Happy end of the semester and start of summer! OHP Summer hours will begin Tuesday, May 26th.

OHP will be open Wednesdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

OHP staff will be available during normal business hours, 8:30 AM to 5 PM, via email at ohp@umbc.edu 

Let's take a look at how Stan Lee’s identity deeply shaped the golden age of American comic books.

While the general public knows him as the energetic, cameo-loving face of Marvel Comics, his narrative lens was forged in the experience of a first-generation Jewish American navigating the mid-20th century.

From Stanley Lieber to Stan Lee

Born Stanley Martin Lieber in 1922 to Romanian Jewish immigrant parents, he grew up in Washington Heights, Manhattan, during the Great Depression. Like many Jewish creatives of his generation—including his frequent collaborators Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg) and Joe Simon—he entered the fledgling comic book industry because more prestigious publishing avenues were largely closed to Jewish writers and artists.

Initially, he divided his name into "Stan Lee" as a pen name, intending to save his real family name for a future "Great American Novel." Instead, the moniker became a global brand.

Jewish Themes in the Marvel Universe

Lee’s secular Jewish upbringing and the cultural anxieties of the post-WWII era heavily influenced the themes, morality, and subtext of Marvel's most iconic characters.

• The Outsider Narrative: Characters like the X-Men and the Hulk served as profound metaphors for prejudice, otherness, and assimilation. The X-Men, co-created with Jack Kirby, directly mirrored the struggles of marginalized groups fighting for acceptance in a society that feared and hated them for being different.

• The Flawed Hero: Before Marvel, comic heroes like Superman were flawless, godlike figures. Lee introduced characters with deep-seated neuroses, financial struggles, and family issues. Spider-Man (Peter Parker) is a quintessential New York archetype—fraught with guilt, self-doubt, and the heavy burden of responsibility.

• The Golem Myth: The concept of the Hulk and the Fantastic Four's Thing (whom Kirby later explicitly confirmed as Jewish) pull heavily from the Jewish folklore of the Golem—a creature made of clay or stone brought to life to protect the vulnerable, but burdened by its own monstrous nature and strength.

• The Fight Against Tyranny: Growing up as Jewish refugees fled Europe, Lee and his contemporaries used their medium to fight fascism. During World War II, Lee enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving domestically as a "playwright" writing training manuals, slogans, and cartoons.

A Lasting Cultural Legacy

Stan Lee’s work helped shift comic books from disposable children's entertainment into a modern American mythology. By anchoring fantastic stories in real New York neighborhoods and injecting them with a distinct immigrant-driven ethos—the struggle to fit in, the obligation to protect the community, and the idea that anyone can be a hero—his Jewish heritage became permanently woven into the fabric of global pop culture.

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Searching for a chill, clean, and respectful roommate to take a private room in our student townhome. 

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“Bartleby NEEDS YOU!” This was the handwritten call to arms in 1979, for writers and poets to submit their work to Bartleby, UMBC’s creative arts journal. The sentiment of this flyer is not that different from its first publication in 1972 and from today’s social media posts alerting students to upcoming submission deadlines. 

This unwavering spirit brought Howard Quinn ’80, English, back to campus in fall 2025 for the Bartleby 50+ celebration. He shared his memories as one of six editors of the 1979 – 1980 edition and reveled at the Bartleby covers and works, displayed in showcases at the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery, some with typed-up poems printed on newsprint or cardstock and stapled together like the edition with 35 pieces that he helped edit—including his own poem, “Wind Down Wind” about loss. 

In 2026, Bartleby—under the recently chartered Student Media Collective—editors read 200 art submissions, 120 poetry submissions, 60 fiction submissions, and 23 creative nonfiction submissions. The ensuing 160-page publication is book-bound and printed on glossy paper. Over five decades, Retrievers have continued to creatively express the personal and political events that have defined their lives, including war and national identity, rebellion, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ identity, social isolation, and joy and love. 

Quinn came to Bartleby’s retrospective to celebrate the publication’s ongoing impact and to share a message from his friend Martha Campbell ’82, American studies, a Bartleby editor for three and a half years.

“I know that Bartleby has endured because people showed up to create art, give voice, share ideas, and they did that work year after year,” wrote Campbell, perhaps inadvertently echoing a line from her poem published during her tenure: “And the clock moves on, slow, but certain in its ways.” 

Read more Spring 2026 UMBC Magazine stories.

Congratulations are in order for all CNMS students for a semester well done but special congratulations go to our Spring 2026 graduates who crossed the finish line (and the stage) this afternoon! We are so proud of your accomplishments and wish you all the best in your new post-graduate life! Please stay in touch with CNMS and the UMBC Alumni Association! 

