Pavan Umashankar, '24 chemical engineering - biotechnology &  bioengineering track

When did you start your Research Experience?

Spring 2022 - ongoing

Where is your Research Experience?

Padmanabhan Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, UMBC

What is the focus of your Research Experience ?

I am studying the molecular pathways that regulate protein stability and turnover of ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (USP15) in ovarian cancer cells. USP15 has been implicated in ovarian cancer progression and metastasis, thus study of USP15's roles in the disease is key to constructing a better understanding of ovarian cancer and to develop more effective therapeutic options.

What was the best part of your Research Experience OR What was the biggest learning moment of your Research Experience ?

My biggest learning moments have been with regard to understanding and dealing with experimental failure. More often than not, it is likely that your experiment is not going to work as you intended the first time around (at least, this has been the case for me)! I have grown to understand that failure is especially integral to research, where we are constantly trying to explore unknown territory, and that it offers opportunities to learn new skills, knowledge, or even change research directions! This has helped me grow resilient as a scientist and better appreciate the research process.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

For a young scientist/professional seeking their first experience, it is so much more important to find a supportive environment than finding the "perfect" research/internship topic. Use your network of peers and faculty to check that the program is a good fit for your growth; Your research/professional interests will continue to develop as you gain more experiences.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

Meyerhoff Scholars Program, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Tau Beta Pi, Teaching Fellow for ENCH 215 (Summer & Fall 2022)

What are your goals after graduation?

I plan to continue to pursue my research interests before matriculating into physician-scientist training programs

Learn more about Pavan Umashankar: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavan-umashankar/ 

Daniel Sebrosky,‘24 chemical engineering - environmental engineering & sustainability track

When did you do your Research Experience?

Summer 2023. As part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) https://www.ndsu.edu/cpm/summer_undergraduate_research_experience/

Where was your Research Experience ?

Dr. Andriy Voronov, Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials, North Dakota State University

What is the focus of your Research?

Nanoparticle synthesis

What are you looking forward to the most about your Research Experience? 

I am excited to see North Dakota and learn more about the research in my field.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

Use your resources. Don't be afraid to ask your friends or professors if they have any internship recommendations or connections that you can use to your benefit.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

Teaching fellow, CBEE student ambassador, AIChE

What are your goals after graduation?

My goal is to do anything involved with the environment after I graduate.

Learn more about Daniel Sebrosky: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-sebrosky-26b45a255 

Jasmine Ives, '26 chemical engineering - environmental engineering & sustainability track

When did you begin your research experience?

May 2023

Where was your research experience ?

Ghosh Lab at UMBC

What is the focus of your research experience?

The focus of my research is to analyze the organic carbon content in soil samples. This relates to how the soil will adhere to PCBs in water.

What was the best part of your OR What was the biggest learning moment of your research experience ?

The best part of my research experience so far has been the willingness of members of the lab to teach me new things as I am starting out. I have also enjoyed learning new concepts as well as getting to see their applications directly in the lab.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

My advice for students who are interested in getting involved in research would be to reach out to professors who do research you are interested in.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

I am a member of Society of Women Engineers. I am a part of the C21 cohort of Center for Women in Technology (CWIT). I am hoping to become a peer mentor for CWIT next semester. 

What are your goals after graduation?

My goals for after graduation are to go into industry or continue with research. 

Learn more about Jasmine Ives: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-ives-964a8a23a/ 

Nelanne Bolima,‘24 chemical engineering - biotechnology & bioengineering track

When did you start your Research?

Fall 2021

Where was your Research Experience?

Marten Lab

What is the focus of your Research?

My research focuses on understanding the physical and mechanical properties of mycelial materials, made with the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Our goal is to eventually make mycelial materials that are able to mimic the properties of traditional materials (e.g., plastic) but have greater sustainability.. 

What was the best part of your Research Experience / What was the biggest learning moment of your Research?

The best part about my research experience in the intrinsic mentorship that comes with being in a research lab. My graduate student mentor and PI provide such a warm and supportive environment. 

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

Just try it! Research seems very intimidating as there is no clear solution for the problem you want to solve. But even performing research for one semester will give you invaluable skills such as communication, presenting, and even critical thinking. 

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

UMBC National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) President, CBEE 225L Teaching Fellow, AiChE, Meyerhoff/U-RISE

What are your goals after graduation?

I hope to pursue an MD-PhD in predictive medicine. Long-term I plan to entire academia and ideally become a professor teaching future scientists. 

