Recent News & Accomplishments
2025
With support from computer science professor Mihai Pop, the center unites researchers across disciplines to study microbial communities and expand microbiome research at UMD.
Stephanie Yarwood , a professor of environmental science and technology at the University of Maryland (UMD), recently sat down to discuss her role co-leading the UMD Center of Excellence in Microbiome Sciences. Launched in February 2023 with startup funding from the University of Maryland Grand Challenges Grants program, the center joins faculty, postdoctoral scholars and graduate students across campus in pursuit of a deeper understanding of complex microbial communities, and how those microbiomes interact with each other and with our ecosystem. Yarwood is one of the grant’s principal... read more
In the clamor of a crowded café or the din of a busy street, your brain performs a quiet miracle—tuning into one voice while filtering out the rest. This ability, known as auditory attention, is crucial to how we learn, communicate and connect. Yet despite its importance, capturing and measuring this process in real-world settings has long been a stubborn challenge. The current tools—bulky EEG brainwave headsets or uncomfortable in-ear sensors—are not built for everyday life. They require trained technicians, custom fittings, and sometimes even exposure to unpleasant tones. Even the most... read more
Junior computer science and mathematics double major Brooke Guo analyzes neural connections to understand the causes of complex brain conditions like schizophrenia.
When Brooke Guo arrived at the University of Maryland as a freshman in 2022, she knew she wanted to help people and work in a health-related field someday. Initially, she thought that meant she was destined to become a doctor. But she soon changed her mind during her first year at Maryland. “I found out that going to medical school didn’t really appeal to me much,” said Guo, who is now a junior computer science and mathematics double major. “After starting my classes at UMD, I soon realized that there were a lot of other ways I could still help people and improve health outcomes for everyone... read more
Julia Chen, Minsi Hu, Jacob Lane and Akshay Trivedi were recognized for their achievements in computer science and mathematics.
The University of Maryland’s Department of Computer Science named four undergraduates as the first recipients of the Grant Family Outstanding Achievement Undergraduate Student Award in Computer Science and Mathematics . Julia Chen, Minsi Hu , Jacob Lane and Akshay Trivedi were recognized for excelling in their work at the intersection of these disciplines . The award, established by Adjunct Professor of Computer Science John Grant , recognizes graduating seniors who pursue double majors in computer science and mathematics . Grant, who has taught in both departments for over 50 years, created... read more
The team, which secured fifth place overall will compete at the World Finals in Azerbaijan from Aug. 31 to Sept. 5, 2025.
A student team from the University of Maryland’s Department of Computer Science earned a bronze medal at the International Collegiate Programming Contes t (ICPC) North America Championship on May 26 at the University of Central Florida. The competition featured 52 teams from universities in the United States and Canada, with the top 19 advancing to the World Finals. The University of Maryland’s fifth-place finish secured both the bronze medal and a spot in the upcoming finals in Baku, Azerbaijan, scheduled for Aug. 31 through Sept. 5, 2025. This marks the third consecutive year that UMD has... read more
Computer science faculty are engaged in seven AI-driven research projects, including sea ice monitoring, motion prediction for the blind and neurodiversity-affirming robotics, among other innovative efforts.
From developing futuristic packaging that guards food freshness and safety, to improving speech therapy for neurodiverse people, to developing novel sea ice monitoring techniques, 22 new artificial intelligence (AI) research projects were awarded through a new University of Maryland seed grant program, totaling about $1.5 million. The grants are administered by the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM), a collaborative hub that the university launched last spring to conduct research, offer innovative and experiential learning opportunities for students, and... read more
Feizi’s federal funding aims to unlock new insights into AI reasoning, strengthen language models against adversarial attacks and inspire next-generation research in trustworthy AI.
Soheil Feizi , an associate professor of computer science with an appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS), recently received a $1 million federal grant to advance foundational research that is focused on reasoning in artificial intelligence models. The award—$200,000 per year for five years—is the result of Feizi receiving a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) earlier this year. In January, he was one of 400 scientists and engineers nationwide honored by President Biden for their exceptional potential for... read more
Graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies honor 1,010 students while highlighting academic milestones and future career opportunities.
Graduation ceremonies mark the end of academic programs and the start of new opportunities. They also provide a moment to reflect on the challenges and resources that shape a student’s experience at a university. At the University of Maryland, the Department of Computer Science recognized these transitions during two ceremonies on May 21 and May 22. The graduate ceremony was held at the Reckord Armory, while the undergraduate ceremony took place at the Xfinity Center. In total, 90 graduate students and 920 undergraduate students received degrees. Part of the College of Computer, Mathematical... read more
Adam Wenchel (B.S. ’99, computer science), co founder and CEO of the tech startup Arthur, will share his AI success story as keynote speaker at the 2025 CMNS Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony.
Adam Wenchel (B.S. ’99, computer science) is a computer scientist with the heart of an entrepreneur. “I love building things, I’m very motivated by that—I want to build things that I'm proud of,” Wenchel explained. “For me, what's fulfilling is building a startup that's valuable to people and does something good for society as well.” Today, that startup is Arthur, the artificial intelligence (AI) performance company Wenchel launched in 2019. The company’s platform features next-generation products designed to simplify deployment, monitoring and management of AI models to help businesses and... read more
The graduating seniors demonstrated the highest levels of scholarship, service to the campus community, extracurricular involvement and personal growth.
Three graduating seniors from the University of Maryland's Department of Computer Science were selected to serve as senior marshals. The students, who have demonstrated the highest levels of scholarship, service to the campus community, extracurricular involvement and personal growth, will lead the procession of graduates into the main commencement ceremony on May 22, holding special banners with their schools’ and colleges’ names. The students will be joined by Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, director of the Adele H. Stamp Student Union, and Robert Infantino, CMNS associate dean, who oversee the... read more