Maggie Williams ’24, physics, is a second-year physics Ph.D. student, a Quantum Science Institute (QSI) Graduate Fellow, and an officer in the Physics Graduate Student Association (PGSA). In her research with Sebastian Deffner, associate professor of physics, she studies biological processes at a microscopic scale, where the physics of atomic interactions—including quantum effects—come into play. Outside the lab, Maggie enjoys playing guitar, listening to music, hiking, and reading. 

On November 6, Maggie is giving an interactive live demo of quantum key distribution, where participants can experience firsthand how quantum physics makes eavesdropping detectable and secure communication possible. All are welcome. Take it away, Maggie! 

Q: What brought you to UMBC for graduate school, and how did your path at UMBC begin?

A: I applied to graduate school because I wasn’t done learning. As a UMBC undergraduate, my first upper-level physics course was Thermal and Statistical Physics, taught by Dr. Deffner. It was very challenging, but it sparked my interest in statistical physics, and soon I began sitting in on Dr. Deffner’s research group meetings to learn more about the field and what research involves. Not long after, I completed a research project under his guidance and presented a poster at UMBC’s 2023 Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day.

Working with Dr. Deffner led me to begin reading current papers and graduate texts to better understand my work, which only made me want to learn more. Since I already knew about the strong, close-knit community at UMBC from my undergraduate experience, choosing UMBC for graduate school felt like the best option for my success. 

Earning my bachelor’s degree was not without challenges, though. After struggling through classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt burned out and unsure about continuing my education, so I took a gap semester in spring 2022 to complete an internship at the tourism organization Visit Baltimore. After some time in the corporate world, I decided to finish my bachelor’s degree and returned to UMBC that fall. During my time away, UMBC advisors and faculty checked in and helped map out a clear path to graduating, which made my transition feel more manageable.

Q: Tell us about your current research and what fascinates you about it.

A: I study nonequilibrium statistical physics, which uses mathematics to model systems heavily affected by randomness. Right now, I’m finishing a project on small, active processes inside cells that are not in balance, with a particular focus on how cells copy information from DNA to RNA, and how tiny errors can build up as an organism ages. Because cells are so small, their behavior is naturally random, and events in the cell that are far apart in time barely affect each other.

That makes Markovian dynamics, which assumes the next step of a system depends only on its current state, a good framework for modeling these systems. This project also provides a simple testbed for future studies that aim to model microscopic biological processes.

In my graduate work, the idea that mathematics, combined with physical intuition, can effectively model complex quantum systems continues to fascinate me. I plan to focus my Ph.D. research on quantum many-body systems, which are large groups of tiny particles (like electrons or atoms) that follow quantum rules (such as being able to act like waves or exist in multiple states at once) and whose behaviors are tightly interconnected, so you have to consider how they all influence each other at the quantum level.

Q: What do you love about UMBC’s physics program and the community that supports you?

A: One thing I love about my program is its small-but-mighty community, which makes it easy to reach professors or senior grad students for support, advice, or just a chat. My cohort has inspired me to push toward my goals and has been a steady support network when classes or work get overwhelming, so I’m genuinely grateful for my peers at UMBC.

Q: How is being part of QSI benefiting your Ph.D.?

A: QSI fosters a welcoming community across disciplines that has helped me learn about fields I might not otherwise have the chance to explore. It also provides practical support, from funding for research materials and supplementary textbooks to travel support for conferences and meetings, and it offers chances to lead academic seminars!

Q: How are you involved on campus, and what do you enjoy about it?

A: I serve on the PGSA council. It’s a great way to boost morale among first- and second-year students, encourage socializing outside of class and work, and help us get to know each other. I also enjoy the event-planning side—it’s an opportunity to get creative and come up with fun group activities. The other council members are supportive and kind, and it’s been a great experience so far.

Q: What advice would you give to a high schooler or undergraduate interested in physics and/or quantum science?

