http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/ News and Events for the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Information Technology at UMBC. en Copyright 2008 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:08:17 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Recipients of Bachelor's of Science in Chemical Engineering Our B.S. graduates have accepted offers from companies such as Exxon, NupocNavy Officer, NIH Vaccine Research Center NIAID and graduate schools such as Cambridge University, Stanford University, Tulsa University, Brown University, Berkeley University, and University of Maryland Baltimore. From left to right. Standing: George, Areeb, Tolu, Eric, Bill, Mark, Adeniyi, Jacob, Amaka, Guy, Quang, Nirav, Abraham, David. Bottom row: Nichole, Pete, Jessica, Debbie, Amber, Sylvia, Tania. George E. Aninwene II (Minor: Biological Sciences) ^ Nichole B. Au (Minor: History) *^ Tolulope O. Babalola William A. Becker Mark A. Benesch ** Abraham G. Beyene ** Peter D. Block (Minor: Psychology) Amaka Chidume-Okoro (Minor: Modern Language & Linguistics) * Jacob S. Demirji ^ David E. Dunn Simon M. Gray (Valedictorian) ***^ Terrell K. Higgins Quadri O. Johnson Guy S. Kamguia Josphat G. Kiaritha Ariane C. Kouamou Quang M. La Debora W. Lin (Minor: Biological Sciences) **^ Jian Liu (Double Major: Chemistry) Amber Mahmood Tania Monterastelli ** Eric C. Mortin *^ Adeniyi O. Olujoya Nirav Patel Christa L. Puhl (Minor: Biological Sciences) ^ Sylvia J. Rivera Jessica E. Schwartz ^ Areeb A. Shaikh * Cum Laude ** Manga Cum Laude *** Summa Cum Laude ^ Biotechnology/Bioengineering Track Recipients of a Master of Science degree in Chemical & Biochemical Engineering The following M.S. graduates completed a thesis describing original research endeavors and have accepted offers of employment at TAI Engineering and Aberdeen Proving Grounds or are pursuing doctoral degrees in Chemical Engineering at Cornell University and the University of Delaware. From left to right: Jake McGill, Tony Geisz, Brad Gates and Jessica Drew. Jessica L. Drew Thesis: Application of High Throughput Bioreactors in Subclone Selection Advisor: Govind Rao Bradford M. Gates Thesis: Amyloid-Neuron Interactions Explored via Computational Modeling Advisor: Mariajose Castellanos Anton J. Geisz, Jr. Thesis: Multivalent Sialic Acid Polymers: A Novel Chemistry Advisor: Theresa Good Leonard C. Lombardo Thesis: Engineering Macroporous Hydrogels via the Degradation of Embedded Microspheres Advisor: Jennie Leach Jacob A. McGill Thesis: Development of an Intracellular Infection Model and Integration of Diffusional Virus Effects into a Cellular Automata Simulation Advisor: Mariajose Castellanos Recipients of a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Chemical & Biochemical Engineering The following Ph.D. graduates completed a doctoral thesis describing significant research contributions to their field and are currently working at companies such as Wyeth, Regeneron, and Novozymes and postdoctoral fellowships at NIST and Drexel University. From left to right Top Row: David Schaefer, Niraj George, Michael Johnson, Chris Cowan Middle Row: Liming Zhao, Julie Ross, Derek Smith, Michael Hanson Bottom Row: Judith Kadarusman, Mark Marten, Theresa Good, Govind Rao Christopher B. Cowan Thesis: Developing Novel Materials that Capture the Alzheimer's Disease Associated Protein Beta Amyloid for Therapeutic and Detection Applications Advisor: Theresa Good Niraj P.E. George Thesis: Influence of Shear Stress on the Adhesion of S. aureus to Immobilized Platelets Advisor: Julia Ross and Konstantinos Konstantopoulos Michael Hanson Thesis: High Throughput Bioreactor Validation and Use in Mammalian Cell Culture Process Change Studies Utilizing Gene Expression Data Advisors: Govind Rao and Antonio Moreira Michael A. Johnson Thesis: Platelet-S. aureus Interactions: A Study of Thrombus Formation in Whole Blood in the Presence of Bacteria Under Physiological Shear Conditions Advisor: Julia Ross Wendy Lea Thesis: Development, Validation and Application of a Biological Antioxidant Capacity Assay Using sodA::gfp as a Living Sensor Advisor: Govind Rao and Leah Tolosa Judith K. Pollack Thesis: Study of the Morphology and Physiology of Filamentous Fungi During Nutrient Starvation Using the Parallel Plate Flow Chamber Advisor: Mark Marten Derek S. Smith Thesis: Plasmonic Enhancement for the Development of High Sensitivity, Low-Cost Fluorescence Sensing With Ultrafast Detection Advisor: Govind Rao and Yordan Kostov Liming Zhao Thesis: Surface Structures and Mechanical Properties of Model Fungus Aspergillus nidulans Advisor: Mark Marten and David Schaefer ]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/07/class_of_2008_1.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/07/class_of_2008_1.html News / Announcements Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:08:17 -0500 You are all invited to attend Jessica Drew's MS thesis defense. Date: Tuesday, July 8th Time: 10 am Location: ITE 227 Some refreshments will be provided, however no food is allowed in the actual room. Title: Application of High Throughput Bioreactors in Subclone Selection Abstract: The demand for monoclonal antibodies in pharmaceutical drug production requires the highest technology be invested in obtaining a stable, high producing cell line. Currently the most common method of selection is by limiting dilution cloning, done in well plates. The highest producing cell is chosen after samples from the stationary plates have been analyzed for antibody production. The selection is based on stationary culture, even though after scale-up cells will grow in a stirred environment. This research investigates a way to test multiple clones in a stirred environment by using high throughput bioreactors (HTBRs) in the early stages of clone selection. It has been found that simply selecting subclones based on results from stationary culture could result in the chance of missing even higher producing clones. Instead, choosing a clone after analyzing its performance in a stirred environment is an improved method to select a cell line for further scale-up. ]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/07/ms_defense_-_jessica_drew.