CMMRS Marks 10 Years of Connecting Students With CS Research

The Cornell, Maryland, Max Planck Pre-doctoral Research School in Computer Science (CMMRS) marked its 10th anniversary this summer, continuing a collaboration that introduces undergraduate and master’s students to computer science research, graduate study and research careers.

Held Aug. 3-7 in Saarbrücken, Germany, the weeklong pre-doctoral research school brought students together with faculty and researchers from the University of Maryland, Cornell University and the Max Planck Institutes for technical lectures, mentoring sessions and discussions about careers in academia and industry.

UMD Computer Science Professor  Ramani Duraiswami participated in this year’s program, delivering a lecture and joining panel discussions.

CMMRS was established by the three institutions to expose students to current research and give them opportunities to interact with faculty, graduate students and peers from different universities and countries. The program is free for admitted students.

“The basic idea is to keep the best CS undergrads interested in research and, in particular, in our institutions,” Duraiswami said.

Participants attend lectures on current areas of computer and information science and take part in sessions focused on conducting research, applying to graduate school and pursuing careers in academia and industry. 

UMD computer science senior David Guan, who participated in this year’s program, said the speakers made their research accessible even to students who entered the sessions without prior knowledge of their fields.

“I was especially surprised by how open and welcoming the faculty were throughout the program,” Guan said. “They often joined us for meals and were always happy to discuss their work or offer advice.”

Guan said another part of the experience was meeting students from different backgrounds and learning about their perspectives.

“Being part of CMMRS was exciting and felt like a rare opportunity to be surrounded by talented students from around the world,” Guan said. “I really enjoyed hearing how their cultures and experiences differed.”

That international exchange was also reflected in the composition of the 2026 cohort, which included students from India, Nigeria, Rwanda, Germany, Bulgaria and the United States.

For participants considering doctoral study, the program also provides opportunities to hear directly from graduate students about their experiences. Connor Clayton, a UMD computer science Ph.D. student and 2026 CMMRS mentor, said the school helps students understand what pursuing a doctorate can involve.

“At CMMRS, students considering a Ph.D. can expect to receive a lot of relevant guidance, including insight about how to decide if a Ph.D. is right for them, what grad student life is like and how to apply,” Clayton said.

—Story by Samuel Malede Zewdu, CS Communications 

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For students interested in learning more about CMMRS, including future program dates, eligibility and application information, visit the CMMRS website.