This is Mr. Randy P. Blott of the Southern Port Area (garret).  He predicts that he will win the URCAD selfie contest.

"I believe in myself," noted Blott, who works in a factory and enjoys crashing sleds into trees in his spare time. "I read some magazines and half a book and I think I have a handle on who I am, what I can do, the power of ME. So, I feel like I'll win."

Think you can beat Mr. Randy P. Blott?

Upload your original photos to FaceBook and/or Twitter using  #umbcURCAD for a chance to win one of four gift cards to the UMBC Bookstore!

Categories:

• Best overall selfie: Take a photo with a UMBC celebrity (President Hrabowski, Provost Rous, Dean Cole…) or get creative!
• Best with mentor
• Best with family member
• Best with student presentation/poster

The contest starts on the evening of April 24 and will continue until the 27th at 6:00 p.m. To be eligible to win the contest, you must follow the steps outlined below including uploading your original photo to FaceBook, Instagram or Twitter using #umbcURCAD.

This is Ms. Constance (Connie) Throneberry of the Deep Suburban Western Area.  She predicts that she will quite easily win the URCAD selfie contest.

"I have hundreds of nearly-perfect selfies," averred Throneberry, who was interviewed while riding her bike on a treacherous mountain path. "I know that people like pictures of cats and pandas and all that, but my selfies are much more interesting."

Think you can beat Ms. Connie Throneberry?

Upload your original photos to FaceBook and/or Twitter using  #umbcURCAD for a chance to win one of four gift cards to the UMBC Bookstore!

Categories:

• Best overall selfie: Take a photo with a UMBC celebrity (President Hrabowski, Provost Rous, Dean Cole…) or get creative!
• Best with mentor
• Best with family member
• Best with student presentation/poster

The contest starts on the evening of April 24 and will continue until the 27th at 6:00 p.m. To be eligible to win the contest, you must follow the steps outlined below including uploading your original photo to FaceBook, Instagram or Twitter using #umbcURCAD.

Major: Psychology, Biology Minor; Biopsychology concentration (December '18)

Title of Research Project:  Impact of Internet Pornography and Gay Dating Apps on the Mental Health of Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM)

Describe your project:  This research is less of a research project conducted in a lab and more of an extensive literature review that's looking to examine how exactly use of pornography and dating apps impact rates of mental health in gay and bisexual college students. Various articles focusing on LGBT student health, on the connection between sexual activity in LGBT populations and mental health, how factors of race and drug use play a role in mental health rates, and overall perceptions by the general public of LGBT populations will be reviewed as I go through my research. 

Who is your mentor(s) for your project? Dr. Shuyan Sun, UMBC Department of Psychology. I found my mentor through an advertisement posted outside of her office door in the psychology department of obtaining quantitative research experience while I was looking for research experience for my major. I initially was intrigued by Dr. Sun's focus on utilizing SPSS in data collection and analysis, and the exposure to more quantitative based analysis that her lab would provide, as I was a stats minor at the time when I joined her lab in Fall 2017. She also advertised that she required all of her students to present at URCAD, and you had to be at the very least interested in presenting at URCAD in order to join her lab. 

How did you become interested in this project? After speaking more with Dr. Sun about what was required to be in her lab, I found that I could choose any research topic that I was interested in and conduct research on it, as long as it involved secondary data analysis, which basically means that I would be looking at research articles with data in them and interpreting their results and presenting them. I was inspired to conduct research on this particular topic for I wanted to investigate issues pertaining to this population, understand from a more objective viewpoint some of the negative perceptions that I held and better understand issues that I faced while exploring my sexual identity. 

What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher? The hardest part has been the time that this has taken for me to get through this, as well as actually committing to finishing the research. My data is essentially (and will be) almost 100 pages worth of text that I have to go through, sort into variables, pull quantitative data from based on trends presented in the data, and see how they match with my hypothesis. I didn't realize how extensive this would be, as well as how much I really didn't know about conducting independent research. I didn't realize how much I would learn about myself and about the topic that I was researching while going through this. 

What has been the most rewarding part? A better understanding of myself as a researcher, as well as my identity. Despite all the gloom about LGBT mental health that I found in my research that seemed to reinforce the already negative perceptions about my own sexual identity, I found that there was a lot of research going into this population to better understand these issues and create integrative solutions to solve problems with LGBT mental health, addressing increased rates of HIV, and creating a more supportive online atmosphere for LGBT individuals. 

How will you disseminate your research? A poster presentation at URCAD- this Wednesday, 10-11:30am in the UC Ballroom. 

