CBEE alumnus - FY24 president of Society of Women Engineers Alexis (Hillock) McKittrick, '01 Congratulations to Dr. Alexis (Hillock) McKittrick, '01 on her role as FY24 Society of Women Engineers (SWE) President 

Alexis McKittrick, Ph.D., a Society of Women Engineers 20-plus year and life member, has served as a volunteer leader in the organization for more than 15 years, holding roles that span all facets of the Society. Prior to being elected president, Dr. McKittrick served as president-elect and spent two terms on SWE’s board of directors, including serving as secretary and leading the senate as speaker. Highlights from her other SWE leadership roles include chairing two committees; serving on two governance task forces; and serving as governor of the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Dr. McKittrick is currently a program manager in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Office. She serves on the SWE board of directors in her personal capacity. Prior to joining the DOE, Dr. McKittrick served as a senior researcher at the IDA Science and Technology Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., where she conducted nonpartisan research and analysis for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and various federal agencies. She also worked in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Change Division, focusing on greenhouse gas analysis and policy for the oil and gas, chemicals, and semiconductor sectors.

Dr. McKittrick holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she was a Meyerhoff Scholar.

In 2014, she was presented with the D.C. Council of Engineering and Architectural Societies’ Young Engineer of the Year Award and received SWE’s Emerging Leader Award in 2019.

Learn more: 
https://alltogether.swe.org/2023/07/diverse-podcast-swe-presidents/
]]> Congratulations to Dr. Alexis (Hillock) McKittrick, '01 on her role as FY24 Society of Women Engineers (SWE) President  Alexis McKittrick, Ph.D., a Society of Women Engineers 20-plus year and... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134335/guest@my.umbc.edu/04f9c721f8da764bd702cd885ce07678/api/pixel alumni fall-2023 Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/cbee https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xsmall.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/original.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xxlarge.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xlarge.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/large.png?1746794587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/medium.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/small.png?1746794587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xsmall.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xxsmall.png?1746794587 Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering 1 0 true Wed, 19 Jul 2023 12:16:33 -0400 TIME SENSITIVE: Student Worker Position Available! Learn About the Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program
The Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP) is seeking a student worker to support its program, which is based out of The Shriver Center. The position is a 12-month position that would begin in late August. 

As mentioned in the attached position description and application, applicants should be a Junior or higher-level undergraduate, or graduate level student, (graduate student is preferred) with a comprehensive knowledge of social media platforms, Google Apps, IoT devices, and design software. Students from Education, Psychology, Public Policy, and Sociology Departments are preferred. 

The application includes a few short essay questions and suggested interview times/dates, which would be held virtually.  Should none of those dates/times work, share some other options when you submit your application and resume to Louise Corwin, Chair of the MECLP Advisory Committee, at lcorwin@umbc.edu. 

If you have any questions, reach out to Louise at lcorwin@umbc.edu.

More info about MECLP can be found at 
]]> The Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP) is seeking a student worker to support its program, which is based out of The Shriver Center. The position is a 12-month position that would... https://shrivercenter.umbc.edu/ Document https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/attachments/81053bb06eb55df9b46a8601b6e9f779/6a7f5c93/news/000/134/330/ae437864746ae2a9e694a6ed2b5824db/Student Worker Job Description 2023.final.docx?1689729924 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134330/guest@my.umbc.edu/ca48d12e9925a32549951326bfea78ab/api/pixel The Shriver Center https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/shriver https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/008/0bfad113286cf6b1bc6dedbdbfc7e5ef/xsmall.png?1441293069 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/008/0bfad113286cf6b1bc6dedbdbfc7e5ef/original.jpg?1441293069 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/008/0bfad113286cf6b1bc6dedbdbfc7e5ef/xxlarge.png?1441293069 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/008/0bfad113286cf6b1bc6dedbdbfc7e5ef/xlarge.png?1441293069 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/008/0bfad113286cf6b1bc6dedbdbfc7e5ef/large.png?1441293069 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/008/0bfad113286cf6b1bc6dedbdbfc7e5ef/medium.png?1441293069 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/008/0bfad113286cf6b1bc6dedbdbfc7e5ef/small.png?1441293069 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/008/0bfad113286cf6b1bc6dedbdbfc7e5ef/xsmall.png?1441293069 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/008/0bfad113286cf6b1bc6dedbdbfc7e5ef/xxsmall.png?1441293069 The Shriver Center 0 0 true Tue, 18 Jul 2023 21:25:24 -0400 Deadline Extended: Apply to be a CWIT Peer Mentor by 07/31! The application is still open for the 2023-2024 school year! If you didn't get to apply to be a CWIT Peer Mentor by the 07/15 deadline, there's still time; we've extended our deadline to July 31!