A: Don’t hesitate to reach out to teachers and mentors: Ask questions, introduce yourself, and start conversations. Networking matters in every field, and it’s especially important in academia. I’d also encourage them not to dwell on setbacks. Graduate school is challenging, and I’ve had my own moments of discouragement and impostor syndrome. When that happens, I try to turn it into a chance to deepen my understanding, which has only fueled my curiosity about a subject.

In the end, a genuine interest in learning and the drive to keep pursuing knowledge are the most important ingredients. I believe these things have brought me to where I am today, and I’m excited to see where my journey through graduate school takes me. This is only the beginning!

UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.

Learn more about how UMBC can help you achieve your goals.

Meet Corey Carter ’08, M.A.T. ’10, an award-winning educator, lifelong learner, and the director of the Sherman Scholars Program in the George and Betsy Sherman Center. He takes pride in meeting student needs through servant leadership and holistic mentorship that centers on the needs of scholars as developing teachers. Corey’s goals include diversifying the teaching profession, particularly increasing the representation of highly-skilled Black male educators. Outside of his work supporting culturally responsive educators, Corey loves exploring his interests in hip hop, technology, and science. Take it away, Corey! 

Q: What is your WHY? What brought you to UMBC?

A: My family was coming home one day, and my dad stopped the car to introduce us all to the new neighbor. When I told LaMont Toliver that I was a high school junior and wanted to major in biology, he told me all about the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at UMBC. I knew I had to apply and was excited about the chance to continue exploring my passion for science amongst so many other brilliant young people. During selection weekend, my parents shared the table with another couple whose daughter was also applying to the program. That night, I met my future wife and best friend, Brittney Carter ’07, psychology.

Pictured right: Corey and Brittney Carter attending the wedding of one of their college friends. The couple has been married for 15 years and have three kids.

Q: Where have you found support in the UMBC community?

A: The support at UMBC has significance for me because it was also a place of consequential challenges. My academic and pre-professional identity was formed, broken down, and reformed over the years as I learned more of my truths. When I first began to accept that I might have a different career calling than a Ph.D. in biology research, it wasn’t without signs. The support I received from mentors, advisors, and tutoring centers helped me get out of the shame and disillusionment. Connecting again with the community in different aspects of my identity (Gospel choir, Meyerhoff Scholars, Sherman Scholars) was the key to me reclaiming my story and writing the next chapters of my life.

Q: Who, in particular, has supported you throughout your journey?

It’s hard to name just one person. I’m fortunate to have known the late Mr. Toliver, as he was my bridge to UMBC and then to the Sherman Scholars Program, which led to my current career. Mr Toliver’s influence on Rehana Shafi, who would serve as a mentor and support for me through teacher preparation, was an anchoring force of courageous truth and unwavering belief in potential. More recently, I’ve stayed connected to Mr. Toliver’s legacy through another pillar, cut from the same cloth, Sunji Jangha, M.P.P ’18, Ph.D. ’25.

Q: What do you love most about the Sherman Scholars program?

A: I’ve been involved with the Sherman Program since 2007. I love that we stand for centering students as whole people, that we live the values of social justice through education, and that we do this work with joy, love, and passion.

Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most

A: I love seeing our Sherman Scholars in the classroom and talking with them about teaching. Connecting with brilliant, passionate educators is so fulfilling because I am always stretched by the conversations. In this job, I’ve continued to grow intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. I’m grateful for the tears, the laughter, and the righteous anger—it’s all so valuable to me.

Q: What would you tell someone who is considering a career at UMBC?

A: UMBC is a special place. If you align with the mission and values, I have no doubt there is good work and community for you here!

Learn more about the George and Betsy Sherman Center

Established by a visionary gift to UMBC from George and Betsy Sherman, the George and Betsy Sherman Center is committed to excellent urban schools that transform lives in the communities they serve.

We believe that in every community, public schools have an extraordinary and unique capacity to offer opportunity and change lives. Within each school, committed teachers are the most important factor in whether the transformational power of education becomes real for students and families. Surrounding each school, community and family partners are essential for children to thrive, particularly in a child’s formative early years.

