Ideas from the 2023 CBIC

The University System of Maryland Launch Fund

Avi Newman

Degrees: B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; B.S., Biological Sciences; B.A., Philosophy
Hometown: Derwood, MD
Post-grad plans: Graduate school

Embracing all of the academic and social opportunities UMBC has to offer has been Avi Newman‘s approach to undergraduate life. He was originally scheduled to graduate sooner, but when complications from COVID extended his time at UMBC, he decide to take that as a chance to expand his learning, completing majors in biochemistry and molecular biology, biological sciences, and philosophy, plus minors.

He has pursued challenging research projects with chemistry faculty, supported peers as a chemistry and biological sciences teaching assistant, and held almost every leadership position in the UMBC Chemistry and Biochemistry Council of Majors. Appreciating the value of support, he has also served as a peer tutor with the Math and Science Tutoring Center and the Academic Success Center, sharing that he particularly enjoys helping fellow students learn and gain an appreciation for science.

Beyond academics, Newman has found meditation as a strategy to keep his mind and life grounded. He appreciates the art of teaching his brain to focus, to be mindful and cognizant of what is going on around him. Newman sees meditation and philosophy as having a reciprocal relationship, where both teach about having a broader outlook on life, to remain humble, and to remain open to different possibilities.

Newman has also volunteered with groups like UMBC’s chapter of Global Brigades, which enables students to provide public health support to communities worldwide.

Is there a particular academic achievement you’re most proud of?

“Introduction to moral theory was the first philosophy course I took at UMBC. It gave me such a different world view and outlook about how people think about their goals and their frame of mind. I began with a few classes then decided to do a certificate, then a minor, and finally decided to make it one of my majors. I loved philosophy of science with Jessica Pfeifer, associate professor of philosophy, so much that it became my focus area, along with philosophy of logic and probability. What guides me in philosophy, in science, and in life in general is that I’m a person who is always asking questions.”

Has there been a mentor or student who influenced your time at UMBC?

“There have been many, including my research advisor Songon An, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry. He has been very influential on my growth as a scientist by giving me a ton of opportunities to explore different areas of research and work in his lab to help prepare me for graduate school. He has also helped me learn how to focus my energy and has been very supportive helping me work through personal hurdles.

Allison Tracy, senior lecturer in chemistry and biochemistry; Sarah Leupen, principal lecturer in biological sciences; and Daniel Jenkins, philosophy instructor, have helped me through some very rough times and given me the inspiration of how I want to be as a professor and a teacher for students of all different backgrounds, different knowledge levels, and abilities. Elizabeth Stanwyck, principal lecturer of mathematics and statistics, helped me connect a wide variety of statistic material.

Whitney Schwab,associate professor of philosophy, made ancient Greek and Latin come alive; and Blake Francis, assistant professor of philosophy, taught macabre topics like climate change ethics and ethics concerning rights of the dead in a sensitive and engaging manner. All of these faculty are so knowledgeable, kind, and passionate about teaching and helped shape my understanding of the world around me.”

• Gabriel Acevero: MD House of Delegates, District 39
• Eric Ebersole: MD House of Delegates, District 13
  
• Brian Frazee: Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Maryland Hospital Association
• Terri Hill: MD House of Delegates, District 12A
  
• Aletheia McCaskill: MD House of Delegates, District 44B
• Sheila Ruth: MD House of Delegates, District 44B
  
• Charles E. Sydnor, III: MD State Senate, District 44
• Caylin Young: MD House of Delegates, District 45

Max Bobbin 

Degree: B.S., Chemical Engineering; B.A., Philosophy
Hometown: Joppa, MD
Post-grad plans: Ph.D. in chemical engineering, University of Delaware

Max Bobbin may still be an undergraduate, but he’s already made significant research contributions in the Artificial Intelligence and Theory-Oriented Molecular Science (ATOMS) lab, led byTyler Josephson, assistant professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering. Bobbin was the first in the research group to develop expertise in the programming language Lean. He took on a leadership role, teaching other lab members, including Josephson, about new ways to use Lean. He also selected appropriate projects for new team members, helped the group prepare for Josephson’s parental leave, and initiated new directions for the lab’s work.