For those of you who will be returning this Fall semester and are still in need of advising support, please be aware that advisors are available over the summer session although our in-person availability may be limited due to upcoming new student orientation responsibilities. If you need advising assistance over the summer, we strongly suggest that you first email your assignd advisor and -- if needed -- our joint email address CNMSAdvising@umbc.edu. As a reminder, all advising assignments can be found via your myUMBC Profile page AND the CNMS Advising website HERE. 

Some important dates to keep in mind this summer are as follows:

May 26th -- Summer Session I Begins

June 3rd -- Transcripts & GPAs Updated to Include Spring 2026 

July 6th -- Summer Session II Begins

August 3rd -- Last Day to Submit for a Course Repeat Petition for Fall 2026

August 5th -- Summer Undergraduate Research Fest (SURF)

August 24th -- First Day of Classes for Fall 2026

We wish everyone a restful – and productive – summer break! CNMS Advising will still be hosting regular, weekly virtual events that include guest speakers and town hall sessions as well as an "It Takes 10" iniative where giving us 10 minutes of your time once a week will help set you up for success in the Fall. Let's keep you focused and driven -- we can help make sure that every semster is better than the last! For more infromation on CNMS Advising summer programming, see the attached flyer and STAY IN TOUCH!! 

Isabel Kendall ’26, modern languages and linguistics, is described by Julie Oakes, assistant director of curriculum and retention in UMBC’s Honors College, as someone who “truly represents what is best about well-rounded humanities folks.” This comes as no surprise, given her time at UMBC, where she took on mentorship roles in the Honors College, created art installations, and traveled abroad to multiple countries. She is ready to apply her artistic and creative spirit to a fulfilling career where she can see the impact of her work, after taking the time to travel around the world. 

Q: What led you to be so involved in different leadership and mentor roles?

A: I didn’t start out being super involved in mentorship or leadership roles or even extracurriculars. For my first two years, I was super focused on just the academic side of things. But in the Honors College, the first class that you take is called Honors Forum, and with that, there are team leaders who are like mentors slash teaching assistants for the first-year class. And at the end of my sophomore year, I applied for a team leader position. Once I had that job, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is like everything I love.’ It’s connecting with people, it’s being a mentor—which is a really rewarding role to have—and also you’re just connecting with people and the freshman class, which is cool to see them ushered into UMBC. 

Q: Tell us about your senior project.

A: It was so challenging, and so rewarding. I wanted my senior project to be multidisciplinary and just visual and creative. I did the honors independent study, and that’s where I did my whole senior project. I really pushed myself to make something I had never made before. It was actually just displayed at URCAD [Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day], and it was an art installation of ten six-foot by three-foot panels of paintings. It was super fun. I’m happy it’s over because it was so much work, but it was very rewarding. 

Q: How long did each of those paintings take? 

A: It really varied because it was also multi-modal. So some of the paintings took over a month for each stage. There were just a lot of layers to it, and then some of them I painted in an afternoon. It really varied depending on the medium I was using. 

Q: Do you have any plans for after graduation?

A: I’ve applied for a program called TAPIF, which is an English teaching program in France, and I’m still waiting to hear back about that. It’s basically teaching English at elementary levels and secondary levels. That’s on the horizon. I also really want to travel once I graduate. I’ve traveled in Europe because I studied abroad in Europe, and also in Japan. But I’ve barely seen the U.S. So I’d like to perhaps see California and do a road trip, or maybe travel down South. 

Q: Do you have any advice for any students who are thinking about studying abroad, but they’re still unsure? 

A: It’s such a good experience to get to know yourself outside of your comfort zone and build your own resiliency. And also, you just meet such cool people when you’re abroad. It’s such a wonderful experience, and I urge everyone to study abroad. It’s so worth it in every way. 

Q: Do you have any idea what you want your future career to look like?

A: Honestly, I’m not sure. I would love to continue my artistry, whatever that looks like. But I also love teaching, and that’s something I’m very passionate about. I think for the immediate future, it’s probably just dipping my toes in different things and seeing what works best for me and what I want. I think that’s one thing that I feel like I need to see the impact of my work; that’s important.

Q: In your time here at UMBC, who’s been the biggest influence in your studies?

A: I would say Dr. Julie Oakes, my research mentor. I’ve taken three classes with her at this point, not including the honors independent studies classes I have taken with her. She’s such a wonderful and brilliant professor and especially with my senior project, her support of my vision and my ideas was so unwavering, and I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor for that. Additionally, her classes were just some of the most fascinating history classes I’ve ever taken. 

