Annual Report 2017-18 - UMBC
Transcript of Annual Report 2017-18 - UMBC
UndergraduateResearchandPrestigiousScholarshipsDivisionofUndergraduateAcademicAffairsur.umbc.edu
2017-18AnnualReport
TableofContents• Mission|5
• MessagefromtheDirector|6
• UndergraduateResearchPrograms|7
• Campus-wideDataon2018UndergraduateDegreeRecipientswhoEngagedinResearch|8
• 2018ExceptionalGradswhoParticipatedinUndergraduateResearch/PrestigiousScholarships|9
• BytheNumbers|11
• FacultySupport|12
• Mentoring|14
• BenefitsofEngagingStudentsinResearch|15
• UndergraduateResearchAwards(URA)|16
• 2017-18URAScholars
• URASpotlights
• URAData
• UndergraduateResearchandCreativeAchievementDay(URCAD)|25
• QualitativeData
• URCADHighlights
• URCADData
• UMBCReview|33
• TravelAwards|34
• ResearchOpportunities|36
• PrestigiousScholarships|37
• Partnerships|39
• One-on-oneSupport|41
• PublicityandMarketing|42
• 2018… itwasaverygoodyear|45
• History|46
• Staff|47
Dr.Tamra Medelson andhermenteesatURCAD
3
MissionMissionUndergraduateResearchandPrestigiousScholarshipsprovidesacademicsupportandadvising,mentoring,andfunding,tostudentsinvolvedinresearchandcreativework,orwhoarepreparingtoapplyforprestigiousscholarships.OurmissionistopromoteengagementandexperientiallearningthatenrichestheeducationalexperienceofUMBCundergraduatesinalldisciplines,andpromotesacultureofscholarshipthroughouttheuniversity.
VisionOurstudentsareexposedtoopportunitiesthatpreparethemtoachievetheiracademicgoalsandmakethemcompetitivecandidatesforgraduateandprofessionalschool,employment,andprestigiousawards.WecontributetoUMBC’sstrategiccommitmenttothetwingoalsofresearchandadistinctiveundergraduateexperiencebyfosteringacademicexcellencebothinsideandoutsideoftheclassroom.
SharedValuesAsaunitoftheDivisionofUndergraduateAcademicAffairs,wearecommittedtoUMBC’scorevaluesofdiversity,integrity,socialresponsibility,andlifelonglearning.Wedefineexcellenceinhighereducationthroughaninclusiveculturethatconnects innovative teachingandlearning,researchacrossdisciplines,andcivicengagement.
5
MessagefromtheDirectorI’vebeenastaffmemberandpart-timefacultyatUMBCforabout14years,but2018marksthecloseofmyfirstfullyearastheDirectorofUndergraduateResearchandPrestigiousScholarships.ThisunithasastrongfoundationthatwasbuiltbyFoundingDeanDianeLee,InterimDeanSimonStacey,andformerDirectorJanetMcGlynn.Thegoalsforthispastyearweretomaintaincontinuityofprogrammingandtoensureasmoothtransitiontonewleadership.Thisyear,Ihavealsobeenassessingourpracticesandbuildinguponthemwiththegoalofimprovingstudentoutcomes.Inthecaseofprestigiousscholarships,Iamworkingtoestablishprotocolsandformingcommittees,givingstructuretotheinstitutionalnominationprocess.Thisyearwasalsoaboutformingandenergizingconnectionsoncampusandbeyond,buildingtrustwithstudentsandfaculty,andimprovingthevisibilityoftheunitandthedivision,asmajorcontributorstostudentsuccessatUMBC.
ThisacademicyearsawacontinuedincreaseinthenumberofUMBC’sundergraduatestudentswhoareengagedinresearchandcreativework.Throughourvariousprogramsandinitiatives,studentshaveobtainedfundingfortheirprojects,presentedtheirresultstofacultyandpeersbothoncampusandatnationalconferences,publishedtheiracademicwritinginpeer-reviewedjournals,participatedinoff-campusREUs,andcompetedforprestigiousscholarships. AfewoftheaccomplishmentsIammostproudofforthisyearincludesuccessfullynominatingandadvisingNaomiMburu,UMBC’sfirstRhodesscholarinschoolhistory,throughtherigorousapplicationandinterviewprocess.Otherhighlightsincludetakingoverasthefacultyrepresentativeforsevenprestigiousscholarshipsandstreamliningprocessesforapplicants,developingfacultycommitteestoimprovethequalityofapplications,andcreatinganarchiveofUMBC’spastwinners.I’veattendedtheannualNationalAssociationofFellowshipsAdvisors(NAFA)conferenceandlearnedaboutbestpracticesinthefield,metwithGoldwaterpresident,JohnMateja,andTaraYglesias,DeputyExecutiveSecretaryoftheHarryS. Truman ScholarshipFoundation,toidentifystrategiesforputtingforwardsuccessfulcandidatesforthesescholarships.AsanalumnaofUMBC’svisualartsprogram,ithasbeenapersonalgoaltoincreaseparticipationfromtheartsandtoshowcasecreativescholarshipatURCADside-by-sidewithtraditionalresearchfields.We’veimprovedassessment,andre-brandedourprogramswithanenergythatissupportive,professional,andstudent-focused.
IampleasedtoreportsignificantgrowthinalloftheprogramsIoversee,intermofthenumbersofstudentsandfacultywhoparticipate,aswellasthequalityofresearchandcreativeworkthesestudentsareproducing.Forthesesuccesses,theprogramsareindebtedtothesupportofUAAleadership,especiallyDeanKatharineCole,andthefundingthatcomesfromavarietyofcontributors,includingtheDeansofallfivecolleges,theOfficeofVicePresidentforResearch,andProvostPhilipRous.ThesuccessofstudentsinvolvedinourprogramsisanintegralpartofupholdingUMBC’sreputationasanationalleaderinacademicexcellence.Ihopetobuildonthisyear’sstudentsuccessesnextyearandbeyond!
AprilHouseholder,Ph.D.DirectorofUndergraduateResearchandPrestigiousScholarships
6
UndergraduateResearchPrograms
Gettinginvolvedinresearchasanundergraduatehelpsstudentsnetworkwithfacultybothonandoffcampus,strengthentheirresumesforgraduateschool,professionalschool,andemployment,supporttheirartisticvision,andhelpsthemapplywhatthey’velearnedintheclassroominaresearchsetting.UMBChasseveralprogramsthataffirmUMBC’scommitmenttothetwingoalsofresearchandadistinctiveundergraduateexperience:
UndergraduateResearchandCreativeAchievementDay(URCAD) featuresresearch,scholarship,andcreativeworkcarriedoutbyUMBCundergraduates.Studentworkissharedthroughoralpresentations,posters,artisticexhibits,performances,andfilm.
UndergraduateResearchAwards(URA) provideupto$1,500toundergraduatestudentstosupporttheirresearchorcreativeworkwithaUMBCfacultymentoronanoriginalproject.UMBCstudentsofallyearsanddisciplinesareinvitedtoapply.
UMBCReview (JournalofUndergraduateResearch) Publishedannually,thispeer-reviewedjournalfeaturesacademicpaperswrittenbyUMBCundergraduates.
TravelAwards Studentswhoareinvitedtopresenttheirworkataconferenceorfestivalmayapplyforfundstosupporttheirtravel.
ResearchOpportunities AssistancewithfindingandapplyingtosummerREUsandotherresearchopportunities.
PrestigiousScholarships SupportforstudentsapplyingforprestigiousscholarshipssuchasRhodes,Gates-Cambridge,Marshall,TrumanGoldwater,andothers.
7
Campus- wideDataon2018UndergraduateDegreeRecipientsWhoEngagedinResearch
Datawascollectedon1,266undergraduatedegreerecipients(2018)fortheUMBCCareerCenter’sFirstDestinationReport.
8
“ThisSeptemberIwillbetravellingtoRomaniaasaFulbrightscholar,conductingresearchonRomancoinimageryintheancientRomanprovinceofDacia.AsIbeginthenextchapterofmyacademiccareer,IcannothelpbutreflectontheopportunitiesIhavehadatUMBC,withoutwhichmyFulbrightapplicationwouldhavebeenseverelylacking.Byallowingmetopursuemyresearchinterestsandapplytoprestigiousscholarships,UMBChaspreparedmenotonlyforthisupcomingproject,butforyearstocome. MyURCADpresentationwasattendedbystudentsandfacultyalike.Iwasabletousefeedbackfrommypresentationtofurtherrefinemyprojectandsubmititasmyhonorsthesis.IalsoappliedtotheMarshallScholarshipunderthementorshipofDr.AprilHouseholder.Thoughtheapplicationwasarduous,requiringfiveseparateessays,Ifoundtheexperiencerewarding.Aswellasenhancingmywritingskills,theapplicationprocessmademetrulyreflectonthereasonsIhadchosenthisfieldofstudy,whyIwantedtopursuearchaeology,andhowIwantedtoproceed.ThankstothisintrospectivenatureoftheprocessIwasabletonarrowdownmyplansforafterFulbright,choosingtomarrymyresearchwithafutureinmuseumscuration.”