The application to be a CWIT Peer Mentor is HERE.

CWIT Peer Mentors will help guide our new Scholars & Affiliates through their first year of UMBC life, through support of their academic, professional and personal goals. 
Mentors will receive $150 in Retriever Dollars each semester.

A full breakdown of responsibilities and time commitments can be found on the application.

Feel free to contact Morgan Lovell at mlovell1@umbc.edu if you have any questions!
]]> If you didn't get to apply to be a CWIT Peer Mentor by the 07/15 deadline, there's still time; we've extended our deadline to July 31! The application to be a CWIT Peer Mentor is HERE. CWIT... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134322/guest@my.umbc.edu/73e4cbfcf4d8d2ce5aa2e1fd73571874/api/pixel CWIT Affiliates https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/cwitaffiliates https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/215/ed0dde28b964e06263b6aa35dc2ee277/xsmall.png?1724681280 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/215/ed0dde28b964e06263b6aa35dc2ee277/original.png?1724681280 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/215/ed0dde28b964e06263b6aa35dc2ee277/xxlarge.png?1724681280 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/215/ed0dde28b964e06263b6aa35dc2ee277/xlarge.png?1724681280 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/215/ed0dde28b964e06263b6aa35dc2ee277/large.png?1724681280 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/215/ed0dde28b964e06263b6aa35dc2ee277/medium.png?1724681280 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/215/ed0dde28b964e06263b6aa35dc2ee277/small.png?1724681280 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/215/ed0dde28b964e06263b6aa35dc2ee277/xsmall.png?1724681280 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/215/ed0dde28b964e06263b6aa35dc2ee277/xxsmall.png?1724681280 CWIT Affiliates 0 0 true Tue, 18 Jul 2023 09:58:26 -0400 Weekday Access Coming Fall 2023 - Route 40 Bus route New Update from UMBC Transit
Click here to see the original post 

Beginning in Fall 2023, UMBC Transit will provide weekday access to the Route 40/Ellicott City communities. Historically, this route had been a weekend-only route that accommodated shopping options for our students during the weekends. With an increased number of  Graduate and undergraduate students living in the Route 40 and Ellicott City community, the requests for weekday access have also grown.

This transportation route gives students a dependable means of getting to and from campus on weekdays and weekends. Along the way, you'll pass through a vibrant network of shopping centers, international markets, apartments, homes, and eateries.

In the coming weeks, Transit will publish this route's Fall 2023 schedule and other points of interest. In the meantime, you can Ride Virtually Here.
]]> Click here to see the original post  Beginning in Fall 2023, UMBC Transit will provide weekday access to the Route 40/Ellicott City communities. Historically, this route had been a... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134285/guest@my.umbc.edu/98616ed2fa13e20d151fb4f3ea84127e/api/pixel Commuter Connections https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/ocss https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/xsmall.png?1770828767 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/original.png?1770828767 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/xxlarge.png?1770828767 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/xlarge.png?1770828767 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/large.png?1770828767 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/medium.png?1770828767 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/small.png?1770828767 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/xsmall.png?1770828767 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/xxsmall.png?1770828767 Off-Campus Student Services https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/285/c217578a7319e746178c6172a0cdc65c/xxlarge.jpg?1689259800 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/285/c217578a7319e746178c6172a0cdc65c/xlarge.jpg?1689259800 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/285/c217578a7319e746178c6172a0cdc65c/large.jpg?1689259800 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/285/c217578a7319e746178c6172a0cdc65c/medium.jpg?1689259800 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/285/c217578a7319e746178c6172a0cdc65c/small.jpg?1689259800 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/285/c217578a7319e746178c6172a0cdc65c/xsmall.jpg?1689259800 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/285/c217578a7319e746178c6172a0cdc65c/xxsmall.jpg?1689259800 1 0 true Thu, 13 Jul 2023 10:50:26 -0400 New Publication by CBEE Alumni Dr. Yun Jiao, PhD '21 Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Dr. Yun Jiao, PhD '21 chemical and biochemical engineering, has a new paper, based on her doctoral research, "Brain injury accelerates the onset of a reversible age-related microglial phenotype associated with inflammatory neurodegeneration", which was published in the ScienceAdvances.  