What is your advice to other students involved in research? This may sound cliche, but for the love that all that is holy, don't procrastinate on getting your research done, especially if you are presenting at URCAD. You will find yourself rushing to get your research done, and may not have the most integrative experience in your research. Conducting research is a commitment that can be an amazing experience, though it can become a huge burden if you allow it to to slip out from underneath of you. Find a topic that you find incredibly interesting, and develop a strong working relationship with your research adviser. Not only will it make your research that much more engaging, but it will also make the process of getting your research completed and presented that much more seamless. 

What are your career goals? After graduation, I'll be heading into the workforce, though I'm most likely going into the Navy and becoming an officer. My eventual career goals would be to go to grad school to obtain a Ph.D. in psychology and either go into clinical work or conduct research.  

2018 UMBC-affiliated NSF Graduate Research Fellows:

Sarah Hemler ‘15, mechanical engineering

2018 UMBC-affiliated NSF Graduate Research Fellow Program honorable mentions:

Roy Anderson ‘16, mechanical engineering

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The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded prestigious Graduate Research Fellowships (GRF) to nine UMBC-affiliated STEM students, including seven alumni and two seniors who will soon begin their graduate studies. Their awards include a $34,000 stipend and $12,000 toward tuition and fees for each of three years.

NSF also recognized three UMBC students and five alumni with honorable mentions. Of the 17 UMBC students and alumni honored, 13 are Meyerhoff or MARC U*STAR Scholars. These programs aim to increase the number of first-generation college students, students from low-income families, and underrepresented minorities in STEM.

This large number of honorees “shows the quality of student we have here at UMBC and what they’re doing,” says Keith Harmon, director of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program. “It also shows the quality of their research experiences at UMBC, and the commitment of the faculty to mentoring these students as undergraduates.”

Students spoke to the impact of their UMBC experiences on their success. Williams includes UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski among her mentors and shares, “Honestly, I wouldn’t be at MIT pursuing a Ph.D. without UMBC.” Werner adds, “I reached out to a lot of professors here asking for advice, and every single one was more than happy to help.” He also shared his gratitude for UMBC alumni mentors Keisha John ’03, M12, biochemistry and molecular biology, and Kafui Dzirasa ’01, M8, chemical engineering. Shahir is particularly thankful for UMBC’s supportive culture, including guidance he received from Kang and John. “I believe UMBC promotes a healthy balance between cooperation and competition that has motivated me to push myself harder,” he shares, “allowing me to grow as both an aspiring scientist and as a young adult.”

The honorees are pursuing graduate study at top institutions across the nation, from UMBC and MIT to Duke and Georgia Tech. Whether students receive NSF fellowships or honorable mentions, Harmon describes this level of national recognition as very meaningful validation. “I think students are always questioning, even the most accomplished,” he says. “It’s nice for them to see yes, I can do this. Another affirmation that yes, I am on the right path. I have ability. I have something to offer. There is a place for me in STEM.”

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Image from UMBC’s Keith Porter Imaging Facility, by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

UMBC expects over 350 presenters and 2,500 guests to attend Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day on April 25, making URCAD 2018 the largest in the event’s 22-year history. The annual showcase of advanced undergraduate work offers students a chance to share with the broader community projects they have been working on for months, or even years. Through URCAD, students practice their presentation skills, get robust feedback on their work, and engage with fellow researchers to think, collaborate, and push their research in new directions.

“I am most proud of the kinds of questions these students are asking in their research and creative work,” says April Householder, director of undergraduate research and prestigious scholarships. “From developing clean air technologies or bringing awareness to human trafficking, to collaborating with local poets and creating meaningful art, UMBC undergrads are making change in the world.”

Lucas McCullum ‘18, Mechanical Engineering, explores how piezoelectric materials, which create electricity in response to mechanical stress, can be used for different purposes, including to detect tumors. He has found research to be an incredibly valuable experience and suggests it can “help a younger student to discover their passions while learning about how to successfully manage their time and critically analyze complex problems.”

McCullum, a URA scholar who works with Dr. Soobum Lee, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, particularly appreciates his research experience for teaching him how to embrace new situations where he doesn’t immediately have all the answers. “One of the most certain things in research is that you never know what is going to happen the next time you go into the lab, and the ability to be flexible and adapt to unpredictable situations is one of the most valuable experiences out there,” he says.

Whether a student goes on to graduate school or directly into a career, major projects completed in their undergraduate years can drive lifelong passions, support critical thinking, and boost an array of skills crucial to their future success. This includes everything from how to identify a problem and explain its importance to how to set project goals, see a project through to completion, accept feedback constructively, and connect with stakeholders who are impacted by the work.