--FloraKirk2018Graduate,AncientStudies
URAScholar,URCADParticipant,FulbrightScholar
10
BytheNumbers
5,664membersoftheresearchcommunityreached
246NIST
applicantsadvised
1stRhodesScholar
inschoolhistory
67URA
Scholars
2,448URCAD
attendees
1/3ofstudentswhoparticipateinURprogramsareunaffiliated
2,000copiesofthe
UMBCReview
distributed
18TravelAwards
1GoldwaterWinner
1HonorableMention
20Student
workshops
481REU
databaseentries
350URCAD
presenters
30%ofallundergraduatedegreerecipients
engagedinresearchwhileat
UMBC
11
FacultySupportURCADCommittee
StephenMiller,ChairBiologicalSciences
DianeAlonsoPsychology
SongAnChemistryandBiochemistry
IanAnsonPoliticalScience
BradleyArnoldChemistry
RichardChangComputerScienceandElectricalEngineering
LindsayDiCuirciEnglish
AmyEverhartInformationSystems
AprilHouseholderUndergraduateResearchandPrestigiousScholarships
MollyJones-LewisAncientStudies
Hye-WonKangMathematicsandStatistics
JodiKelber-KayeHonorsCollege
JasonKestnerPhysics
JackieKingMARCU*STARProgram
CharlesLabergeComputerScienceandElectricalEngineering
HuaLuBiologicalSciences
GalinaMadjaroffManagementofAgingServices
NagarajNeerchalMathematicsandStatistics
TimothyNoheVisualArts
CherylNorthEducation
CorrieParksVisualArts
SaraPoggioModernLanguages,Linguistics,andInterculturalCommunication
NeilRothmanMechanicalEngineering
FelipeFilomenoPoliticalScienceandGlobalStudies
KathySutphinCollegeofNaturalandMathematicalSciences
URACommittee
GregorySzetoChemical,Biochemical,andEnvironmentalEngineering
J.Vanderlei MartinsPhysics
EricBrownInterdisciplinaryStudies
TimOatesComputerScienceandElectricalEngineering
Mariajose CastellanosChemicalEngineering
MicheleOsherowEnglish,JudaicStudies
DanielRitschelHistory
BrycePeakeMediaCommunicationStudies
VivianaCordovaVisualArts
MarcusZupanMechanicalEngineering
ThomasCroninBiologicalSciences
BradPeercyMathematicsandStatistics
CarolynForestierePoliticalScience
E.MichaelRichardsMusic
JeffreyGardnerBiologicalSciences
DavidRosenbloomAncientStudies
VinGrabill,ChairVisualArts
AnneSarahRubinHistory
DougHambyDance
DenaSmithSociologyandAnthropology
AprilHouseholderUndergraduateResearchandPrestigiousScholarships
PaulSmithChemistry
ReneeLambert-BretiereModernLanguages,Linguistics,and InterculturalCommunication
ColinStuddsGeographyandEnvironmentalSystems
AndreaKleinsmithInformationSystems
LauraTingSocialWork
AlanKreizenbeckTheatre
ShariWaldsteinPsychology
BernardLohrBiology
Chunming YuanEconomics
CriticalPed.a.go.gy:FacultyreviewcommitteesareanintegralpartofnotonlyevaluatingandselectingURCADpresenters,URArecipients,andprestigiousscholarshipsapplicants,butalsoprovidefeedbacktostudentstoimprovetheirresearchandwriting.
URCADMentor,Dr.MichaelSummers
12
GoldwaterCommittee
AprilHouseholderCommitteeChairUndergraduateResearchandPrestigiousScholarships
LeeBlaneyChemical,BiochemicalandEnvironmentalEngineering
DavidEisenmannBiologicalSciences
StephenFreelandInterdisciplinaryStudies
JasonKestnerPhysics
BradPeercyMathematicsandStatistics
MarcinPtaszekChemistryandBiochemistry
CynthiaWagnerBiologicalSciences
Mitsue WiggsMeyerhoff ScholarsProgram
TravelAwardsCommittee
DevonFickUndergraduateAcademicAffairs
TimothyPhinAncientStudies
Bedrich SousedikMathematicsandStatistics
LauraTingSocialWork
“I'veenjoyedthe15yearsI'veservedasURAcommitteechair. Itwasmygoaltoworkwith
facultymembersonthecommitteetoencourageproposalsfromasmanystudentsas
possibleacrossthecampus. IalsoenjoyedworkingwithDeanDianeLee,ProvostRous,andotheradministratorsinanefforttosecuremorefunds,whenpossible. I'mgladtosaythatURAfundingandprojectcompletioncontinuesonanupwardtrend,andIlook
forwardtoreturningtoURCADintheyearstocometowitnesstheresearchproducedbyourtalentedandmotivatedstudentsatUMBC.AsIstepdownfrommyrole,theURAinitiativeand
URCADareinverygoodhandswithAprilHouseholdernowdirecting.”
-- VinGrabillOutgoingURACommitteeChair
13
MentoringStudentsreportedfeelingmoreconnectedtothefaculty
• advice,encouragement• Studentsbetterunderstandthecultureofthediscipline• Studentsdevelopskillssuchas
• self-confidence,communication,technicalabilities,changemanagement,leadership,teamwork,abilitytoworkindependently
• Studentsmadeconnectionstoclassroomlearning• Professionalization:networkedtofaculty/institutionsoutsidetheuniversity• Facultyprovidedopportunitiestopresentandpublish
Dr.LeeBlaney andURAScholarDanielOcasio
“WhenIwasanundergraduatestudent,Ilackedcontextformystudies. Igotgoodgrades,butIwasn'tpassionateaboutwhatIwasstudying. Aftergettinginvolvedinundergraduateresearch,IbegantoseehowIcouldimpactandimprovetheworld. Myundergraduateresearchexperienceallowedmetoworkongrandchallengesrelatedtocleanwaterandpublichealth. Thatworkchangedmylife. So,forme,itisimportanttomentorundergraduateresearcherstohelpignitethatflameofcuriosityandhelpourstudentsbecomeleaderson globalissues. But,Ialsogetalotfrommyundergraduateresearchers. Itisimmenselygratifyingtowatchastudentpresenttheirworkforthefirsttime,topublishtheirfirstpaper,ortoreceiveamajoraward. Theirexcitementiscontagiousandhelpstopushmyself,andtherestofourresearchgroup,forward.”
-- Dr.LeeBlaneyDepartmentofChemical,BiochemicalandEnvironmentalEngineering
URAandURCADMentor
14
BenefitsofEngagingStudentsinResearch
23.2% ofgradswhoengagedinundergraduateresearcharepursuingadvanceddegreesvs.4.6%whodidnot
Enhancedacademicperformance:
URstudentsgraduate
withhigherGPAs(3.6vs.3.0campus-wide)
Betterpositionedforprestigiousscholarships
(5/5,or100%ofprestigiousscholarshipswinnerswereengagedinundergraduate
research)
Graduatesoonerthanstudents
withsimilaradmissioncriteria
(75.6%4-yrand90%5-yr)
Increasedidentification withothermembersofanintellectual
cohortandhighlevelsof
satisfaction withtheircollegeexperience(esp.amongminority
students)
UR Mentorsreportbeingmoreengaged/satisfiedwiththeirwork
*Total%ofstudentswhoareemployedand/orpursuinganadvanceddegree.
Unaffiliatedstudentsgetengagedwiththeirintellectualcommunity
(about1/3ofURparticipantsareunaffiliatedwithotherscholarsorhonorsprograms)
Highercareeroutcomerate*
(89.9%vs.81.8%)
15
Greateracceptanceratestograduateandprofessional
school(84.2%vs.16%campus-wide)
UndergraduateResearchAwards(URA)For2017-18,98 applicationswerereceived(intherequestedamountof$126,281)and66 URAprojectswerefunded(67students,includinggroupprojects),foratotalof$78,496.
Unaffiliatedstudents(studentsnotparticipatinginanhonors/scholarsprogram)continuedtorise,indicatingthatwearereachingstudentswhoaren’tbeingservedbyotherprograms.