Bobbin believes his additional philosophy major supported his engineering work in important ways. “For an engineer, the most important skills are problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication,” he says, “and philosophy is a major built around those three ideas.”

Bobbin also served as vice president of the UMBC American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) student chapter and led UMBC to the AIChE Jeopardy national championship in 2022.

What has been the best part of your UMBC experience?

“My first American Institute of Chemical Engineers Jeopardy competition was nationals in 2021, where we placed second. I worked very hard to make sure we were ready when we went back to nationals in 2022, because I wanted to bring back first place for UMBC. Our practice paid off, and after a tough final round, we won first place at nationals. I enjoyed attending the conferences and the opportunities to network, but competing is my favorite memory because it was the best representation of how well UMBC students work together to achieve their goals.”

Is there a particular academic achievement you’re most proud of?

“In the first couple of months after I joined the Josephson lab, I spent a considerable amount of time learning more about higher level math and coming to our weekly meetings with new information to teach the rest of the group. In the summer, I made my first breakthrough and moved into a leadership role in the group. This project helped me hone my skills relating to learning new subjects, leading a project, and leading a group of people in a new field of study. Plus, it gave me confidence as I continue doing research for my Ph.D.”

Today we're celebrating National College Signing Day, an initiative led by Better Make Room, that celebrates students who are choosing to continue their education by attending college. 

Please help us welcome our newest Retrievers to UMBC by jumping on your social media accounts to share a welcoming message or your words of wisdom using #RetrieverNation. Need some inspiration? Check out the prompts below.

Be sure to follow along with the celebration by checking out our UMBC Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.

Sincerely,

The Undergraduate Marketing Team

P.S. In case it's helpful, here are some prompts to get you started:

• Share a quick "welcome to UMBC" message for incoming students.
• What advice would you give a brand new UMBC student? 
• Why are you glad to be part of UMBC?
• What do you/your team have to offer new students that will help them as they start their time at UMBC?
• Who can new students turn to for help and support?

Today we're celebrating National College Signing Day, an initiative led by Better Make Room, that celebrates students who are choosing to continue their education by attending college. 

Please help us welcome our newest Retrievers to UMBC by jumping on your social media accounts to share a welcoming message or your words of wisdom using #RetrieverNation. Need some inspiration? Check out the prompts below.

Be sure to follow along with the celebration by checking out our UMBC Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.

Sincerely,

The Undergraduate Marketing Team

P.S. In case it's helpful, here are some prompts to get you started:

• Share a quick "welcome to UMBC" message for incoming students.
• What advice would you give a brand new UMBC student? 
• Why are you glad to be part of UMBC?
• What do you/your team have to offer new students that will help them as they start their time at UMBC?
• Who can new students turn to for help and support?

The deadline to apply for these scholarships is May 1st.

You can apply on Scholarship Retriever

All scholarships require a resume, unofficial transcript, and include at least one short answer question

These scholarships are only open to current undergraduate UMBC students

AFCEA CMD Scholarship

Anthony Alvarez Award

Carmi Family Scholarship

Rotate throughout COEIT majors
Preference given to students who have completed, or are currently in, an internship or co-op
Minimum 3.0 GPA

Danaher Scholarship

Janice Antoine Lumpkin Scholarship

Mercedes Benz Scholarship

Rite Aid Scholars Fund

Gregory Schwerdt Memorial Scholarship

Vijay Jose Scholarship 

Legg Mason Scholarship

W Patrick Wilson Scholarship

John B. Schwartz Scholarship 

Verizon Scholarship

Dottie Koh Memorial Scholarship 

Pre-Mechanical Engineering Major
First time full time freshman
Female student
Record of Academic Achievement