The 15th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences was held on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at UMBC. Sponsored by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the NIH, the juried event featured over 200 posters presented by over 220 presenters from 45 universities in 10 states. The event was hosted by CNMS with the Departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Biological Sciences. Undergraduate researchers investigating any aspect of chemistry, biology or biochemistry were invited to submit mentor-approved abstracts online by September 20, 2012. The event typically gathers more than 400 beginning scientists, mentors, and other guests from UMBC and many other institutions. Planning has started on the16th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences and the date for the Fall 2013 event will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.

Congratulations to Dr. Raymond Hoff, Professor of Physics and Senior Science Advisor to the Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET), for being awarded the 2012 NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal. Dr. Hoff was presented with this prestigious honor award at a ceremony at the NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on August 2, 2012.

Dr. Sanjit Karmakar, a post-doctoral physics fellow, is using a specialized camera, sunlight, ghost imaging technique, and quantum physics to explore the nature of light. Dr. Karmakar recently caught the attention of fellow physicists and the Baltimore Sun with the applied uses of his $50,000 quantum camera. He recently received his Ph.D. in Applied Physics at UMBC under mentor, Dr. Yanhau Shih.

The 2012 Summer Undergraduate Research Fest (SURF) was held on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 on the Seventh Floor of the Albin O. Kuhn Library. The event, celebrated its 15th year, featured oral and poster presentations on the summer projects of 80 student researchers at UMBC and/or with UMBC mentors. For details, visit http://www.umbc.edu/SummerResearchFest/.

Dr. William R. LaCourse, Professor of Chemistry and former Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was appointed as CNMS Dean effective July 1, 2012. For details from the news release, please visit: http://my.umbc.edu/news/15330.

CNMS faculty. staff, and guests gathered to honor the College's outstanding graduate and undergraduate students at the Seventh Annual CNMS Student Recognition Day on Friday afternoon, May 4, 2012. Mark Perks, the recipient of the 2012 Carl Weber Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching Award, also was recognized at the May 4 ceremony. For more details, visit: http://umbc.edu/cnms/WeberAward

The Molecular Characterization & Analysis Complex (MCAC) offers state-of-the-art equipment as a resource to UMBC faculty and the local science community. An Open House cohosted by the CNMS and PerkinElmer, Inc. on March 7 celebrated its official opening and featured posters and live demonstrations. For information, contact MCAC Manager, Josh Wilhide.

The Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) committed $300,000 to support UMBC's CASTLE (CNMS Active Science Teaching and Learning Environment), which is providing the venue for new methods of teaching introductory classes to boost student success and retention. The generous SAIC gift was made in 2011 and acknowledged at a gala breakfast reception when a colorful photographic mural was unveiled in the 93-student classroom. The CASTLE is one of the UMBC Alumni Association's CNMS top giving priorities.