The article is available here:
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add1101

Abstract

Lipofuscin is an autofluorescent (AF) pigment formed by lipids and misfolded proteins, which accumulates in postmitotic cells with advanced age. Here, we immunophenotyped microglia in the brain of old C57BL/6 mice (>18 months old) and demonstrate that in comparison to young mice, one-third of old microglia are AF, characterized by profound changes in lipid and iron content, phagocytic activity, and oxidative stress. Pharmacological depletion of microglia in old mice eliminated the AF microglia following repopulation and reversed microglial dysfunction. Age-related neurological deficits and neurodegeneration after traumatic brain injury (TBI) were attenuated in old mice lacking AF microglia. Furthermore, increased phagocytic activity, lysosomal burden, and lipid accumulation in microglia persisted for up to 1 year after TBI, were modified by APOE4 genotype, and chronically driven by phagocyte-mediated oxidative stress. Thus, AF may reflect a pathological state in aging microglia associated with increased phagocytosis of neurons and myelin and inflammatory neurodegeneration that can be further accelerated by TBI.

]]> Dr. Yun Jiao, PhD '21 chemical and biochemical engineering, has a new paper, based on her doctoral research, "Brain injury accelerates the onset of a reversible age-related microglial phenotype... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134278/guest@my.umbc.edu/178db7ef58b53351a93d4ea335f06fd2/api/pixel alumni faculty grad research spring-2023 szeto Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/cbee https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xsmall.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/original.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xxlarge.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xlarge.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/large.png?1746794587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/medium.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/small.png?1746794587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xsmall.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xxsmall.png?1746794587 Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering 0 0 true Wed, 12 Jul 2023 12:17:39 -0400 Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:53:44 -0400 New Publication by CBEE Alumni Dr. Michael H. Zhang, PhD '21
Dr. Michael H. Zhang, PhD '21 chemical and biochemical engineering has a new paper, based on his doctoral research, "Lipid–Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles Utilize B Cells and Dendritic Cells to Elicit Distinct Antigen-Specific CD4+ and CD8+ T Cell Responses", which was published in the ACS Applied Bio Materials.  

The article is available here:
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsabm.3c00229

Abstract

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are widely studied for treating immune-mediated diseases, and dendritic cells (DCs) are potent APCs that uptake and present antigens (Ags). However, DCs face several challenges that hinder their clinical translation due to their inability to control Ag dosing and low abundance in peripheral blood. B cells are a potential alternative to DCs, but their poor nonspecific Ag uptake capabilities compromise controllable priming of T cells. Here, we developed phospholipid-conjugated Ags (L-Ags) and lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles (L/P-Ag NPs) as delivery platforms to expand the range of accessible APCs for use in T cell priming. These delivery platforms were evaluated using DCs, CD40-activated B cells, and resting B cells to understand the impacts of various Ag delivery mechanisms for generation of Ag-specific T cell responses. L-Ag delivery (termed depoting) of MHC class I- and II-restricted Ags successfully loaded all APC types in a tunable manner and primed both Ag-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, respectively. Incorporating L-Ags and polymer-conjugated Ags (P-Ag) into NPs can direct Ags to different uptake pathways to engineer the dynamics of presentation and shape T cell responses. DCs were capable of processing and presenting Ag delivered from both L- and P-Ag NPs, yet B cells could only utilize Ag delivered from L-Ag NPs, which led to differential cytokine secretion profiles in coculture studies. Altogether, we show that L-Ags and P-Ags can be rationally paired within a single NP to leverage distinct delivery mechanisms to access multiple Ag processing pathways in two APC types, offering a modular delivery platform for engineering Ag-specific immunotherapies.

