Temitope Ibitoye is a Chemical Engineering major who will graduate in 2019.

My research is titled, "Photolysis of Macrolide Antibiotics at 253.7 NM". I work with Dr. Lee Blaney in the Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering department. Research in the Blaney Laboratory focuses on the intersection of environmental, analytical, organic, and inorganic chemistry. Our primary research interests are the (1) fate, transport, and toxicity of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in natural and engineered systems and (2) recovery of vital resources to ensure sustainable development. My advisor from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute program set up a 6-week rotation in Dr. Blaney’s laboratory. After that, Dr. Blaney invited me to continue bworking in his laboratory. He also encouraged me to apply for the Undergraduate Research Award (URA).

How did you know this was the project you wanted to do? One of my life goals is to help solve the global water crisis. I knew that one way that I could do this was to study Environmental Engineering during my undergraduate career. When I started at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County I learned that there was a lab on campus that conducts research concerning water quality, and I knew that I had to join this lab.

What academic background did you have before you applied for the URA? I had just completed the first semester of my sophomore year when I applied for the URA. I had completed about 6 months of research and had just passed my Chemical Engineering gateway requirements.

How much did your mentor help you with the application? I am still learning to write technical papers, but my mentor helped revise my application multiple times. He gave me valuable advice on writing and communicating my research.

What has been the hardest part about your research? There was a learning curve when I first joined the lab. I joined the lab in the spring semester of my freshman year. Many of the experiments I would run required knowledge that I had not acquired in class yet. I had to learn difficult concepts and apply them for my research.

What was the most unexpected thing? I did not expect to enjoy data analysis as much as I do. Deciphering the results I receive after weeks of research is very enjoyable.

How does your research relate to your work in other classes? All of my research requires skills that I am learning in my engineering and chemistry courses. As I learn more in my classes, I get a better grasp on the research that I am conducting.

What else are you involved in on campus? I am a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. Last semester, I was an athletic tutor, and about a year ago I volunteered weekly at the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research? I would tell all students to try it out! Many people are scared that they do not have enough knowledge to participate in research, but that is not true! Nobody expects you to know everything from the get-go. You learn so much as you conduct research. 

What are your career goals? I would like to obtain a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and continue working in water quality research. I would like to work to create water quality technology that can be used in lower resource regions.

Want to be a URA Scholar like Temitope? Apply for a URA award: https://ur.umbc.edu/ura/forms/

Questions? Contact Dr. April Householder at aprilh@umbc.edu

ur.umbc.edu

Attend the upcoming workshop on how to write a winning research proposal for a URA award: This Wednesday, Nov. 1 from 12-12:50pm in 113 Sherman Hall A-wing!

• help you find information on a topic
• help you develop effective search strategies
• help you select and search library catalogs and databases
• answer questions about the library's resources.

It's application season, and we have a number of resources to help you find the right summer research opportunity.

Don't wait to apply at the last minute. Schools are updating their research opportunities for the 2018 session, so now is the perfect time to start looking for a research experience. We have research opportunities for virtually every major and a several ways to look for them:

1. myMajor page

http://ur.umbc.edu/home/mymajor/

Look at different research opportunities by department. Each department page also features some of the research done by students in that field and also the benefits offered to those in that major.

2. Research Opportunities page

http://ur.umbc.edu/summer-research/

Here, you can find resources for application assistance, opportunities for graduating seniors and international students, as well as opportunities separated into other categories like STEM and Social Sciences.

3. Summer Research Spreadsheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14-Gu0u8aTdq3AplVtVuaeur0OYjRdTVdrjXWGjzP1fI/edit#gid=0

This spreadsheet lists over 450 research opportunities. You can sort through the information by program name, host, deadline, or the last time an opportunity was updated. It also features important notes about application instructions and more. Deadlines range from August to as late as May.

While we are working to update all of this information, it is still possible to go to each research website and see if it has been updated.

If you have any questions about finding summer research or you need assistance with you application, please contact Dr. April Householder, aprilh@umbc.edu.

Channel is a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major with minors in Mathematics and Sociology (class of 2018).

