Title of your research project: Spiderwebs for Long-Term Air Quality Monitoring 

Describe your project: Our team’s research focuses on determining whether spatial differences in heavy metal air pollution can be detected at small scales by collecting and analyzing the webs of Agelenidae spiders. 

Who is your mentor(s) for your project? I work under graduate student, Nava Rastegar in GES. I found my mentor through Dr. Hawn; Nava reached out to me to explain the ropes behind working in the Hawn research lab, and she has been a great support to me since we met. This is one of the reasons why I asked her to be my mentor, in addition to her patience and guidance through everything pertaining to this research. 

How did you become interested in this project? I became interested in this project after attending a talk by Dr. Hawn for Honors College students. I found the line of research that Dr. Hawn was focused on to be very intriguing and relevant, and so I reached out to them expressing my interest in becoming a part of it. 

What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher? The onset of COVID-19 has definitely delayed the plans we initially had for this research, especially since our work includes going out into the field and collecting webs. Since not all our work can be done remotely it has slowed the progress of our timeline. However, later in the summer we are planning on returning to campus so hopefully we will be able to resume progress soon!

What has been the most rewarding part?  The most rewarding part is knowing that this work can have real-world positive implications to individual’s health. More importantly than this, however, is that it can be of greater benefit to lower-income or homeless people who do not have the technology that many of us have easily available to be able to easily be informed of the air quality in places they reside. 

How will you disseminate your research? I will present our team’s research at the URCAD in April, and also share it through the Hawn lab website, present to the GES Major department, and eventually, hopefully, publish this work in the UMBC Review. 

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research? I started working in the Hawn Lab a few months ago at the beginning of my Freshman year. I really did not have any prior research experience or qualifications except my interest in the topic, willingness to learn, and time to dedicate towards the research. Be open and reach out to mentors or professors who’s research you might be interested in. There are so many labs that could use the help, and even if you don’t have much experience but possess an innate interest and are willing to put in time, then you already have so much to offer. 

What are your career goals? Currently I am on the Pre-Med track at UMBC. I am hoping to attend medical school after graduating from UMBC, but I conflicted as am also interested in pursuing an MD-PhD program; becoming involved in research has interested me in seeing what lies ahead if I continue on the research path. Time will tell…

  https://acsmaryland.org/congratulations-to-dr-lee-blaney-the-2020-braude-award-winner/

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The following survey aims to examine the mental health needs of Queer and Trans students of color at UMBC. Any information shared will be confidential. Deidentified data (data that does not contain information about an individual’s names or email address) will be presented to selected UMBC campus staff members who have an active involvement in Queer/Trans People of Color (QTPOC)-specific support to ensure that the campus is working to provide the needed mental health services for students within this community. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jen Martinez (pronouns: they/them) at jenm@umbc.edu.

This session will take place on Thursday, June 18th from 10:30-11:30a.m. We also highly encourage you to follow the Restorative Retriever myUMBC group for future learning opportunities. 

Description and registration link below:

The Women's Center continues to provide support and services remotely Monday through Friday throughout the summer. We encourage campus community members to contact us through email at womenscenter@umbc.edu. The summer is a critical time for staff to prepare and plan for the fall semester and we appreciate your patience in our email response.

Throughout this time, community building, care, and support remain central to our mission even though the way we deliver those services look different right now. We know that, even though UMBC's campus is closed and summer classes remain online, our students, faculty, and staff will continue needing support and community -- and the Women's Center hopes to continue doing what we do best to strengthen this campus! 

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To report and seek services for incidents related to sexual violence, relationship violence, and all other sexual misconduct, complete the online form located on the Office of Equity and Inclusion's website.  TurnAround's 24/7 helpline is 443-279-0379. For a full list of off-campus resources, visit Retriever Courage.

For UMBC community members who need access to healthy food and other essential supplies visit Retriever Essentials or the myUMBC Retriever Essentials group for up-to-date information on how to access food and toiletry items. The UMBC Campus Police Department is a designated Food Zone and remains opens during this time for  community members needing pre-packed bags of nutritionally balanced nonperishable food and travel size toiletry items. To pick up a bag, contact the Campus Police at (410) 455-5555. If you need assistance connecting with the Retriever Essentials team, the Women's Center is happy to assist you! 

For information about Academic Success Center's services and support (tutoring, Writing Center, SI Pass, academic advocates, etc.) visit their website.

For access to health and human services information ,visit 2-1-1 Maryland or dial 2-1-1. 

For UMBC-related COVID-19 updates, visit covid19.umbc.edu or email covid19@umbc.edu

Hello Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Center community, 

https://technical.ly/baltimore/2020/06/02/listen-to-the-voices-of-these-10-black-baltimore-technologists-right-now/?utm_campaign=Baltimore%20Editorial%20Email&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=88884964&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-94Bfyj16KgBkt8D0GbhFuUZDAQeIWW930afUjRSFZ2WEiom6AWMqu8HjeHZUOv3orEGCEwvG6DvN5Epx1ivydl-Drqaw&utm_content=88884964&utm_source=hs_email&fbclid=IwAR1dGfr_Mk3kt5WnbXKFdSeg3rhJPwis1AXRsFq0dsJ7FyWHsX1hUsefum4