UMass Boston

Every year, graduate and undergraduate students from the College of Science & Mathematics (CSM) gather to present their research to their peers, their mentors, and the public.

This year, which marked the tenth annual CSM Showcase, allowed students from across CSM’s many disciplines to present their latest findings. On May 14, in the atrium of the Campus Center, students gathered around rows of portable screens, eager to explain the graphs and figures of their virtual posters to a parade of visitors.

“This is the culmination of the research that our students—both undergraduates and graduates—have done throughout this year,” said Hazel Sive, dean of CSM. “It’s really a celebration of STEM research.”

This year’s Showcase featured 98 posters. For many participants, this was an opportunity to discuss the practical applications that their work could support. One student’s studies of individual molecules could someday form the foundation of new liquid crystal-based tests for diabetes, and another’s AI models could help to optimize ocean-based power generators.

Raphael Santore, a UMass Boston undergraduate, explains his research on optimizing wave converter arrays. Image by: Elizabeth Deatrick

Because it welcomed participants from across the entire College, the CSM Showcase gave students a truly interdisciplinary experience, as they mingled and reviewed each others’ research. Computer scientists gathered in front of a genetics poster, and a chemist explained her work on batteries to curious math majors.

“Our students have many opportunities to present their work throughout the year, both in their research groups, and at conferences and workshops,” Sive continued, “but I think that doing this on campus, in the Campus Center, and inviting everyone to come by and see, is really fantastic.”

The poster session was followed by an award ceremony, during which judges recognized six exceptional projects: three from undergraduates, and three from graduates. This year’s award winners are:

• Best Research (undergraduate): Samantha Brescia, Comparative Studies of the Antioxidant Capacity of Arylhydrazines and Their Hydrochloride Salts
• Best Research (graduate): Vajra Badha, Engineered Complex Fluid Interfaces to Investigate Bacterial Motility
• Best Design and Creativity (undergraduate): Aayam Mainali, Auxo: A Monte Carlo Simulation Framework for Portfolio Risk Assessment Under Realistic Market Conditions
• Best Design and Creativity (graduate): Xheni Mucelli, Examining Spindle Dynamics During Meiosis in Saccharomyces ceremisiae
• Best Presentation (undergraduate): Elda Ramirez, A Multi-Tier Intelligent Network Architecture for Smart Farming
• Best Presentation (graduate): Jared Lourie, Partial Drp1 Ablation Improves Skeletal Muscle Function and Glycemic Control in a Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Several faculty and staff were also honored during the ceremony, receiving awards for their commitment to conducting world-class research, and providing UMass Boston students with an exemplary education. This year’s CSM award winners are:

• Staff Excellence Award (CSU): Debbie Wade
• Early Career Research Excellence Award: Olga Goulko
• Excellence In Graduate Education Award: Jonathan Celli
• Outstanding Research for Tenured Faculty Award: Alexey Veraksa
• Excellence In Undergraduate Education Award: Labib Rouhana
• Distinguished Institutional Service Award: Jill Macoska
• Distinguished Teaching Award (Non-Tenure-Track): Sumeyra Gokalp