even grow an appreciation for arachnids along the way.

UMBC mathematician honored with invitation to Stephen Smale’s 95th birthday conference

Matthew Kvalheim, assistant professor of mathematics, was one of only about 20 scholars who spoke at a conference celebrating the 95th birthday of Stephen Smale, one of the most influential mathematicians alive today. Held July 21 – 22, 2025, at the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing in Berkeley, California, the invitation to present was an honor for Kvalheim, who joined the UMBC faculty in 2023.

Stephen Smale, a Fields Medalist (an award often likened to a Nobel Prize in mathematics), revolutionized fields like topology and dynamical systems. His groundbreaking work, which Kvalheim uses as a basis for his own research, has shaped modern mathematics.

Kvalheim’s research explores systems that evolve over time. Specifically, he studies “asymptotically stable” systems—those that naturally settle into a predictable state, like a pendulum coming to rest. Kvalheim’s talk at the conference built on Smale’s foundational discoveries, using them to determine whether certain system behaviors are possible or fundamentally unattainable.

portrait of Matthew Kvalheim, whose work builds off of Stephen Smale's, in front of long hallway with tall windows on one side — Matthew Kvalheim (courtesy of Kvalheim)

“It was a great privilege to speak about Professor Smale’s legacy, and in particular the deep impact his work has had on one of my projects funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research,” Kvalheim says. “The result of this project, which relies heavily on Smale’s breakthrough solution of a mathematical puzzle known as the ‘generalized Poincaré conjecture,’ helps us understand limitations in designing stable real-world systems.”

This work has far-reaching implications, from ensuring the safety of autonomous vehicles to optimizing complex robotics. By developing mathematical tools that apply across diverse applications, Kvalheim’s research offers universal insights into what systems can and cannot do, blending creativity with mathematical rigor to tackle fundamental questions with real-world impact.

Learn more about UMBC’s programs in mathematics and statistics.

UMBC and Building STEPs partner to help Baltimore City high school students reach their potential in STEM

Boing! Bouncy balls strike the hallway floor as small groups of students measure bounce heights with a meterstick and record data. They repeat the test in a carpeted classroom, then analyze results in Excel, discussing how surfaces affect energy conversion.

This might sound like a physics laboratory, but it’s actually a math course for high schoolers in Building Science Technology Education Partnerships (STEPs), a college-preparatory program for students from under-resourced high schools in Baltimore City. For two weeks this summer, 21 rising seniors and college-bound students, nine college-student tutors, and instructor Rebecca Kirvan, M.A. ’13, secondary education and teaching, filled the fourth floor of UMBC’s Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building for intensive, hands-on math instruction each afternoon. In the mornings, the students participated in professional development programming, such as a financial literacy workshop and team-based problem-solving challenges.

This is the fifth year of collaboration between Building STEPS and UMBC, but thanks to a deepening relationship between the organization and the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS), this year the summer program came to UMBC’s campus for the first time. In addition, the math portion shifted from traditional tutoring to an adapted version of MATH 110: Math in Action, a unique laboratory-style math course heading into its third year being taught at UMBC.

Building STEPs student sitting at a table in front of a laptop, college student leaning over and talking with him; large window looking out on trees and the UMBC library in the background — UMBC tutor Xavier Cohen (left), a rising senior majoring in math and computer science, has been tutoring math in various capacities since 2021. He says that he sees firsthand how the activity-based curriculum used by Building STEPs improves student learning. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

“UMBC and CNMS have been incredible collaborators, providing Building STEPs students with accessible and effective math enrichment in an immersive college experience,” says Debra Hettleman, CEO of Building STEPs.

William R. LaCourse, CNMS dean, believes strongly in making math education engaging and relevant for all students, in support of developing their critical thinking skills. “Teaching math in an interactive format shows the students how it relates to their everyday lives,” he says. “Creating opportunities for them to make those connections is so important.”

From tutoring to hands-on labs

In 2021, Cindy Greenwood, associate director of UMBC’s Center for Women in Technology, coordinated the original tutoring initiative for her capstone project in UMBC’s certificate program in community leadership, after learning from Building STEPs that that was what they needed most.

Alexis O’Malley ’18, mathematics and psychology, took the lead developing a robust curriculum for the tutors to implement on top of her role as a calculus instructor in CNMS. Until this year, the University of Baltimore hosted the tutoring sessions. For 2025, CNMS hired Kirvan to modify the activities in MATH 110, which O’Malley also originally led with support from math department faculty.