During my paid summer internship at the Institute for Regenerative Engineering in Farmington, Connecticut, I was at the University of Connecticut Health Center, School of Medicine in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. I was a participant in the Research Experience and Mentoring (REM) Program, under the instruction of Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, a recent award recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the Nation's highest Honor for Technological Achievement.  My project focused on the Development and Characterization of Human Recombinant Lactoferrin Nanofibers as Scaffolds for Regenerative Engineering. I studied the regeneration of bone, skin and cartilage growth in-vitro and in-vivo, with electrospun nanofibers, coated in various proteins that are found in both blood, like Albumin and in bone, like Lactoferrin. I used various solvents and concentrations to create a stable nanofiber, that would induce increased Bone Cell viability and proliferation, while also activation biodegradation upon cell regeneration. For tests with cartilage and bone, I used hydro gels that were surgically implanted in mice and rats. I was able to gain a confident skill set in Cell Culturing, Cell Suspension, Immunostaining, ALZ Staining, Live/Dead staining, and with using the Scanning Electron Microscope for various imaging. I have also gained skill in using Image J analysis, FTIR analysis, Electros pinning, Titer Blue Assay, and Cross-linking. I was trained to used the Confocal Microscope, with the Velocity Imaging Program, Lab Safety, Animal Safety,  and Rat Implantation and Surgical Stitch Patterns.

How did you find the research opportunity?
I realized that I wanted to have a career in Medicinal Research and noticed that I had an interest in the Musculoskeletal System. I researched African American Cutting Edge Researchers and Dr. Laurencin popped up. I was so intrigued with his accomplishments and research projects. I just knew I needed to work under him and with him. A friend of mine pepped talked me into emailing him that night, (it was 2:00am!), because she knew I'd chicken out when the excitement ended. So, I emailed him and asked him to be m mentor. I also mentioned that I wanted to do research with him during the summer and quite honestly, to my amazement, Dr. Laurencin emailed me back in the next hour and set up a teleconference from there. The rest is history!

How did you learn what you needed to know to be successful in this project? This project has definitely taught me so much about myself and about the world of Science. My Graduate Assistant, Eric James, a recent PhD recipient, was amazing! He quickly realized that this was all new to me, but did not lighten up on his expectations. He made to teach me the reasoning and purpose behind certain research methods and topics, but also introduced me to the Medical Library, PubMed, and other various sources for additional help. Eric also cared about my critical understanding for Medical Research and understanding Medical Research Papers. During that time, there was a Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering Journal Club. Eric made sure that we attended meetings weekly and I even got a chance to present a review of a research paper. I Participated in this  journal club, that was designed to understand molecular aspects of cell biology and tissue engineering scientific literature. Presentations include “Language of Science” and “How to read and understand a science article”.

What was the hardest part about your research?The hardest part about my research would have been the numerous trials with error and repeat. Initially, it was hard dealing with that many negative results. It was quite discouraging, but Eric continued to reassure me in qualitative critic and support. I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything.It was then where I truly learned PERSERVERANCE!

What was the most unexpected thing? I did not know how much of a family a research (SQUAD) could really be. Honestly, I thought research was suppose to be sleep, lab, work, and repeat, but it wasn't, at all! This lab was amazing! My cohort and I went out to eat, to the movies, the mall and even had dinner at my house. Dr. Laurencin even invited us over his house and allowed us to get to know his family and him, in a more personal level. How cool was that?!

How does this research experience relate to your work in other classes? My research correlates to so many classes that I am taking now, for instance, toxicology, with Dr. Fishbein. We talk a lot about the toxins that can affect blood and during my experience with REM, we spoke a lot about the importance of Blood, not just in circulation, but especially for your bone health. I can also relate this course to a previous course, Organic Chemistry II, which depicts mechanisms and various conformational changes due to their affects. This was definitely practiced in lab, as I had to continue testing various solvents, at various concentrations with Albumin and Lactoferrin.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research? GET. IN. VOLVED. I can not express how much research really helped anchor me, as a student at UMBC. It's easy to get caught up in classes and GPA, but when you actually practice what you have always wanted to do, there is a rush that happens within you. There's a focus that comes to you. All of a sudden, things make sense. It's no longer school, because my parents say so, its school because I want to be my MENTOR!

What are your career goals? I am planning on going into the Medical Field, also studying Regenerative Engineering with Stem Cell Treatment to Bio-printed Organs and Tissues.

What else are you involved in? I am the President of United Christian Council, a member of the Retriever Leadership Institute, a Mathematics Grader/Tutor, STEM Education Advocate for students in Baltimore City, a Mentor and friend!

Have mentor-led research and want to be featured as UMBC's next Researcher of the Week? email aprilh@umbc.edu

Eminent Speaker Peter J. Buxtun

“The Tuskegee Syphilis Study”