What we do:

• Support excellent teaching with an emphasis on STEM and Early Childhood;
• Build deep and transformative educational partnerships with schools and communities;
• Expand community and school capacity to provide strong early childhood experiences;
• Support pathways connecting students in partner communities with educational opportunities at UMBC;
• Apply engaged research to guide and assess our work.

Learn more about the George and Betsy Sherman Center.

Meet Meagan Wade ’13, psychology, the program coordinator for the Department of Information Systems. Part of Meagan’s job is planning professional development and social events for IS students. She’s organized standing-room-only talks with tech leaders, game nights with pizzas and snacks, resume workshops and job search training, and more. She’s loving it all—and shares why she’s so happy she returned to her alma mater as a staff member. 

Q: How did you start working in higher ed?

A: I graduated from UMBC in 2013 with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in social welfare. I then graduated from Towson University with a M.A. in teaching for elementary education in 2016. I worked as an elementary teacher for four years before switching gears and finding a job in higher education.

Q: Tell us about someone in the community who has supported you, and how they did it.

A: Dwayne Butcher, assistant director of marketing for the IS department, has been an awesome supporter of me since I started back in October 2024. He has been a great mentor for the marketing aspects of my job, and an amazing supporter of my career growth, for example, by encouraging me to attend conferences.

I love that the department has essentially given me free reign to plan whatever events for IS students that I think will get them engaged in the community and help to prepare them for their careers post-graduation from UMBC.

Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most and why?

A: My favorite part of my job has been planning events that students enjoy attending—such as our game night events; and planning events that will help students in their career journeys—such as the Career Talk series I planned this fall. Each week we host a different panel of tech industry professionals, with themes such as women in tech and the gaming industry, and company-specific events with Oracle, The Trevor Project, and more.

Wade organizes student events for the IS department throughout the year, including a Women in Tech Career Talk (left) and the IS department’s Welcome Week (right), complete with a visit from Spot, a robotic dog. (Images courtesy of Wade)

Q: What brought you to UMBC in the first place? 

A: I originally came to UMBC as a starry-eyed 18-year-old, hoping to figure out what I wanted to do with my life and to make great friends along the way. I chose UMBC for a few different reasons: I’m originally from Towson, so UMBC was just the right distance away from home so that I could still easily visit. Also, my dad is a UMBC alum, and my best friend also ended up going to UMBC, so it felt like a “home away from home” for me, which my anxious freshman self needed at the time. 

I’m happy to say that UMBC brought so many amazing people into my life, many of whom I am still friends with to this day. I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere other than UMBC because of all the happy memories I made here.

Years later, when I ended up working in higher education, I remembered the awesome culture of UMBC that I experienced as a student, and hoped to “come back home” as a staff member. I applied for a number of jobs at UMBC and am so grateful that the information systems department was willing to give me the opportunity to return to UMBC. Now that I am back, I’m so glad that the welcoming culture I experienced as a student is still here, and I hope to now give current students the opportunity to find their way in the world, just like I did years ago.

Q: Are you involved in any campus organizations?

A: Back when I was a student, I was involved with WMBC, UMBC’s radio station. My friend and I had a radio show called “Cuddlecore,” where we would chat and play our favorite music. I remember loving the seemingly infinite amount of CDs back in the WMBC studio that we were encouraged to listen to and write reviews for.

I was also a Resident Assistant, so I was pretty involved with ResLife. I loved the apartment RA family that we created after spending so many hours together, and all the events that we would do together as RAs, including bowling, dinner parties, and late night trips to Double T Diner.

Since returning as a staff member, I’ve resurrected Cuddlecore. It’s on Wednesdays at 5pm! I’ve also attended UMBC Homecoming and participated in the Puppy Parade with my dog Baxter, which was very fun!

Q: How have you found support and community here? 

A: As a UMBC student, the main way that I met amazing people was making connections with classmates in my courses, becoming close with roommates and suitemates in the dorms/apartments, and bonding with my fellow Resident Assistants and other ResLife staff when I worked as an RA.