“As a former high school teacher, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to adapt college labs for a high school audience,” Kirvan says. “It’s great to work with this group of students and help them beef up their math skills and get ready for college.”

woman leans over a chair and points at a laptop screen, while a student sits in front of the laptop — UMBC alumna Rebecca Kirvan, right, taught the lab-based math course this summer. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

The students see the benefits.

“It’s been good to review concepts and practice my math skills,” shared Benjamin Kima, a participant from Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School. Sam Boad, also at Mergenthaler, said, “I’m glad they’re giving us a chance to see the content ahead of the school year.” Zaiqah Pinkney, from City Neighbors High School, added, “I like hands-on activities. It helps me learn better.”

“Students consistently rate math as their favorite part of the day,” shares Sheyna Mikeal, chief program officer at Building STEPs. “It challenges them, but the small-group structure, guided by dedicated tutors, builds confidence and encourages real growth.”

Campus immersion and career prep

Beyond providing math instruction, CNMS funded lunches at UMBC’s True Grit’s dining hall, freeing up Building STEPs’ budget for student transportation and enabling greater participation.

“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to be on a college campus,” shared Brandon Thomas, a student at Mergenthaler.

And beyond the summer program, a larger cohort of Building STEPs students visited UMBC during the semester. They heard presentations from CNMS departments and took a tour of campus. “We’ve witnessed the power of learning on a college campus shifting the students’ perspective,” Mikeal says. “It reinforces that college is not just a goal, it’s an environment where they belong.”

Other Building STEPs activities include visits to companies like Northrop Grumman and Beckton-Dickinson, workshops on searching for and applying to colleges, and one-on-one feedback with volunteer writing advisors.

standing student drops a ball down a wall, alongside a meterstick. Another student uses her phone to record its fall. — Benjamin Kima (standing) runs a trial in a lab activity about potential and kinetic energy. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

Strength beyond academics

Students in the program, founded in 2000, are recommended by college counselors and teachers, and must maintain a 3.0 GPA. This past academic year, there were 83 juniors and 83 seniors enrolled, and there are 175 Building STEPs alumni. Nearly 80 percent earn a college degree, and nearly two-thirds earn degrees in STEM. Coming from 15 of Baltimore’s most challenged high schools, 87 percent are first-generation college graduates. Alumni return from college to offer programming to current participants, fostering leadership development.

“Together with UMBC, we’re not only strengthening academic skills—we’re also expanding access to opportunity,” Mikeal says.

LaCourse sees providing space, funds, and effective and engaging math activities to benefit local high schoolers as a natural fit for the college.

“Building STEPs participants are bright, motivated students who just need a little support to reach their potential,” LaCourse says. “It’s a privilege to be able to offer the resources the program needs—from classrooms to curriculum—to enable an enriching summer math and professional development experience. We hope to see some of their faces on campus again soon—this time as UMBC students.”

seated student smiling and laughing, three other students in a group around him facing away from the camera — Building STEPs participant Brandon Thomas relaxes with his group members between experiments. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

Leaf year: PACE satellite data reveals global plant health

A new study using data collected by NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite established a novel method to determine how productive plants are worldwide. The new remote sensing technique could help us better understand plants’ role in capturing carbon on a global scale and reveal how plants are responding to factors like changing water availability and temperature, with relevance for conservation, agriculture, and more.

The research, led by Karl F. Huemmrich, a UMBC research scientist with the Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research (GESTAR) Center II, shows that PACE’s advanced camera can track plant health by analyzing the light leaves reflect. By comparing these satellite observations with measurements taken on the ground, the study confirmed that the new method works across diverse landscapes, opening the door to improved global ecosystem monitoring.

Launched in February 2024, PACE’s Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) captures daily images of Earth that show how plants are responding to their environment in real time. While OCI’s primary mission is to study oceans (hence its name), it also collects data over land.

“Although they do not appear to be very active to us, plants are constantly making physiological adjustments to their environment, responding to factors such as changing light, temperature, humidity, water, and nutrient availability,” Huemmrich explains. A plant can change its leaf area, leaf orientation, and the prevalence of different leaf pigments, he says. All of those changes alter the intensity and wavelengths of light the plants reflect, which OCI detects.

