Ms. Auer was part of an interdisciplinary studies research initiative partnering UMBC artists with undergraduate student researchers. The student artists created artistic representations of the work presented by the URCAD researchers. These posters were to be featured in a prominent position towards the middle of the UC Ballroom. This position was meant to highlight the interdisciplinary nature that is at the heart and soul of URCAD.

Her work had not only gone through the URCAD research committee, but had also been approved by her faculty department and her faculty mentor.

The submitted research abstract is as follows:

"Seeing Science | Hao Wang, Stephen Freeland, Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies; Viviana Cordova, Assistant Professor, Visual Arts

The purpose of this project is to utilize artistic skills and knowledge to visualize scientific research, thus providing an enhanced method for researchers to communicate with their audience. The process of this project involves the cooperation with Sarah Auer who researches medieval gynecology from ancient Greek scripts, focusing on Soranus’ studies about female reproductive organs. In this project three organs are illustrated digitally according to Soranus’ scripture: uterus, placenta, and didymi which are in pairs with three objects that Soranus uses to describe each shape: kylix, egg, and silphium seeds. Each illustration is artistically interpreted to assist readers’ understanding of the texts without distorting the original content. The process of visualizing science also involves a research poster design in which artistic principles are applied to direct the viewers’ eyes for a better reading experience. With texts, illustration, and design combined, Auer’s research poster is to stand out from traditional research posters. This work is supported, in part, by “Seeing Science: Science, Photography, and Visual Culture,” a public programming project organized by the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture and the Interdisciplinary Studies Department."

Her research and poster featured female anatomy relating to her entirely academic work on ancient gynecological medicine and women’s health in antiquity. The focus was on Soranus’ work with ancient gynecology. Some of his work is still incredibly relevant to modern medicine. The poster featured an artistic depiction of female anatomy, on a nondescript female figure (without a head).

 “At the beginning of the semester Dr. Molly Jones-Lewis, my mentor for the project, was approached by a collaborative initiative on campus called “Seeing Science.” Originally the brain child of Dr. Stephen Freeland, a theoretical biologist, the project was aimed at pairing student scientists with student artists to create poster presentations that would make complicated scientific ideas more accessible to audiences outside of their field. Despite the fact that my project with Dr. Jones-Lewis was philological and not expressly scientific, the project sought us out because they wanted to pair me with an anatomical illustrator… For me, a key component to the project — which focused on the accessibility of gynecological language and the very nature of its formation — was the axis on which Soranus examined the female form. People often neglect to consider how and why we conceptualize our bodies, so re-positioning the female form into what is both a natural examination position and a distinctly alien anatomical position proved to be a vital component to discussing the formation of gynecological language.” — Riley Auer

Nothing about the work could have been construed as sexual, until a university representative informed Auer that her work had been moved to the back of the UC Ballroom, “near the stage.” It was not until 7:00 pm the night before that her poster was moved, without discussion. Auer’s faculty mentor was not even consulted.

EDIT: I have now been informed that these signs actually framed a NC-17 “corridor” of the room. This corridor also featured posters depicting scientific research on domestic violence and HIV. The abstract titles of this research was “The Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Financial Stress in Newlywed Couples” and “Characterization of the HIV-1 5’UTR Dimerization Mechanism.”

To reiterate: there was no discussion, no consultation, no question. The poster was simply moved with a little tag attached to the two switched posters directing attendees to the new location (at the last minute, I should add).

Three signs were placed around the perimeter of the URCAD presentation area, informing attendees that “certain research posters may contain content that may be inappropriate for children under the age of 17.” (Having seen the poster firsthand, I can guarantee you I’ve seen much racier stuff gracing the pages of my seventh grade biology textbook.)

Can we not talk about anatomy in a purely academic setting? This isn’t pornography, it’s academic achievement and research.

As a friend of this researcher, I’ve seen her work tirelessly for months now. Why didn’t they raise issue or concern before today? Why didn’t they consult her faculty mentor or academic department? This is an event and university that paints itself as inclusive and welcoming of student research and creative achievement. Seriously, how is this okay, UMBC?

On Wednesday, April 20th, a full house of supporters turned out for the third annual Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition (CBIC). Coordinated by UMBC’s Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship, and made possible by a generous gift from alumnus and serial entrepreneur Greg Cangialosi, the CBIC offers students an opportunity to experience the process of planning a start-up business.

This year, thirty (30) ideas were submitted to the competition and the top seven (7) were selected to go to the final competition. The finalists pitched their ideas to a panel of experienced judges consisting of Josh Goldberg, CEO of the Panther Angels, Dr. Gloria Jacobovitz, Technology Manager, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab , and Jeff Kurtzman, a serial e-commerce entrepreneur and consultant. All of the judges are also members of the Baltimore Angels.

Teams were comprised of UMBC undergraduate and graduate students, and each was paired with a business mentor to help them further develop and polish their idea prior to the final competition.

Stakes were high with cash awards of $5,000 for 1st place, $2,000 for 2nd place and $1,000 for 3rd place, as well as membership to Betamore, a Federal Hill based incubator and educational facility co-founded by Cangialosi.

First place was awarded to PITCH (Preventing Injuries, Trauma and Cracks to the Head). The team’s idea reduces the chance of head trauma and skull fractures for baseball pitchers. They designed a protective device which is embedded in baseball caps which is both lightweight and natural in appearance. An enthusiastic presentation was given by Stefan Wroblewski and team members are Andrew Wallace, Michael Torres, Jezron Basbas and Baruch Weiner. In Stefan’s words, “It was awesome that Mr. Cangialosi was impressed with our business pitch. I felt he believed in our product and marketing strategy. With the prizes he offered, we now have a strong network in Baltimore to help us build our business.”

