History Professor Kate Brown has been awarded an American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) Collaborative Research Fellowship to study the long-term effects of low doses of radiation on human health in the context of the Chernobyl disaster nearly three decades ago. Brown will be working with Timothy Mousseau, an evolutionary biologist at the University of South Carolina.

The two scholars, with Brown providing the humanist perspective and Mousseau the scientist perspective, will collaborate to explore how knowledge and ignorance of the impact of the disaster has been produced over the last thirty years. The project will aim to historically analyze three decades of scientific research on Chernobyl and Fukushima to highlight the known and debated impact on humans, animals, and plants from long term, low dose exposure to radiation. The research comes at a time when nuclear power is being discussed as a solution to climate change and energy independence.

The project, titled Chernobyl Revisited: An Historical Inquiry into the Practice of Knowing, will run for two years. For more information on the ACLS Collaborative Research Fellowship program, click here.

In related news, Brown published an op-ed on January 21 in Time that discussed nuclear waste cleanup at the Hanford plutonium plant in eastern Washington State. In her article, she analyzed why the cleanup has been such a prolonged, difficult problem to deal with: “…the former Hanford plutonium plant became the largest nuclear clean-up site in the western hemisphere. It costs taxpayers a billion dollars a year,” she wrote.

To read the full column titled “How the Atomic Age Left Us a Half-Century of Radioactive Waste,” click here.

In the days surrounding Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s inauguration, Donald Norris provided insight and analysis as to how the Maryland legislature may work with the new governor. Norris, professor and director of UMBC’s School of Public Policy, also reflected on outgoing Gov. Martin O’Malley’s legacy.

In an NBCWashington.com article, Norris analyzed the relationship between Maryland’s new governor and legislature: “So if Hogan chooses to fight with the Democrats, it’s going to be an ugly four years,” Norris said. “He won’t get anything accomplished. If he can find ground for compromise and cooperation, then I think things will work out pretty well for both sides. We just have to wait and see.”

In an article in the Herald-Mail, Norris discussed outgoing Gov. O’Malley’s handling of the economy: “He balanced the budget in 2007 and corrected the fiscal deficit,” Norris said. “But then the recession hit.” He added, “he is really a data-driven guy.”

Norris was also quoted in two Washington Post articles in which he discussed Gov. Hogan and former Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown’s gubernatorial campaign: “He didn’t have a compelling narrative. He didn’t give people a reason to vote for him,” Norris said.

To read complete coverage of Norris’s analysis, click below:

“A Big Mystery”: What to Expect from New Maryland Gov. Hogan (NBC Washington)
O’Malley defends legacy in helping rural areas (Herald-Mail)
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s appeal to “middle ground” could revive state GOP (Washington Post)
Anthony Brown, once a rising star in Maryland politics, returns to private life (Washington Post) 
Can Larry Hogan, Maryland legislature cooperate? (Baltimore Business Journal– subscription required)

In a recent article published in Eurasia Review, Sunil Dasgupta provided analysis on al-Qaeda’s announcement that it is launching a branch in the Indian Subcontinent. Dasgupta, director of UMBC’s political science program at the Universities of Shady Grove, examined why a terrorist group with a substantial presence in the region would need to make a formal announcement about activities in that part of the world.

“The answer may be an alarming one,” Dasgupta wrote. “The move may be part of a broader strategy to enlist elements of India’s disenchanted Muslim underclass in the service of the group’s global agenda.”

In his column, Dasgupta discussed how Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has shifted its focus to a larger, global scale: “What makes the emergence of AQIS significant, however, is that it is the first time a global jihadi organization has explicitly targeted the governments and the people in the region. The entire Indian subcontinent has seen an extraordinary amount of terrorism in the last 35 years, but most of it was home-grown.”

To read Dasgupta’s full analysis in his column “Al Qaeda in India: Why We Should Pay Attention,” click here. The original article appeared in ISN Security Watch blog.

What is RecycleMania?

RecycleMania is a competition between universities of all sizes to promote waste production on campuses across the country. Over 8 weeks UMBC will report our recycling and trash collection rates to RecycleMania Inc, a non-profit made up of various university sustainability coordinators. Our rates will be compared to other participants and ranked according to overall efficiency. Efficiency is determined by total amount of recyclables, least amount of trash, highest recycling rate, and other variables. For more information about the competition visit www.recyclemaniacs.org.

UMBC’s Goals

In 2014 UMBC was ranked in the top 100 of 273 participating universities and we want to continue towards the top of the heap. To accomplish this Sustainability Coordinators on campus are implementing new, permanent signage at trash sorting locations in the commons, residence halls, RAC, and other locations on campus. There will be a variety of celebrations and competitions on campus as well, running 8 weeks from the beginning of February. Faculty and staff in addition to clubs, residence halls, frats, and other student orgs will be participating over the course of the competition to promote sustainability on campus and move UMBC to the forefront of the national sustainability movement.

How Can You Help?

Check out sustainability.umbc.edu for any information you’ll need about sustainability on campus. The website contains various guides and links to help you go green at home, at school, and in life. For information on helping to coordinate the competition or other sustainability events during the year, email tanvig1@umbc.edu.

Event Schedule:

-Kickoff Fair on Commons Mainstreet – February 5th 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

-Weekly Recyclemania Tabling Events: Commons Mainstreet from 12-1 PM

• Monday 2/9: Exchange your plastic water bottles to receive a new   reusable one!
• Tuesday 2/17: "Trash on Your Back" Challenge sign-ups
• Wednesday 2/25: "Trash on Your Back" Photo competition booth
• Monday 3/2: Turn in plastic grocery bags for a surprise!
• Monday 3/9: Cupcake decorating
• Wednesday 3/25: TBD

Excimer Laser Pioneer Expands UV Laser Micromachining Contract Service Capabilities

10 micron leak test hole in polymer vials.