The College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT) Research Day was held on April 19, 2024. Undergraduate and graduate students across the college presented their research covering a range of topics.

Congratulations to the CBEE students who received COEIT Research Day Poster Awards. Poster presenters are in bold. 

Bachelor Student Poster Awards

Authors: Tithi Prajapati, Mike Tolosa, Venkatesh Srinivasan, and Dr. Govind Rao
Department: Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering
Poster Title: Affordable Hand-held Portable Spectroscopy Technology for PAT applications

Authors: Mesha Shajahan, Preety Ahuja, and Dr. Govind Rao
Department: Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering
Poster Title: Polymer-Carbon Composite for Wearable Transcutaneous CO₂ Sensor

Doctoral Student Poster Awards

Authors: Revati Kadolkar, Vikash Kumar, Venkatesh Srinivasan, Sanjeev Kumar Ujjain, Dr. Douglas Frey, Dr. Govind Rao
Department: Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering
Poster Title: Development of a Novel Analytical Sensor Utilizing Ni-NTA and His-tag Affinity for At-Line Quantitative Analysis of Binding Proteins

Honorable Mention – Student Poster Awards

Authors: Alexander G. Doan, Matthew S. Quintanilla, Jessica E. Schafer, Casey M. Douglas, Meredith E. Morse, Dela-Joshua K. Dayie, Kay T. Latt, Julianna C. Wasiuta, Steven D. Harris, and Dr. Mark R. Marten
Department: Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering
Poster Title: Crosstalk Between Aspergillus nidulans CWIS and SIN Pathways Under Cell Wall Stress

Authors: Amir Babaei Gharehbagh, Rose Taylor, Joy Kiguru, Alyssa M. Burns, Ann Marie G. Carlton, and Dr. Christopher J. Hennigan
Department: Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering
Poster Title: Effects of Inorganic Salts and pH on the Gas-Aqueous Partitioning of Formic Acid and Acetic Acid

Authors: Elias Gilotte, Chad Sundberg, Hasib Hasan, and Dr. Govind Rao
Department: Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering
Poster Title: Developing an Online ATP Sensor for Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Monitoring

Judges

Thank you to the Research Day Poster Judges for all their help review of posters, specifically,
Jorge Almodovar (CBEE).

An Dang ’24: A chemical engineer who helped pull off a big student conference

By: Catherine Meyers | Published: May 21, 2024 | UMBC NEWS

An Dang ’24, chemical engineering, an international student from Vietnam, arrived at UMBC in 2021 as a transfer student from Montgomery College. When switching colleges, she also switched majors: from biology to chemical engineering. She quickly became involved in activities in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering and this year helped the student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) pull together a major student conference for the first time. 

Q: What drew you to UMBC?

A: I talked to Mark Marten, the chair of the Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering (CBEE), and I got the sense that the department is small and they really support their students. That caring environment is what I wanted. It’s also, honestly, an affordable option.

Q: Who were some of your mentors?

A: I’m working in the lab of Lee Blaney, one of the environmental engineering professors. He’s my research advisor and really helped me navigate the process of applying to grad school. In the fall, I’m going to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to pursue my Ph.D. And Neha Raikar, a senior lecturer in the department, devotes so much of her time to making sure students are supported. She’s like a motherly figure for a lot of us.

Q: What clubs and activities were you involved in?

A: I was a CBEE student ambassador. We went to high schools and community colleges to advertise the department and answer student questions. I’m also involved in the AIChE student chapter. At first I was the service chair and I mostly helped with planning K-12 outreach events. This year, we hosted the AIChE Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference and I was on the planning committee. I was in charge of corporate and university relations—I helped secure sponsors for the conference, and made sure we had funding.

Q: What were some of the skills you developed serving in these roles?

A: I’m not an extrovert, and being in these roles forced me to go out of my comfort zone. I learned how to speak professionally with people in higher positions, so they take me seriously, and maybe even want to give us money. The other big thing I realized is that no matter how well I prepare, sometimes things will go wrong, and that’s okay. We all need to give ourselves grace.

Q: How did it feel to host a big conference?

A: It was a lot of hard work! The student organizers spent a lot of time together, and we really got to know each other well and develop close relationships. There are only 28 people from the department in my graduating class, and many of them are in AIChE. When the conference went well, it felt great!

Q: What other places did you find community at UMBC?