Overthelastyear,theseURAscholarsconductedresearch,engagedinentrepreneurialprojects,andpreparedcreativeart,withtheguidanceoftheirmentors,andwiththesupportofURAfunding(upto$1500).TheypresentedtheirfindingsatURCADonApril25,2018.The URAScholarsandtheirmentorsfor2017-18are:
ShreyaAgarwalDevelopingNewTherapeuticsforProstateCancer:InhibitionofRNAPolIinMouseModelsofProstateCancerDr.CharlesBieberich
Tsola AkuyaHip-HopDance:Foundationalvs.CommercialstylesMs.CarolHess-Vait
Yafet ArafeayneSynthesizingFlexiblePurinesforInhibitionoftheNucleocapsid ProteinNCp7inHIV-1Dr.KatherineSeley-Radtke
HannahArisIsolatingPhosphorusfromPoultryLitterviaMembranePotentialsDr.LeeBlaney
EmmaAyalaStrataAnimation:LayersinTimeandSpaceMs.CorrieParks
HaleyBastMalariainDevelopedNationsDr.J.LeeJenkins
Siya BhagatDendriticDrugDeliverySystemforDeliveryofCisplatinDr.Marie-ChristineOnuta
Jayati BhavsarDesignofNano-engineeredMaterialsforLaserHostandBoneApplications:NovelHydroxyapatitesDrs.BradleyArnold,N.B.Singh
16
JessicaBlackSexDifferencesinBrainResponsestoPaininMigraineursDr.Raimi Quiton
Peter BraunschweigStudyingtheSt.LouisUrbanHeatIslandDuringthe2017TotalSolarEclipseDr.Jeffrey Halverson
ThomasBurnettInvestigatingAdaptationofMelanopsin ActivationDr.Phyllis Robinson
Anya ByrdEffectofEnvironmentalColoringonReflectanceofNeogonodactylus oerstediiDr.Thomas Cronin
Jolee CohenSummerShakespeareanStudyMs.Eve Muson
Kelly DunnNarrativeConstructionsofCollectiveMemory:RepresentingtheArmedConflictinColombiaDr.Tania Lizarazo
Arissa FalatAStructure-ActivityRelationshipstudyofFlex-acyclic2,4-diaminopyrimidinenucleosidesDr.Katherine Seley-Radtke
Jair FloresRoleofPhosphatasesinintrisically photosensitiveRential GanglionCellDr.Phyllis Robinson
Sam GiannakoulisDevelopmentofaLightAdaptationModelfortheMelanopsin Phototransduction CascadeDr.Kathleen Hoffman
JasmineGimChineseandKoreanImmigrantMothers’SocialSupportNetworksandParentingStylesDr.Charissa Cheah
Jennifer HewittCharacterizingHotspotsofExtragalacticJetsandtheConnectionBetweenJetSpeedandJetPowerDr.Eileen Meyer
Lisa HongSynthesisofNearInfraredImagingDendronforuseinTheranostic SystemsDr.Marie-Christine Onuta
Anthony HuynhDissectingDynamicSpatialLocalizationofmTOR inLivingCellsDr.Minjoung Kyoung
Temitope IbitoyePhotolysisofMacrolideAntibioticsat253.7NMDr.Lee Blaney
Zakari JaworskiMeaninginMovement:UnderstandDanceThroughResearchProf.CarolHess-Vait
17
MarcusJordanSynthesisofNovelWater-solubleSelf-assemblingBacteriochlorophyllcMimicsDr.MarcinPtaszek
MatthewKaneNestPredationoftheBahamaOriole:ExaminingtheEffectofInvasiveRodentsonaCriticallyEndangeredSongbirdDr.KevinOmland
MichaelLaScolaGenerationandanalysisofdp1mutantsinthegreenalgaVolvox carteriDr.StephenMiller
AndrewLeGenome-scaleMetabolicReconstructionofthePurinsome Multi-enzymeComplexDr.Songon An
RichardLinkousCharacterizationofthePathogenicBacterialIronUptakeProteinFeoADr.AaronSmith
Samiksha ManjaniAnalyzingtheSociologicalandLegalImpactsontheState-wideOccurrenceandReportingofRapeDr.Jeffrey Davis
JasonMascelliCanLocalGovernmentsandNonprofitsAffectImmigrantSettlement?Dr.FelipeFilomeno
CourtneyMattsonBehaviorofDartersinResponsetoOlfactoryCuesDr.Tamra Mendelson
LucasMcCullumInvestigatingtheFeasibilityofPZTPlatesTowardsDevelopingaTransducerforTumorDetectionDr.Soobum Lee
SarahMillerWomen’sRolesinAffordableHousingCommunitiesinRiodeJaneiroDr.SarahChard
Ijaz MohamedHeme RegulationofArginineTransferasesDr.AaronSmith
EmmanuelMonesAlt-Masc:DefyingToxicMasculinitythroughFashionandPhotographyProf.MarkDurant
RachelMorinDocumentaryofCatholicMissionsinPeruMs.SarahSharp
HeatherMortimerTheEffectof Immersive,Interactive,andParticipatoryExhibitExperiencesonVisitorInteractionsintheLibraryRotundaMs.SandraAbbott
JamarNashEndofLifeCareamongEx-prisonersinNursingHomeFacilitiesDr.BronwynHunter
18
Tziona NessAiverCommunicatingViaEEGandSoundDr.CharlesLaBerge
AngelaOssanaLaser-inducedPlasmaInfraredSpectroscopyDr.BradleyArnold
EzraPailerAnimatedDocumentaryExploringPoetryasaToolofActivismProf.CorrieParks
AlexisRamseyFunctionalCharacterizationofthe Aspergillusnidulans,nrc2geneDr.MarkMarten
PriyankaRanadeUsingCognitiveComputingtoImproveCybersecurityDr.Anupam Joshi
MiaRickenbachCobaltStudiosSummerScenePaintingProf.NateSinnott
NicoletteRigginVlog:ADiscourseandEthnographicAnalysisofVlogging anditsEffectsonRomanticRelationshipsDr.BrycePeake
KwameRobertsonUsingCognitiveComputingtoImproveCybersecurityDr.Anupam Joshi
JoelRonningTheSuccessandFailureofLanguageintheWorksofBenJonsonandSamuelBeckettDr.RaphaelFalco
MichaelRowleyInvestigatingRelativeHabitatDensitiesoftheBahamaOrioleDr.KevinOmland
ImanSaidTheEffectofSocioeconomicStatusontheRelationshipBetweenMarginalizedIdentitiesand PsychologicalDistressDr.JasmineAbrams
WilliamSheltonAnalyzingtheEffectivenessofCrowd-sourcingClassificationTasksDr.MatthewFagan
EmilySlabyBoostingImmuneCellsusingPlasmaMembrane-insertingDrugstoCombatCancerDr.GregorySzeto
SavannahSteinlyDirectandIndirectPhotolysisofOrganometallicCompoundsDr.LeeBlaney
GeorginaStephanieAnalyzingtheDynamicsofIntracellularTraffickingandProcessingofLipid-tailedPeptidesinImmuneCellsDr.GregorySzeto
19
JacobStreetPayingDividends:ExaminingthePoliticalViabilityofUniversalBasicIncomeDr.CynthiaHody
Donnel ThomasPutativeAutophagyProteinsAffectMorphologyinAspergillusNidulansDr.MarkMarten
Mekha ThomasCharacterizingEnzymaticComplexesinMetabolicallyStressedImmuneandTumorCellstoGuideCancerimmunotherapyDr.GregorySzeto
GarrettTignallComputationalStudiesoftheRotationalStateofCometNucleiDr.SusanHoban
Mai-HanTrinhACreativeApproachtoMeasuringEmpathyDr.SimonStacey
Yeerfan TuerdiAnEfficientParallelizingCompilerfortheMany-coreArchitectureDr.Tinoosh Mohsenin
Adaku UchenduNumericalSimulationofVibrationsofMechanicalStructuresDr.Bedrich Sousedik
AustinVongMammalSpeciesRichnessandAbundanceAcrossBaltimoreForestPatchesDr.ColinStudds
TheodoreWeinbergFastImplementationofMixedFiniteElementsandApplicationstoFlowinPorousMediausingMATLABDr.Bedrich Sousedik
Majuwana WijesekaraDeterminingtheImpactoftheREACHInitiativeonHighSchoolStudentsDr.MarianoSantoDomingo
LindaWiratanInvestigationofEffectsofElicitor-inducedDefenseActivationontheCircadianClockinArabidopsisDr.HuaLu
ClaudiaXieTheEffectsofMothers'EmotionSocializationPracticesonChildren’sEmotionalRegulationandProsocialBehaviorsinChineseAmericanFamiliesDr.Charissa Cheah
Yuwanyum ZhuParentingControlinEuropeanAmericanmothers,ChineseandKoreanImmigrantMothersDr.Charissa Cheah
20
“IhadanideaofthedirectionmyacademiccareerwastakingpriortoparticipatinginundergraduateresearchatUMBC.WhenIreceivedtheURA,thosegoalsandthenewdirectionbecamemuchmoretangible.Themanifoldsupportwasnotonlyfinancial,butalsoinmentorship,andthecommunityoffellowresearchers.Thecollectiveofstudentresearcherswasoneofmyfavoritepartsoftheexperience;aswegatheredtoshareaboutourprocesses,Ifeltequallyawedatothers'workandencouragedinmyown.IhavefeltfueledtocontinuedownapathIwouldhaveotherwisebeenintimidatedtopursueonmyown,largelythanksto theseURAs.”