Learn more about Nelanne Bolima: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelannebolima/

Shawn Serafin, ‘23 chemical engineering - traditional track, minor in chemistry

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

When did you do your Research Experience?

Hennigan’s Lab: May 2021-May 2022

Where was your Research Experience?

I worked in Dr. Hennigan’s Lab in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering at UMBC.

What is the focus of your Research Experience?

I focused on two different projects. The first project focused on characterizing the solubility of environmentally relevant gasses into salt solutions with varying conditions. The second project focused on characterizing the effect of pH on the presence of brown carbon with cloud water samples.

What was the best part of your Research Experience?

Our periodical meetings with Dr. Henningan where we learned about new ideas and projects, presented and discussed ongoing results, and recalibrated and refreshed our efforts.

INTERNSHIP

When did you do your Internship?

May 2022-May 2023. I went for a summer in-person, and continued remotely during the 2022-2023 school year. 

Where was your Internship?

I went to Santa Fe Springs, CA, for an summer in-person and continued remotely during the school year.

What is the focus of your Internship?

Process/Manufacturing Engineering of Carbon-Carbon Composite Plane Brakes

What was the best part of your OR What was the biggest learning moment of your Internship?

The unexpected test failures of parts that required fast, on your feet thinking, and lots of extra long hours of work and thinking.

More about Shawn…

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

Start with on campus research: show interest in a professor’s research and try to get involved. Then, utilize that relevant experience to build your knowledge and interests. Finally, work to attend as many career fairs as possible to speak with people and try to show interest in their work and be likable, and the opportunities will come flowing in. Become more than just another name on the page. 

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

I am a member of Tau Beta Pi, The Engineering Honor Society. I was the treasurer for the 21-22 academic year and the president for the 22-23 academic year. I have also been a teaching fellow for the CBEE department every regular semester since I was eligible.

What are your goals after graduation?

I have a position at Northrop Grumman as a Systems Engineer in the pathways program. Perhaps, I will move into a more managerial position, and then farther down the line I will run various business ventures.

Learn more about Shawn Serafin: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-serafin

An Dang, '24 chemical engineering - biotechnology & bioengineering track

When did you do your research/internship?
May 2023

Where was your research experience?
Purdue University, with Dr. Brandon Boor, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering

What is the focus of your research/internship?
Air filtration

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?
Make sure to start looking for opportunities as early as late October, and start asking your Professors/supervisors for recommendations early!

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?
I was a teaching fellow for ENCH225L in Fall 2022 and Spring 2023, we mainly graded homework, quizzes, exams, held review sessions, and had office hours. I am a CBEE ambassador. I help run the tiktok account, attend outreach and recruitment events, and give department tours to prospective students. I am an ISSS Global ambassador: I answer prospective students' questions on Unibuddy, write blogs (sometimes...), and film promotional videos for UMBC. I am also involved in the UMBC chapter of AIChE, I am the 2023-2024 service chair. 

What are your goals after graduation?
Industry or Graduate school

Learn more about An Dang: ✓ @anhongdang (Twitter) Check out An Dang’s profile on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anhongdang 

When did you start your research experience?

May 2022 in Hennigan Lab UMBC, Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering

What is the focus of your research/internship?

Our project looks at the evolution of brown carbon molecules in cloud water when exposed to changes in pH or UV radiation, and how this affects their light absorbing properties. We are currently performing experiments in photolysis, where light splits these organic compounds that changes their interaction with light and thus, their effects on climate. Light absorption is important for understanding how atmospheric aerosols can increase or decrease global warming.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

If there are topics you learn about in class such as water treatment, air pollution, etc that seem interesting or you want to learn more about, there is probably a UMBC professor who is actually doing research that is advancing our understanding of that topic!

Meredith Morse
'25 chemical engineering - biotechnology & bioengineering track, 

When did you start your research?

January 2021 in MartenLab at UMBC, Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering

What is the focus of your research?

I am focused on characterizing the Aspergillus nidulans kinase deletion library for increased septation in response to cell wall stress. More broadly, I use microscopy techniques to investigate gene deletions in filamentous fungus in order to determine the gene products' role in the upkeep and repair of the cell wall. 

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

Do not be afraid to reach out to professors, older students, or others for advice! Getting involved can seem overwhelming, especially when you do not know where to start. Turning to those with experience can be really helpful as they can provide guidance and mentorship. The real world advice and support they can provide is invaluable as you discover your own path. 

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

Center for Women in Technology (CWIT) Scholars Program, Phi Mu Fraternity for Women

What are your goals after graduation?

PhD in Chemical Engineering