Members of UMBC’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina, for their annual regional conference this November, where multiple members presented their work in the Technical Research Exhibition. Sophomore computer engineering student Amir Walton-Irvin, a Meyerhoff Program Scholar and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Scholar, earned first place for his research presentation.

Walton-Irvin investigates brain connectivity and health disparities in the Machine Learning for Signal Processing Lab of computer science and electrical engineering professor Tülay Adali. He uses statistical signal processing techniques to identify subclinical biomarkers that may predict neurological diseases such as stroke and dementia. 

At the conference, Walton-Irvin gave a 5-minute technical talk about his research, followed by questions from the competition judges and audience.

“Presenting research is a huge part of engineering and science that makes it accessible,” says senior mechanical engineering student Kayla Magruder, vice president of the UMBC NSBE chapter, who also gave a talk at the conference.

“I’m extremely grateful for every opportunity to share my work, and being recognized for it is an incredible feeling,” shares Walton-Irvin. “Moments like this motivate me to keep pushing research that can improve people’s lives, and I’m excited for what the future holds.”

Other UMBC students who attended the conference include mechanical engineering senior Caly Ferguson, mechanical engineering sophomore Nathan Bolima, computer science and financial economics junior Glen Larbie-Mansah, and computer engineering junior Jessica Slaughter.

UMBC’s NSBE chapter supports members with conference preparations and also offers activities such as mentoring, networking, leadership development, and community outreach.