-- MiaRickenbachTwo-timeURAScholarandURCADPresenter
MiaisaLinehan ArtistScholarandTheatreDesign&Productionmajor,withanEntrepreneurship&Innovationminor.SheusedherURAawardtostudymuralpaintingtechniquesatCobaltStudioinNewYork.Sheappliedtheseskillstocreatelarge-scalemuralpaintingsdepictingstoriesfromwomeninvolvedinhumantrafficking,astoldinthebook,HalftheSky (alsotheUMBCNewStudentBookExperiencebook).SheexhibitedherpaintingsatURCAD.Miaearnedasecond,ENTRURAfor2018-19.Shewillberesearchingherideatostartabusinesscalled,“CreateFreedom”,anorganizationtoraiseawareness,empowerchange-makers,andtofundactivistsinthefightagainsthumantrafficking.
URASpotlight:MiaRickenbach (Theatre)VisualStorytellingAppliedtoHumanTraffickingAwareness
OUE’s2017NSBEbook,HalftheSky
LearningscenicpaintingtechniquesatCobaltStudio
ExhibitingherfinishedworkatURCAD2018
21
URASpotlight:Arissa Falat (Chemistry)
URASpotlight:Samiksha Manjani (PoliticalScience)AnalyzingtheSociologicalandLegalImpactsontheState-wideOccurrenceandReportingofRapeMentor:Dr.JeffreyDavis
Thisresearchanalyzesandrevealstheinequities insentencingsexualassaultconvictions.Ithighlightsvariouscases,butmostnotablyanalyzesthesentencingin PeopleoftheStateofCaliforniav.BrockAllenTurner (2016).BrockAllenTurnerwasconvictedofthreefelonysexualassaultchargesyetwasonlysentencedtosixmonthsconfinementinacountyjail.Hewasthenreleasedafterservingthreemonths,andsubsequentlyonprobationforthreeyears.Thepublicoutcryinresponseraisedquestionsregardingsentencingleniencyforsomesexoffenders;especiallywhenfactorsofraceandsocialclassareconsidered.TheCalifornianlegislaturerespondedin2016withthepassageofmandatoryminimumsentencesforsexualassaultoffensesasanattemptatadequateanduniformretribution.Thisresearchanalyzestheconsequencesofmandatoryminimumsentencesonminoritypopulations,anditsconstitutionality.Furthermore,itanalyzesandsuggestsalternativesentencingapproachesincludingnon-bindingsentencingguidelines,restorativejustice,andrehabilitation.
URASpotlight:SarahMiller(InterdisciplinaryStudies)
AStructure-ActivityRelationshipstudyofFlex-acyclic2,4-diaminopyrimidinenucleosidesMentor:Dr.KatherineSeley-Radtke
Severaldeadlypathogenshaveemergedrecentlyforwhichtherearenocuresavailable.TheseincludethecoronavirusessuchasSevereAcuteRespiratorySyndrome(SARS)andMiddleEastRespiratorySyndrome(MERS);filoviruses,liketheEbola(EBOV),Sudan(SUDV),andMarburg(MARV)viruses;andflaviviruses,includingDenguevirus(DENV)andZika virus(ZIKV).Withhighmortalityrates,thepotentialreemergenceofSARS,recentoutbreaksofMERS,EBOV,DENV,andseveresideeffectsofZIKV,itisimperativethatsafeandeffectivetreatmentsaredeveloped.Onepotentialoptioninvolvestheuseofnucleosideanalogues,long knowntoexhibitpotentantiviralactivity,todisruptviralDNAorRNAsynthesis.TheSeley-Radtke labhasdevelopedseveraltypesofflexiblenucleosideanalogues,termed“fleximers,”whichhavedemonstratedtheabilitytoincreaseinteractionsinthebindingpocketthatwerepreviouslyunattainable.Preliminaryresultshaverevealedpotentactivityforseveralacyclicfleximers againstalloftheseviruses invitro.Unfortunately,bioavailabilityisanobstacletonucleosidedelivery;however,thismaybeovercomebyusingprodrugmoietiessuchastheMcGuigan ProTides.Aseriesofnucleotideprodrugsweresynthesizedinordertomoreeffectivelydeliverthemonophosphateformofthenucleosideintothecell.
DonadeCasa:Women’sRolesinAffordableHousingMovementsinRiodeJaneiroMentor:Dr.SarahChard
Forthisproject, Iwas researchingtherolesthatwomenplayinaffordablehousing movements,specificallythoseintheBraziliancityofRiodeJaneiro.Myresearchfocusedonthewaysinwhichwomen’sparticipationinthepublicandpoliticalsphereappeartosubverttraditionalBraziliangenderroleswhileactuallycrystallizingthoserolesinmanyways.Ialsoexploredtheuseofcollaborativephotographymethodstogivemoreagencytomysubjectinregardstotheirrepresentation.
22
Feedbackfromthe2018post-URAScholarSurvey“TheURAgavemeanopportunitytoexploreaninterestIwouldnothavebeenabletootherwise.ThroughtheURA,Ifeltmorepreparedtofaceresearchinmyclassesandpursuepersonalresearchaftergraduating.TheURAopenedupnewgradschool,Ph.D.,andcareeropportunitiesformethatIwasn'tconsideringbefore.”
“TheURAhelpedmeformalizemyresearchprojectsuchthatithadaclearendgoal,pointsofself-assessmentandreflection,andamanageablesizesothatitcouldbecompletedinoneyear.ThishasgreatlystreamlinedwhatIwasabletoaccomplishasaresult.”
“I'mprettysurehavingcompletedtheURAprocessguaranteedmeafullscholarshiptothepatentlawschoolI'mgoingto.Italsoshowedmethetediousnessanddifficultyofresearch.Ihaveamuch,muchgreaterdegreeofrespectforthoseinbasicbiologicalresearchnow.”24
“ConductingtheresearchwithoutagraduatementorandbeingabletothinkoutthenextstepsofwhatIshouldbedoinginmyexperimentstrengthenedmycriticalthinkingskills.”
UndergraduateResearchandCreativeAchievementDay(URCAD)The22ndAnnualURCADeventfeaturedpresentationsbyarecord350students(up50fromlastyear),andanattendanceofalmost2,500 (up300).Studentspresentedoralandposterpresentations,danceperformances,films,music,theatreperformances,andcomputerengineeredvideogames.AlumnusIsaacKinde (BiologicalSciences,‘05)providedthekeynoteaddress.90unaffiliatedstudentsparticipated.
“Itmademeunderstandmoreofthecriticalthinkingbehindtechniquesbutalsohowto
interpretmydata.”
.
“MyURCADpresentationforcedmetolookatwhymythesisresearch
matteredtosomeoneoutsideofmydiscipline.Italsohelpedmetogaina
betterunderstandingofandconfidenceintheimportanceofmy
areaofresearch.”“Ilearnedhowtocompilemyresearchintoconcisetextsandgraphics,displayitinanorganizedway,andthenhowtoverballypresentmymaterialandguidepeoplethroughmyposter.InowfeelpreparedandconfidentthatIcouldpresentresearchatafuturejobthanbeforeIpresentedatURCAD.”
“Ilearnedtohandle
questionsbetterandthinkonthe
spot.”
“Itwasexcitingandunitingforsomanydisciplinestobepresentingatoneevent.Theenvironmentwas
encouragingandfun.”
“MymentorandIdefinitely
communicatedmorethanwewouldhaveifI
wasjustastudentinherclass.”
