UMBC chemistry and biochemistry researcher Herana Kamal Seneviratne is advancing HIV prevention research through a new grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
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UMBC Researcher Works Toward the Future of HIV Prevention
This two-year project will examine how HIV prevention drugs work inside the body, specifically, Seneviratne’s team is studying how PrEP medications are activated in colon tissue. This area is important because it can have a higher risk of HIV transmission. Through this research, the team hopes to understand why people respond differently to PrEP. Additionally, the findings could help improve HIV prevention strategies and make treatments more effective. The project uses advanced imaging techniques and cellular research to study drug activity. As a result, researchers may discover new ways to improve dosing and personalize prevention methods.
Learn more about how UMBC researchers are advancing health solutions.
Planting the Seeds of Sustainability
A small seed can grow into something extraordinary, and UMBC’s new Little Seed Library is helping that growth begin. Located beside The Garden, the new resource allows students, faculty, and staff to donate or take seeds for free. Inspired by the Little Free Library movement, the project makes gardening more accessible across campus. Additionally, it encourages the community to learn more about sustainability, food systems, and the environment. Supported by Retriever Essentials, the Office of Sustainability, and Facilities Management, the Little Seed Library creates a simple way for beginners to explore gardening. Through future seed-saving events and expanded resources, UMBC is growing a stronger connection between people and nature.
Read more about UMBC’s Little Seed Library.
Where History Comes Alive Through Music and Art
In Silvia Escanilla Huerta’s Latin American history classroom, music, murals, poetry, and popular culture bring history to life. Instead of relying only on textbooks, students explore how art and media reflect migration, resistance, colonialism, and cultural exchange. Through songs, artwork, and historical materials, students connect the past with current global issues. Additionally, they learn to question whose stories are remembered and how historical events are represented. As the first tenure-track faculty member and first Latina in UMBC’s history department to teach Latin American history, Escanilla Huerta creates an engaging classroom experience. Ultimately, her approach shows students that history is not only studied—it is experienced.
Learn more about how UMBC faculty are transforming the classroom experience.
Alumni Gift Invests in the Future of Inclusive Technology Leaders
UMBC alumni Pam Offutt ’82 and Jay Offutt ’82 are expanding opportunities for future technology leaders through a $1.04 million gift. Their donation establishes the Pam and Jay Offutt Graduate Student Endowment to support CWIT Scholars pursuing advanced degrees in computing and technology. The endowment provides more than financial support. In addition, students will receive mentorship, leadership development, and professional growth opportunities throughout their graduate journey. Inspired by their own experiences as computer science pioneers at UMBC, the Offutts hope to increase representation in the technology field. Through this investment, UMBC continues strengthening pathways for students to become innovative and inclusive leaders.
Learn more about how UMBC alumni are creating opportunities for future tech leaders.
Retrievers Help Rebuild Maryland’s Future Through Key Bridge Internship
Four UMBC students are gaining hands-on experience this summer through the Maryland Transportation Authority’s Key Bridge rebuilding internship program. The students will contribute to one of Maryland’s most important infrastructure projects following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in 2024. Mechanical engineering students Bilal Faizullah and Katelyn Prasad, along with geography and environmental systems students James Keller and Megan (Em) Schumacher ’26, will explore areas such as project management, environmental analysis, construction oversight, and community outreach. Additionally, the internship provides students with career-connected learning opportunities while working alongside professionals. Through programs like this, UMBC continues preparing students to make meaningful contributions to Maryland’s future.
Learn more about how UMBC students are shaping Maryland’s future.