Emily Ferketic

Degrees: B.S., Physics
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Post-grad plans: Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from UMBC

As a scholar athlete, Emily Ferketic has excelled in both the research lab and on the volleyball court. Ferketic is a physics major who participated in the quantum thermodynamics research group with Sebastian Deffner, associate professor of physics.

A key mentor, Deffner helped guide Ferketic through the process of writing and submitting the article “Boosting thermodynamic performance by bending space-time,” which examines how to unlock the mysteries of black holes. It was published this January in the journal Europhysics Letters. She plans to continue working with Deffner for her Ph.D., focusing on quantum thermodynamics and shortcuts to adiabaticity.

While completing this intensive academic work, Ferketic also shined as a student athlete on UMBC’s Division 1 women’s volleyball team for four years. In 2021, she was named the America East Elite 18 Award winner, which recognizes the top performing student-athlete in the America East championships, and she later became captain of her team. She credits volleyball for teaching her valuable communication skills and discipline, and she has also developed connections with international teammates from around the world.

Given Ferketic’s extraordinary accomplishments, she was asked to co-host the spring 2023 inauguration dinner for UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby.

Has there been a mentor or fellow student who influenced your time at UMBC?

“Sebastian Deffner has been my mentor for about a year and a half (since the beginning of my junior year). I was taking his PHYS 303 class called Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics and I ended up doing well and really liking it. Given that, he invited me to audit some of his research group’s weekly meetings and, shortly after, I joined. We began working on my first research project and had my first professional paper published a little over a year later. He saw potential in me that I didn’t see myself, and I certainly wouldn’t have the success I do today if it weren’t for him. Now I am staying at UMBC for my Ph.D. as his research assistant.”

What has been the best part of your UMBC experience?

“My best UMBC experience was hosting President Sheares Ashby’s inauguration dinner. President Sheares Ashby personally asked Chris Slaughter ’23, M31 computer engineering, and me to host a dinner the night prior to her inauguration. I was exceptionally honored she asked me to represent the student body. In addition to the extraordinary experience, it also connected me to people I never thought I would have the privilege to meet.”

Here in the Office of Alumni Relations, we spend a lot of time telling stories about and talking with our wonderfully supportive alums. However, we’ve decided to turn the tables and take time to get to know the people behind the scenes – the  advancement and alumni relations staff members who are hard at work on behalf of our alumni. Today we’ll be hearing from Amy Dalrymple, the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations.

Name: Amy Dalrymple
Job Title: Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
Focus Area: Provide general oversight of alumni and career programs, with focus on building alumni chapters & communities and alumni career programming.
Years at UMBC: 0 (3 weeks)

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: Just over the Maryland line in Hanover, PA.

Q: What do you love most about UMBC?  

A: While I’m still very new to the UMBC community, its clear that everyone — faculty, staff, and students alike — shares the same enthusiasm for the institution.  Apparently Retriever Fever really is contagious…

Q: What’s your favorite thing about your job?

A: I love getting to know alumni and learning more about their ties to UMBC.  Every alumni story is different, and I’m privileged to have the opportunity to help foster that relationship every day.

Q: Have you ever done anything crazy or out of the ordinary?  

A: It occurred to me recently that I’ve publicly performed no fewer than 6 self-choreographed dance routines at different points in my past.  I’d have to say that’s a tad brazen for someone who has no formal (or informal) dance training as I’m confident that it shows.

Q: What’s the most recent book you’ve read?

A: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. 

Q: Who do you admire and why?

A: As a former college athlete, I’ve had many coaches over the years.  One will always stand out to me for teaching me the value of accountability, compromise, resiliency and integrity.