A: I am an international student, and I worked for International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). I got to know some of the staff in the office really well. One problem that I ran into while I was here is that I lost my social security card. I had a lot of challenges getting a new one because there was a mix-up in the social security office with my middle and first name. ISSS helped me write a very good letter to justify my case, and I finally got my card. I’m very grateful that I got that help from them because it’s an important piece of documentation.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

A: I’m continuing in chemical engineering and plan to go to grad school to study catalysis engineering, which is studying how to speed up chemical reactions. I’d like to work in industry, particularly in the field of renewable energy. Anything that helps with the environment—that’s what I want to focus on.

Photo credit: An Dang (Marlayna Demond '11/UMBC)

Nelanne Bolima, ‘24 chemical engineering, biotechnology & bioengineering track was honored as the Black Undergraduate Student of the Year award by the Black Graduate Student Organization (BGSO). This recognition emphasizes Nelanne's dedication to excellence and her significant contributions to the community.

In her gratitude, Nelanne extends heartfelt thanks to her peers, mentors, and the BGSO and NSBE community for their unwavering support and inspiration. Motivated by this honor, Nelanne pledges to continue striving for excellence and making positive impacts.

Read more about Nelanne’s research in Dr. Mark Marten’s lab: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/cbee/posts/133755

Watch: A recap of URCAD 2024

UMBC’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) returned earlier this month for its 28th year, bringing together more than 400 student presenters and the broader university community for a day filled with posters, performances, demonstrations, and much more. 

With excitement and energy in the air of the University Center, undergraduate students—many accompanied by faculty mentors—presented a broad range of research and creative projects to peers, family, friends, and inquiring minds of all kinds. The day included a film festival, interactive video game demonstrations, musical performances, a photography and painting exhibition, as well as poster board and oral presentations from students across colleges. 

Among this year’s group of presenters was Chiad Onyeje ’24, chemical engineering, who explained the research he’s worked on for nearly three years to develop “spherical shells that we can use as internal Band-Aids” he said in this URCAD 2024 recap video. 

“URCAD is different from any other presentations that I’ve been able to give on my research thus far. It really felt like a celebration in comparison,” said Onyeje. “I could go in, have a good time, talk about my research to interested parties, and share why I love this project so much—because it can help people.”

Congratulations to all CBEE students who participated in the URCAD 2024!

Read more about all CBEE participants: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/cbee/posts/141053

On April 10, 2024, hundreds of research posters, oral presentations, dance performances, films, interactive games, and much more were hosted in the University Center and other venues around campus, all presented by UMBC’s undergraduate students. 

Congratulations to all CBEE students who participated in the event!

Alvin Bett | Influence of Solution PH On PFAS Accumulation in a Novel Equilibrium Passive Sampler | Lee Blaney | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

An Dang | Phosphate Recovery By Donnan Dialysis: Impact of Operating Parameters in a Batch-Recycle Reactor | Lee Blaney | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Casey Douglas | Phenotypic Characterization of an Aspergillus Nidulans ∆mpkA∆hogA Strain | Mark R. Marten | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Evalynn Ellison | A Synthetic Data Generator to Accelerate Machine Learning Algorithm Development | Brandon DeKosky | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Elias Gilotte | Online ATP Monitoring in Cell-Free Protein Synthesis | Govind Rao | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Garrett Hill | Phenotypic Characterization of Aspergillus Nidulans Protein Kinase PrkA | Mark Marten | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Raey Hunde | Advancing In Vitro Tissue Models: The Development of an Innovative High Throughput Model of the Colon | Erin Lavik | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Terra Miley | Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Magnesium Sensor to be Used in an Industrial Cell-Free Bioreactor | Govind Rao | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Meredith Morse | Characterizing the Aspergillus Nidulans Kinase Deletion Library For Septation in Response to Cell Wall Stress | Mark Marten | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Chiad Onyeje | Verification of Hemostatic Nanocapsules Through Rotational Thromboelastometry Analysis | Erin Lavik | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Tatiana Perez | Phenotypic Characterization of the Aspergillus Nidulans Double-deletion Mutant ΔmpkAΔnrc2 \ Mark Marten | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Matthew Quintanilla | High Throughput Screens to Discover Uncharacterized Cell Wall Signaling Kinases in Aspergillus Nidulans | Mark Marten | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Andrea Sequeira | Characterization of ΔmpkAΔsnf1 Double Deletion Strain in Aspergillus Nidulans | Mark Marten | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Meet a CBEE-er! Kelsey Gray is a Ph.D. Student in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at UMBC. Hear about why he chose UMBC, what research he's working on, and what he loves about the chemical and biochemical engineering program at UMBC!

