Come see these Meyerhoff Scholars present their research on April 24th!
Peter Bailer | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering
Design and Analysis Of Hydrogels To Protect Biosensors From Enzyme-Catalysed Degradation
Mentor(s): Jennie Leach
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Peter Bailer | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering
Prevention Of RNA Aptamer Degradation To Create Biosensors For Therapeutic Drug
Mentor(s): Jennie Leach
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Robin Bailey | Biological Sciences
Molecular Determinants Of Melanopsin Function, Localization, and Activation
Mentor(s): Phyllis Robinson
UC 204 | 10:45 – 11 a.m.
Karis Barnett | Chemistry and Biochemistry
Comparison Of Solvent Delivery Systems For Enhancing Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI) Source
Mentor(s): William LaCourse
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Keynon Bell | Chemistry and Biochemistry
4D Mapping Of Spatiofunctional Enzyme Droplets In Living Cells
Minjoung Kyoung(s): Name
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Bryanna Canales | Biological Sciences
The Role Of Lactate As A Stabilizing Molecule For Ndrg1-Mediated Energy Preservation Under Anoxia
Mentor(s): Rachel Brewster
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Ricardo Cardoza | Mechanical Engineering
Formaldehyde Vapor Sensor
Mentor(s): Gymama Slaughter
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Katherine-Ann Carr | Physics
Classifying Galaxy Morphology Using Machine Learning
Mentor(s): Meg Urry
Fine Arts Recital Hall | 11:45 – Noon
Noah Carver | Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Modular Solvers For Partially Continuous Abstract Markov Decision Processes
Mentor(s): Cynthia Matuszek
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Kennedy Chioma | Chemistry and Biochemistry
Characterization Of The Thermodynamic Processes Of Nucleocapsid Binding To Viral Rna
Mentor(s): Michael Summers
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Autumn Cook | Chemistry and Biochemistry
The Rheology And Dynamics Of Active Matter Suspensions
Mentor(s): Daniel L. Blair
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Eliana Crentsil | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering
Effects Of Cell Tension On YAP/TAZ-Mediated Volume Regulation
Mentor(s): Sean Sun
Fine Arts Recital Hall | 11:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Christopher Dunstan | Mathematics and Statistics
Stochastic Models Of Cell Polarization In The C. Elegans Zygote
Mentor(s): Hye-Won Kang
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Dorian Frazier | Biological Sciences
Phosphoregulation Of The Histone Methyltransferase Set5
Mentor(s): Erin Green
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Garrett Freeman | Chemistry and Biochemistry
Biochemical And Structural Characterization Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 Spliced RNA
Mentor(s): Michael Summers
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Frances Grace Ghinger | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Determining The Structure Of The HIV-1 5’ Leader Monomeric And Dimeric Confirmations
Mentor(s): Michael Summers
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Darin Gilchrist | Chemistry and Biochemistry
Structural Determination Of HIV-1 MAL Minimal Packaging Region
Mentor(s): Michael Summers
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Yasmin Graham | Information Systems
Understanding The Stress Experience Of Emergency Health Workers
Mentor(s): Andrea Kleinsmith
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Brian D. Hanson, Jr. | Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Fabrication Of A Wearable Temperature Sensing System For CIPA Patients
Mentor(s): Gymama Slaughter
UC 312 | 3:45 – 4 p.m.
Edward Hanson | Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Brain Guitar-Pedal Interface
Mentor(s): E. F. Charles LaBerge
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Lauren Harris | Chemistry and Biochemistry
Photodegradation Of Sulfonamide Antibiotics: Apparentreaction Kinetics And Identification Of Transformation Products
Mentor(s): Lee Blaney
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Phillip Hilliard | Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Annotating And Predicting Contextual Sentiment In Text
Mentor(s): Frank Ferraro
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Temitope Ibitoye | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering
Phototransformation Of Macrolide Antibiotics In UV-254 Systems And Characterization Of Residual Antimicrobial Activity
Mentor(s): Lee Blaney
UC 204 | 10 – 10:45 a.m.
