Ugonna Ohiri is a first year Senior majoring in Computer Engineering. A URA scholar, Ugonna's research deals with standoff chemical detection. To learn more about Ugonna's research pursuits, read his research profile.   

The Computer Science and Electrical Engineering department made significant accomplishments during the 2010-2011 school year. Our undergraduate enrollment grew to 886 students and our graduate enrollment grew to 271 students. Our department produced a total of 16 Ph.D’s during that time period. Our research productivity in terms of research expenditures has reached the level of our departmental budget at nearly $6 Million. In addition, Professor Hillol Kargupta was elevated to the level of IEEE fellow, and Professor Marie desJardins was promoted to full Professor.

Last year also marked a number of changes within the department. I became the Chair in October of last year after Professor Anupam Joshi ably served the department as interim chair, following Professor Charles Nicholas stepping down from the position.

We have also gained three new Computer Engineering faculty members: Assistant Professors Tinoosh Mohsenin, Chintan Patel, and Gymama Slaughter. Most recently, Shawn Lupoli joined the department as a lecturer in Computer Science.

Last year was also a time of transition. We had a number of faculty members retire: Sue Evans, senior lecturer in Computer Science, Professor John Pinkston, and Professor Zary Segall. We will miss their contributions to the department. In order to compensate for these losses, I am pleased to report that we have been authorized to search for a new Computer Science Assistant Professor.

Please look at our new website which contains a wealth of information for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and prospective students. You can visit it at www.csee.umbc.edu

-Gary
 

In partnership with UMBC Physics Professor Dr. Lynn Sparling, WeatherBug, the Albright Foundation, and two local schools, Federal Hill Preparatory School (Baltimore City) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Howard County), the Shriver Center was awarded a one-year grant through Constellation Energy's "Energy to Educate" program.  This is the second semester of this project, which runs January-December 2011. The POWER project seeks to teach 6th-8th grade students the basics about wind energy and other sustainable energy resources.  Each grade level across schools will focus on a research question and will make presentations on their findings by the end of the semester.  WeatherBug has installed weather monitoring stations at both of the schools to assist the students in their research.  Selected UMBC students (Fellows) will deliver the science curriculum and help the students perform activities related to their research question. 

At this time, we are recruiting for 2 Fellowships this fall, starting late September-December 2011.  Availability is Wednesdays (12:30-3:15 pm) and Fridays (12:30-3:45 pm) at OLPH (15 minutes from UMBC).  The shifts factor in adequate travel time to the school from UMBC.  Ideally, applicants would be available on BOTH days.Each Fellow will receive $500 per semester.  Students will be enrolled in the 096 Service-Learning Practicum, and may also have the chance to receive credit for their involvement.  UMBC students with majors in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (particularly in Physics and Environmental Science) and/or STEM Education are encouraged to apply.

Interested students should fill out the attached, one-page application and submit it to POWER Fellows Supervisor Stephanie Pully at spully1@umbc.edu or in-person to The Shriver Center by Friday, September 16th, NO LATER THAN 5 pm.  The Shriver Center is located on the 1st Floor of the Public Policy Building, just past the elevators.  Interviews will be scheduled immediately the week after, starting Monday, September 19th and selections made by Friday, September 23rd.  We plan for Fellows to begin at OLPH starting Wednesday, September 28th.