The UMBC LSAMP 2022-2023 Annual Report highlights involvement in the UMBC LOUIS STOKES ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION (LSAMP) program. LSAMP participants have access to individualized advising, campus workshops, funded research experiences, and national and international conferences to strengthen their STEM identity and promote entry into top graduate programs. 

We want to specifically celebrate the achievements of those pursuing their bachelors of science in chemical engineering and the departmental faculty supporting their efforts. 

ANNUAL BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE FOR MINORITIZED STUDENTS (ABRCMS) (Page 11)

Name| Major| Topic | Faculty Advisor

Evalynn Ellison | Chemical Engineering | Molecular Biotechnology | Dr. Brandon DeKosky

Ariel Wilson-Gray | Chemical Engineering | Bioengineering | Dr. Tamara Kinzer-Ursem 

SUMMER 2023 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (Page 27)

Name and Class | Major |Topic| Faculty Mentor | University

Nhyira Ghunney ‘24 | Biological Sciences | Tissue Engineering | Dr. Erin Lavik | UMBC 

Amaya Johnson ‘25 | Biological Sciences | Tissue Engineering | Dr. Erin Lavik | UMBC

CLASS OF 2023 GRADUATING FELLOWS AND POST-GRADUATION PLANS (Page 34-35)

Joana Hernandez Chemical Engineering Prospective Graduate Student

Diego Iglesias Vega Chemical Engineering Graduate Student at MIT

Rachel Myers Chemical Engineering PhD Student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The UMBC LSAMP 2021-2022 Annual Report highlights involvement in the UMBC LOUIS STOKES ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION (LSAMP) program. LSAMP participants have access to individualized advising, campus workshops, funded research experiences, and national and international conferences to strengthen their STEM identity and promote entry into top graduate programs. 

"...sometimes you feel as if you're not making much progress but then you come to understand that your data can be helpful to others. My PI has taught me that my role in the research lab is valuable and that routine observations can lead to progress in an experiment. "

- Excerpt From A Chemical Engineering Major '23 Research Reflection -

FALL 2021 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (Pg 26 )

Name and Class | Major | Topic | Faculty Mentor | University

• Kaiya Meggett '25 | Pre-Chemical Engineering | Genetics | Dr. Jeff Leips | UMBC

SPRING 2022 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP  PROGRAM (pg 27)

• Makayla Headley ‘22 | Chemical Engineering | Engineering Education | Dr. Jamie Gurganus | UMBC
• Ouriel Ndalamba ‘23 | Chemical Engineering | Toxicological Chemistry | Dr. Lee Blaney | UMBC
• Diego Iglesias Vega ‘23 | Chemical Engineering | Toxicological Chemistry | Dr. Lee Blaney | UMBC 

"As I increase my involvement in my research project, I begin to appreciate the knowledge I have acquired over my academic career. Knowledge that I previously thought would be unnecessary began to gain purpose in my head as I used it everyday in the lab. Even topics that I knew would be important in my future career were very abstract. But to my surprise and relief, I was able to apply the concepts earlier than expected as an undergraduate researcher. This turned these abstract ideas and theoretical concepts into a useful tool that made my job possible and easier." 

- Excerpt From A Chemical Engineering Major '23 Research Reflection -

SUMMER 2022 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (pg 34)

FALL 2022 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 

Faculty Spotlight (pg 33)

CLASS OF 2022 GRADUATING FELLOWS AND POST-GRADUATION PLANS (pg 40)

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

Madison McLaren 

Where did you conduct your research: 

Dr. Hennigan's lab, UMBC

When did you start your research on campus?

I started my research in June of 2022. I was partnered with Dr. Hennigan through the LSAMP program, which I participated in during the summer of 2022. For the fall semester, I was hired under Dr. Hennigan as an undergraduate student researcher and I plan to continue to research in the lab until graduation in May of 2023.

What is the focus of your research/internship?

The focus of my research is to study brown carbon content in cloud water. Brown carbon is light absorbing organic material that has an effect on climate change.

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

Reach out to professors and do your research on other clubs and organizations on campus. Your connections are your best bet in getting involved in a lab.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

AIChE, Tau Beta Pi. 

What are your goals after graduation?

I will be attending Rice University to obtain a PhD in biomedical engineering starting Fall 2023

Learn more about Madison McLaren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclrmadison/ 

John Velkey, '23 chemical engineering - traditional track, mathematics minor

When was the internship? 
Summer 2022

Where was the internship? 
Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, in Newport News, Virginia

What was the focus of your research/internship?
As the Plant Utilities Operations Engineering Intern, John provided facilities and utilities engineering support. 

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?
Apply early, apply often, consider a wide range of internships/research fields

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?
John works for the UMBC Undergraduate Admissions Office.

What are your goals after graduation?
John would like to pursue a career in industry after graduation. 

Learn more about John Velkey:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-velkey-2a3507189 

Kaylyn Stewart,‘24, chemistry

Blaney Lab, UMBC

When did you start your research on campus? Fall 2021

What is the focus of your research? I work on improving the efficiency of recovering nutrients and contaminants from wastewater systems via Donnan Dialysis in Dr. Lee Blaney’s lab. 

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research on campus? It is definitely intimidating, joining a research lab where you basically know nothing. But you’re not expected to know everything! You learn as you go, from other members of the lab, the PI, and from doing a little bit of reading on your own. It also helps if the lab is doing research you are actually interested in; doesn’t have to be a lifetime passion, but an interest. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the PI expressing your interest!

Summer 2022: University of California-Irvine Department of Chemistry

What is the focus of your research/internship?

Studying the microenvironment of electrode surfaces under ionomer coatings

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

It's a good idea to start looking earlier rather than later for internships/REU programs. A lot of the applications are due around winter break. Also, even if you're not sure if research is for you, apply!!! That's the best way to find out. It's truly an amazing and rewarding experience, especially if you apply to a research program at another university. They typically pay for your housing, food, flight, and you get paid a stipend! Plus, you get to experience a new part of the country and meet some new people along the way.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

American Chemical Society Student Chapter (President)

What are your goals after graduation?

I plan on attending graduate school to pursue my Ph.D.

Learn more about Kaylyn Stewart: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylyn-stewart-a163121b3/

Twitter: @krstewart02 

Did you participate in a summer research opportunity or a summer internship? Tell us more about it

What is the focus of your research/internship?

What is the focus of your research/internship?

Did you participate in a summer research opportunity or a summer internship? Tell us more about it