]]> Dr. Michael H. Zhang, PhD '21 chemical and biochemical engineering has a new paper, based on his doctoral research, "Lipid–Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles Utilize B Cells and Dendritic Cells to... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134277/guest@my.umbc.edu/903fc45d7af4b3b6d81d42340822646f/api/pixel alumni faculty grad research spring-2023 szeto Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/cbee https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xsmall.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/original.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xxlarge.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xlarge.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/large.png?1746794587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/medium.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/small.png?1746794587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xsmall.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xxsmall.png?1746794587 Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering 0 0 true Wed, 12 Jul 2023 12:13:10 -0400 CBEE students & faculty highlighted: UMBC LSAMP 2021 - 2022 Annual Report

The UMBC LSAMP 2021-2022 Annual Report highlights involvement in the UMBC LOUIS STOKES ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION (LSAMP) program. LSAMP participants have access to individualized advising, campus workshops, funded research experiences, and national and international conferences to strengthen their STEM identity and promote entry into top graduate programs. 

We want to specifically celebrate the achievements of those pursuing their bachelors of science in chemical engineering and the departmental faculty supporting their efforts. 


"...sometimes you feel as if you're not making much progress but then you come to understand that your data can be helpful to others. My PI has taught me that my role in the research lab is valuable and that routine observations can lead to progress in an experiment. "

- Excerpt From A Chemical Engineering Major '23 Research Reflection -


FALL 2021 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (Pg 26 )

Name and Class | Major | Topic | Faculty Mentor | University

SPRING 2022 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP  PROGRAM (pg 27)

Name and Class | Major | Topic | Faculty Mentor | University


"As I increase my involvement in my research project, I begin to appreciate the knowledge I have acquired over my academic career. Knowledge that I previously thought would be unnecessary began to gain purpose in my head as I used it everyday in the lab. Even topics that I knew would be important in my future career were very abstract. But to my surprise and relief, I was able to apply the concepts earlier than expected as an undergraduate researcher. This turned these abstract ideas and theoretical concepts into a useful tool that made my job possible and easier." 

- Excerpt From A Chemical Engineering Major '23 Research Reflection -


SUMMER 2022 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (pg 34)

Name and Class | Major | Topic | Faculty Mentor | University
  • Shashane Anderson ‘25 | Pre-Chemical Engineering | Atmospheric Chemistry | Dr. Christopher Hennigan | UMBC
  • Makayla Headley '22 | Chemical Engineering | Analytical Chemistry | Dr. Jamie Gurganus | UMBC
  • Madison McLaren ‘23 | Chemical Engineering | Environmental Engineering | Dr. Christopher Hennigan | UMBC 

FALL 2022 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 

  • Diego Iglesias Vega ‘23 | Chemical Engineering | Toxicological Chemistry | Dr. Lee Blaney | UMBC 

LSAMP Faculty Research Mentors (pg 31)

  • Dr. Lee Blaney | Professor | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering | Toxicological Chemistry | UMBC
  • Dr. Christopher Hennigan | Associate Professor | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering | Atmospheric Chemistry | UMBC

"One thing I’ve become increasingly grateful for when it come to LSAMP is their effort in connecting me with a faculty member that cares about me. I’m so appreciative to finally have a mentor figure during my college career, and I couldn’t have asked for a more guiding mentor. My mentor has encouraged me as a student researcher and as a prospective graduate student. We have had several meetings to discuss graduate school, and he has offered to help guide me through the application process. This type of encouragement is something I’ve really needed throughout college, and I’m grateful to finally have it. - Excerpt From A Chemical Engineering Major '24 Research Reflection - 


