The Synapse
Updates from the Sciences at Loyola University Maryland
December 2024 | Issue 74
As we embrace the festive season, we hope this time brings you joy, warmth, and cherished moments with loved ones. It's a season of giving, reflection, and celebration.
"The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other's burdens, easing others' loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of the holidays."
– W.C. Jones
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!
Share your news, photos, inspiring stories, and upcoming events for a future issue. Please send any feature suggestions to sciences@loyola.edu.
HIGHLIGHTS & GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Baltimore Business Journal features Loyola's $78M science center project
The story below has been featured in the Baltimore Business Journal on November 18, 2024.
Loyola University Maryland has launched a $78 million project to expand its science programs and integrate modern methods of teaching.
The North Baltimore Jesuit school plans to completely renovate its 88,000-square-foot Donnelly Science Center and build an 18,000-square-foot addition. The project was spurred by a massive increase in demand for science programs at the school, which has seen the number of science majors double from 600 students to 1,200 over the last decade, said Bahram Roughani, Associate Dean for the Natural and Applied Sciences.
That growth came despite Loyola’s overall enrollment remaining steady at just under 4,000 students during that same time frame. The school's science programs are set to expand even more as Loyola plans to collaborate with Mercy Medical Center to launch a nursing program next fall.
Spotlight on Science Alumni
Sean P. Leonard, a 2006 graduate of Loyola, earned his degree in Biology with Cum Laude honors.
He obtained his Master’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2013, followed by a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2020. Currently, he is conducting post-doctoral research at the Systems and Synthetic Biology division of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Additionally, he served as a Battle Captain to Kabul, Afghanistan with the Texas Army National Guard 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In this role, he managed the daily operations for a brigade tactical operations center and a team of 8 personnel. From 2006 to 2010, he served in the US Army as a Chemical Officer where he held several positions at the battalion and brigade staff levels. He coordinated training and operations for organizational units consisting between 500 and 3000 personnel. Leonard was also deployed to Iraq as a Chemical Reconnaissance Platoon Leader, leading a team of 40 people in daily security operations and combat missions.
Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Miller
Official Obituary of Melvin "Mel" Miller (May 17, 1935 ~ December 8, 2024)
Attend the 32nd annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation!
Loyola University Maryland will welcome award-winning investigative reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones for the 32nd annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in McGuire Hall. The event, which is also part of the Bunting Peace and Justice Speaker Series, is free and open to the public and will also be livestreamed. Advance registration is encouraged for in-person and virtual attendance.
STUDENT AND FACULTY OPPORTUNITIES
Mark Your Calendar! Student Opportunities Due: January 31, 2025
2025 Hauber Summer Research Program: Undergraduate students at Loyola University Maryland pursuing studies in Natural and Applied Sciences and are interested in collaborating with a faculty mentor on research in their chosen field are invited to submit applications. The Hauber fellowships have proven to be a catalyst for numerous students, opening doors to campus and national accolades, collaborative authorship on presentations or manuscripts, and successful transitions into professional or graduate programs. Additionally, Hauber Research Fellows will have multiple opportunities to showcase their research posters throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. This collaborative experience not only equips students with valuable research insights but also provides faculty members with assistance on their projects, fostering a rewarding direct engagement with students.
Summer Program Duration: June 2 – August 8, 2025
Appointments Details: A stipend of $5000 for the duration of the 10-week program, plus discounted or free summer housing. The summer 2025 Hauber program is open to all NAS majors, except for May 2025 graduates.
The Haig Scholars Program is an academic excellence and leadership program for students majoring in Natural and Applied Sciences. The program recognizes the accomplishments of highly motivated students based on academic work, the impact of participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, meaningful community engagement, and impact as student leaders.
Haig Scholar program is open to all NAS majors, with rising junior or rising senior status and a GPA of 3.5 or better.
Apply for National Library of Medicine Summer 2025 Data Science & Informatics Scholars Program!
The National Library of Medicine (NLM), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is seeking exceptional candidates to join in Summer 2025 for the NLM Data Science and Informatics (DSI) Scholars Program!
The NLM welcomes undergraduate and graduate students to apply for the DSI Scholars Program. The academic backgrounds include computer science, engineering, statistics, information science, mathematics, physics, and biology.
The application is now open, and will be accepted through Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting in January. Additional details, including full eligibility and application instructions, are available on the DSI Scholars Program website.
Please reach out to NLMDSI@nih.gov with any questions.
Apply for research funded by the National Science Foundation!
The U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) program offers research opportunities to undergraduates in any of the research areas funded by NSF.
The vast majority of REU Sites operate during the summer months and have application deadlines during the January–March timeframe. Some REU Sites operate at other times, including the regular academic year. REU Supplements support student research during the academic year and/or the summer.
Research Resources for Loyola students, faculty, staff, and administrators!
The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) announces its upcoming opportunities, events, and deadlines. The mission of the CUR is to support and promote high-quality mentored undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry. It also provides support and professional development opportunities for faculty, staff, administrators, and students.
Please check the CUR's calendar of events for more information.
Register for the MS Data Science Virtual Info Session on Wednesday, January 15th!
Join us for an upcoming information session to learn more about Loyola University Maryland's Online Graduate Data Science program. The academic program director and the director of program operations will be present to answer your questions regarding program formats, application requirements, and the admission process.
By attending any of our information sessions, you can save yourself from paying the $60 graduate application fee.
Join us and explore the opportunities that await you! Please register here.
Reminders & Resources
The Bridge
Visit The Bridge for upcoming campus meetings and events.
Training and Development Opportunities for Employees and Students
Academic Calendar
Coronavirus Resources
- Loyola Coronavirus Updates - General university information for all students, faculty, staff including reopening plans, COVID-19 dashboard, FAQs, policies, and resources
Student Support Resources
Employee Support Resources