“PACE provides almost daily repeat observations,” except for areas blocked by clouds, Huemmrich says. “This time series can be used to describe changes in vegetation productivity related to seasonal change, for example the timing of spring green-up and autumn senescence, or more transient effects, like droughts or cold snaps.”

a gif of North America showing changing reflectance patterns detected by PACE's OCI from March through November; starts out black and dark blue then spreads to more area and turns to green and then white for most productive areas — This gif shows how PACE’s OCI “sees” plant productivity changing throughout the growing season across North America. (Skye Caplan)

One algorithm to track them all

Unlike older satellite methods, such as MODIS Gross Primary Productivity, which needed weather data like temperature and humidity to estimate plant growth, PACE relies solely on the light reflected by plants.

“By using the information from the spectral reflectance alone, we are letting the plants show us their responses to environmental conditions, rather than trying to predict their responses,” Huemmrich explains. This approach makes it easier to accurately capture short-term changes.

The study tested PACE’s data against ground measurements from National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) sites across the U.S., covering everything from arctic tundra to tropical dry forests.

“The NEON sites were chosen to cover all of the major ecoclimate types within the U.S.,” Huemmrich notes, “and frankly, it was surprising that a single algorithm could do as well as it did across all of those very different vegetation types.” This success suggests the method can be used globally, and there are plans to include more sites worldwide in future studies to cover even more ecosystems.

close-up portrait of man, weather station and grassy field in the background — Huemmrich stands 100 feet above the ground on a meteorology tower at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland. (Courtesy of Huemmrich)

“An entirely new view”

This research could transform how scientists track carbon sequestration—how plants absorb and store carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas—improving understanding of how different ecosystems influence climate change. The ability to spot stress events early could also help farmers and environmental managers act quickly to improve outcomes for crops and wildlife.

PACE’s global reach is a huge step forward. “I believe this new ability to describe global ecosystem dynamics opens up an entirely new view of the Earth’s ecological functioning that we really have not been able to see before,” Huemmrich says. Unlike earlier methods that relied on labor-intensive ground measurements or expensive airplane flights, PACE offers a cost-effective way to monitor ecosystems worldwide.

Moving into PACE’s second year, Huemmrich is excited to explore how plant responses change over time. “I’m interested in looking at year-to-year differences,” he says. “I want to see how best to use the spectral information for early detection of stress events. Can we learn to diagnose types of stress responses? Do these responses vary among different types of plants?”

These questions will drive future research, aiming to improve how we detect and understand plant stress across diverse ecosystems. PACE’s frequent, detailed satellite data will help scientists, policymakers, and conservationists protect ecosystems and understand how plants are responding to a changing world.

The findings were published in IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing and co-authored by Petya Campbell, a UMBC research scientist with GESTAR II and senior author; Skye Caplan, Goddard Space Flight Center; and John Gamon, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

UMBC publishes first-of-its-kind tutorial for teaching complex computational chemistry technique

Joseph Bennett, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and Mona Layegh, Ph.D. ’25, chemistry, know how hard it can be to teach density functional theory (DFT) to undergraduates. DFT is a computational method for predicting a substances’ properties at the quantum level, such as how they conduct electricity or react with other compounds. Despite its complexity, DFT is a foundational technique that underpins research in fields like renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and nanotechnology, so it’s critical that students understand it and know how to apply it.

To address the challenge of teaching DFT well, Bennett and Layegh coauthored a tutorial on teaching the technique, which was published in the Journal of Chemical Education. Their paper was the first ever published in the journal’s brand new Tutorial section, which was inspired by their submission and a need to develop more training tools.

The tutorial, refined over five years of training UMBC students in DFT, is paired with open-source resources on GitHub, including ready-to-use files and visualizations. These allow instructors at community colleges or in areas with limited internet to teach the concepts even without advanced computers.

“If you can erase some of the hurdles to make DFT a little bit more accessible, more students can get into it,” Bennett says.

In sharing these teaching tools, UMBC is leveling the playing field, making it possible for students in all kinds of learning environments to master this core technique. As a result, they’ll be better prepared for careers in growing industries like technology and healthcare, where they may go on to design better batteries, solar panels, life-saving drugs, and more.

Making STEM courses more inclusive with lab and lecture hall upgrades

This summer UMBC is partnering with the Maryland Department of Disabilities to upgrade nine teaching labs in the Meyerhoff Chemistry Building. The updates will allow students with mobility disabilities to fully participate in critical chemistry and biochemistry lab courses.

Sinks, lab benches, cabinets, fume hoods, specialized equipment stations, and more will all be constructed that are accessible for wheelchair users. A research lab will be similarly modified to allow students with disabilities to gain research experience.