Faculty Spotlight (pg 33)

Dr. Erin Lavik is an Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development in the College of Engineering and information Technology. Her research team combines polymer synthesis and processing, drug delivery, and stem cell biology in pursuit of new approaches to therapy. Each year, Dr. Lavik welcomes LSAMP Research Fellows into her lab hosting 8 scholars since 2018. Aye Tuedon '25 states, "Dr. Lavik is a great mentor who is genuinely interested in the advancement of each student under her guidance. She has taught me to never underestimate myself and is always supportive of my research journey."
 

CLASS OF 2022 GRADUATING FELLOWS AND POST-GRADUATION PLANS (pg 40)

  • Justin Damon Chemical Engineering BS is pursuing his PhD at Georgia Institute of Technology\
]]> The UMBC LSAMP 2021-2022 Annual Report highlights involvement in the UMBC LOUIS STOKES ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION (LSAMP) program. LSAMP participants have access to individualized... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134254/guest@my.umbc.edu/591391708a728307450fe631ba59e735/api/pixel award blaney faculty hennigan lavik lsamp research ug ug-award ug-research undergrad Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/cbee https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xsmall.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/original.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xxlarge.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xlarge.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/large.png?1746794587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/medium.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/small.png?1746794587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xsmall.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xxsmall.png?1746794587 Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/254/e0f0a48960cd99688ebafdc850906b85/xxlarge.jpg?1689008082 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/254/e0f0a48960cd99688ebafdc850906b85/xlarge.jpg?1689008082 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/254/e0f0a48960cd99688ebafdc850906b85/large.jpg?1689008082 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/254/e0f0a48960cd99688ebafdc850906b85/medium.jpg?1689008082 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/254/e0f0a48960cd99688ebafdc850906b85/small.jpg?1689008082 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/254/e0f0a48960cd99688ebafdc850906b85/xsmall.jpg?1689008082 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/134/254/e0f0a48960cd99688ebafdc850906b85/xxsmall.jpg?1689008082 1 0 true Mon, 10 Jul 2023 12:53:04 -0400 Tue, 23 Apr 2024 10:42:34 -0400 In the News: Dr. Ghosh on C&E News Postcast on wastewater What happens when wastewater treatment facilities fail? Dr. Upal Ghosh, professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering, is intereviewed as part of the a recent C&E News Podcast with Stereo Chemistry. 

The Podcast: Here’s what happens when wastewater treatment facilities fail.
During the podcast the podcasters visit two struggling wastewater treatment plants in Baltimore to examine the impact on surrounding ecosystems and explore the future of wastewater chemistry

Dr. Upal Ghosh's interview  starts at 14.40 min into the recording. The podcast is all about bioprocess, infrastructure funds, and circular economy!

Direct link to the podcast and transcript: https://cen.acs.org/environment/water/Podcast-what-happens-wastewater-treatment-facilities-fail/101/web/2023/06 
]]> Dr. Upal Ghosh, professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering, is intereviewed as part of the a recent C&E News Podcast with Stereo Chemistry.  The Podcast: Here’s what... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134253/guest@my.umbc.edu/d1fc52d23dbc7819a4b4c5caf8d15218/api/pixel faculty ghosh news summer-2023 Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/cbee https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xsmall.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/original.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xxlarge.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xlarge.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/large.png?1746794587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/medium.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/small.png?1746794587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xsmall.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xxsmall.png?1746794587 Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering 0 0 true Mon, 10 Jul 2023 12:01:51 -0400 Mon, 10 Jul 2023 12:03:15 -0400 PhD defense: Knowledge Graphs & Reinforcement Learning, a Hybrid Approach for Cybersecurity Tasks
Ph.D. Dissertation Defense

Knowledge Graphs and Reinforcement Learning:
a Hybrid Approach for Cybersecurity Tasks


Aritran Piplai


10:00am -12:00pm ET, Monday July 10, 2023

Dissertation Committee: Drs. Anupam Joshi (Chair/Advisor), Charles Nicholas, Chenchen Liu, Filip Perich, Joysula R. Rao, Sudip Mittal, Tim Finin

With the explosion of available data and computational power, machine learning and deep learning techniques are being increasingly used to solve problems. The domain of cybersecurity is no exception, as we have seen a significant amount of research in the recent past using data-driven machine learning approaches for different tasks.