Gerson Kroiz | Mathematics and Statistics
Study Of Calcium-induced Calcium Release Components Incardiomyocytes Modeled By Seven Partial Differential Equations
Mentor(s): Matthias Gobbert
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
April Laranang | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering
Total And Methylmercury Exposure To Individuals In Artisanal And Small-Scale Gold Mining In Madre De Dios, Peru
Mentor(s): Helen Hsu-Kim
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Caroline Larkin | Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
An Evolutionary Algorithm To Reverse-Engineer Tumor Sub-Clonal Dynamics And Predict Optimal Treatment Targets
Mentor(s): Daniel Lobo
UC 310 | 2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Karan Luthria | Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Phenotype Clustering Using Computational Tools To Potentially Reduce Healthcare Costs
Mentor(s): Maricel Kann
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Ugonna Mbaekwe | Biological Sciences
Genetic Control Of AIA Cell-Identity Maintenance In Caenorhabditis Elegans
Mentor(s): Robert Horvitz
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Darius McKoy | Biological Sciences
Role Of N-Myc Downstream Regulated Gene 1a (Ndrg1a) In Cellular Arrest Under Anoxia
Mentor(s): Rachel Brewster
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Saida Muktar | Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematical Model Of A Novel Pathway For PI3K Independent Nuclear Influx And Efflux Of Foxo1 In Skeletal Muscle Fibers
Mentor(s): Bradford Peercy
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Avi Newman | Chemistry and Biochemistry
Assay development For N2-Ethylguanine Using Liquid Chromatography- Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation
Mentor(s): William LaCourse
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman | Economics
Evaluating The Impact Of Early Childhood Malaria On Normal School Progression In Ghana
Mentor(s): Thomas Gindling
UC 310 | 10 – 10:15 a.m.
Matthew Orellana | Chemistry and Biochemistry
Analyzing The Monomeric Conformation Of The HIV-1 5′-Leader RNA Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Mentor(s): Michael Summers
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Afia Osei-Ntansah | Biological Sciences
Role Of The N-myc Downstream Regulated Gene (NDRG) 1 In The Adaptation Of The Kidney To Low Oxygen
Mentor(s): Rachel Brewster
UC 204 | 11:45 – Noon
Yaw Owusu-Boaitey | Biological Sciences
Identifying A Role Of Skp2 In Border Cell Migration In The Drosophila Ovary
Mentor(s): Michelle Starz-Gaiano
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Connor Parker | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Optimization Of Conditions For Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Evaluation Of HIV-1 MA And TRNAs
Mentor(s): Janae Baptiste
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Nicholas Potteiger | Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Archiving Workflows In Cloud Based Storage
Mentor(s): Douglas Thain
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Hannah Ramcharan | Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Manual Curation Of Disease Ontologies To Refine Human Genotype-Phenotype Associations
Mentor(s): Maricel Kann
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Tatiana Rodriguez | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Determining The Structure Of The Hiv-1 5′-Leader Dimeric Conformation
Mentor(s): Michael Summers
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Jeremy Rubin | Mathematics and Statistics
Letting The LaxKAT Out Of The Bag: Packaging, Simulation, And Neuroimaging Data Analysis For A Powerful Kernel Test
Mentor(s): Russell Shinohara
UC 310 | 3:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Joshua David Slaughter | Geography and Environmental Systems
The Ephemerality of Secondary Forests In Southern Costa Rica
Mentor(s): Matthew Fagan
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Miles Smith | Mechanical Engineering
Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Research For Self-sustainable Wind Turbine Monitoring Systems
Mentor(s): Soobum Lee
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Taylor Stephen | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering
Thermodynamic Modeling Of Pollutant Uptake By Freshwater Mussels (Elliptio Complanata)
Mentor(s): Upal Ghosh
UC 312 | 3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Jordan Troutman | Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Understanding Machine Learning Bias Without A Ground Truth
Mentor(s): Anand Sarwate
UC Ballroom | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Halle Welch | Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering
Examining Characteristics Of erecta1-6 Mutant Phenotype In Physcomitrella Patens
Mentor(s): Adrienne Roeder
UC Ballroom | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Briana Yancy | Biological Sciences
Nest SUC 204 Characteristics Of The Bahama Oriole: Habitat Requirements Of A Critically Endangered Species
Mentor(s): Kevin Omland
Fine Arts Recital Hall | 9:45 – 10 a.m.
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Light Show Using “The Most Powerful Console On The Market”
Mentor: Adam Mendelson, Theatre
Location: UC Ballroom Lounge | Time: 1:00p – 3:00 p.m. (show will run every 15 minutes, starting at 1:15)
As part of my URA, I researched the GrandMA2 lighting control system with the intention and purpose of using the system to program lights to music for a light show and a live band. This show was produced in the Proscenium Theatre on February 15th, 2019. As MA Lighting says on its website, the GranMA offers an integrated MA System that supplies optimal solutions for sophisticated projects with complex system requirements. for large scale shows and concert production. I learned how to use the system, and I then brought the information back to UMBC Theatre. The light show I created in February visually displayed my proficiency on the system. Following the show, I hosted a master class to discuss some of what I find to be most unique about the system. I have also made myself a valuable resource as a programmer for local companies in the industry. I plan to continue my research to become a better and more knowledgeable programmer. At URCAD, I am hosting another light show to display my research and proficiency. By creating a second show I hope further my proficiency on the system. With practice I will become a better and faster programm
]]>Film and Animation Festival
2:00-2:15- Susanna Abler, BFRB: An Animated PSA
2:15-2:30- John Martinez, What You Mean to Me
2:30-2:45- Julia Blurton-Jones, Traitor: An Animated Short
2:45-3:00- William Kraft, Illusion
3:00-3:15- Angelo Rayner, Nose Job
Films will be shown in the Fine Arts Recital Hall
Moderator: Prof. Corrie Parks
URCAD is Wednesday, April 24th!