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/07/ms_defense_-_jessica_drew.html Seminars / Events Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:46:28 -0500 Andreia Ribeiro, a second-year Ph.D. student in Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, was selected to receive a two-year Wyeth Fellowship at UMBC. Andreia is currently investigating the response of neurons to two- and three-dimensional culture environments. Ultimately, this work may lead towards improved therapeutics for spinal cord injury and devices to deliver stem cells for treating neurodegenerative disease. Andreia earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Porto (Portugal) and spent five months in Dr. Jennie Leach's lab as a research exchange student during her senior year. Andreia returned to UMBC and Dr. Leach's laboratory in 2006. Andreia's work is the basis for two manuscripts (in preparation or under review) and she has presented her research at several national meetings including a Gordon Research Conference and the annual meetings of the Society for Neuroscience, the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and the American Institute for Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Andreia mentors two undergraduate researchers and is the current Social Chair of the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student group, BioChegs. Following completion of her Ph.D., Andreia's aspiration is to lead a Research & Development team at a multinational pharmaceutical or biotechnology company. Andreia is the third UMBC Wyeth fellow and will receive a full stipend as well as mentoring support from an industry scientist at Wyeth Research. A formal signing of a memorandum of understanding between Wyeth Research and UMBC took place on July 25, 2006 at the Wyeth Research Facility in Collegeville, PA. The partnership includes graduate fellowships for talented students conducting research in fields of joint interest to UMBC faculty and Wyeth scientists. The Wyeth-UMBC partnership includes a three-year commitment to Gold-Level sponsorship for UMBC’s annual life science symposium—A Look Ahead: Futures in Biomedical Research. Wyeth, headquartered in Madison, N.J., is a global leader in pharmaceuticals, consumer health care products and animal health care products. ]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/06/congratulations_to_andreia_rib_1.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/06/congratulations_to_andreia_rib_1.html News / Announcements Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:31:39 -0500
Thursday May 22, 2008
8:30 to 10:30am
Engineering Building Atrium and LH5 ]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/05/precommencement_breakfast.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/05/precommencement_breakfast.html Seminars / Events Thu, 22 May 2008 11:15:32 -0500 click here. ]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/05/graduate_reception_cbe_departm.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/05/graduate_reception_cbe_departm.html Seminars / Events Wed, 21 May 2008 09:48:14 -0500 Ivan R. Kennedy, PhD DSc(Agric) Director, SUNFix Centre for Nitrogen Fixation Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Sydney, NSW Australia DATE/TIME/LOCATION: Monday, May 12 12:00PM, ITE Building, Rm 227 TITLE: Biothermodynamics for sustainability: Revisiting entropy in the form of biological action directed by DNA ABSTRACT: The doctrine of increasing disorder usually said to be predicted by the 2nd Law has given entropy a needlessly bad press. A more positive view of entropy relates it to the physical property of action; entropy then acts as a capacity factor indicating the distribution of energy needed to sustain the current action at a level greater than Planck’s quantum of action characteristic of zero Kelvin. We can consider life as a set of purposive action processes, dependent for its maintenance on access to specific forms of stored action potential or free energy. In this overview (which will consider entropy in all three of its thermal, statistical and action aspects) the thesis that the DNA code-script provides highly selected information needed by living organisms to ensure their survival, by directing available energy towards specific actions, will be discussed.]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/05/seminar_ivan_r_kennedy_univers.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/05/seminar_ivan_r_kennedy_univers.html Seminars / Events Mon, 12 May 2008 12:00:00 -0500 Anton J. Geisz, Jr. successfully defended his MS today. Anton preformed his research in the Good lab. The title of his dissertation was "Multivalent Sialtic Acid Polymers: A Novel Chemistry." ]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/05/anton_j_geisz_jr_sucessfully_d_1.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/05/anton_j_geisz_jr_sucessfully_d_1.html Seminars / Events Fri, 02 May 2008 15:28:26 -0500 Jacob A. MGill successfully defended his MS today. Jacob preformed his research in the Castellanos lab. The title of his dissertation was "Development of an Intracellular Infection Model and Integration of Diffusional Virus Effects into a Cellular Automata Simulation." ]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/05/jacob_a_mcgill_sucessfully_def.