“AtUMBCeveryoneistaughttocontinuouslylearn,andURCADisagreatwaytolearnabouttheresearchthatotherdisciplinesaredoingoncampusandtoeducateyourselfonvariouspartsofthe
world,justthroughourcommunityhereatUMBC.”
URCADpresenter,PriyankaRanade
URCAD
“URCADservedasawarm-upformyINDScapstone
presentation.”
FeedbackfromPost-URCADPresenterSurvey
25
MaiaSchecter’s dancepiece,“NowElsewhere”,wasalsofeaturedattheKennedyCenter
FilmmakerEzraPailer collaboratedwithD.C.poet,Jordann Allentocreateananimated
documentaryfilm
MusicianEllingtonCarthan performed,“BlackRadio:TheRobertGlasperExperiment”
Guestsinteractedwithstudent-designedandengineeredvideogamesatURCAD
AlumniKeynoteSpeaker
IsaacKinde’05BiologicalSciences
M.D./Ph.D.,JohnsHopkinsUniversitySchoolofMedicine
Dr.IsaacKinde isanationallyrecognizedinnovatorofmolecularcancerdiagnostics.HeholdsanM.D./Ph.D.fromtheJohnsHopkinsUniversitySchoolofMedicine.HisdoctoralresearchproducednovelcancerdiagnosticsbasedonimprovementsinDNAsequencingtechnologyandwasawardedtheHansJoaquimProchaskaResearchAward.Notableapplicationsofhisworkincludeaprototypescreeningtestforovarianandendometrialcancersfromliquid-basedPaptests,anoninvasivemethodofmonitoringbladdercancersfromurine,andarevelationinthedevelopmentoftreatmentresistancefromanalyzingthebloodofpatientswithcoloncancer.Descriptionsofhisinventionsandtheirapplicationsappearinprominentscientificjournals– suchasScienceTranslationalMedicine,ProceedingsoftheNationalAcademyofSciences,andNature– andarethesubjectofseveralpatents.Hisworkhasattractedconsiderableattentionfromindustry,spurringpartnershipstofacilitateitscommercialization,includingPapGene,Inc.,amoleculardiagnosticstartupwherehecurrentlyservesaschiefscientificofficer.HehasbeenrecognizedasoneofForbesMagazine’s‘30under30’inScienceandHealthcareanda‘GameChanger’byMen’sFitness.IsaacreceivedaB.S.inBiologicalSciencesfromtheUniversityofMaryland,BaltimoreCountyin2005,whereheworkedwithresearchmentor,Dr.MichaelSummers.AtUMBC,hewasanUndergraduateResearchAward(URA)ScholarandURCADpresenter(2004-05),aMeyerhoff Scholar,andreceivedtheFacultyAwardofExcellenceintheBiologicalSciences.
UNDERGRADUATERESEARCHCREATIVEACHIEVEMENTDAY
URCADXXIURCAD
26
• “Ilearneddisappointmentandtroubleshooting.Ihadtoaskwhydidthisgowrong?Whydidthatcontributetoerror?HowcanIfixit?”
• “Itgavegreatpracticeintryingtoexplaincomplextopicstosomeonewhoisnotinyourfieldofexpertise.”
2018
2018Post-URCADPresenterSurveyResults(n=67)
29
Whatdidyoulearnaboutdeliveringaneffectivepresentation?• “TheoralpresentationprepsessiongivenbyDr.Phinwasveryhelpfulinexplaininghowtotomakeslidesand
presentationsaccessibleandeasytounderstand.”• “Itisimportanttospeakintoabroadaudienceandemphasizewhatyourresearchmeansandwhyitisimportant
whenintroducingandconcludingit.”
How?• “ParticipatingatURCADrequiresyoutotraceyourstepsbackwardsinyourresearchinordertogiveagood,concise
presentation.Youendupcatchingthingsyoumightnothavepaidattentiontobefore,oraskyourselfmorequestionssinceyou'reconsideringanaudience.”
• “Thequestionspeopleaskedmeatmyposterhelpedopenmymindaboutthingstoconsiderinfutureresearch.”30
How?• “Thishelpedmyrelationshipwithmymentorassheprovidedmewithgood,constructivefeedbackandencouragement.”• “Iwasabletomeetotherprofessorsbecauseofmypresentation,whichwadnicebecauseIdon'tattendMainCampusso
I'mlimitedinwhatprofessorsIgettomeet.”• “Iwasabletotalktomymentormoreaboutresearch(howit'sdone,whyit'sdone,etc.)whichwasnice.Ialsobumped
intoalotofpeoplewhowerepresentingatURCADthatwerealsoinalotofmyclassessoitwasnicegettingtoknowthemandtheirresearchbetter.”
How?“Ilearnedhowtocompilemyresearchintoconcisetextsandgraphics,displayitinanorganizedway,andthenhowtoverballypresentmymaterialandguidepeoplethroughmyposter.InowfeelpreparedandconfidentthatIcouldpresentresearchatafuturejobthanbeforeIpresentedatURCAD.”
31
UMBCReviewJournalofUndergraduateResearchTheUMBCReviewisapeer-reviewedpublication,completelydirectedbyUMBCundergraduates.AllofthearticlespublishedinTheReviewgothrougharigorouspeereditingprocess,andarereviewedbyoff-campusfacultytoassurethehighqualityofthepublication.Astudentgraphicdesignerisresponsibleforthecreativedesign.Weareproudtoproducethepublicationinprintformat.ItpremiereseveryApril,atURCAD.
FacultyAdvisor,Dr.SusanMcDonough
Samual Buettner (GraphicDesigner),Ioana Petricel(STEM),andManishaVepa (A/H/SS) 33
TravelAwardsStudents,departments,andtheuniversitybenefitwhenundergraduateresearcherspresenttheirworkatdiscipline-specificconferencesorappropriateartisticvenues.Tosupporttravelbystudentswhoarepresentingtheirscholarlyorcreativework,andwhohaveexhaustedallotheroptionsforfullyfundingtheanticipatedcostsofconferenceparticipation,weprovidenew(upto$500)andmatchingfunds(upto$750).Studentsmustbedegree-seekingundergraduatesingoodstandingandthestudent’sworkmusthavebeenacceptedforpresentationattheconferenceorartsevent.Fundingisforpresentationofresults,notforcollaboration,training,orprofessionaldevelopment,andmustbesupportedbyfacultyrecommendation.• Fundingreducedfrom$12,500to$2,500inFY17• FY18:5studentsfunded($3,000).Additionalfundsrepurposedtosupport
anadditional11students(16total),intheamountof$7,630.
“Thankstothetravelaward,IattendedtheAmericanOrnithologySociety’sconferenceatMichiganStateUniversity,whereIpresentedmyindependentresearchprojectforthefirsttime.Sincetherewerenumerousornithologists,Iwaspresentedwithgoodquestionsthatfurtherdevelopedmyideasontheprojectandprovidedmewithfurtherknowledgeonthesubject.Listeningtootherpresentationswasalsoverybeneficial,asitinspiredpotentialresearchprojectsthatIhopetoinitiateinthefutureforeithermyM.S.orPhD. Thiswasahugeopportunityformetoconnectwithotherresearchersatvariousinstitutions,especiallysinceIwasintheprocessoflookingatgraduateprograms.Inaddition,IlearnedaboutonelabwhiletalkingwithsomeoftheresearchersthatIwillbejoiningatSalisburyUniversitythiscomingFallsemesterforaM.S.I’mverygratefulfortheopportunitytoattendthisresearchconference.MyjobasanHonorsCollegeTransferTeamLeaderhasallowedmetosharemyexperiencetoothertransferstudentscomingInsothattheyalsomayhavesuchanexperience.SincepresentingmyresearchatAOS,IhavealsonoticedthatIammoreconfidentpresentingmyresearchatUMBC.Overall,myexperiencehasbeenverypositive,andIlookforwardtoattendmoreconferencesinthefuture.”