Householder invites all of UMBC to support URCAD presenters by attending the event on April 25 and “asking good questions” that challenge students to think about their work in new ways. “There is something for everyone at URCAD,” she says, sharing, “I hope it inspires even more people in our community to conduct research, collaborate, mentor, and bring creativity to their work each day.”

Dozens of retired faculty and staff - and our very own Professors Emeriti Dr. Shlomo Carmi and Dr. Christian Von Kerczek - gathered in the UMBC Event Center’s Retriever Room earlier this month to celebrate the launch of the Wisdom Institute, created to foster ongoing connections between the university and its most long-standing community members. Through the Wisdom Institute, emeritus faculty and staff will have the opportunity to continue to impact UMBC’s mission and future students by attending workshops, serving as guest lecturers, and offering mentorship.

“It is your shoulders on which we stand today,” said Philip Rous, UMBC’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, during his opening remarks. “You have dedicated your lives, your careers, your heart, and your passion to building this great university.”

The Institute was established by Craig Saper, professor of language, literacy and culture, and Leslie Morgan, professor of sociology, through the support of a Hrabowski Innovation Fund grant.Diane Lee, former dean of undergraduate education, has worked to make it a reality over the past two years, with Provost Rous calling her “the heart and soul of the Institute.”

The first official members of the Wisdom Institute returned to campus for a program featuring former U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski; Naomi Mburu ‘18, chemical engineering, the first UMBC student to receive the Rhodes Scholarship; Tim Hall, director of athletics at UMBC; and Ryan Odom, head coach of the history-making UMBC men’s basketball team.

Mburu shared her gratitude for the UMBC faculty and staff who have supported her in setting high goals and moving past obstacles. She reflected that the forward-thinking attitudes of UMBC mentors and their commitment to providing opportunities and support for all students have played a major role in her experience and achievements. “The Meyerhoff Scholars Program has been vital in molding me into the confident engineer that I am now,” Mburu said. “They nurtured the fire within me to instill that sense of confidence into students around me.”

Hall and Odom discussed the success of the men’s basketball team in last month’s NCAA championship tournament and highlighted the importance of stellar faculty and staff who support UMBC’s student athletes. Odom spoke about how essential it can be to hear from people who believe in you during challenging times, not just in moments of glory. “Everyone has doubts,” Odom said. “Everyone needs someone to pat them on the back and say ‘I believe in you.’”

Senator Mikulski’s 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate have had a lasting impact on people in Maryland and across the United States more broadly. When she retired from public office, Mikulski joined Johns Hopkins University as a professor of public policy, and brought her “no issue too small to take up” approach into the classroom. In this role, she is able to continue to impact the next generation of leaders, like Mburu, who want to change the world. Mikulski encourages her students, and people she meets, of all ages, to apply their knowledge and skills to causes that matter to them, no matter how big or small.

The Wisdom Institute currently includes a few dozen members, but organizers hope to expand it over time to welcome all retired faculty and staff. As the Institute grows, Diane Lee looks forward to fostering connections between its members and broader university to propel UMBC forward. In closing the kick-off event, Lee shared, “I hope as we leave today we celebrate what we’ve been able to do, we celebrate who we are, and that we continue to think about who we might become.”

Additional photos from the event can be found on the UMBC Magazine website.

Banner image: Charles Woolston, vice provost emeritus, greets colleagues and friends at the Wisdom Institute event. All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

This is Ms. Flora P. Hanebrink of the Suburban Shopping Arena Town Complex 26 (rear).  She predicts that she will quite easily win the URCAD selfie contest.

"I have a very steady hand, very good camera control," averred Hanebrink, who was interviewed while standing on industrial carpeting featuring a rather vague design. "I'm able to get my camera out of my pocket quite speedily so that I never miss a good shot. Yep, the selfie is right in my wheelhouse."

Think you can beat Ms. Flora P. Hanebrink?

Upload your original photos to FaceBook and/or Twitter using  #umbcURCAD for a chance to win one of four gift cards to the UMBC Bookstore!

Categories:

• Best overall selfie: Take a photo with a UMBC celebrity (President Hrabowski, Provost Rous, Dean Cole…) or get creative!
• Best with mentor
• Best with family member
• Best with student presentation/poster

The contest starts on the evening of April 24 and will continue until the 27th at 6:00 p.m. To be eligible to win the contest, you must follow the steps outlined below including uploading your original photo to FaceBook, Instagram or Twitter using #umbcURCAD.