Recent News & Accomplishments
2023
Researchers in the Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (CBCB) have four papers accepted to the Conference on Research in Computational Molecular Biology (RECOMB 2023), held this year from April 16–19 in Istanbul. The papers—which introduce new methods and tools to improve genome sequencing so that scientists can better study evolutionary trees, tumors and cancer—were coauthored by Erin Molloy , an assistant professor of computer science; Rob Patro , an associate professor of computer science; and their graduate students. “RECOMB is long established as one of the very best... read more
Victor Basili, a professor emeritus of computer science, has been honored with two prestigious awards recognizing his substantial contributions to software engineering and computer programming. The first award, from the IEEE Computer Society Technical Community on Software Engineering (TCSE), is a Lifetime Achievement Award presented annually to an individual who has significant contributions to the software engineering community that have resulted in a real and lasting impact of at least 25 years. Basili was recognized for his exemplary work in empirical software engineering and shaping the... read more
Computer science Ph.D. student Snehesh Shrestha is building an AI-powered app to bring violin lessons into the 21st century
University of Maryland computer science Ph.D. student Snehesh Shrestha seldom turns down a challenge, whether it’s fixing a complicated machine, learning a new song on guitar or running a little faster than his last mile. Now, he’s learning how to play the violin. But Shrestha is not taking on this challenge alone—he’s building an app that helps violin students, himself included, improve their skills. Though Shrestha has played guitar for 25 years, he finds the fiddle’s four strings to be far more formidable. “If a beginner practiced guitar for about a month or two, they should be able to... read more
Yiling Qiao, a fourth-year doctoral student in computer science advised by Distinguished University Professor of Computer Science Ming Lin , is the recipient of a Meta Fellowship for his excellent work in augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) computer graphics. The Meta Research Ph.D. Fellowship program, started in 2010, is designed to support promising doctoral students conducting cutting-edge research in emerging topics across computer science and engineering. The program provides full coverage of students’ tuition and university fees for up to two academic years, as well as a $42,000... read more
In 1994, mathematician Peter Shor developed an algorithm showing how then-hypothetical quantum computers could factor numbers exponentially faster than standard machines. This promise of exotic computational power launched the age of quantum computing. It also set the clock ticking on existing public-key cryptography that provides safeguards for online banking, medical records, national secrets and more based on the infeasibility of factoring massive numbers. Today, with Google, IBM and College Park-based startup IonQ racing to introduce the world’s first general-purpose quantum computer,... read more
Junior Andrew Yuan loves building things from mobile apps to extended reality software.
University of Maryland junior Andrew Yuan , a dual-degree student in mathematics and computer science, swears by three things: practicality, adaptability and creativity. Over the years, that philosophy helped Yuan create everything from childhood Lego masterpieces to his current computer science project—a mobile app designed to rate UMD campus toilets . Yuan first developed his creative skills while growing up as the son of a traveling diplomat. Now based in Washington, D.C., Yuan was born in California and later spent six-year spans in Taiwan and Thailand as his father’s international... read more
The Department of Computer Science will host eight events.
Explore our world of innovation and learning on Maryland Day ! Maryland Day is an opportunity for prospective students and community members to learn more about the University of Maryland – and find out how the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences is reimagining teaching and learning to prepare the next generation of scientific leaders for success. Unlock a world of learning, discovery and exploration, with hundreds of family-friendly festivities including exhibits, workshops, hands-on demonstrations, performances, cross-campus tours, lectures, petting zoos and athletic... read more
Four graduate students and recent alums of the University of Maryland’s Department of Computer Science received prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships, which recognize outstanding graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The department’s four awardees included: Tyler Han (B.S. ’22, computer science; B.S. ’22, aerospace engineering) Tobias Janssen, computer science graduate student Mikhail Khrenov (B.S. ’22, computer science; B.S. ’22, mechanical engineering) Jon Nelson, computer science graduate student Across the university... read more
James Mullen, a second-year doctoral student in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, has been honored with an Honorable Mention, Best Paper award at the prestigious 2023 IEEE VR conference . The conference is globally renowned for presenting and publishing innovative research work in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR/AR/XR). Mullen's research focuses on creating realistic virtual agents that can move and interact with a 3D scene, whether it is virtual or real and crowded with objects. He uses motion-captured human data to create moving avatars that look... read more
Michael Cummings, a professor of biology with an appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies , is the recipient of a $50,000 Individual Project Grant that will support his work in analyzing genetic ancestry more accurately at the sub-chromosome level. The award comes from the university’s Grand Challenges Grants Program , a $30 million initiative to support research that offers promising solutions to emerging societal issues like climate change, social injustice, global health and education disparities. Cummings’ three-year project, "Accurate, Equitable... read more