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/05/jacob_a_mcgill_sucessfully_def.html Seminars / Events Fri, 02 May 2008 15:18:33 -0500 Christopher B. Cowan successfully defended his PhD today. Christopher preformed his research in the Good lab. The title of his dissertation was "Developing Novel Materials that Capture the Alzheimer's Diseaase Associated Protein Beta Amyloid for Therapeutic & Detection Applications." ]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/04/christopher_b_cowan_sucessfull_1.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/04/christopher_b_cowan_sucessfull_1.html Seminars / Events Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:06:16 -0500 Bradford Gates successfully defended his MS today. Brad performed his research in the Castellanos lab. The title of his dissertation was "Beta Amyloid-Neuron Interactions Explored via Computational Modeling.]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/04/brad_gates_successfully_defend.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/04/brad_gates_successfully_defend.html Seminars / Events Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:45:20 -0500 Mr. Simon Gray, a graduating senior in the department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, has been chosen as UMBC’s 2008 Valedictorian. Simon not only has an outstanding record of academic accomplishment, including a 4.0 GPA, but graduated from High School a year early and has finished all the requirements (and then some) for the Chemical Engineering B.S. degree in just three years. In addition to his course work, Simon completed an internship at Lyondell Chemical Company, and has excelled in undergraduate research. During the summer 2007, Mr. Gray was supported by the National Science Foundation to perform bioremediation research through a program organized by the Ocean University of China. His project analyzed the microbial diversity of crude oil contaminated soil of the Yellow River Delta in Shandong Province, China. In addition, he has performed on campus undergraduate research in the laboratory of Dr. Jennie Leach focused on miniaturizing oxygen sensor technology through the use of biocompatible polymers. Simon’s aspirations are to be a physician/scientist with his own company. He has been accepted to study at Cambridge next year in a unique program which will combine both advanced studies in Chemical Engineering and Business/Management; after which he will pursue his MD/PhD. In addition, Simon is the recipient of the extremely competitive and tremendously prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

Simon conducting High School outreach project as part of ENCH 427 Heat and Mass Transfer, with colleagues from Senior Design class (ENCH 446), and standing on Great Wall of China during Summer Internship.

]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/04/simon_gray_chosen_as_umbc_vale.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/04/simon_gray_chosen_as_umbc_vale.html News / Announcements Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:59:40 -0500 Derek Smith successfully defended his PhD today. Derek preformed his research in the Center for Advanced Sensing Technologies (CAST). The title of his dissertation was "Plasmonic Enhancement for the Development of High Sensitivity, Low-Cost Fluorescence Sensing With Ultrafast Detection." ]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/04/test_1.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/04/test_1.html Seminars / Events Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:20:02 -0500 Judith Kadarusman Pollack successfully defended her PhD today. Judith preformed her research in the Marten lab. The title of her dissertation was "Study of the morphology and physiology of filamentous fungi during nutrient starvation using the parallel plate flow chamber." ]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/04/judith_pollack_sucessfully_def_1.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/04/judith_pollack_sucessfully_def_1.html Seminars / Events Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:17:39 -0500 Michael A. Johnson successfully defended his PhD today. Michael performed his research in the Ross lab. The title of his dissertation was "Platelet-S. aureus Interactions: A Study of Thrombus Formation in Whole Blood in the Presence of Bacteria Under Physiological Shear Conditions." ]]> http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/04/michael_a_johnson_successfully_defends_phd.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2008/04/michael_a_johnson_successfully_defends_phd.html Seminars / Events Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:09:10 -0500 Two CBE graduate students were awarded the Ph.D. in December 2007. Mike Hanson, successfully defended his dissertation, "High Throughput Bioreactor Validation and Use in Mammalian Cell Culture Process Change Studies Utilizing Gene Expression Data," (Co-Advisors Moreira and Rao). Also successfully defending was Wendy Lea, whose research topic was, "Development, Validation and Application of a Biological Antioxidant Capacity Assay using sodA::gfp as a Living Sensor" (Co-Advisors Tolosa and Rao). http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2007/12/phds_awarded.html http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/cbe/2007/12/phds_awarded.html Seminars / Events Sun, 30 Dec 2007 21:15:24 -0500