]]>Video Games
10:00am-12:00pm
Virtual Reality Mirror Therapy Rehabilitation For Post-Stroke Patients (Levan Sulimanov)
Derik’s Inferno: A Retro Two-dimensional Platformer From Hell (Andrew McFarland)
Escape to Planet Earth (Andrew McLamb, Carllie Foley)
Wizards (Brendan Robinson)
Thirst: A Quest To Restore The Oasis (Elwin Brown, Erin Cannon)
Judgement Of Osiris (Ryan Hartig, David Lane, Misha Furman, Melody Chan)
UMBC Game Developers Club 2018-2019 Game Projects: Shea Sandifer, Josh Ludlow, Trevor Ancona, Alex Leger, Kit Heckman, Anthony Ellis, Ben Przysucha, Cameron Blomquist, Shawn Oppermann, Liam Upton
Interactive video games will be set up in the UC Ballroom Lounge.
URCAD is Wednesday, April 24th!
]]>Name:Ghazal Becker
Internship, Co-op or Research Site:Summers Lab, University of Maryland Baltimore County
Position Title: Research Assistant
Major(s)/Minor(s):Biological Sciences Major, Chemistry and Psychology Minors and Honors Certificate
Work Term:Spring 2018-Present
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
I joined Dr. Summers lab in January 2018, right after I finished my first semester as a transfer student at UMBC. At Dr. Summers lab, each graduate student and postdoc has their own group. When I first joined the lab, I was able to shadow different groups and ended up being part of Dr. Joshua Brown’s group. Being a part of this group, allowed me to learn to become independent, work on a project on my own and train other students. This research opportunity has allowed me to improve my public speaking, critical thinking, communication and time management skills. Since I joined the lab, I have been able to present my research poster 4 times including at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS). Joining Dr. Summers lab has allowed me to learn and develop many laboratory skills such as Pipetting Techniques, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Trial Transcription, Large Scale Transcription Reaction, Gel Agarose Electrophoresis, and Bacterial Transformation. My day to day responsibilities in my group includes preparing samples, performing gel studies, planning my every day in advance and writing and reflecting on what I do daily.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I transferred to UMBC from Howard Community College (HCC) fall of 2017. As a pre-med transfer junior student, I did not know much about research opportunities on campus but I knew I wanted to do research and I saw a lot of UMBC students being involved in research. I asked around and learned that I should just email different professors in Biology and Chemistry departments and ask to see if they have any research opportunities available for undergraduate students. I specifically learned about Dr. Summers lab through a teacher assistant from one of my classes. I emailed my resume to Dr. Summers, specified my interest and asked if I could join his lab. I received an email couple weeks after I applied, had an interview, and was able to start working in the lab right after the fall semester ended, in the beginning of January 2018.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
I have enjoyed learning, collaborating and sharing ideas in my group, being assigned my own project, and being able to train other students the most about my position. I also enjoyed traveling to go to a conference, presenting my research at a national level and learning about what other students all over the Unites States are performing research on. What I enjoy the most about the lab that I work in is the fact that it is a very supportive and friendly environment and that we have fun activities such as going on annual ski trip or a picnic or eating at a restaurant together.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
Working hard toward a certain goal and trying to test if a hypothesis is correct or not helps me to believe that I have made an impact. Structural studies that are performed in our lab are done to solve a specific structure and function of 5´ leader of HIV-1 RNA genome. Once a structure is determined more specifically, better therapeutics could be find to help individuals infected with HIV. Aiming and working hard to study a certain part of the 5´ leader of HIV-1 RNA genome help me to believe that I have made an impact.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
My advice would be to ask around, be persistent, email different professors and send them your resumes that highlight your strengths. Also, do not give up easily and keep searching until you find a research experience that you are looking for.
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Want to be the next Intern of the Week? Make sure to fill out this form and stay tuned. New interns are announced every Friday!
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