Naghmeh Karimi, an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, was recently granted more than $300,000 in funding from the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) to study the security of promising hardware components that speed up the computing process. 

SRC brings together technology companies, academics, and government agencies to tackle large scientific and technical challenges, and Karimi’s research will be funded by three leading technology companies: IBM-Research, AMD, and Siemens. 

Karimi and her team, including graduate students and a collaborator from Arizona State University, will study computer chips whose design and structure allows computing-in-memory (CiM), where data processing happens directly within the computer’s memory. CiM architectures are promising for speeding up the use of machine learning algorithms because they consume less energy.

Different types of CiM devices (such as RRAM, MRAM, and SRAM) each have their own strengths and weaknesses in terms of performance, power use, and size, and to get the best results, engineers need to combine different CiM devices into one system. Building these systems in 3D layers can further improve their efficiency and performance. However, the security of these 3D architectures has received little attention to date. 

Karimi’s team will study the security of 3D CiM technologies used in AI applications. In particular, the research will focus on evaluating the security vulnerabilities of the technologies and developing mitigation strategies. 

“I’m excited about this project because the topic is very timely,” says Karimi. “The support from three leading companies in the AI field shows the importance of the problem and the promise of the solutions we are working on.”

The team aims to enhance the security of CiM-based AI accelerators against physical attacks that adversaries might launch to leak sensitive data or induce malfunctions. The researchers will work closely with the funding companies over the next three years in this area.

This post was written by Catherine Meyers and originally published online here.

The Delaplaine Arts Center is seeking an undergraduate college student or recent college graduate interested in visual arts administration and community engagement to join our team as an intern in summer 2025.

The selected intern will work mainly in our community outreach program under the guidance of the Community Engagement Manager. The intern will gain experience in community-based art programming and education and will be expected to research, plan, and implement new ideas to enrich our community engagement. Duties and goals will be tailored to meet the needs of both the intern and the Delaplaine.

The intern will:
– Research and create content for Delaplaine at Home/Art Cart projects and videos
– Research and create video content for our Artist of Inspiration program
– Compile new and existing video content to better connect with our audiences
– Learn about and research outreach and art education in our community and propose ways the Delaplaine could expand current outreach programming
The intern may also have the opportunity to instruct Community Engagement Workshops.

See the attached flyer to learn more about the internship and how to apply. Additional details can also be found here: https://delaplaine.org/about/employment-opportunities/college-internship/ 

Attention all UMBC student employees!  

What could be better than having an on-campus job?

Having an on-campus job and getting a notation on your transcript that tells employers you made the effort to enhance your professional development!

Interested in gaining a competitive edge in the job market? Sign up for PRAC 102- Building Skills for Career Success this Spring semester. Don’t worry, it’s not a formal class! With the minimal commitment of attending a few workshops and career events, you will be better prepared for the world of work and have the proof on your college transcript to show your employer.

DEADLINE TO REQUEST ENROLLMENT: Friday, February 28,2025

Make your campus experience count! Enroll TODAY! Enrollment is limited to the first 40 student employees. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!  

Open to all levels and majors. You must be a UMBC student employee working at least eight hours per week on campus. 

How to Register Online

1. Log in to Handshake, then navigate to Career Center > Experiences.

2. Click “Submit an Experience” and select “Career Center – On-Campus Student Employment (PRAC 102- Building Skills for Career Success)” as the Experience Type. Fill in the required fields and submit.

3. Your registration will be reviewed within two business days. The Career Center will enroll you directly upon review along with sending you additional details.

QUESTIONS, please get in touch with Stephanie Taylor Okoukoni (staylor18@umbc.edu) 

Visit our SSF page for details.  

February 4  | 4pm | AOK Library Gallery
The Mullen Lecture
"The Importance of Financial Literacy: Lessons From Many Years of Data"
Annamaria Lusardi, Ph.D., Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, Director of the Initiative for Financial Decision-Making, Professor of Finance (by courtesy),  Stanford Graduate School of Business
Hosted by the Department of Economics.

March 27 | 5pm | AOK Library Gallery
Annual Lipitz Lecture
"Generative AI and Higher Education: Practical Insights for Today and Tomorrow"
John G. Schumacher, PhD, FGSA
Director, Public Health Research Center
Professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health, UMBC
Hosted by the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health.  

April 3 | 4pm | AOK Library Gallery
Distinguished Lecture in Psychology
"Making the Invisible Visible: Reducing Disparities Via Personally Relevant Interventions"
Gordon C. Nagayama Hall, Ph.D.
Professor Emerit, University of Oregon
Hosted by the Department of Psychology.

U.S. News and World Report has recognized UMBC’s online master’s degree in information systems as #32 on their national list of 2025 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Programs. The program moved up two spots from last year’s ranking. 

U.S. News evaluates programs based on qualities such as strong faculty credentials, a good reputation among peer institutions, and the opportunity for students to use diverse online learning tools and engage with their instructors and classmates.

The UMBC program prides itself on its flexibility, industry-relevant curriculum, and specialization options. Working professionals can choose to pursue a degree on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on their career and personal goals. Students looking to narrow their focus can choose a specialization track in data science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, or UX design.

New this semester, the program is expanding the student experience for online learners by offering tailored events and networking opportunities, such as virtual networking events, industry-specific webinars, and guest speaker sessions. “These initiatives will help foster a sense of community, even from a distance,” says James Foulds, the director for the online information systems master’s program. “Students can connect with peers, faculty, and alumni in meaningful ways to support their academic and professional growth.”

Foulds himself will participate in the first such event—the new “Midday Mingle” series offering students the chance for informal online chats with program faculty and alumni. In February, Foulds will discuss his research specialty: the ethical and responsible uses of AI.