“These projects are a part of an ongoing campus-wide effort to remove barriers to access throughout our campus buildings,” Celso Guitian, UMBC’s campus planner, says.

A lecture hall in the Engineering Building is also being renovated this summer. The changes are similar to those made in lecture halls in the Administration, Meyerhoff Chemistry, and Biological Sciences buildings in recent years to create multiple spaces for wheelchair-users with fold-down desk tablets, both at the front and rear of the lecture hall. TV monitors will help students with vision disabilities who may not be able to see the whiteboard or screen at the front of these lecture halls. And seating size variations, including standing-desk options, accommodate students of varied body types and disabilities, including supporting pregnant students and students with orthopedic challenges. Assisted listening technology and an area for sign language interpreters support students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Other projects under construction this summer include accessibility upgrades in four Biological Sciences Building restrooms and elevator upgrades in several academic buildings.

“The Office of Accessibility & Disability Services greatly values our longstanding partnership with Facilities Management to assist us in the mission of inclusive access and elimination of barriers for all UMBC community members,” says Tawny McManus, assistant vice president for accessibility. “Improving our teaching labs allows increased participation of our students with disabilities and shows them UMBC welcomes everyone here.”

UMBC researchers pioneer method to discover new 2D materials for advanced electronics

Finding new materials with useful properties is a primary goal for materials scientists, and it’s central to improving technology. One exciting area of current research is 2D materials—super-thin substances made of just a few layers of atoms, which could power the next generation of electronic devices. UMBC researchers have developed a new way to predict 2D materials that might transform electronics, and the results were published in Chemistry of Materials earlier in July.

Picture a sheet of paper so thin that it’s only a few atoms thick, and that’s what 2D materials are like. One might think they would be fragile—but these materials can actually be incredibly strong or conduct electricity in unique ways. They’re held together by weak forces called van der Waals bonds, which allow materials to slightly deform without breaking under stress. Stacked layers of these 2D materials can slide past each other, further reducing brittleness.

The research team, led by Peng Yan, Ph.D. candidate in chemistry, and Joseph Bennett, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, focused on a type of 2D material called van der Waals layered phosphochalcogenides. Some of these materials are ferroelectric, meaning they can hold an electric charge in a particular direction, and then the direction can be reversed on command—sort of like tiny, reversible batteries. Some ferroelectric materials are also magnetic, behaving similarly when a magnetic field is applied. That combination makes them ideal for advanced electronics like memory devices and sensors.

“There’s only two known 2D van der Waals ferroelectric materials with this type of structure,” Bennett said, “so we were asking ourselves, where might others be hiding?” The new publication is their answer to that question.

Five ball-and-stick atomic structure diagrams. Each shows either two or three layers of planar structures only three or four atoms thick, with the layers connected by dotted lines representing weak van der Waals bonds. — Figure 1 from the new study shows examples of atomic structures that the research team’s algorithm identified as having features conducive for potential use as 2D materials.

A treasure map to new 2D materials

The researchers used a mix of data mining, computer modeling, and structural analysis (because only materials with certain shapes are conducive to use in electronics) to ferret out new material candidates.

“We developed a set of chemical design rules to predict these materials, which could significantly accelerate the discovery of new functional materials,” Yan, the study’s first author, said.

Joshua Birenzvige ’23, chemistry, played a key role by developing a Python script that helped sort the potential materials based on their properties, speeding up the team’s progress. Mona Layegh, a Ph.D. candidate in Bennett’s group, is also a co-author on the new paper.

portrait of man in suit wearing glasses in front of blurred brick wall and tree outdoors — Joseph Bennett’s research lab focuses on the discovery and design of new functional materials. (Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC)

The researchers began by digging into the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database, a huge collection of known crystal structures. Then they used quantum structural diagrams—which map materials on a chart according to how they relate to each other, determined by their atomic traits—to find areas within the diagrams where promising new materials might be hiding.

“By analyzing basic parameters like differences in electronegativity and radius, we were able to separate materials that have the properties we want from those that don’t,” Bennett explained. Electronegativity measures how strongly an atom attracts electrons, and an atom’s radius is the distance from its center to the outer edge of its electron cloud.

“These quantum structural diagrams act like a treasure map,” Bennett said, “guiding us to regions of chemical space where new, stable 2D materials are likely to exist.”

Their results indicated 83 potential new materials that could be made and used in the tech industry, potentially increasing the number of known ferroelectric materials by an incredible margin.

