Recent News & Accomplishments

 2023

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Computational biologists at the University of Maryland are partnering with ophthalmologists from the renowned Wilmer Eye Institute at John Hopkins University to improve therapeutic options for people suffering from chronic ocular diseases. Michael Cummings (left in photo) a professor of biology with an appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, and Renee Ti Chou (right), a fourth-year computational biology doctoral student, are using machine learning algorithms and other methods to enhance how certain drugs are administered to patients suffering from...  read more
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Led by computer science faculty member Hal Daumé III, the institute will take a holistic approach, integrating broader participation in AI design, new technology development, and more informed governance of AI-infused systems.
The University of Maryland has been chosen to lead a multi-institutional effort supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) that will develop new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies designed to promote trust and mitigate risks, while simultaneously empowering and educating the public. The NSF Institute for Trustworthy AI in Law & Society (TRAILS) announced on May 4, 2023, unites specialists in AI and machine learning with social scientists, legal scholars, educators and public policy experts. The multidisciplinary team will work with impacted communities, private industry and...  read more
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The University of Maryland’s computer science graduate program earned top-25 accolades in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Graduate Schools list. Overall, the program ranked No. 10 among public universities and No. 17 overall. Three specialties also ranked in the top 25: Artificial intelligence specialty at No. 15 Programming language specialty at No. 20 Systems specialty at No. 22 The rankings are based on statistical surveys of more than 2,200 programs and reputation surveys sent to more than 19,000 academics and professionals, conducted in fall 2022 and early 2023.  read more
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Laxman Dhulipala , an assistant professor of computer science at the University of Maryland, was part of a team recently honored with the prestigious Allen Newell Award for Research Excellence for their breakthroughs in large-scale graph processing. The award is from Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) School of Computer Science. It recognizes outstanding work from current or former CMU researchers that epitomizes the scientific philosophy of Allen Newell, a computer scientist and pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence who died in 1992. Newell firmly believed that “good science...  read more
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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