Recent News & Accomplishments
2024
NASA Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor Katherine Calvin (B.S. ’03, mathematics; B.S. ’03, computer science) will share her story with graduates and their families at the CMNS Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony in May.
When Katherine Calvin (B.S. ’03, mathematics; B.S. ’03, computer science) was invited to be the keynote speaker at the 2024 CMNS Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony at the University of Maryland, she couldn’t help thinking back to the day she graduated from UMD, 21 years ago. "Since I received the invitation, I have spent a lot of time thinking about my own graduation—what it was like to be graduating and what I wish I had known then,” Calvin said. “I remember rushing to finish finals, being both excited and nervous for the next step, which was moving to California for grad school, and being... read more
Nirupam Roy discusses the growing concern of deep fakes in the realm of business.
Carl Froggett worked as one of Citibank’s chief information security officers for over two decades, protecting the bank’s infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. And while criminal trickery, from low-tech paper forgery to rudimentary email scams, has long plagued banking and the wider world of business, deepfake technology powered by generative AI is something previously unseen. “I am very worried about deepfakes being used in business,” said Froggett, who is now the CIO of Deep Instinct, a company that uses AI to combat cybercrime. Industry experts say that boardrooms... read more
Nakul Garg, Shoken Kaneko, Mazda Moayeri and Gowthami Somepalli receive the award that will support them in the final stages of their dissertation research.
The University of Maryland's Graduate School has announced Department of Computer Science graduate students Nakul Garg , Shoken Kaneko , Mazda Moayeri and Gowthami Somepalli as recipients of the Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship , an award recognizing outstanding research contributions and academic performance by doctoral students in the later stages of their dissertation research. The Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship is a testament to the university's commitment to fostering academic excellence and research innovation. It includes a $15,000 stipend, a candidacy tuition award and... read more
Jennifer Golbeck conducts research into how supernatural experiences with dogs might support pet owners in mourning.
Paranormal encounters with deceased pets may help some animal owners cope with their grief, according to a new study. Jennifer Golbeck , an affiliate professor of computer science at the University of Maryland, recently conducted the first systematic study of the supernatural experiences of bereaved animal owners. The goal was to examine the range of perceived encounters with deceased canine companions and their meaning and significance to the pet owners. Golbeck conducted the study using social media, posting a prompt on both X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram that asked, “If you... read more
Mihai Pop discusses computational solutions to microbiome science challenges.
The microbiome refers to the whole sum of microorganisms in a particular environment, such as the collective sum of gut bacteria in a human being. Microbiome research is a new frontier of scientific exploration. Studies that use big data technology to examine whole genomes of hundreds of organisms simultaneously represent a field called metagenomics. As this field matures, scientists are increasingly recognizing the need for sophisticated tools and technologies to decipher the complexities hidden within these microbial ecosystems. To that end, on April 2, Mihai Pop , a professor in the... read more
Bansal, a former student manager at the Sandbox, reflects on his makerspace experience and its impact on his professional journey after graduating from UMD.
At the University of Maryland's Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering , the Jagdeep Singh Family Makerspace—also known as the Sandbox —is a testament to the fusion of practical skills with academic learning. Located on the first floor, the Singh Sandbox is a makerspace with six workshops and a large communal space. The 5,300-square-foot work area includes electronics testing and fabrication facilities, textile arts, woodworking, CNC machines, laser cutters, 3D printers and more. The Sandbox is primarily operated by student volunteers, fostering creativity and hands-on work... read more
The institute will support interdisciplinary research and education that promote the responsible use of AI and prepare the future workforce for an AI-infused world.
The University of Maryland today announced the launch of a new institute dedicated to developing the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) education, technology and leaders. The Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM) will be a collaborative hub for AI, supporting faculty research, offering innovative and experiential learning opportunities, and focusing on responsible and ethical AI technology to advance the public good across industry, government and society. “Establishing the AI Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland is a pioneering step in AI... read more
The department also ranks among the country’s best universities in artificial intelligence, theory and programming language specialties according to U.S. News & World Report.
The University of Maryland’s computer science graduate program ranks No. 10 among the country’s public institutions in the 2024 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools.” The program ranks 17th overall, the same as last year. UMD also ranks high in three computer science specialties: Artificial intelligence at No. 15 (No. 9 among publics) Theory at No. 22 (No. 10 among publics) Programming language at No. 23 (No. 13 among publics) UMD’s computer science undergraduate program ranks 18th in the nation (No. 9 among publics) according to the latest list from U.S. News... read more
For almost four decades, a powerful data center in the A.V. Williams Building has been an essential part of the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS), supporting the institute’s mission of incentivizing cutting-edge research and staying at the forefront of technological innovation. As the institute’s research portfolio continues to expand, the infrastructure needed to support it—particularly in compute-heavy areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning—also needs to grow. In April, UMIACS data center staff began coordinating a three-month... read more
A well-designed building is more than just a structure—it’s also a catalyst for collaboration, fostering a dynamic environment where people come together to brainstorm ideas and create new technologies. The Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering is exactly such a place. Launched five years ago this month, the 215,000 square foot structure is home to the Department of Computer Science and the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS). A visit to the ground floor of Iribe offers multiple experiences. Computer science is the largest major on... read more