From the computer to the lab bench

After the computer-based analysis, the team took their work a step further. The UMBC researchers collaborated with Ryan Stadel, Peter Zavalij, and Efrain Rodriguez at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), who made and tested some of the predicted materials in the lab. Their work proved the UMBC predictions could be used to guide experiments with the predicted materials.

“Being able to predict which compositions are likely to form stable, functional materials gives us a huge head start in the lab,” Bennett said. “It’s like having a recipe book for materials that haven’t been made yet, which saves time and resources.”

These new materials could shine in real-world uses, substantially advancing the electronics industry. For example, they could help build memory devices that can store data after power is shut off, tiny sensors that detect minute amounts of particular substances, or low-power components that make your phone battery last longer. These properties are in high demand across the tech industry and the U.S. government—this work was funded by a substantial grant from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

grid of three photos; upper left, Peng Yan in a suit in front of a "UMBC" banner holding a black certificate folder; upper right, Joshua Berinzvige in front of a research poster; bottom, Mona Layegh in front of a research poster — Joseph Bennett’s students Peng Yan (top left), Joshua Berinzvige (top right), and Mona Layegh (bottom) are all authors on the new study. (Courtesy of Bennett)

An exciting future of discovery

“I’m excited because the work demonstrates a successful data-guided approach to discovering novel 2D materials with promising functional properties, potentially accelerating the design of next-generation electronic materials,” Yan said.

Next up, the team will use a complex computer simulation, called high-throughput density functional theory modeling, to explore these 83 materials in more depth. They’ll check their ferroic traits and how easily they can be made. Plus, they’ll continue their collaboration with the UMD to synthesize and study the materials in the lab, aiming to confirm their special properties and tweak them for specific applications.

The research is a major step forward, paving the way for materials that could change how engineers build electronics—from sensors for the military to longer-lasting laptops and tablets for students on the go.

More life science grad students to be prepared for interdisciplinary success following renewed NIH funding for Chemistry Biology Interface program

For over 20 years, the Chemistry Biology Interface (CBI) program at UMBC has been shaping Ph.D. students into leaders who bridge chemistry and biology. Programs like CBI are critical to help meet the rising demand for researchers with wide-ranging skill sets who can communicate clearly with those outside their specialty. In the joint UMBC-University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) CBI program, participants complete their degrees faster than students in similar labs outside the program, and 97 percent graduate—well above the national average of 63 percent for graduate study in the life sciences.

“Everything now is interdisciplinary research,” says Aaron Smith, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UMBC and CBI director.

CBI supports Ph.D. students at UMBC in chemistry, biochemistry, and biological sciences, and pharmacy students at UMB. Now it has secured five more years of funding to continue building community, creating networking opportunities, and training students in interdisciplinary research and science communication.

Communication for career success

CBI alumni credit the program with positioning them to thrive in a range of careers, from the classroom to corporate laboratories.

“I became more confident with public speaking and attribute the success of my job interview talks to the training I received in CBI,” shares Kathryn Wardrup, Ph.D. ’24, biological sciences. Today, she is a postdoctoral fellow at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, an independent research institute in Seattle.

photo of man and woman smiling in front of whiteboard — Lance Dockery (left) completed his Ph.D. with Marie-Christine Daniel, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry. Here they celebrate his thesis defense in 2022. (Courtesy of Dockery)

“Hearing about other research on campus and learning what techniques are being used was a valuable experience,” Wardrup adds. “I felt confident in my ability to be able to have discussions outside of my scientific expertise.”

Scott Riley, Ph.D. ’20, chemistry, also benefited. “I’ve carried many of the lessons I learned into presentations, whether classroom lectures or at meetings and conferences,” he says. “I know many of my interviews were successful because of things I learned in CBI.”

Currently, Riley coordinates internship placements and teaches courses in the master’s program in pharmaceutical sciences at UMB.

Lance Dockery, Ph.D. ’22, chemistry, parlayed skills gained in CBI into a senior scientist role at biotech company AstraZeneca, and recently transitioned to a leadership role at pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.

“In industry, projects often require coordination between chemists, biochemists, immunologists, and other specialists, similar to the collaborative environment within the CBI program,” Dockery says. “The experience of presenting research to a diverse audience within CBI strengthened my communication skills—something that has given me a clear advantage when interacting with project teams.”

Building a supportive community

CBI participants attend weekly meetings where they take turns teaching their peers about a range of scientific topics selected by the students. Following the more formal instruction period, students partake in group discussions on graduate student life and professional development topics—like mental health, time management, and creating and updating a CV—over pizza.

