
The Synapse
Updates from the Sciences at Loyola University Maryland
May 2023| Issue 55
The May issue of Synapse includes news about the NAS community ahead of the 2023 graduation that will take place later this weekend. We wish our 2023 graduating class the best in using their Loyola education to serve society in a way that matches their passion.
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Share your news, photos, inspiring stories, and upcoming events for a future issue. Please send any feature suggestions to Hizbullah Baryal at hbaryal@loyola.edu
Essay by Choudhury Sarkar-Dey Medal Recipients
The Choudhury Sarkar-Dey Medal is presented to an outstanding senior student graduating with a degree in the Natural or Applied Sciences for academic excellence and outstanding efforts in supporting diversity and community service. This medal was established in 2019 by the Sarkar-Dey family in honor of Dr. Dipa Sarkar-Dey, professor emerita of mathematics, as the first division medal at Loyola University Maryland. This year for the first time two graduating seniors received the medal. The selection was based on the student resume and an essay addressing reflecting on their Loyola experience, with an emphasis on their efforts related to diversity and community service as specified in the following selection criteria: (a) Co-curricular activities, including research, (b) On-campus service/engagement, (c) Off-campus service/engagement, and (d) Engaged in diversity-related activities.
Faculty expert insights for media stories
"The first question in development now should be ‘Should I make this?’ before we ask, ‘How do I make this?’" read more using the link to Tech Guide to learn more about Megan Olsen, Ph.D., professor and chair of computer science, who was featured under the Expert Advice section in Tech Guide. Professor Olsen addresses questions such as "Why get a bachelor’s in computer science and why now?" and more in this media story.
Competing Engineering major & Pre-Health
Natalia Medina Lozada, will graduate in May 2023 as the first Engineering major who has also completed the Pre-Health program. Below, she is reflecting on her Loyola experience.
Upon my arrival at Loyola University Maryland, I harbored a strong desire to pursue a major in engineering while simultaneously fulfilling the pre-health track. This aspiration was met with skepticism from my family, and my peer’s expressed admiration for my ability to juggle such a challenging curriculum. My passion for mechanical and biomedical engineering led me to seek the guidance of Dr. Keilson during my freshman year. Together, we meticulously charted my four-year academic plan at Loyola University Maryland, ensuring that I could complete my studies within the stipulated time frame and with the desired qualifications. On occasions, I found myself burdened with a heavy academic workload, including taking three labs, six classes, and participating in several extracurricular activities. During my final year, I simultaneously held several leadership positions, including ALAS President, Director of the 24th BSA Fashion Show, Pre-Health Society Board Member, University Innovation Fellow, member of Green & Grey Society, AMP Mentor, and volunteered at Johns Hopkins Pediatric Emergency Room. My experience at Loyola University Maryland was fulfilling, and I am elated to be graduating as the first student Mechanical Engineer with a Biomedical Physics Minor while also completing the Pre-Med track and putting my family’s name from Puerto Rico in honor.
30th Annual Pi Mu Epsilon Initiation and Mathematics and Statistics Award Ceremony
On April 23 the Math/Stat Department celebrated the induction of new students into Pi-Mu-Epsilon, the national honor society for mathematics and statistics undergraduates. They also recognized contributions by tutors, graders, learning assistants, and achievement awards for each graduating class. The keynote speaker was Regina Slavy (neé Schmidt), Loyola Class of 2010, and award winning teacher in Baltimore City.
Computer Science Graduating Seniors Success
Senior capstone is the culminating experience for computer science majors. They presented their final projects to the faculty and the Industrial Advisory Board IAB.
Data Science Graduating Students Capstone Projects Presentations
On Saturday May 6th, 14 Data Science students gathered to present their capstone projects from DS496 Ethical Data Science Capstone taught by Dr. Drummey. Projects ranged from predicting the outcome of an NFL game to student retention analysis to an analysis of breakfast cereal characteristics. While this was primarily an in-person event, a zoom session allowed a few students to observe and present their projects from a distance. Dr. Kenyon, Undergraduate Program Director offered words of congratulations and presented gift bags to the soon-to-be graduates. Associate Dean Bahram Roughani was in attendance and invited the students to stay in touch as they pursue graduate education or their career.
UPE Honor Society Induction
Upsilon Pi Epsilon UPE is the international honor society for the computing and information disciplines. The Loyola chapter was the first in the state of Maryland, founded in 1988. Each year the top CS students by major GPA are inducted into the honor society.
Seniors Holding their Senior Superlatives
The end of semester picnic is a yearly tradition for the computer science department to bring together students and faculty, and celebrate the seniors.
Aspirations in Computing Award Committee
The Aspirations in Computing Maryland Affiliate Award celebrates high school women in the state of Maryland who demonstrate an interest and experience in computing. Dr. Olsen was one of the founders of our state award in 2012, and has continued as one of the organizers since then. The award has grown significantly, honoring 152 students this year. The photo shows the organizers for this academic year, including Dr. Olsen from the computer science department.
Senior Engineering Students Poster Presentations
Senior engineering students gave poster presentations of their capstone projects to the Loyola Engineering Industrial Advisory Board on May 1st. The projects covered a range of systems that have practical societal benefit, from warning systems for floods to train alert and wheelchair braking systems.
Senior Engineering Students Poster Presentations
Senior Engineering Students Poster Presentations
Senior Engineering Students Poster Presentations
Celebrating Physics Graduating Seniors Success
On May 1, the physics department had an afternoon symposium where Ashley Dwyer, Matthew Spear, and Matthew Villamar all gave demonstrations of their Experimental Methods (PH398) projects and all three were inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma – the physics honor society. Later on Ashley Dwyer gave a talk on her senior capstone project, which was the same project she presented at the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Colloquium two weeks ago. Physics faculty, physics majors, and Matthew Villamar’s father and brother were in attendance.
Robots & Funs
‘The Robotics Club developed a pair of ‘jousting bots’ that they demonstrated at Loyola’s Renaissance Fair this spring semester.’
Congratulations to all the 2023 Undergraduate Student Research and Scholarship Colloquium natural & Applied Sciences Participants
Congratulations To all the Loyola university Maryland Theta Chi Chapter Beta Beta Beta National biological Honor Society 2023 Graduating seniors
Congratulations to the Loyola University Maryland Theta Chi Chapter of the Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society Inductees 2023
Upcoming NAS Summer Programs
· The 35th Hauber Summer Research planned for summer 2023 is comprised of 12 Hauber research projects. This year's program will officially begin on Monday, June 5, and will end on Friday, August 11. Several Hauber workshops are planned for the Wednesday of each week starting June 7 and ending on June 19. Hauber Fellows research presentations are planned for June 26, August 2, and August 9, when we hope as many NAS community members and friends could attend. More details will be provided through the Hauber webpage.
· The 41st annual Cosmos & Creation conference will be held the weekend of June 9-11, 2023 at Loyola University Maryland. More information is available through the Cosmos & Creation webpage
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