You know it's April when every day, there's something cool to learn at UMBC.  One of these opportunities for life-long learning happens tomorrow, Wednesday, April 8th, 4-5:30pm at the UMBC Library Gallery. UMBC/ Shriver Living Learning Community alumna Dr. Amber Spry will present "The Technological Future: Shifting the Focus from What We Build to Who We Build It For."

Join us in conversation with author of A Room in Bombay: A Memoir, Manil Suri, and English/MCS Alumnus, Aditya Desai. The event will be held on Thursday, April 16th, starting at 4:30PM in the Library Gallery!

Food will be provided.

About the Author: Manil Suri is the author of the forthcoming memoir, A Room in Bombay, three internationally acclaimed novels, The Death of Vishnu, The Age of Shiva and The City of Devi, and a book on popular mathematics, The Big Bang of Numbers.

He has served as a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times and is a distinguished university professor of mathematics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is a passionate promoter of both mathematics and the humanities, and has motivated audiences worldwide to embrace both, rather than just one or the other.

Aditya Desai, who will be in discussion with Manil Suri during the event, is a writer, editor, teacher, and activist living in Baltimore, Maryland. He also works with several arts & racial justice organizations in Baltimore including the CityLit Project, Baltimore Youth Arts, and the Asian Pasifika Arts Collective.

More about the book: Indian American author Manil Suri grew up in a large crumbling apartment in Bombay (now Mumbai) which his parents, who were Hindu, shared with three Muslim families. Their single room, at times a refuge from the religious and territorial tensions pervading the apartment, was also a prison that held them captive―his parents stuck in an unhappy marriage, the author unable to explore the dawning realization he might be gay. At age 20, Suri managed to break free and come to the US, where he finally found the freedom to embrace his sexuality and find a life partner. But the room, which still held his parents hostage, kept wrenching him back to Bombay.

By now real estate prices had risen so much that neighbors had begun conspiring to take over the room, causing Suri’s parents to dig in even more. Eventually it was only his mother, Prem, left, who had staked all her happiness on her son but was unable to escape the room’s hold on her. When a rash of mysterious incidents seemed to beset the room, Suri realized how little time he had left to convince Prem that a happier life might await beyond the four walls that both enthralled and imprisoned her.

This remarkable, gripping memoir explores how an abode can shape destiny, while delving into the difficult question of how much to prioritize our parents’ happiness over our own. Inspired by over 2,700 letters the author wrote home over three decades, it is ultimately a testament to the abiding, unbreakable bond tying a son to his mother.

This event has been organized by Asian Studies with support from the Global Asias Initiative.

This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

See the original post here.

Title: Supermassive Black Hole Growth in Local Low-Mass Mergers

Katherine Carver, Ashlyn Wright
Mentor: Adi Foord, Physics

Come see Kat's oral presentation in RAC 050 | 11 – 11:15 a.m.

Most massive galaxies host a supermassive black hole (SMBH) at their centers, whose feedback and growth impact the galaxy’s evolution. Such periods of activity, observed as active galactic nuclei (AGN), are thought to arise when gas is efficiently funneled toward the galactic center, fueling black hole accretion and growth. Extensive studies of major mergers have suggested a link between merger activity and the incidence of AGN. However, the precise role mergers play in triggering AGN activity remains unclear. This uncertainty is greater in the low-mass galaxy regime, where observational challenges make it difficult to identify merging systems and assess their AGN activity. Understanding AGN activity in low-mass mergers is especially important, as these systems are far more common and represent fundamental building blocks in the overall process of galaxy formation.
We present an X-ray study based on new XMM-Newton observations of six nearby (0.015 < z < 0.021) dwarf–dwarf galaxy merger systems. Out of the twelve galaxies analyzed, six show X-ray detections. Notably, two of the mergers exhibit X-ray emission from both galaxies, suggesting possible dual AGN candidates. These findings suggest that low-mass merging systems may significantly contribute to SMBH growth, playing a role comparable to that of major mergers.

This work was funded, in part, through an Undergraduate Research Award from the UMBC Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

URCAD is Wednesday, April 22 in the RAC:

URCAD.umbc.edu

Your graduate experience is more than a series of credits; it is a high-level training ground for the exact skills employers crave: critical thinking, project management, and specialized technical expertise. Now is the time to pivot from academic depth to career momentum. Here’s how.

Translate Your Academic Language

In the lab or the seminar room, you speak the language of academia. In the job market, you must speak the language of impact. Instead of listing "Dissertation Research" in a cover letter, for example, you can frame your experience as "Managing multi-year projects" or "Data-driven problem solving." By translating your academic tasks into industry-standard accomplishments, you make it easy for recruiters to see your value.

Own Your Professional Agency

For many graduate students, the transition to the workforce can feel like starting over. But you aren't starting from scratch — you are starting from really valuable experience. Whether you are aiming for a role in R&D, policy, or corporate leadership, you must view your time at UMBC as professional tenure.Yes — those grad school years do count as years of experience! When you treat your job search with the same rigor as your thesis or capstone project, you become an unstoppable candidate.

Diversify Your Career Narrative

Many graduate students feel pressured to follow a narrow, traditional path. However, the modern economy values the "versatile expert." Explore how your specialized skills can solve problems in unexpected sectors. Reframe uncertainty as a chance to explore the "hidden job market" where advanced degrees are highly sought after but rarely advertised in traditional ways. Read between the lines, and ask clarifying questions. You might be surprised by what you find.

