Recent News & Accomplishments
2025
Founders Samai Patel and Nand Vinchhi embark on a journey to help companies reduce their architectural tech debt.
Startups often embark on transformative journeys, navigating challenges and seizing opportunities to bring their ideas to life. Few paths are as impactful as being accepted into Y Combinator , the prestigious accelerator known for propelling companies like Airbnb and Stripe to global recognition. For Axal , a student-led startup from the University of Maryland’s Department of Computer Science, this milestone marks a significant step forward in its mission to modernize legacy systems using artificial intelligence. Co-founded by UMD computer science majors Samai Patel and Nand Vinchhi , the... read more
Jim Purtilo discusses the effectiveness of cybersecurity labels and their potential impact on consumer trust.
The White House introduced a new label for Internet-connected devices this week after a public notice and input period that spanned eight months. The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, which was authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in a bipartisan and unanimous vote, will be employed on so-called “smart products” sold in the United States by 11 companies. It will begin to appear later this year, to help American consumers determine whether the smart devices are safe for use at home. It will include a range of devices including home security cameras, TVs, fitness trackers, baby... read more
Gao’s research focuses on multisensory learning and machine intelligence.
Ruohan Gao will join the University of Maryland’s Department of Computer Science as an assistant professor, where he will lead the Multisensory Machine Intelligence Group. His research centers on computer vision and machine learning, focusing on multisensory learning—integrating sight, sound and touch. “I’m thrilled to start this new chapter of my career at UMD’s Department of Computer Science,” Gao said. “It’s such an exciting journey ahead to collaborate with brilliant colleagues, work with talented students and contribute to the department’s tradition of excellence. I can’t wait to dive... read more
As AI-generated images become increasingly more realistic, they present both opportunities and challenges. While such advancements can enable creative applications and enhance visual storytelling, they can also fuel the spread of disinformation or cast doubt on the validity of authentic photographs. This glaring dichotomy highlights the high-stakes challenge of determining the origin and authenticity of online images. One approach for establishing whether an image is AI-generated is through watermarking—the process of embedding a unique signal into an image to indicate its origin. While this... read more
Iyyer’s research focuses on natural language processing and machine learning.
Mohit Iyyer will join the University of Maryland’s Department of Computer Science as an associate professor, marking a return to the institution where he earned his Ph.D. in 2017. His research centers on natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, focusing on improving the capabilities and applications of large language models (LLMs). “I’m very happy to return to UMD’s CS Department as a faculty member,” Iyyer said. “I’m particularly excited to collaborate with the many faculty and students, both in and outside of CS, who are working on interesting AI research projects.” Iyyer’s... read more
The prestigious award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers who are early in their careers.
A University of Maryland expert in machine learning is one of 400 scientists and engineers nationwide honored today by President Biden for their exceptional potential for leadership and novel research undertaken early in their scientific careers. Soheil Feizi , an associate professor of computer science with an appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS), is the latest recipient of a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government up-and-coming researchers. Feizi is a... read more
Mathur is recognized for her dedication, outstanding service and contributions to the Department of Computer Science.
The University of Maryland recently honored Richa Mathur , assistant director of executive and faculty affairs in the Department of Computer Science, with the prestigious MVP Impact Award . This accolade recognizes her dedication to fostering a collaborative and inclusive community, her significant contributions to the department and her commitment to advancing the university's core values. “I am deeply honored to receive this award,” Mathur said. “I am grateful for the opportunities to contribute to such a vibrant and inclusive community. This recognition inspires me to continue striving for... read more
With a goal of advancing broader inclusion and diversity in the tech world, the University of Maryland Center for Machine Learning recently hosted an annual workshop designed to empower and engage early-stage researchers from underrepresented backgrounds in computer science and machine learning. Now in its sixth year, the Rising Stars in Machine Learning program provides a $500 honorarium and an all-expenses-paid trip to College Park, where selected scholars—a mixture of graduate students, postdocs, and early-career industry researchers—can present their research and interact with UMD’s... read more
Arya Teymourlouei, Gary Peng, Anirudh Satheesh and Advait Vartak's contributions span diverse computing research fields.
Four undergraduate students from the University of Maryland’s Department of Computer Science have received recognition from the 2024-2025 Computing Research Association’s (CRA) Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award . Arya Teymourlouei (B.S. ’25, computer science) was named a runner-up, while Gary Peng (B.S. ’26, computer science; B.S. ’26, mathematics), Anirudh Satheesh (B.S. ’26, computer science; B.S. ’26, mathematics) and Advait Vartak (B.S. ’26, computer science) received honorable mentions for their research contributions. This year, Sandia National Laboratories and Lawrence... read more
The award recognizes faculty excellence in teaching and research.
Christopher Metzler , an assistant professor of computer science with an appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies , has been honored with the 2024 Board of Visitors Junior Faculty Award from the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS). The $2,500 award, presented annually in the fall, acknowledges the exceptional accomplishments of early-career faculty members in teaching and research. The award is open to assistant professors with primary appointments in CMNS who have not yet received tenure. Recipients must demonstrate... read more