Dr. Tyler R Josephson, Assistant Professor, Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering department at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, along with UMBC student and alumni, Charles Fox, Neil D Tran, F Nikki Nacion, and Samiha Sharlin, have a new publication in Machine Learning: Science and Technology titled "Incorporating background knowledge in symbolic regression using a computer algebra system."

The article is available here:
Incorporating background knowledge in symbolic regression using a computer algebra system - IOPscience

DOI 10.1088/2632-2153/ad4a1e

Abstract:

Symbolic regression (SR) can generate interpretable, concise expressions that fit a given dataset, allowing for more human understanding of the structure than black-box approaches. The addition of background knowledge (in the form of symbolic mathematical constraints) allows for the generation of expressions that are meaningful with respect to theory while also being consistent with data. We specifically examine the addition of constraints to traditional genetic algorithm (GA) based SR (PySR) as well as a Markov-chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) based Bayesian SR architecture (Bayesian Machine Scientist), and apply these to rediscovering adsorption equations from experimental, historical datasets. We find that, while hard constraints prevent GA and MCMC SR from searching, soft constraints can lead to improved performance both in terms of search effectiveness and model meaningfulness, with computational costs increasing by about an order of magnitude. If the constraints do not correlate well with the dataset or expected models, they can hinder the search of expressions. We find incorporating these constraints in Bayesian SR (as the Bayesian prior) is better than by modifying the fitness function in the GA.

Dr. Ömer Özgür Çapraz, Associate Professor, Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering department at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, published a groundbreaking study in Electrochimica Acta titled "Probing interfacial stress on Au cathode in DMSO electrolyte during electrochemical polarization in aprotic Li-O2 batteries" with collaborators from Oklahoma State University, Bar-Ilan University, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The full article is available from ScienceDirect at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2024.144522

Abstract:

The practical performance of Li-O2 batteries suffers from interfacial instabilities associated with the reaction intermediates. These instabilities on the cathode-electrolyte interface dictate the direction of the oxygen evolution and reduction reactions (OER/ORR) in Li-O2 batteries. Despite intensive research on chemical instabilities in the reaction intermediates, there is limited work on understanding the importance of stress on the interfacial dynamics. To address this gap, in-situ curvature measurements were conducted to probe interfacial stress generation during electrochemical polarization on Au cathode in DMSO electrolytes. Charge accumulation induces tensile stress, whereas compressive stress generation is associated with the adsorbate-induced stress and mismatch strain between reaction intermediates and the Au surface. Abrupt stress relaxation on the onset of discharge presents evidence for a contribution of electrostriction stress. Adsorption of redox mediator nitrate ions induces compressive stress before ORR. Unique findings demonstrate the impact of interfacial stress on the OER/ORR in Li-O2 batteries.

UMBC Undergrads: Launch Your Grad School Journey

Discover Your Future at Summer Horizons

Date: Friday, June 28 Time: 9am - 1pm Location: Performing Arts and Humanities Building

Unlock the secrets of grad school success:

• Insider tips on the application process
• Networking with top faculty & current students
• Exclusive funding insights
• Real talk from UMBC grad alumni

Why UMBC?

• Prestigious R1 research institution
• 95% post-grad success rate
• Vibrant, diverse community (58% international students)
• $144 million research portfolio

Featured Programs:

• G-RISE
• GEM Fellows
• AGEP PROMISE Academy

Your Schedule:

• Welcome & Why UMBC?
• Application Process Decoded
• Student & Alumni Panel
• Networking Opportunities
• Funding Your Graduate Education

Perks: Free continental breakfast, boxed lunch & invaluable connections!

Take advantage of this chance to shape your future. Seats are limited!

Reserve Your Free Spot Now!

#UMBCGradSchool #SummerHorizons #STEMEducation

Port Discovery Children’s Museum, one of the top Children’s Museum in the United States and a top cultural institution in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, is seeking a full-time Exhibit Technician with a talent, interest and passion for museum exhibits.  The Museum provides experiences that ignite imagination, inspire learning, and nurture growth through play.

If you want professional, hands-on experience working with refugees, asylees, & other humanitarian immigrants, apply to be an intern with the IRC in Baltimore!

About the IRC

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) was founded at the behest of Albert Einstein in 1933 to assist people fleeing from persecution. Since then, the IRC has grown and works all over the world providing humanitarian support. In Baltimore, the IRC works with refugees from the moment they step off the plane to help them get situated and become self-sufficient members of their new community.