--DerekCross2017TravelAwardRecipient34
2017-18TravelAwardRecipientsSummerAkhtar,$500"UMBCMockTrial"DukeUniversityTobaccoRoadInvitationalDurham,NC
HannahAris,$280"RelationshipBetweenCoordinationVariabilityandTibiaStressGulfCoastUndergraduateResearchSymposiumHouston,TX
CatherineBarwulor,$500iConference 2018Sheffield,UK
Jayati Bhavsar,$500"DesignandCharacteristicsofHydroxyapatites:EffectofRadiation"SPIE:Commerical andScientificSensingandImagingOrlando,FL
DerekCross,$500"MigratoryReturnRatesandBreedingFidelityinEasternBluebirds"2017AmericanOrnithologyJointMeetingEastLansing,MI
AmandaFernandez,$500"PollenDynamicsofFieldBindweedandCompetitiveReleaseinPollenLoadsofaGeneralistPollinatorintheMediterranean"TheSocietyforIntegrativeandComparativeBiologyAnnualMeetingSanFrancisco,CA
GregoryFurletti,$500"GoldSupportedonMulti-WalledCarbonNanotubesforBiochemicalEnergyHarnessing"IEEEInternationalConferenceonNano/MicroEngineeredandMolecularSystemsSingapore
AlexHoltschneider,$500"FabricationofaTemperatureMonitoringSystem"IEEEInternationalConferenceonNano/MicroEngineeredandMolecularSystemsSingapore
Jaedon Huie,$500YaleUniversityMockTrialInvitationalNewHaven,CT
Manpreet Kaur(canceledtrip)
AlisonLarsen,$350"ExposuretoLowDosesofHeliumParticlesDisruptsNeuronalFunctionandCognitivePerformance"Neuroscience2017Washington,DC
LucasMcCullum,$500"TrackingAirPollutionintheCityofBaltimore,MarylandUtilizingLightDetectionandRanging(LiDAR)"20172nd AsiaConferenceonEnvironmentandSustainableDevelopmentTokyo,Japan
DavidSachs,$500"GrowthofBioSensorMaterialsbyPhysicalVaporTransportMethod"SPIEDefenseandCommercialSensingOrlando,FL
Ressa Sarreal,$500"DualGlucoseandLactateElectrochemicalBiosensor"IEEEInternationalConferenceonNano/MicroEngineeredandMolecularSystemsSingapore
ArmanSetser,$500"LocalGradientOptimizationofModularEntanglingSequences"APSMarchMeetingLosAngeles,CA
Amulya Shrestha,$500"TheFabricationofaTemperatureMonitoringSystem"IEEEInternationalConferenceonNano/MicroEngineeredandMolecularSystemsSingapore
EmilySlaby,$500"EnhancingImmuneCellsUsingPlasmaMembrane-InsertingDrugstoCombatCancer"2017BiomedicalEngineeringSocietyAnnualMeetingsPhoenix,AZ 35
ResearchOpportunitiesStudentswhoparticipateinappliedlearningactivitiessuchasresearch,havehigheracademicoutcomes,includingearninghigherGPAsandmorecredits,graduatingwithhonors,andachievinghighergraduationrates.1• URprovideshelpwithidentifyingREUs,completingapplications,preparingresumes,
andpersonalstatements,askingforlettersofrecommendation,etc.• URmaintainsadatabaseofsummerresearchopportunitiesgrowingtoover500
entries.We’vepartneredwithCareerServices,Meyerhoff,andotherstomaintaintheentries.
• WithhelpfromtheOfficeofSponsoredPrograms,studentapplicationsaresubmittedtothesummerresearchprogramattheNationalInstituteofStandardsandTechnology(NIST)SummerUndergraduateResearchFellowships(SURF):2018SURFstudentsadvised: 246;Applicants: 23;Accepted:4;Attending: 3(ZacharyClifford,Temiloluwa Okusolubo,VandaLuu).
1 Penniston,Thomas.(2014).TheImpactsofServiceLearningParticipationUponPost-Secondary Students’AcademicandSocialDevelopment.Dissertation,UniversityofMaryland,BaltimoreCounty.
36
PrestigiousScholarshipsPSprovidessupportforstudentstostudywithintheU.Sandabroad,byprovidingfundingforgraduateschoolandresearchopportunities.Thesescholarshipsarerecognizedassomeofthemostprestigiousintheworld,andtheirpurposeistodevelopoutstandingstudentsintoleaderswhoseresearchandcareerswillhavefar-reachingimpactsontheworld.Wefocusonthefollowingawards:Rhodes,Gates,Marshall,Truman(publicservice),Goldwater(STEM),butalsoadviseforotherscholarshipssuchasUdall,Schwarzman,Douglass,Fulbright,etc.,whenstudentscomeforward.
2018RhodesScholar,NaomiMburu
In2017-18,PSdevelopedandsentforward:• NaomiMburu forRhodes,Gates-Cambridge,and
Marshall (wonallthree)• LindaWiratan (Winner)YasminGraham(Honorable
Mention),ElianaCrentsil,and PujaTrivediforGoldwater
• FloraKirk forMarshall.Won Fulbright(Romania)• ManishaVepa forSchwarzman (interviewed,
waitlisted)andCarnegieEndowmentforInternationalPeaceJuniorFellowship.WonFulbright(SouthKorea)
• RebeccaMann forTruman• KatiePoteet forRangle• Eyal Handelsman Katz (graduate exchangestudent)
forGates-Cambridge andErtegun (Cambridge)
GoldwaterScholarLindaWiratan
GoldwaterHonorableMentionYasminGraham
37
• Establishedaprotocolforrecruitingcandidatesforprestigiousscholarships
• Institutionalnominationandselectionprocessesestablished
• MetwithGoldwaterPresidentandimplementedrubricsforinternalreviewofcandidates
• MetwithTrumanRegionalRepresentativetogatherinformationthatwillstrengthenourcandidates
• Heldfirstinformationsessionsforstudents
• Coordinatedmockinterviews,diningandinterviewetiquetteseminar fornominees,supportforstudentstravelingtointerviews
• DevelopedwebsitewitharchiveofUMBC’spastrecipients
• PartneredwithHonorsCollegetocreatelistofrunnerup/honorablementionandbiosofpost-graduateachievements
• DirectorattendedInterweek ProgramatUniversidade doPorto,Portugalandrepresented UMBCinthecontinuingdevelopmentofthisinternationalpartnership
• DirectorattendedNAFA’sannualconference
• Establishedaprojectcodeandbudget($1500)forprestigiousscholarships
• Co-nominatedvaledictorian(NaomiMburu,finalist)
• RestructuredGoldwatercommitteeandaddedCynthiaWagner(Biology),JasonKestner(Physics),BradPeercy (MathandStatistics).Developedinternalevaluationrubricsandranking/feedbackprocess.
NewImplementationsforPrestigiousScholarships
38
PartnershipsThisyear,we’veforgedpartnershipswithmanyUAAprograms,andbeyond.
UAA• StudentscompletingcapstonesforINDS arestronglyencouragedtoapplyforURAsinordertofundtheirwork,
andsubmittheirfinalprojectsforpublicationintheUMBCReview.3/10articlespublishedinthe2018editionarewrittenbyINDSstudents.5/10ofthearticlesarebyURAScholars.AprilHouseholderalsoservesasamemberoftheINDSCommittee(ISC),whereshereviewsandapprovesINDSdegreeproposals.
• MiaRickenbach,isatwo-timeURArecipientandherURCADpresentation,alarge-formatscenicpainting,wasbasedonstoriesfromthewomenintheOUE newstudentbookexperiencebook,HalftheSky,whoinspiredhertoadvocateforawarenessabouthumantrafficking.
• SupportfromtheHonorsCollegecontinuestohelpourstudentsandstafftosucceed- HChelpedfacilitatemockinterviewsandfundednomineesforprestigiousscholarshipstoattendregionalinterviewsandprofessionalizationworkshops.TheyalsofundedtheprofessionaldevelopmentoftheUR/PSDirector,withmembershipinNAFA(NationalAssociationofFellowshipAdvisors)andattendanceattheirannualconference.HCstudentsareamainstayinURandPS.AprilHouseholdermakesmultiplepresentationseachyearforHonorsCollegestudents.
• TheShermanSTEMTeacherScholarsProgramwasintegralinbringinghighschoolstudentstoURCAD.FutureeffortswillassessURCADattendancebyhighschoolstudentsasarecruitmenttool.
• ThedirectorworkscloselywithstafffromtheMeyerhoff ScholarsProgramtorecruitandadvisecandidatesfortheGoldwaterscholarship.Meyerhoff studentscontinuetobethelargestgrouptopresentatURCAD,andmakeupalargenumberofGoldwater(20/30),andotherprestigiousscholarshipsapplicants.
• WearecurrentlydevelopingworkshopsfortheWomen’sCenter‘sreturningwomenscholars.JessMeyerscontinuestobeanadvocateforoverlappingstudents(helpeddevelopBeccaMannforTruman).
• LRC hadseveralstudentswhoconductedresearchforcertificationforcollegereadingandlearninglevel3.SupplementalInstruction(SIPASS)leadersandtutorsareagrowingpresenceatURCAD(9).
