AI Models with Simulation Based Inference for Pre- and Post-Surgery Brain Tumor Classification

Prof. Vidya Manian, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez

UMBC ITE 325b, 1-2pm Mon. June 30

For Giveaway (Needs to be gone by this weekend): 

Furinno Efficient Wood Home Laptop Notebook Computer Desk in Black 
( https://www.walmart.com/ip/Furinno-Efficient-Wood-Home-Laptop-Notebook-Computer-Desk-in-Black-Gray/21743257 )

Anjali Khasa

Pronouns: She/Her

Major: Information Systems

Year: 2nd year Graduate Student

What will you be doing in this internship?
I will be working as a Data Analyst Intern and Teaching Assistant with the UMBC Career Center. My role involves collecting and cleaning data from different sources like surveys, online platforms, and focus groups. I will be analyzing the data to find trends and patterns and then creating visualizations and reports to help the Career Center make informed decisions. These insights can help shape programs, resources, and services that better serve students in their career development. Along with that, I will also be supporting the Internship Success Practicum courses by managing course communications, helping with grading, and updating course materials on Blackboard and Handshake.

What are you looking forward to the most from this internship?
I am really looking forward to strengthening my data analysis skills, especially using tools like Excel, Power BI, and Python in a real world settings. I am also excited about the teaching assistant role as it gives me a great chance to support students and be part of their learning experience. I enjoy working with different teams, and I think this internship will help me grow both technically and professionally while making a meaningful impact.

Any fun summer plans?
Yes! I'm planning to travel to Shenandoah Valley for some hiking and nature time, and also visit Norfolk Beach to enjoy the ocean and will also learn how to swim. I'm really looking forward to spending some quality time with friends and family. Along with that, I'll be focusing on my mental fitness and making space for relaxation and self-care this summer.

Nadia McCall

Pronouns: She/Her

Major: Visual Arts

Year: Senior

What will you be doing in this internship?
For this internship I will be helping manage the Career Center's social media platforms by creating engaging content and amplifying the career centers reach by analyzing post performance.

What are you looking forward to the most from this internship?
I am most looking forward to using my creativity to help and inform other students. I am also eager to refine my marketing, graphic design, and social media management skills.

Any fun summer plans?
Aside from this internship, I will be working alongside a local independent filmmaker to produce a documentary. I also plan on spending time learning new art mediums, such as oil paint.

Tolulope Ajibade

Pronouns: He/Him

Major: Biological Sciences

Year: Rising Senior

What will you be doing in this internship?
I am supporting the direction of UMBC Careers Unleashed by helping conceptualize episode topics, book and coordinate guests, structure the production schedule, and ensure clear communication and organization across all involved parties.

What are you looking forward to the most from this internship?
Making new connections and laying the groundwork for future podcast episodes.

Also check out our
FIRST ROUND of featured interns.

Imagine a world where, instead of pointing out everything nations are doing wrong to the living world based on how they create, improve, and sustain a thriving environment, we measure what they are doing right. By focusing on the good, people worldwide might be empowered to learn from success, instead of feeling more powerless in the face of all the messages of environmental harm and damage. For nearly three years, Erle Ellis, professor of geography and environmental systems, has collaborated with a team of researchers across six continents, led by the United Nations Development Program’s Human Development Report Office (UNDP-HDRO) to make that vision a reality by developing the Nature Relationship Index (NRI).

The NRI will be the first standardized global metric that measures the quality of a nation’s relationships with nature, including plants and animals, land, rivers, oceans, mountains, forests, deserts, and grasslands. Progress will be measured in terms of each nation’s contributions to the living world, based on three dimensions: the management of landscapes to enable people and nature to connect and thrive together, the use of nature to sustain human development without harming, diminishing, or degrading it, and financial, legal, and institutional support for environmental protections.

Towards a balanced living world

Nature, the world’s leading multidisciplinary science journal, has published this groundbreaking framework by conservation, environment, and human development experts and practitioners. The NRI is now being developed with the aim of a public release as part of the 2026 Human Development Report, with the goal of updating the NRI for all countries of the world annually. 

“By focusing on human agency—people’s ability to hold values and make commitments and choices beyond their own individual well-being,” writes Ellis, the lead author, “the human development approach treats people as agents of change, rather than passive recipients of policy interventions, foregrounding people’s values, aspirations and struggles to achieve a better future.”

UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences has named Ellis the 2025 – 2026 Lipitz Professor. The Roger C. Lipitz and the Lipitz Family Foundation endowed professorship that celebrates and sponsors cutting-edge research and teaching. This honor recognizes Ellis’s international leadership in research that supports the health of human-managed ecosystems at both local and global levels, aiming to guide sustainable and responsible stewardship. Ellis served as the 2021 – 2024 UMBC Presidential Research Professor for his contributions to ecology and geography, including landscape ecology and human-environmental interactions.