Q: What part of UMBC do you think will have the biggest impact on you post-graduation?

A: The Honors College has been such a core part of my studies. My time in the Honors College has connected me with some of the best people, some of the best professors, and the best peers. I feel like I’ve gotten to know people that I’m going to know forever and people that I want to know forever. The Honors College make you feel very supported. It feels very all-encompassing like if you need something, the Honors College is there to help you. 

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself with the community? 

A: UMBC has just been a really wonderful experience, and I feel like I’ve gotten to grow so much. The interdisciplinary nature of my studies and my senior project and all the projects that I’ve undertaken have been so rewarding. That interdisciplinarianism is not only a core component of the Honors College, but also I feel like it’s valued at UMBC. I would urge anyone to lean into being interdisciplinary in their work and exploring that. 

Story written by Jason Conti, UMBC Library IT support associate. All photos courtesy of Kendall unless otherwise noted.

Read more stories about the Class of 2026.

Name: AmishaNathile

Pronouns: She/her

Semester of Internship: Spring 2026

Major: Cybersecurity

Current Class Level: Master's Student 

This semester I completed a(n): Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): UMBC CYBER CLINIC

Location of the Organization (City, State): Baltimore

Title of position: Cybersecurity Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

During my internship at the UMBC Cybersecurity Clinic, I worked on applied cybersecurity governance and regulatory compliance projects focused on critical infrastructure, particularly Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), and Distributed Energy Resource Aggregators (DERAs). On a day-to-day basis, I conducted research on emerging threats to energy-sector systems and mapped security requirements to frameworks such as NIST 800-53 and other federal guidelines. I assisted in performing risk assessments and risk quantification exercises to evaluate potential operational and cybersecurity impacts on distributed energy environments. I also supported the development of audit programs and compliance documentation aligned with Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) challenges. My responsibilities included analyzing policy gaps, drafting governance recommendations, and collaborating with team members to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations. Throughout the internship, I adhered to strict professional standards, including confidentiality, ethical conduct, and secure communication practices, while gaining hands-on experience in governance, risk management, and critical infrastructure cybersecurity.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I learned about the opportunity at the UMBC Cybersecurity Clinic through faculty and departmental communications within the cybersecurity program. After developing an interest in governance, risk, and compliance—particularly in critical infrastructure security—I decided to pursue the position to gain applied experience beyond the classroom. I submitted my application shortly after the position was announced, providing my resume and highlighting my background in NIST frameworks, risk assessments, and prior security internships. During the process, Laura Mateczun and Director of Cybersecurity Richard Forno were instrumental in guiding and supporting me. Their mentorship and insight into the clinic’s mission and expectations helped me better understand how the role aligned with my academic and professional goals. Following discussions about my experience and interest in regulatory compliance and energy-sector cybersecurity, I was selected for the position and began contributing to applied research and governance-focused projects.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

Faculty Connections, Handshake

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

What I have enjoyed most about my position at the UMBC Cybersecurity Clinic is the opportunity to work on real-world cybersecurity challenges that directly impact critical infrastructure. Contributing to projects focused on Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), and regulatory compliance has allowed me to see how cybersecurity governance translates from theory into practical, high-impact solutions. I particularly value the applied nature of the work—conducting risk assessments, supporting audit design, and aligning recommendations with federal and state frameworks—which has strengthened both my technical and analytical skills.

I have also greatly appreciated the collaborative and mentorship-driven environment within the organization. Working closely with faculty leaders and peers has created a supportive space where professional standards such as ethical conduct, confidentiality, and secure communication are emphasized. The experience has not only enhanced my understanding of governance and compliance in the energy sector but has also reinforced my confidence in pursuing a career in cybersecurity focused on risk management and critical infrastructure protection.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

Through my work at the UMBC Cybersecurity Clinic, I believe I have made an impact by contributing to meaningful cybersecurity governance efforts that support the resilience of critical infrastructure systems. By conducting risk assessments and participating in risk quantification exercises for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) environments, I helped identify potential vulnerabilities and operational risks that could affect energy reliability and security. My research and analysis supported the development of practical, compliance-aligned recommendations tailored to regulatory expectations, including alignment with federal frameworks and Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) considerations.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

My advice to another student seeking an internship or similar experience would be to start early and be intentional about aligning opportunities with your long-term career goals. Take time to identify the area of cybersecurity that genuinely interests you—whether it’s governance, risk and compliance (GRC), security operations, cloud security, or another domain—and then tailor your resume, coursework, and projects to reflect that focus. Employers value students who can clearly articulate why they are interested in a specific role and how their skills apply.