INDSstaffatURCAD
39
Campus-widePartnerships• ThereisgreatsynergybetweentheInternationalEducationServicesOfficeandUR/PS.
AprilHouseholderservesontheFulbright interviewselectioncommittee.ManishaVepa(UMBCRevieweditor)andFloraKirkappliedforprestigiousscholarshipsbutwonFulbrights thisyear,asdidMorganZepp (URCADpresenter).DavidDiMaria andBrianSouders alsoparticipatedinmockinterviewsforinternationalprestigiousscholarshipsawards(U.K.andSchwarzman).HouseholderandSouders teamedupforpresentationstotheHonorsCollege,andforstudentsinterestedininternationalscholarships.
• AnewpartnershipwithCareerServiceswasforgedthisyeartoenrollthe2018-19URAsintheResearchInternshipPracticum(PRAC).Expectationsare:increasedstudentandfacultyaccountability;trackingofworkshopattendance;anorientationtoconductingresearch;settingoflearninggoals;mid-semestercheckinwithmentor;endofsemesterfinalreports;andformalevaluations.ThePRACwillbemarkedonstudents’transcripts,asameansofformalizingtheURAexperience.
• WehaverecentlypartneredwithVivianArmor,Director,Alex.BrownCenterforEntrepreneurship,toofferENTRURAs(fundedseparatelybytheAlexBrownCenter)whichsupportstudentsinthedevelopmentofasolutiontoeitheratechnicalorsocialproblemincollaborationwithaUMBCfacultymentor.TwostudentssuccessfullyproposedandwereawardedENTRURAsfor2018-19(Drue NixonandMiaRickenbach).
• WehaveanewpartnershipwithOIA forpromotionofourprogramstoalumni,prospectivestudents,andUMBC-wideadvertising.Thisisveryhelpfulforwidervisibilityandpromotingourbrand.
• TheMARCU*STARandMcNairScholarsProgrambothcontributedfundingtosupportURCAD.
“URCAD,URA,andtheUMBCReviewrepresentthreefacesofanimportantconnectionforINDStothebroaderactivitiesofUAAandUMBC.Theseinitiativesofferperfectavenuesforbringingourstudentsintodeepercontactwithotherstudents,otherfaculty,andtheexperthelpofferedbytheofficeofundergraduateresearch.Togetherwearenotonlystronger,butweexemplifythatasthepointofUAA- tointegratebetterforthebenefitofall.”
--- Dr.StephenFreelandINDSDirector
40
One-on-oneSupportAfterapresentationaboutresearchopportunitieswasgiventoElaineMacDougal’s(ENGL/LRC)TechnicalWritingclass,anunaffiliatedstudentwrotethefollowingemail.Shethencameintotheofficeforhelpwithwritingherresearchabstract,whichshesubmitted,andwasacceptedatURCAD2018.
“Ireallyenjoyedallthepresentationssofarthissemester, butthepresentationIenjoyedthemostwastheonegivenbyDr. AprilHouseholder. Ifeltveryengagedduringtheentirepresentation, heruseofthePowerPointbehindherandvisualsmadeherspeakingveryeffective. Ithinkvisualsareveryimportantandtheyhelpyouraudienceunderstandwhatyouaresaying; IknowwhenIpresentIloveusingvisualsbecauseitgivesmesomethingtorelateto.Listening toherpresentationreallygotme thinkingaboutURCAD,andthatitissomethingIamthinkingaboutdoing. Itisagreatopportunity,anddoingthisprojectwilldefinitely furthermyacademiccareer.ItrulybelievethatifDr.Householder'spresentationskillswerenoteffective,thatIwouldnotbethinkingaboutURCADlikeIamnow. Herpresentationsskillswereveryeffectiveandgotmethinkingoutsideoftheclassroom. Thatshouldbethegoalofeveryspeaker,tomaketheiraudiencethinkaboutwhatwastalkedaboutevenwhenitsover. IjustwantedtothankyouforallofyourhelpthispastsemesterwithgettingmeinterestedinURCAD.ThoughIamgraduatingthissemesterfromtheMediaandCommunication(MCS),IwillbebackthroughtheAppliedSociologyM.A.Program.”
• In2017-18,therewereover120walk-insorappointmentsmadeforone-one-oneadvisingwithstudentstohelpthemidentifyandpursuetheiracademicgoals.
• URhostednumerousstudentworkshopsontopicssuchas:EffectiveOralandPosterPresentations,HowtoGetStartedinResearch,HowtoWriteaResearchProposal,ApplyingtoPrestigiousScholarships,andmore.
• 90studentspresentedatURCADwhowereunaffiliatedwithscholarsorhonorsprograms,liketheonequotedabove.
41
PublicityandMarketingURwebsite(ur.umbc.edu)
TheURwebsiteservesasacentralized,comprehensivesiteforstudents,faculty,andstafftolearnaboutundergraduateresearchingeneral,andmorespecifically,aboutresearchopportunitiesthroughUMBCprograms,andexternally.Ourwebsitereceived62,295visitsin2017-18,and46,078uniqueviews.OurREUdatabasecontainsalmost500entriesforstudentstosearchinavarietyofwaystofindsummerresearchopportunities.Wehostaseparatewebsite(urcad.umbc.edu)forURCAD-specificinformation,suchassneakpeeksofstudentpresentations,searchparametersforfindingstudentsbydisciplineorpresentationformat,studentabstracts,schedules,guestspeakerbios,andarchivingphotos.Itwasviewed11,986timeslastyear,and2,030timesonthedayofURCAD.
OurURwebsiteisupdatedfrequentlytoprovidestudentsatallstagesofresearchinvolvementwithnews,resources,andinformation.Weutilizemanyphotos,videos,andlinkstoexternalresources,tobeusedbycurrentandprospectivestudents.Thewebsitealsohousestheonlineformsforregisteringandapplyingtoourprograms,alongwithdetailedinformationontopicssuchashowtowritestrongresearchproposalsandabstracts,effectivepresentations,andhowtogetstartedinresearch.PagesforPrestigiousScholarshipswerenewlyaddedthisyear.UpdatesandImprovementstothewebsiteareanongoingeffort,andaremanagedbyMichaelMower,IT,Web,andGraphicDesignSpecialist.
ProfessorGalinaMadjaroff andhermentees,winnersoftheURCADselfiecontest
FY17-18webpageanalyticsforURandURCADwebsites42
FacebookandSocialMediaSocialmediacomplementandreinforceemailandwebcommunicationsandprovideapreferredmethodofinformationdisseminationtomanystudents.Socialmediaoutreachisanexpectedfeatureofanyacademicofficeintoday’sdigitallyconnecteduniversityenvironment.SocialmediausageincreasesURvisibilityatUMBCandelsewhere.InadditiontoFacebook,wehavealsoaddedTwitter(325followers)andInstagramaccountsthisyear.Giventhefocusonsocialmediaaroundthemen’sbasketballwin,wehavebeguncollaboratingwithOIAtouse#UMBChashtagsforpostsaboutourprograms.Facebook,Instagram,andTwitterhavealsoprovidedvenuesforustointerfacewithothercampusorganizationsandoffices.Weannounceevents,deadlines,highlightstudentresearch,and“share”and“retweet”withotherofficesacrosscampus.TheURCADSelfieContestgeneratesheavytraffictooursocialmediapages.
SampleFacebookpostwith118peoplereached
OurFacebookpagehas773followers(up60fromlastyear),andinthelastyear,hasgenerated792“likes” onposts.OurpeakviewshappeninthemonthsleadinguptoURCADinApril(seebelow).
TweetActivity
SampleTweetwith2,695impressionsand8retweets
Facebookmonthlyviews
43
myUMBC GroupTheUndergraduateResearchmyUMBC grouphasmorethan2,400membersand1,000followerscomprisedoffaculty,staff,students,andalumnifromeverydiscipline.OncepartofthemyUMBC group,thesemembersreceiveemailsannouncingupcomingUndergraduateResearchevents;postsrangefromworkshopsandinformationaboutURAandURCAD,tostudentresearcherspotlightsandinformationaboutresearch-relatedinternships/programs.Studentscanfollowthegrouporsign-uptobeamemberatanyoftheUndergraduateResearchhostedevents.ThosewhoareURAstudentsorURCADparticipantsareautomaticallyaddedasmemberssothattheycanreceivethelatestupdatesaboutupcomingeventsanddeadlinesrelatedtoURAandURCAD.Onedistinctivefeatureisthe“ResearcheroftheWeek”,whichhighlightsstudentaccomplishmentsandresearchinaprofilethatincludesaQ&Awiththestudent.DirectemailstogroupsandthemyUMBC grouparetheprimarymethodsusedtonotifystudentsabouteventsanddeadlines,aswellastopostsign-upinformation.