Rule-based and supervised machine learning-based approaches are often brittle in detecting attacks, can be defeated by adversaries that adapt, and can't use the knowledge of experts. To address this problem, we propose a novel approach for cybersecurity tasks that leverages the supply of 'explicit' knowledge expressed as Knowledge Graphs, as well as the data-driven approaches of machine learning to ascertain the 'tacit' knowledge. The inspiration for this hybrid model is drawn from the manner in which security analysts work, combining their background knowledge with observed data from host and network-based sensors.

We focus on the tasks of malware detection and mitigation policy generation. We are specifically interested in the capability of synthesizing variants of a malware that can be further enhanced to detect unseen attacks. We combine the knowledge that is explicit with explorations in the 'action space' of detecting novel malware attacks as well as mitigating them. Analysts use past experiences and actions that they have taken when faced with attacks that manifest characteristics similar to the new one. The other component of their approach is exploring new `actions' that might be taken to respond to a novel malware, guided by their understanding of the domain. These steps can be considered as a 'trial and error' based approach. In this dissertation, we describe knowledge graph construction techniques from open-source text as well as several Reinforcement Learning based algorithms, guided by explicit background knowledge encoded in a knowledge graph, that best mimics the approach of security analysts. We observe that the efficiency of RL algorithms has increased by ~4% by incorporating prior knowledge. We also observe that in simulated environments RL policies are able to generate more precise mitigations with the help of prior knowledge.


]]> Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Knowledge Graphs and Reinforcement Learning: a Hybrid Approach for Cybersecurity Tasks Aritran Piplai 10:00am -12:00pm ET, Monday July 10, 2023... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134245/guest@my.umbc.edu/196061820e7d9dbbaf1f9e67e2a49691/api/pixel ai cybersecurity defense learning reinforcement Computer Science and Electrical Engineering https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/csee https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xsmall.png?1314043393 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/original.png?1314043393 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xxlarge.png?1314043393 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xlarge.png?1314043393 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/large.png?1314043393 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/medium.png?1314043393 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/small.png?1314043393 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xsmall.png?1314043393 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xxsmall.png?1314043393 Computer Science and Electrical Engineering 0 0 true Sat, 08 Jul 2023 13:20:57 -0400 Sat, 08 Jul 2023 15:54:04 -0400 COEIT Advisors "Virtual" in July

COEIT Advisors "Virtual" in July

Though we are not in our offices we are still here to help!
Due to renovations occurring on the second floor of the ITE Building COEIT advisors will be working remotely for most of July. No in person appointments are available starting July 1st unless specific arrangements are made in advance.

Advisors will continue to be available electronically. 

An announcement will be posted when we have a specific return to office date. 

Current UMBC students and incoming students who have already attended orientation can reach advisors via email and can schedule virtual advising appointments.  Information about how to contact an advisor can be found here. 

COEIT advisors look forward to working with you virtually for July and seeing you in person in August!


]]> COEIT Advisors "Virtual" in July Though we are not in our offices we are still here to help! Due to renovations occurring on the second floor of the ITE Building COEIT advisors will be working... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134183/guest@my.umbc.edu/47592ab5bfe4d53fdf2fa1a83ce7136e/api/pixel summer ugrad Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/cbee https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xsmall.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/original.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xxlarge.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xlarge.png?1746794587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/large.png?1746794587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/medium.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/small.png?1746794587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xsmall.png?1746794587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/771/b5e579e81b2e3624611890fa3ca2716a/xxsmall.png?1746794587 Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering 0 0 true Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:09:24 -0400