“When I visited this place it felt like home. The support, the way I was welcomed, I knew I had to be here.” -- Kelsey Gray, Ph.D. student, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering 

To learn more about Graduate Programs in UMBC's Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, visit us at: https://cbee.umbc.edu/grad/

Watch all CBEE-er Profiles

Meet a CBEE-er! Joshua Dayie is a Chemical Engineering major on the Biotechnology and Bioengineering track. Hear about why he chose UMBC, what research he's working on, and what he loves about the chemical engineering program!

"There [are] really great mentors that guide you through every single step of the way and help you feel prepared every single semester that you’re here." - Joshua Dayie

To learn more about Undergraduate Program in UMBC's Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, visit us at: https://cbee.umbc.edu/academics/prospective-undergrads/

Watch all CBEE-er Profiles

Meet a CBEE-er! Meredith Morse is a Chemical Engineering major on the Biotechnology and Bioengineering track. Hear about why she chose UMBC, what research she's working on, and what she loves about the chemical engineering program!

"The professors really make themselves approachable and it’s given a lot of opportunities for me to connect with them and find mentors" - Meredith Morse

To learn more about Undergraduate Program in UMBC's Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, visit us at: https://cbee.umbc.edu/academics/prospective-undergrads/

Watch all CBEE-er Profiles

Students discover the beauty of mold and mentorship in Mark Marten’s UMBC lab

High school research leads to UMBC

Networks nourish growth

A closing chapter and a new beginning

** Originally published in UMBC's Undergraduate Research Group** 

Meet Garrett Hill, a FOUR-TIME URA Scholar! 

Garrett attended Mount Hebron High School in Howard County, where he had the opportunity to participate in the Biotechnology Career Academy at the Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL) program and conduct research at UMBC during his senior year at Hebron. He is a senior Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major, a Meyerhoff Scholar, and conducts research in the Marten lab.

Research Title: Characterization of the PrkA Protein Kinase in Aspergillus nidulans

Describe your project:

My project aims to investigate the way that mold repairs its cell wall after damage and how the cell organizes structures related to this repair. New understandings gained through this research can contribute to how we use fungi to make drugs and enzymes and may even help others to design new antifungal medications.

Who is your mentor for your project? 

I work with Dr. Mark R. Marten in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering. As a high school senior, I was a part of a program that allowed me to participate in research at neighboring institutions, and I came across Dr. Marten and his lab when searching for research I may be interested in. After meeting and talking about the work done in the lab, something that stood out to me was how Dr. Marten stressed the importance of project ownership. Being the “expert” in the lab on a project gives students a unique level of both responsibility and drive, and this is what drew me to joining his lab.

How did you become interested in this project?

Before starting work on this project, I had assisted some graduate students with their projects, and that’s when I learned that I had an interest in both the molecular genetics and the fluorescence microscopy that we do in our lab. This project seemed to combine both interests, so I decided to choose it when looking for a project of my own.

What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher? 

Something that really took getting used to was the number of setbacks I faced in my project. I quickly learned that in research, it takes many tries to get something right, and failure became much more familiar to me throughout my journey as an undergraduate researcher.

What has been the most rewarding part?

I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to engage in research at almost every stage a projects life. I started with comprehensive literature reviews, where I then formulated my own hypotheses, and under the guidance of my mentor, I designed experiments to test these hypotheses. I also got experience communicating my science in conferences and presentations, allowing me to get a great view of what research really feels like.

How will you disseminate your research?

I plan to present my research next spring at URCAD and look forward to the prospect of attending conferences to potentially present my work.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?

I think getting involved in research can seem a little daunting at first, so I would recommend that people just take the leap! There is a lot of exciting research being done at UMBC, so I would say to just see what’s out there and if something seems interesting, reach out to the lab to see if you can get involved. Now is the time to experiment and see what you want to do in your career, and there are many mentors here that could help you on that journey.

What are your career goals?

After graduating UMBC, I plan to pursue a PhD in microbiology. The prospect of staying in academia and becoming a mentor for others is exciting to me, but I also look forward to exploring what other career paths I might be able to follow after graduate school.

Read more about UMBC's URA Scholars:

ur.umbc.edu