PrintedMaterials• Flyers- Wefrequentlypostflyersaroundcampusandsendthemtodepartments
andprogramstopostintheirareastoadvertiseworkshopsandeventshostedbyouroffice
• NewStudentOrientationandAdvisingGuide- weadvertiseourprogramsinthebookletgivenoutatfreshmanandtransferorientations,andintheslidepresentationgiventoparentsatorientation
• PostersandBanners- weworkcloselywithCommonvision andPureImpressionstodesignadvertisementsfortheCommonsbreezeway,iNet,theCommons,RACjumboscreen,library,UC,andotherhigh-trafficstudentareas
• News- weadvertiseinTheRetrieverstudentnewspaperandarefrequentlyfeaturedinstoriesinUMBCNewsandalumnipublications
• PromotionalItems-WeprintneckwalletnametagsforstudentspresentersatURCAD,pens,programs,buttons,andstaffteeshirts
AV• Radio- weadvertiseURCADandotherprogramsonWMBCradio• Video- wecreatevideosforpromotingprograms,givingadvice,andcelebrating
studentsuccesses
WorkshopsandTabling• TransferStudentNetwork(TSN)workshopandbreakfast• Over20studentworkshops throughouttheyeartogeneralstudentbody,or
directedtospecificgroups(HonorsCollege,Meyerhoff,artsmajors,etc.)• Presenceatnewstudentorientations
44
InadditiontoNaomiMburu beingselectedasthefirstRhodesScholarinUMBC’shistory,the historicMen'sBasketballupsetof#1seededUVAin theNCAAtournamenthas shinedalightonUMBCfornotonlyitssuccessonthecourt,butalsoacademically.Theyswim!Theyrun!Theyscore!ButdidyouknowthatUMBC'sStudentAthletesalsoconductresearchandcreateart?CheckouttheseStudent Athleteswho presentedtheirresearchandcreativeworkatURCADorwhoareURAScholars:
2018URCADPresentersHannahAris,Engineering (CrossCountry/TrackandField)URAScholarCharacterizationofCMI-7000MembraneforImplementationinResourceRecoverySystemsCourtneyCulp,VisualArts(Soccer)ColorofMe(Animatedfilm)MatthewKane,BiologicalSciences(CrossCountry/TrackandField)URAScholarScratchingthe SurfaceofBahamaOriolePineForestNestingCourtney Mattson,BiologicalSciences(CrossCountry/TrackandField)TheRoleofOlfactoryCuesinMaleMateChoicein Etheostoma zonaleJethroSsengonzi,Engineering(Swimming)SurfacePhenomenaDrivingNaturalSurfaces
2018-19URAScholarsMilesSmith,MechanicalEngineering(CrossCountry/TrackandField)MultidisciplinaryPiezoelectricEnergyHarvestingResearchforWindTurbineMonitoringSystemsMatthewKane,BiologicalSciences(CrossCountry/TrackandField)CatsandRatsvs.theBahamaOriole:AssessingtheThreatofInvasiveSpeciestoaCriticallyEndangeredSpecies
StudentAthlete,MatthewKaneatURCAD
“WhenIthinkaboutwhoweareasaninstitutionandwhathappenedlastnight,itrepresentswhatwetellourstudents:Ifyouworkhard,therecanbethesespecialmomentswhereyou’removingtowardgreatness,”saidtheuniversity’spresident.Morethanthewinlastnight,Dr.Hrabowski saidhewasproudofwhatelsewasondisplay:adiversegroupinthestands,intheband,onthedanceteam.“YousawintheUMBCcommunitywhatAmericawantstobe.”
-- Dr.FreemanA.Hrabowski,III,UMBCPresidentoninclusiveexcellence,quotedintheNewYorkTimes
2018… itwasaverygoodyear
45
HistoryTheideaforTheOfficeofUndergraduateEducation(OUE)camefromtheHonorsUniversityTaskForceReport,“EducatingUndergraduatesinaPublicHonorsResearchUniversityintheTwenty-FirstCentury”,inMay,2000.TheHonorsUniversityTaskForcewaschargedtouseUMBC’svision:Weaspiretocontinueourdevelopmentasanhonorsuniversitywhichseekstocombinethetraditionsoftheliberalartsacademy,thecreativeintensityoftheresearchuniversity,andthesocialresponsibilityofthepublicuniversitytoguideitindefiningelementsofanHonorsUniversityexperienceandinrecommendingthemeanstotransformtheaspirationsintoaprogramofaction.TheTaskForcewastoconsiderwhatopportunitiesandexperiencesUMBCshouldoffereachofitsundergraduatestudents.OUEwasformallyestablishedin2005,butmanyofitscurrentprogramspre-date2005.Duringthatpre-OUEperiod,(1996-2005),Dr.DianeLeeandBethPenningtonwereworkingwithsomeactivitiesthatbecamecomprehensiveOUEprograms.ForerunnersofOUEprogramsthatpre-dateOUEinclude:IntroductiontoanHonorsUniversity(1994)andFirstYearSeminars(1996);activitiesfosteringundergraduateresearchincludingUndergraduateResearchAwards(1996),UndergraduateResearchandCreativeAchievementDay(1997),TheUMBCReview(2000);theWomen’sCenter(1999);andTheNewStudentBookExperience(2004).Manyoftheseinitiatives,suchasUMBC’sannualUndergraduateResearchandCreativeAchievementDay(URCAD)wererareandinnovativeactivitiesonuniversitycampuseswhentheybeganin1997.URCADisnowanintegralandsuccessfulpartoftheUMBCculture.
Whilemanyuniversityunits,includingdeans’offices,academicdepartments,specialtyprogramssuchasMcNairandMeyerhoff,andtheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforResearch,playessentialrolesinsupportingundergraduateresearch,UAA’sinvolvementservesstudentsfromallcollegesanddepartments.UR/PSprogrammingtakesfourforms:providingvenuesforstudentstodemonstratetheirresearch,scholarship,andcreativework;allocatingfinancialsupporttoindividualstudentsfortheirresearch;facilitatingstudentengagementinresearch;andsupportingstudentswhoareapplyingforprestigiousscholarships.
InJanuary,2017,OUEDeanDianeLeeandJanetMcGylnn,DirectorofCommunicationsforOUEbothretired,andInterimDeanSimonStaceytookleadershipforoneyearbeforeDeanKatharineColewaspermanentlyhiredinAugustof2017.McGlynn’s positionwasfilledbyDr.AprilHouseholder,withthetitleofDirectorofUndergraduateResearchandPrestigiousScholarships.Thisisthefirsttimethattherehasbeenadedicatedstaffmemberwho’srole(10%)isfocusedonprestigiousscholarshipsactivities.InJune,2018,undertheleadershipofDeanKatharineCole,OUEdissolvedintotenunits,undertheDivisionofUndergraduateAcademicAffairs(UAA):AcademicEngagementandTransitionPrograms;AcademicStandardsandPolicyAdministration;HonorsCollege,InterdisciplinaryStudies;LearningResourcesCenter;Meyerhoff ScholarsProgram;OfficeofAcademicOpportunityPrograms;ShermanSTEMTeacherScholarsProgram;UndergraduateResearchandPrestigiousScholarships;Women’sCenter.
Passingthetorch:JanetMcGlynn andAprilHouseholder
46
StaffTheOfficeofUndergraduateResearchandPrestigiousScholarshipsoffersyear-roundprogrammingtofacilitateandpromoteundergraduateresearchandnationallycompetitivescholarships.Weareasmallofficewithalargemissionthatcontributestorecruitingandeducatinghighlymotivatedstudentsinallfieldsofstudy.Supportforon-goingprofessionalizationandtrainingofpersonnelcomesfromwithinthedivision.TheprogrammingbudgetforFY2017-18was$101,000.
Full-timeAprilHouseholder(90%UR,10%PS)DirectorofUndergraduateResearchandPrestigiousScholarships
SupportStaffDevonFick(SharedwithUAA)AdministrativeAssistantII
MichaelMower(SharedwithUAA)IT,Web,andGraphicDesignSpecialist
DeniseKedzierski (SharedwithUAA)AdministrativeAssistantI
KelseyHood(SharedwithUAA)StudentOfficeAssistant
47
UndergraduateResearchandPrestigiousScholarshipsDivisionofUndergraduateAcademicAffairs114ShermanHall,A-wingContact:[email protected]