I would also strongly encourage building relationships with faculty, mentors, and professionals in the field. Many valuable opportunities come through networking, referrals, or faculty recommendations. Don’t hesitate to attend department events, career fairs, and workshops, and actively engage with professors whose work aligns with your interests. Seeking feedback on your resume and interview skills can significantly improve your confidence and competitiveness.

Finally, focus on developing practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. Work on hands-on labs, participate in research projects, contribute to security assessments, or complete relevant certifications. Even small projects can demonstrate initiative and applied understanding. Most importantly, stay persistent—rejections are part of the process. Each application and interview is a learning opportunity that brings you closer to the right experience.

What if we could peer back in time to understand how our galaxy was built—one exploding star at a time?

When massive stars reach the end of their lives, they don’t go quietly. They explode in spectacular fashion, forging heavy elements and hurling them across space. Some of these particles, known as cosmic rays, eventually reach detectors built by humans. By studying which elements arrive and in what amounts, scientists hope to piece together the story of our galaxy’s chemical evolution.

But there’s a problem: As these cosmic rays race through space, they smash into hydrogen atoms and break apart. These reactions, called “proton spallation,” turn heavier elements like iron into lighter ones like sodium or chromium. Without knowing exactly how often these “break-ups” happen, it’s hard to translate what detectors see into a true picture of what’s out there. But if scientists could accurately reverse-engineer the process, determining how much of one element came from another, they would better understand the galaxy’s true chemical makeup.

Now, Priyarshini Ghosh, a nuclear physicist at UMBC’s Center for Space Sciences and Technology, is performing a first-of-its-kind experiment, hoping to fill some of this knowledge gap.  

In early June, Ghosh and her collaborators led the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University to study, for the first time ever, how chromium-52 breaks apart when it interacts with hydrogen. Chromium-52 is of particular interest because it can shed light on processes happening in our galaxy, and yet it has never been measured before. Using a high-energy beam of this stable form of chromium, the team will record “proton spallation cross sections”—measures of the likelihood of violent interactions between protons and heavy ions. The experiment essentially recreates inside a Michigan laboratory what’s happening to cosmic rays in space, Ghosh says.

“Nuclear data acts as a translator from the data collected by missions like Voyager, converting it into a meaningful understanding of our galaxy,” Ghosh explains.

Mimicking cosmic rays

Current models don’t quite match what telescopes and spacecraft actually observe, especially for elements like chromium, titanium, and vanadium. The differences have puzzled researchers for years. These questions linger because the right kind of experimental data has been extremely laborious and expensive to obtain—until now.

“A sample of chromium-52 the size of a chocolate square can cost around $150,000,” Ghosh notes. So instead of using a large piece of chromium-52, FRIB’s chemists will collide a beam of less-expensive nickel-58 with a carbon target, producing a pure chromium beam—the first time this has ever been achieved. 

The team will run the experiment for about 43 hours, collecting data on 50 to 60 different fragments produced as the chromium beam collides with various detectors and breaks apart. Then comes the long work of analysis. The results are expected to sharpen astrophysical models and bring us closer to understanding how elements are created and spread throughout the Milky Way.

“What makes this project exciting is that FRIB lets us reproduce, in a controlled way, a process that naturally happens in the universe: cosmic rays traveling from a dying star through the galaxy,” says Jorge Pereira, FRIB’s magnetic spectrometer operation group leader.

“Arm-wrestling with nature”

This chromium experiment is the first in a program that Ghosh is developing at UMBC dedicated to building a comprehensive proton-spallation cross-section database. Proton-based reactions—like the ones cosmic rays experience with hydrogen—have received little attention, even though they’re crucial for interpreting data from space.

By building a reliable database of these proton cross sections, the team is laying the groundwork that could transform how we read the cosmos. The results will directly support the upcoming TIGERISS mission, set to fly to the International Space Station in 2027. TIGERISS will be the first instrument to measure elements from boron all the way to lead with remarkable precision—and Ghosh’s nuclear data will help scientists make sense of what it sees.

For Ghosh, the thrill lies in the experimental challenge itself. 

“This is such a feat of nuclear engineering,” she says. “We’re using detectors to expose the physics in very specific ways—arm-wrestling with nature to get the answers we need.”

Summer hours at the RAC 

Monday–Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday–Sunday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Note: We will close at 4 p.m. on May 21, 2026. We will be closed May 22 – 25 June 19, and July 3 - 4, 2026

*Hours Subject To Change