Learn more about Ellis’s research within UMBC’s Department of Geography and Environmental Systems.

Choosing a career in social work often comes from a place of deep compassion—and for UMBC graduate Olivia Tinong '25, social work, that calling was clear. In a recent conversation, Olivia shared what drew her to UMBC's Social Work program at The Universities at Shady Grove, how her experiences shaped her perspective, and what she hopes to accomplish in the field.

What inspired you to choose the Social Work program as your major at UMBC-Shady Grove?

Olivia Tinong: When I discovered the Social Work program at UMBC-Shady Grove, it stood out to me because of its emphasis on combining real-world experiences with academic knowledge. I wanted to be part of a program that values empathy and action. I’ve always been passionate about helping others, but what truly inspired me was seeing the direct impact social workers have in people’s lives. I actually participated in 096 Community Service & Learning Practicum, which was a community asset mapping course. Even though it was a zero-credit class, it gave me a solid introduction to the field—its core values and principles. It helped me understand how social workers make a difference in both individuals’ lives and in communities.

Can you share a specific moment or experience during your time in the program that had a significant impact on you?

Olivia: A powerful moment for me was volunteering at Progress Place in the summer of 2022. We served meals to individuals experiencing homelessness, and that experience changed my perspective. I realized how important it is to see the humanity in every person, regardless of their circumstances. That day, I knew I wanted to work with vulnerable populations and make a difference, even in small ways. Social work is about advocacy and seeing people as whole beings. Many face challenges like substance use or mental health struggles. Being present and offering something as simple as a meal reminded me of the power of service and reaffirmed my commitment to the field.

How have your professors or advisors supported your academic and career goals?

Olivia: The faculty at UMBC have been amazing. They’re not just educators—they’re mentors. My mentor helped me plan out my career path and encouraged me to take on opportunities I never thought I could handle. Their real-world insights brought everything we learned in class to life.

What skills or knowledge have you gained that you feel will be most valuable in your future career?

Olivia: The program has taught me to approach challenges with compassion and critical thinking. I've learned about policy, advocacy, communication, interviewing techniques, and case management. I feel fully prepared to step into the field. My field experience gave me the confidence to work with diverse populations and understand systems like criminal justice, child welfare, family services, veteran services, healthcare, and more. I feel ready to support individuals while also advocating for broader change—on micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

Can you tell us about a memorable project or internship that shaped your understanding of social work?

Olivia: My current internship at Montgomery County Correctional Facility has been eye-opening. When a friend asked why social workers were needed in jails, it sparked a teaching moment. Social workers play a huge role in helping incarcerated individuals re-enter society—securing documents, housing, employment, and healthcare. They also support mental health and addiction recovery, and advocate for rehabilitation over punishment. It's about healing and giving people a real shot at long-term success.

How has the UMBC community helped you grow personally or professionally?

Olivia: UMBC-Shady Grove has been incredibly supportive. Through the Social Work Student Association, networking events, and classroom connections, I’ve grown so much. The program encourages collaboration and reflection, which has helped me become more confident and self-aware.

What advice would you give to someone considering Social Work at UMBC-Shady Grove?

Olivia: If you’re thinking about it—go for it. It’s a challenging program, but it prepares you for a meaningful career. Take advantage of your field placements and don’t hesitate to lean on your professors and peers. They’re there to help.

What are your career aspirations, and how has the program prepared you?

Olivia: I want to become a licensed clinical social worker and open my own behavioral health practice that offers culturally responsive care. UMBC gave me the foundation I need—both the knowledge and the hands-on experience—to pursue that dream with confidence.

Closing Thoughts

Olivia Tinong’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact that thoughtful education and compassionate service can have—both on individuals and the communities they serve. Her time in the Social Work program at UMBC-Shady Grove has prepared her not only with knowledge but with a deep sense of purpose. For anyone considering a future in social work, Olivia’s journey shows what’s possible when empathy meets action.

June 27 marks National PTSD Awareness Day. The United States Marshals Service (USMS) observes this day to help break the stigma surrounding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While PTSD can impact anyone, it is often a lasting reality for many veterans—a reflection of their service and sacrifice. This month, we recognize their experiences and reaffirm our commitment to awareness, understanding, and compassionate support.

At UMBC, the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) program offers dedicated support to student veterans. A partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs, VITAL connects student veterans with VA mental health professionals and essential resources to help them thrive academically and personally.

VITAL can assist with:

• Enrollment in VA healthcare
  
  

• Navigating VA and non-VA resources
  
  

• Academic accommodations
  
  

• Advocacy for student veterans
  
  

• Clinical services for challenges such as stress, sleep problems, attention issues, anxiety, depression, and PTSD

In addition, UMBC’s Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) is here to support all students' mental health needs, offering a range of counseling, wellness, and psychiatric services in a safe and inclusive environment.

Support is here. You are not alone.

To learn more or connect with VITAL, visit  veterans.umbc.edu