All this interaction promotes a strong sense of community. “This program builds a really strong rapport among the students, some of whom are in their first semester of graduate school and some of whom are preparing to defend their theses,” Smith says. “They build connections with one another; they learn how to talk with one another. I really think of it as building a community of support among the students.”

Danielle Schmitt, Ph.D. ’17, biochemistry, concurs. “I really benefited from having a cohort of fellow graduate students to support me during my Ph.D.,” she says. Today, Schmitt is an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UCLA.

CBI’s community feel also fosters shared investment in each participant’s success. “It’s a fun experience to see other students’ data and scientific talks develop as they experience growth during their time in CBI,” Wardrup says.

group photo of 11 people in a large atrium backed by arched doorways — Danielle Schmitt (front row, yellow shirt) took a group of her UCLA lab members to the 2nd Annual SoCal Metabolism Symposium in 2022, where several of them presented research posters. She completed her Ph.D. with Songon An, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry. (Courtesy of Schmitt)

Hands-on cross-training

CBI includes about 40 students per year. Most of them are considered “trainees,” who receive a funding allowance to support conference travel and research expenses for cross-training in a lab outside their work with their primary Ph.D. advisor. Students have received training at the NIH, St. Jude’s Research Hospital, biotech giant Genentech, labs at universities such as UNC-Chapel Hill and UT-Austin, and UMBC and UMB labs.

Riley’s cross-training experience “allowed me to discover a new technique (electron microscopy) which played a critical role in my thesis,” he says. Schmitt adds, as a CBI fellow, “I was able to spend time at the NIH working on a collaborative project related to glucose metabolism. Because CBI supported my time at the NIH, I could move the project forward and learn new skills I might not have gained otherwise.”

group photo of students in graduation regalia with master's stoles, two in front row with Ph.D. stoles and caps — Scott Riley (front row, third from left) with his first class of graduates from the UMB master’s program in pharmaceutical sciences in 2022. (Courtesy of Riley)

Janae Baptiste Brown, Ph.D. ’18, chemistry, adds that “the cross-disciplinary training gave me the unique opportunity to conduct research at the bench with collaborators both at UMBC and the NIH.”

In addition to the benefits trainees receive, six CBI fellows per year further receive full tuition support, health care benefits, and a living stipend. The fellows serve as peer leaders, planning CBI programming in collaboration with Smith and leading group discussions.

“Beyond the bench, I have referred back to some of the leadership skills that I gained as a fellow to encourage an active learning environment in my classes,” says Baptiste Brown, who is now an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Spelman College.

group photo of three women in front of lab benches — Janae Baptiste Brown (right) with members of her lab group at Spelman College. Baptiste Brown completed her Ph.D. with Michael Summers, professor of chemistry and biochemistry. (Courtesy of Baptiste Brown)

Expanding horizons through conferences

Support for conference travel is another major benefit of CBI. Conferences offered “an excellent opportunity to engage with scientists outside my realm of expertise and network with scientists in my field, ultimately landing me a job interview through a connection made at a CBI-sponsored conference,” Wardrup says.

Conferences also offer more opportunities to practice communicating one’s work with a range of audiences. “Having experience in interdisciplinary communication is invaluable,” Dockery says. “It facilitates smoother collaborations and ensures that diverse expertise contributes effectively to project success.”

“I can’t overstate the way this program dramatically enhances the graduate training outcomes for individuals,” Smith says, “so I wish we had more of these training grants for cross-disciplinary training in other fields, like chemistry-engineering or chemistry-physics.”

Embracing growth beyond comfort zones

portrait of Aaron Smith, Chemistry Biology Interface director, in a lab wearing a white lab coat, backed by shelves of brightly colored containers — Aaron Smith has led the CBI program since 2022. (Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC)

Smith took on leading CBI in 2022, after serving as assistant director under previous director Katherine Seley Radtke, professor of chemistry and biochemistry. “It’s a ton of work, but the benefits far outweigh the amount of time and effort that it takes to keep this program running,” he says. “It’s just a fantastic program.”

As Wardrup notes, “It can feel uncomfortable to step outside of your comfort zone to explore something new, but CBI is an extremely supportive environment to take that first step.” Riley echoes this sentiment. “Graduate school is one of the best times in your life to really dig deep and learn as many things as you can,” he says. “You will be surprised how some skills or knowledge will be relevant in your early career.”

The CBI program, with its focus on interdisciplinary training and community building, provides the perfect platform for students to do just that—equipping them with the confidence, skills, and networks to excel.