Nearly 300 students from six states and the District of Columbia traveled to UMBC this October to present their work at the 22nd Undergraduate Research Symposium for the Chemical and Biological Sciences. The symposium consistently draws a large and diverse group of students and mentors for a judged research poster competition, professional development workshops, and a plenary research presentation. The event, which is organized by UMBC’s College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) and supported by Sheppard Mullin, also offers students the chance to network with their future colleagues and strengthen their identities as scientists.
“What you’re really doing here is building a scholarly community. At the end of today you will be a better scientist,” shared CNMS Dean Bill LaCourse, in his opening remarks. “Talk to each other,” he encouraged the students. “You never know who will be standing next to you when you accept your Nobel Prize.”
Student posters covered a broad array of research topics, from improving tools for DNA analysis to making more affordable biofuels.
Ryan Santilli and Jack Williamson from Penn State developed a low-cost DNA ladder—a set of short pieces of DNA of known lengths that researchers use to measure and identify their own unknown DNA fragments. Danielle Guillen from Monmouth University demonstrated a low-cost, easy-to-use technique for deactivating harmful bacteria while leaving associated DNA intact. James Madison University’s Kendahl Ott is working on understanding a protein mutation that causes heart failure with limited warning signs. Makhalia Aiken discussed her work at Hood College to improve the affordability of biofuels. Cierra Wiggins is working with the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Science to test techniques for detecting fingerprints on gloves found at crime scenes—a form of evidence DC courts just started accepting in 2018.
Professional development workshops offered by UMBC faculty and staff covered career pathways in the life sciences, ethics for scientists, and communicating science beyond traditional academic channels. Professor Jeff Leips discussed his research on the relationship between genetics and how animals age in an engaging plenary talk in the afternoon.
In wrapping up a busy day, Dean LaCourse reminded the students, “What you do is very noble.” As they headed back to their home universities, he wanted them to always remember, “You persevere through failure to contribute to a body of knowledge that helps society.”
LaCourse compared science to pointillism, an artistic style where an artist combines many distinct, small dots to form a complete image. He reflected, “You’re all adding your dot to increase what we can see collectively with science.”
To learn more about this event, please contact Caitlin Kowalewski, assistant director for undergraduate initiatives in CNMS.
Photo: Student volunteers help participants get checked in for the symposium. Photo and story by Sarah Hansen, M.S. '15.
HoCo Open, the Howard County Arts Council's immensely popular non-juried exhibit showcasing local artistic talent, is open to artists (aged 18 years and older) who live, work, or study in Howard County. Eligible artists are invited to bring one piece of ready-to-hang original artwork completed in the past two years to the Howard County Center for the Arts on January 3 between 4:30 and 6:30pm (snow date: January 6). Artwork will be accepted for the exhibit on a first-come, first-serve basis, one piece per artist, until the gallery is full.
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Summer Internship Program
The Pathways Internship Program is a Summer 2020 opportunity for current (students are eligible if they are enrolled as students before, during, and after Summer 2020) undergraduate and graduate students. Interns work directly with a seasoned member of our team on policy and research projects and are assigned to one project which they are expected to complete during the twelve-week program. Interns will be expected to work independently but will be provided necessary on-the-job training and mentorship to support them in their work. Strong Intern candidates may be considered for possible future Research Assistant opportunities within the Office of Research.
How to apply to the Pathways Internship:
Visit our website: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/careers/
Closing November 21st, 2019.
General posting for all CFPB divisions, specify the Office of Research (Research Markets and Regulations, Office of Research) in the application
Components of the application include:
Ø Resume (required)
Ø School transcripts program showing current enrollment (required – unofficial okay)
Ø Proof of enrollment (required for graduate students who may not actively be taking classes)
Ø Short questionnaire (required – administered on the application website)
Ø Cover letter (strongly recommended)
Internships are open only to current students. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
About The Office of Research (OR):
The Office of Research (OR) in the Research, Markets, and Regulations Division (RMR) is realizing the CFPB’s mission by bringing an empirical, data-driven approach to the analysis of consumer financial markets. OR provides the main analytics to understand consumer behavior and support the Bureau’s actions in policy-making, supervision, and enforcement.
]]>Emily Godfrey is a Dance major with a minor in Psychology, who will graduate in May, 2020. She is a URA Scholar and a Linehan Artists Scholar. She performed her piece, "stoP ActiNg hysterICal” at last year's URCAD, and will present again this year.
Title of your research project: Contemporary Choreographic Perspectives
Describe your project: My project is to research performance and choreographic techniques from various contemporary/modern companies and utilizes that information to create my Senior Capstone Work, a twelve-minute dance performed by four dancers. Over the summer, I studied with the Paul Taylor Modern Dance Company (founded in 1954) and the Peridance Contemporary Dance Company (founded in 1984). This winter, I will be studying abroad with Ann Sofie Clemmensen to Denmark to research international contemporary techniques.
Who is your mentor(s) for your project?
Carol Hess, Dance
Professor Hess is the chair of the dance department and has mentored me throughout my university experience, offering guidance from course work to compositional ideas. I have a very trusting relationship with her and I really value her advice and input.
How did you become interested in this project?
I wanted to gather as much research and experience in the
process of creating my senior capstone work. I wanted to
continue my dance technique training while jumping in to a
company lifestyle to gain a better understanding of the career
I was pursuing. I learned of the Paul Taylor Modern Dance
Company through a UMBC faculty member, Constance Dinapoli,
and I discovered the work of the Peridance Contemporary Dance
Company when a UMBC alumni became an apprentice there.
Those companies, though vastly different in style, carry
choreographic ideas and themes that captured my attention.
What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher?
A natural change in creating a new choreographic work is translating my artistic vision to my dancers while allowing their own artistry and interpretation. All the dancers I am working with are inexperienced learning movement created by a student choreographer and performing in the modern-contemporary genre. During the process of creating the work, I had to take my time and have patience explaining the different movement styles because what was natural to me was foreign to them. Another challenge, while expected was nevertheless difficult, was working within a constrained amount of time, to complete and premier the work.
What has been the most rewarding part?
The work premiered November 8th and 9th, and when I was able to watch the piece in full performance mode, I felt fulfilled. I had been focusing on tiny (but important) details and giving my cast reminders right before the show, unsure if they would be able to embody everything. Watching the piece and hearing the audiences reaction, everyone taking their own meaning but the movement still resonating within them, was the most rewarding.
How will you disseminate your research?
I plan to present my research at URCAD 2020 by premiering my senior capstone piece again. Prior to the next performance, I plan to look over the piece and discuss with my mentor any changes or adjustments I can make.
What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
Research derives from your passion(s), the need to explore, discover, and create. The work is never quite done, but that is what makes the research thrilling. For myself, dance is forever evolving and changing, and I know that there will always be new inspiration and the need to share my creative outlook.
What are your career goals?
After I graduate in Spring 2020, I plan to work with a professional
dance company under contract while still creating pieces to gain a
choreographic fellowship.
This is a repost of the Undergraduate Research group post from
November 11, 2019. Go to https://ur.umbc.edu/ to learn more about undergraduate research and opportunities to support undergraduate research at UMBC.
Facility Dynamics, the commissioning agent for the project, would like to conduct a full power outage test of the building prior to the Vivarium being in full operation. They have suggested tomorrow night (11/13 10:00PM – 12:00AM) as their preferred day/time; however I realize that it may take more time to notify building occupants and prepare for an electrical outage. Please rank your selection to let us know when this would best work for you. Thank you!