As a UMBC staff member, I’ve been able to help students find their way in the world by planning awesome events for them to meet other people with similar interests. (I had no idea there’d be so many people interested in Super Smash Brothers, specifically!) I’ve also been able to collaborate with other organizations on campus, such as the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) student chapter and the Career Center, to plan even more meaningful events for IS students. Because UMBC’s culture is so welcoming, it has been surprisingly easy to reach out to other organizations on campus and plan things together to help UMBC students as a whole.

Wade and fellow apartment RAs bowling (left) and at the end-of-year ResLife banquet (right). (Images courtesy of Wade)

Q: What would you tell someone who is considering a career at UMBC?

A: DO IT! I am so happy that I made the switch to UMBC from my prior higher education institution (although I might be a little biased as a UMBC alum).

* * * * *

UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.

Learn more about how UMBC can help you achieve your goals.

Meet Ann Tropea, the assistant director for engaged media with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, and the full-time staff advisor for the Student Media Collective, which includes The Retriever, Bartleby, and WMBC. Ann’s academic background is in mass media communications studies and law. In her spare time, she (separately) hosts a podcast and acts as a doula, helping support families during birth.

Q: Briefly introduce yourself. What’s one essential thing you’d want another Retriever to know about you?

A: I am the assistant director for engaged media with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life and the full time staff advisor for the Student Media Collective (SMC)—the newly chartered student organization for student-run media on campus. I bring many years of professional editorial, communications, and legal expertise to my position. I am a career editor, published author, and podcast producer/co-host.

I am also a licensed attorney in Louisiana and the District of Columbia, and I have represented a variety of individual and multinational clients in both federal and state court litigation. I hold a law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and graduated magna cum laude in mass media communication studies from New York University. I am also a certified doula and enjoy supporting families in their birth and reproductive journeys.

Q: Tell us about someone in the UMBC community who has inspired you or supported you, and how they did it.

A: I joined the UMBC community as a staff member in October 2023 with zero experience working in higher education. There are so many folks who have supported and inspired me from day one, but special thanks are due to Isabel Taylor (former Retriever editor-in-chief), David Hoffman (director, Center for Democracy and Civic Life), and Renique Kersh (VP for Division of Student Affairs) who all saw my potential during the interview process and allowed me to join this incredible campus community.

Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the support you find here?

A: No matter who you are, or where you’re coming from, you belong at UMBC.

Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most and why?

A: I absolutely love working with the students in all three media groups that form the SMC (The Retriever, WMBC, and Bartleby) that I advise as the primary focus of my work. They are smart, fearless, and creative—I am incredibly lucky to have such amazing student colleagues to work side-by-side with every day.

Q: What brought you to UMBC in the first place?

A: I care deeply about making the world a more just and equitable place, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I came to UMBC because this is a place where it was clear from day one that I share those values with each and every person on this campus.

Q: Since you’ve been a part of the UMBC community, how have you found support of your WHY?

A: I grew up in Southern California and feel like that gives me some leeway to lean a bit into the woo-woo…. UMBC is a magical place where community and collaboration are radical acts of love. It’s not just “a” why. It’s the only why.

Q: Are you involved in any campus organizations? Tell us about what you love about them!

A: I’m a new member of the Exempt Staff Senate and am thrilled to serve on the executive board as the incoming communications manager with such a dedicated (and fun!) group of folks from across the university who are dedicated to doing good work.

UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.

Learn more about how UMBC can help you achieve your goals.

Meet Tanzila Malik, a senior majoring in gender and women’s studies and minoring in political science and anthropology. Tanzila is an intern with UMBC’s University Communications and Marketing team and a former intern of the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center.

Q: Tell us about someone in the UMBC community who has inspired you or supported you, and how they did it.

A: It’s hard to pick just one. I’ve had the honor of meeting many people in the UMBC community who have made a lifelong impact on my journey here. In particular, Lauren Allen, director, and Zoe Brown, program coordinator, of UMBC’s Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center (WGEC) consistently supported me in my academic and career goals. They challenged me to move out of my comfort zone and gave me the confidence to pursue incredible opportunities that I’d never thought possible.

Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the support you find here?

A: You are never alone at UMBC. There is something/someone for everyone here. From the students to the faculty and staff, UMBC is truly a supportive place to grow and explore new possibilities.

Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most and why?

A: As an intern at the WGEC, I loved meeting new people and building community. It was fulfilling to be involved in initiatives where I saw firsthand the impact we were making. From hosting panels and discussion circles centered on the experiences of women of color to organizing a campus-wide student activism blog, among many other initiatives, the WGEC takes on. I learned how, even as students, we hold so much power to enact change and make a difference in our communities.

Q: What brought you to UMBC in the first place?

A: After applying to and touring several schools in the DMV area, I ultimately committed to UMBC because it felt like a true “community,” something I hadn’t seen anywhere else. As I spent more time on campus, engaging with my professors, taking part in student organizations, and working on campus, it became clear that UMBC was so much more than “just a school.” I’ve met students and staff with an eagerness to learn and a genuine passion for their work, which goes beyond the classroom.

Q: Since you’ve been a part of the UMBC community, how have you found support of your WHY? Tell us about the people who have helped you at UMBC, and why it has made such a difference to you.

A: As a student, I tend to get trapped in the merry-go-round of school. Not stopping to think about my “why.” As a participant and later a leader for the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) trip through the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, I got to build a deeper connection with Baltimore through learning about various social issues impacting it.

I was part of the 2024 ASB cohort focusing on improving life after prison, and later was a co-leader for the environmental justice and sustainability group. Through meeting with city officials, local nonprofits, and community members, ASB gave me a chance to apply what I was learning in the classroom to the “real world.” This was a really impactful experience for me, as it reminded me of why it is I’m doing what I’m doing.

UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.

Meet Kayla Logue, a junior with a dance major and a cinematography minor. Kayla is a Linehan Artist Scholar, is an intern for UMBC’s communications and marketing team, and is a Visual and Performing Arts Grit Guide at UMBC. She currently serves as the president of the Dance Council Of Majors; A student organization that works closely with the Department of Dance.

Q: Tell us about someone in the UMBC community who has inspired you or supported you, and how they did it.

A: I have had the pleasure of learning from many incredible professors so far here at UMBC, especially in the Department of Dance. One professor that I have had the pleasure to work closely with and who continuously inspires and supports me is Shaness D. Kemp.

Since my freshman year, I have looked up to Ms. Shaness because she is an incredible artist, teacher, and spirit! I had the opportunity to assist with her work for the Baltimore Dance Project in my sophomore year. Witnessing her rehearsal process and her creative mind inspires me as a dancer every day. As a teacher, professor Kemp always pushes me to be what she knows I am capable of, and she always supports me in achieving my goals.

Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the support you find here?

A: UMBC is a place where you can find others who share your goals and are equally passionate.

Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most and why?

A: As a Visual and Performing Arts Grit Guide, I absolutely love getting to share my passion for UMBC and its community! So far, I have truly found incredible opportunities in my time here, as well as a beloved home away from home with the family I have in this community.

Q: What brought you to UMBC in the first place?

A: I came to UMBC because of the opportunities it presented. I loved the Dance Department and its faculty, I would be able to both dance and continue my passions for visual art, and I was still close to home.

Q: Since you’ve been a part of the UMBC community, how have you found support of your WHY? Tell us about the people who have helped you at UMBC, and why it has made such a difference to you.

A: The UMBC community has helped me gain confidence in all my endeavors. I have met so many fellow Retrievers who inspire me with their passion and drive, and I have such incredible support from my professors who want to see me succeed. The community here has helped me to believe in myself more than anything.

Q: Are you involved in any campus organizations? Tell us about what you love about them!

A: I currently serve as the president for UMBC’s Dance Council of Majors. I am incredibly honored to be in this leadership position because we foster community engagement amongst those who love to move and groove.

* * * * *

UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.