Internship Opportunities

To view internship opportunities and apply, visit this link. Applications require a resume.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for more than one program! We offer unique internships that offer a wide variety of opportunities to develop different skills and gain experience including:

• Career and Financial Coaching Intern: Career and financial coaching interns will assist IRC employment specialists with daily activities that contribute to the self-sufficiency of clients. This may include working individually with clients to conduct job searches and prepare for interviews, leading small group job readiness training sessions, conducting research on potential employers and assisting with service documentation. Interns may also have the opportunity to develop an employment-specific project.  

• Community Engagement Intern: The community engagement intern will support the activities of the volunteer programs at the IRC. The volunteer program supports incoming refugee students and families to succeed through community integration. The community engagement intern will work closely with the team to assist with volunteer recruitment, training, processing and communication.

• Cultural Orientation Intern: The cultural orientation intern will assist the cultural orientation coordinator in designing, developing, and delivering structured training sessions on topics such as financial management, U.S. laws, housing, transportation, safety, healthcare, and cultural adjustment in order to aid refugees on their journey towards self-sufficiency.

• Health and Social Integration Intern: The health and social integration intern assists IRC’s intensive case management (ICM) program. The intern will work with the ICM team to connect at-risk clients to the healthcare, education, resources, and psychosocial resources that support their individual goals.

• Housing Intern: This intern will support the logistics specialist in planning and delivering essential housing program activities. This includes shopping for supplies, setting up new apartments, meeting with partners and volunteers, and conducting home visits and orientations with new clients.

• Immigration Legal Services Intern: The IRC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide immigration legal services. Some of our services include filing applications for adjustment of status (i.e. green cards), naturalization, and family reunification for refugees, asylees and immigrants. Interns will experience a first-hand look at the basics of immigration processes and procedures.

• Intake Intern: The intake team is the first point of contact for new “walk-in” asylees, parolees, secondary migrants and all other returning IRC clients. The team conducts eligibility assessments to determine client needs and refer to relevant IRC programs. Interns will meet directly with individual clients and families to support intake assessments. 

• Operations Intern: Operation interns assist the operation team with daily in-office tasks that support office functions.

• Resettlement Intern: Resettlement interns will assist IRC’s resettlement team with daily activities that help to welcome and contribute to the self-sufficiency of refugees, asylees and other humanitarian immigrants in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The resettlement team is the first point of contact for newly arrived refugees and offers support, guidance and ongoing orientation through up to five years after arrival. Interns will work directly with individual clients and families to assist with providing resettlement services.

• Walk-In Services Intern: Walk-in services interns will assist IRC’s walk-in team with daily activities that help to welcome and contribute to the self-sufficiency of refugees, asylees and other humanitarian immigrants in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The walk-in team is the first point of contact for newly arrived immigrants and offers support, guidance and ongoing orientation through up to five years after arrival. Interns will work directly with individual clients and families to assist with providing walk-in services.

• Youth Intern: The youth program supports incoming refugee students and families to succeed in U.S. schools through providing orientations to the U.S. school system, facilitating parent engagement in their children’s education, and supporting public schools to serve refugee students. The youth intern will work closely with the youth services team to provide direct services to refugee families.

Internship Details

·       In-person: Fall 2024 internships will be in-person. This includes a combination of standard office environment, remote work, and field time within the greater Baltimore area.

·       Dates: Internships start with a required in-person orientation on Monday, September 9, 2024 (approx. 9:30 AM – 3 PM) at the IRC Baltimore office. Regular weekly hours start the week of September 10, 2024, and will continue through December 6, 2024 (13 total weeks).

·       Hours: Internships require a minimum of 15 hours per week for 13 weeks. Interns should be able to come to the office at least 2 days per week.

·       Reimbursement: Internships with the IRC in Baltimore are unpaid. Fall 2024 interns are eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15 per day (defined as 7.5 hours) to offset the costs of food and travel of the internship. Interns may also be reimbursed for mileage driven for any approved activities (based on round-trip mileage from the IRC office).

The IRC is not able to sponsor visas.

Application Process

·       Due Date: apply online at www.rescue.org/careers by Sunday, July 28.

·       Interviews: Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted to schedule interviews. Due to the volume of applications, only applicants who are selected for interviews will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted approximately August 15-19. When possible, interviews will be conducted in-person in the Baltimore office.

·       Offers: Applicants who have interviewed for positions can expect to receive a decision no later than August 29, 2024. Confirmations will be due at the latest by September 4.  

·       Background Check: All selected interns will need to undergo and clear a background check to intern. We ask that, if possible, you make a $30 donation to help us cover the associated costs.

 
To view internship opportunities and apply, visit this link. Applications require a resume.
 

If you need assistance in the application or hiring process to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time. Please contact Talent Acquisitions at IRC.Recruitment@rescue.org. As required by law, the IRC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with a known disability.