Network Beyond the Department

While your faculty mentors are invaluable, building momentum also requires connecting with professionals who have already made the jump from the ivory tower to the industry. These connections provide the "insider intel" on company culture and hiring timelines that you won't find in a job description. Not sure where to start? Check out the Alumni tab for UMBC’s page on LinkedIn, or check out the community in Retrievers Connect. You might find that tapping into the UMBC connection is the gateway to a job opportunity.

Ready to Get Started?

Don't wait until your graduation day to start thinking about your next professional destination. Join the UMBC Career Center and the PROMISE program at Career Paths for Graduate Students on Thursday, April 9th from 5 to 8:30 PM. It’s a specialized series of sessions designed to help graduate students navigate the unique challenges of the advanced job search while acquiring helpful skills along the way.

1:30- 2:00pm, RAC Stage

Come rock with us, 90s style with the Down and Dirty Dawg Band!

Founded in 1998, DDDB is UMBC’s pep band. The name was given to the band by the members to reflect the music and attitude of the group. DDDB plays popular and jazz funk tunes and has grown into a core membership of highly motivated performers led by a student organization. They support the Retrievers Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams and perform at other spirit events. They will be playing a selection of 90s tunes to celebrate URCAD's 30th anniversary! Band members: Jamie Bates, Charlie Blocher, Rose Bodie, Aidan Cohen, Jean Diaz, Julieta Marin, Daniel Pellerano, Michael Riddle, Anastasia Sartain, Ben Yoder.

Director: Bentley Corbett-Wilson

URCAD is Wednesday, April 22 in the RAC:

URCAD.umbc.edu

Lama Mohamed's exhibit of illustrations explores how using creative methods can inspire greater thought and wonder in younger viewers’ first exposure to elementary science.

Special Exhibit, 10 – 11 a.m., RAC Upper Track, First Floor

Title: Imagining Science

Mentor: Chung-Wei Huang, Media and Communication Studies

Abstract:

Art has not been utilized nearly enough to visualize the complex relationships that exist within the broad disciplines of life sciences. The separation of creativity from science, and the rigidity of science within the arts has minimized the future possibilities of both fields. These illustrations explored how using more creative methods can inspire greater thought and wonder in younger viewers’ first exposure to elementary science. This was attempted through use of experimental art techniques such as collage, mixed media, and a focus on artistic appeal rather than strict accuracy of anatomy or scale. There are a total of three pieces: Scale, Unity, and Balance; all created with the intention of centering young audiences, but also the innate curiosity present in all people, regardless of age. Each illustration is centered around that inborn desire to understand and make meaning of the vast yet intricate world around us, and how it manifests in everyday life.

URCAD is Wednesday, April 22 in the RAC:

URCAD.umbc.edu

The Career Center is currently recruiting for our next great Graphic Design Intern for Summer 2026 through Spring 2027. 

Learn more about the position and Apply Here: https://app.joinhandshake.com/jobs/10883481

We would also like to congratulate our current graphic design intern, Samantha Nguyen, on her upcoming graduation this May. Get to know a little about Samantha and more about her experience working as our graphic design intern for the past two years with this Q&A:

Name: Samantha Nguyen

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Fall 2024-Spring 2026

Major: Graphic Design

Current Class Level: Senior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): UMBC Career Center

Location of the Organization (City, State): Baltimore, Maryland

Title of position: Graphic Design Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

I create graphics and promotional materials for career-related events hosted by the Career Center, both for digital and print.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I learned about the position at the UMBC Career Month Industry Fair for Creative Careers, where I spoke with my employer about my portfolio and the role. I then found the role on Handshake and applied shortly after.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Month, Industry Fair.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

I enjoyed learning how to branch my designs across multiple formats and the considerations involved in translating a composition into a different layout. I also enjoyed improving my technical attention to detail.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

My work adds visual interest to career-related events at UMBC and effectively communicates information to students through engaging design.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

Be adaptable and flexible in your work, and be open to seeking feedback to improve your designs and learn new skills.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

I really appreciated the various opportunities the Career Center provides to UMBC students, which I came to realize once working directly with the organization. There are many events provided that can help a student network and navigate their career journey; I recommend taking advantage of these resources early in their college years, and I wish I had done so in my college experience.

1:00-1:30pm, RAC Stage

After the Keynote speaker (12-1pm), stick around to hear members of the UMBC Jazz Ensemble performing original student jazz compositions. Tal Pluznik (drums), Adrian Mickens (trumpet), Leo Hickman (mandolin), Jack McGrath (bass), Noah Vernon (piano), Wyatt Betz (reeds)

Director: Matt Belzer

URCAD is Wednesday, April 22: URCAD.umbc.edu

Start your morning the UMBC commuter way.

Join us for breakfast with fellow commuters and connect with helpful on-campus resources. There's no better way to kick off your day!

Good Morning Commuters (GMC) takes place every Tuesday from 8:30–11:00 AM *except one a month when Good afternoon Commuters (GAC) is held* and is complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card.

Gold Cards are a one-time purchase per academic year and can be bought at any GMC event (cash only):

• $5 for Commuter Students

• $10 for Residential & Graduate Students

We can't wait to see you there!

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/ocss/events/149340

Happy Monday! Take a look at the events that will take place at The Mosaic Center this week: 

Wednesday, 3/25/2026 | Trivia Noon 12 -1  PM 

We hope to see you at our upcoming events and sponsorships! Questions regarding Mosaic programming can be sent to our email: themosaic@umbc.edu. 

The Mosaic Center and all events are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.