The College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences is pleased to formally announce the arrival of Melissa Penley Cormier, M.F.A. ‘17, as the manager of Research Graphics, a core facility within the college that offers research-related printing, imaging, and graphic design services to the entire UMBC community.
Ms. Cormier earned an M.F.A. from
UMBC's Intermedia and Digital Arts program and a B.F.A. from Radford
University. She most recently gained experience in the Department of Visual
Arts as a professional staff program specialist, graduate program coordinator,
and an adjunct instructor of drawing and visual concepts courses.
Both artistically and professionally, Ms. Cormier actively collaborates across
the disciplines of art and science to better inform her work and feed her
enthusiasm. Her work was recently published in a collection by Aperture in Seeing Science: How Photography Reveals the Universe by Marvin
Heiferman. In addition, she was recently asked to speak on a panel at Brilliant
Baltimore about her collaborative works in The Light Ekphrastic, an online journal founded by UMBC's Jenny O'Grady, which pairs writers and artists together to
create new works.
Ms. Cormier is active in both the
UMBC and broader Baltimore arts communities through participation in
organizations such as the PSS Mentoring Program and the Program Advisory
Committee (PAC) of Maryland Art Place. The PAC is comprised of nominated
Maryland area artists and arts professionals who provide analyses and responses
to proposals and annual exhibitions several times a year. The PAC is also responsible
for advising the organization on contemporary art trends and best practices.
Ms. Cormier’s experience with photographic processes and printing techniques,
as well as her personal interest in nature and the sciences, makes her a great
fit and enthusiastic resource to anyone in the wider UMBC community searching
for expertise in imaging and design to support their research, promote their
lab's mission, and explore visual projects.
CNMS is pleased to offer a Research Graphics Open House for community members who would like to learn more about how Research Graphics can support their work.
Research Graphics Open House
Wednesday, February 26, 12 – 1 p.m.
Biological Sciences Building, Room 102
Light refreshments will be served.
Ms. Cormier will also be offering an AOK Library Spotlight presentation on April 1 from noon to 1 p.m. She can be reached at researchgraphics@umbc.edu for any questions.