The UMBC Graduate Experiences, Achievements, and Research Successes (GEARS) Research Symposium showcases our students’ creativity, collaboration, and scholarly excellence. The annual event brings together faculty, staff and undergraduate and graduate students from across disciplines to discuss research, engage in meaningful dialogue, and celebrate innovation and real-world impact.
The 2026 symposium was held on April 7, 2026.
Best of COEIT award
A highlight of the symposium is the presentation of awards across four categories, including the “Best of COEIT Award,” which was presented this year by COEIT Dean Jeanne van Briesen.
This distinction is reserved for students who demonstrate not only technical mastery but also the ability to articulate the real-world impact of their work.
This year, the Best of COEIT Award was presented to Dharani Nadendla, a master’s student in data science, for her presentation of research conducted with Dong Li, assistant professor of computer science and electrical engineering, “ULTRASOUND WATERMARK: Real-time Acoustic Watermarking for Voice Scam Protection on Smartphones.”
The other awards presented at the ceremony were:
- Best of CNMS – Kushani Mendis, Ph.D. student in chemistry
- Best of CAHSS – Kaitlin Worzalla; B.A./M.S. in Geography and Environmental Systems
- People's Choice Award - Francheska Burrola; B.S. in Biological Sciences
- Provost's Choice Award - Aeon Kaplowitz, B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Why GEARS matters
The GEARS Symposium also offers all UMBC students the opportunity to engage with campus leadership, expand professional networks, and gain recognition for their scholarly contributions. The primary goal of GEARS is to shine a spotlight on the commitment and dedication of graduate students, who often spend years working behind the scenes in laboratories and research environments.Photo: Chaturya Yarradoddi stands in front of her poster presentation: "Analysing the impact of Financial Aid and Academic Pathways Preparation on Graduation using AI" (Photo courtesy of Yarradoddi)
Among this year’s participants, Chaturya Yarradoddi, a master’s student in data science, showcased a predictive AI model designed to analyze financial aid strategies and identify reliable predictors of student success. Reflecting on her experience, Yaradoddi shared:
“This project has taught me as much about myself as it has about data science. From merging messy datasets to deploying a live dashboard, I’m proud of the rigor we brought to the process and the conversations it sparked with fellow researchers."
From posing an initial research question to developing a functioning learning system, Yarradoddi’s research journey highlights the process of translating complex problems into informed decision-making tools that was on display through the GEARS Research Symposium. The event underscores the converging roles of technical analysis and human-centered inquiry in advancing scholarly development and meaningful societal impact.