Second place was awarded to SupplySense, an idea developed by PhD student Filip Dabek. SuppySense is an app using state of the art sensors to track inventory usage to provide businesses with an optimal strategy for refill appointments. While designed for commercial use, Judge Dr. Gloria Jacobovitz described SupplySense as highly intelligent and remarked that she herself would love to have one in her kitchen. Dabek remarked, “Going through the Cangiolosi Business Innovation Competition (CBIC), UMBC allowed me to go through the process of formulating a business plan and prototype product, from which I learned a great deal and received excellent strategic mentorship from CBIC affiliated faculty. Through the knowledge that I gained from being a CBIC participant, I am now going to take my SupplySense idea to market.”

Finally, third place was awarded to Aerwell, a clean energy device that extracts clean and pure water from humidity in the air to provide fresh water and sustainable energy. The water can then be used either for drinking or for agricultural purposes. Bedford Boylston presented the idea for the team which consists of Marios Levi, Arthur Schorr, Terry Wasserleben, and Alexis Walmsley. Regarding the opportunity, Boylston said, “The competition gave me [us] an opportunity to present an idea of how to provide globally clean water to people in need. Also the condensation of water provides excess energy to be captured for electricity production. A simple device designed to solve a huge problem. Young people from UMBC will be needed to make this promising technology a reality”.

Participation in the competition is just the first phase of the business education the winning teams will experience. By far the most important part of the CBIC will be what comes next, the involvement in Betamore programming and events which will provide valuable connections to the Baltimore business community.

We would like to say congratulations to all participants who entered. We are so proud of the innovation and creativity at UMBC and are excited to see what’s next.

On Wednesday, April 20th, a full house of supporters turned out for the third annual Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition (CBIC). Coordinated by UMBC’s Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship, and made possible by a generous gift from alumnus and serial entrepreneur Greg Cangialosi, the CBIC offers students an opportunity to experience the process of planning a start-up business.

This year, thirty (30) ideas were submitted to the competition and the top seven (7) were selected to go to the final competition. The finalists pitched their ideas to a panel of experienced judges consisting of Josh Goldberg, CEO of the Panther Angels, Dr. Gloria Jacobovitz, Technology Manager, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab , and Jeff Kurtzman, a serial e-commerce entrepreneur and consultant. All of the judges are also members of the Baltimore Angels.

Teams were comprised of UMBC undergraduate and graduate students, and each was paired with a business mentor to help them further develop and polish their idea prior to the final competition.

Stakes were high with cash awards of $5,000 for 1st place, $2,000 for 2nd place and $1,000 for 3rd place, as well as membership to Betamore, a Federal Hill based incubator and educational facility co-founded by Cangialosi.

First place was awarded to PITCH (Preventing Injuries, Trauma and Cracks to the Head). The team’s idea reduces the chance of head trauma and skull fractures for baseball pitchers. They designed a protective device which is embedded in baseball caps which is both lightweight and natural in appearance. An enthusiastic presentation was given by Stefan Wroblewski and team members are Andrew Wallace, Michael Torres, Jezron Basbas and Baruch Weiner. In Stefan’s words, “It was awesome that Mr. Cangialosi was impressed with our business pitch. I felt he believed in our product and marketing strategy. With the prizes he offered, we now have a strong network in Baltimore to help us build our business.”

Second place was awarded to SupplySense, an idea developed by PhD student Filip Dabek. SuppySense is an app using state of the art sensors to track inventory usage to provide businesses with an optimal strategy for refill appointments. While designed for commercial use, Judge Dr. Gloria Jacobovitz described SupplySense as highly intelligent and remarked that she herself would love to have one in her kitchen. Dabek remarked, “Going through the Cangiolosi Business Innovation Competition (CBIC), UMBC allowed me to go through the process of formulating a business plan and prototype product, from which I learned a great deal and received excellent strategic mentorship from CBIC affiliated faculty. Through the knowledge that I gained from being a CBIC participant, I am now going to take my SupplySense idea to market.”

Finally, third place was awarded to Aerwell, a clean energy device that extracts clean and pure water from humidity in the air to provide fresh water and sustainable energy. The water can then be used either for drinking or for agricultural purposes. Bedford Boylston presented the idea for the team which consists of Marios Levi, Arthur Schorr, Terry Wasserleben, and Alexis Walmsley. Regarding the opportunity, Boylston said, “The competition gave me [us] an opportunity to present an idea of how to provide globally clean water to people in need. Also the condensation of water provides excess energy to be captured for electricity production. A simple device designed to solve a huge problem. Young people from UMBC will be needed to make this promising technology a reality”.

Participation in the competition is just the first phase of the business education the winning teams will experience. By far the most important part of the CBIC will be what comes next, the involvement in Betamore programming and events which will provide valuable connections to the Baltimore business community.

We would like to say congratulations to all participants who entered. We are so proud of the innovation and creativity at UMBC and are excited to see what’s next.

Andrew Wallace, Michael Torres, Stefan Wroblewski, Jezron Basbas, Greg Cangialosi, Alexis Walmsley, Marios Levi, Bedford Boylston, Terry Wasserleben, Arthur Schorr, Filip Dabek

Our next meeting will be Friday at 12 in Math/Psyc 101! We will be planning the Mission of Maternity (or MOM) drive! 

Also- if anyone wants to help table at the NAMI You Are Not Alone festival, please contact Christy at (301) 775-4399.