The Synapse
Updates from the Sciences at Loyola University Maryland
May 2020 | Issue 20
We hope this issue finds you and your family healthy and well. As we wrap up final exams and a spring semester at Loyola unlike any ever before, we celebrate the resilience, innovation and success of students, faculty, staff and administrators. Opportunities to grow and learn have risen from the Covid-19 crisis and we continue along this journey together.
Share your news, photos, or inspiring stories for a future issue. In particular, we would like to know what you have missed the most about being on Loyola's campus. Send a photo, short statement or video that we can include in the next newsletter to Jen Sullivan at jlsullivan4@loyola.edu.
Finally, congratulations to the class of 2020! While we may be apart, we are celebrating your achievements and wishing you well as you go forth to change the world!
Highlights and General Announcements
Congratulations Class of 2020!
Computer Science Department End-of-Year Events
Senior Picnic
Senior Capstone Presentations
Industrial Advisory Board Meeting
Computer Science Professor Published in IEEE Computer
Announcing Loyola's Inaugural Haig Scholars Cohort
The Haig Scholars program was created to honor Rev. Frank Haig, S.J., professor emeritus of physics.
Announcing the nominees for the first Choudhury Sarkar-Dey Medal
We are proud to announce the following finalists for the very first Choudhury Sarkar-Dey Medal to be presented to a member of Loyola's class of 2020:
- Ann Ernst (Department of Engineering)
- Sarah Kujala (Department of Biology)
- Chiara Maalouf (Department of Computer Science)
- Zac Metzler (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
- Ethan Mullen (Department of Physics)
- Jennifer Valencia (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry)
These six highly-accomplished students were selected by the faculty and chairs of each department within Natural and Applied Sciences. Please join us in congratulating them on their academic success and thanking them for their contributions to diversity and community service at Loyola and beyond!
Hauber Summer Research Fellowship Program Continues with Remote Research
2020 Hauber Fellows
Jack Baldwin (mentored by Dr. Suzanne Keilson)
Cameron Bullet (mentored by Dr. Bernadette Roche)
Sabrina Daglish (mentored by Dr. Christopher Thompson)
Grayce Heinemann (mentored by Dr. David Hoe)
Brian Hess (mentored by Dr. Mary Lowe)
Skylar Higgs (mentored by Dr. Joseph Ganem)
Kyle LeBlanc (mentored by Dr. Michael Knapp)
Liam O'Grady (mentored by Dr. Heather Schmidt)
Ryan Overton (mentored by Dr. Yanko Kranov)
Kirby Povilaitis (mentored by Dr. Christopher Thompson)
Matthew Spear (mentored by Dr. Joseph Ganem)
Anthony Taylor (mentored by Dr. Maren Blohm, Dr. Courtney Hastings)
Jack Toohey (mentored by Dr. David Binkley and Dr. M Ruanak)
For additional program information, visit www.loyola.edu/hauber.
Lab Renovations Are Underway
Photos by David Hoe, associate professor of Engineering
Natural and Applied Sciences Steering Board Meeting
Upcoming Events
Loyola Ready Summit - A Zoom Webinar Series
Join Loyola's Career Center for the LOYOLA READY SUMMIT, four one-hour zoom sessions with something for everyone. Register through Handshake or email thecareercenter@loyola.edu for Zoom links.
THRIVING THROUGH ADVERSITY - Thurs. May 7 @ 12 pm & 6 pm
This parent/guardian focused webinar will cover job market data and insights, resilience techniques, internships & alternatives, staying connected to community, Career Services resources, and conclude with an interactive Q&A.
INTERNSHIPS & ALTERNATIVES - Friday, May 8 @ 12 pm & 4 pm
Geared towards First Years, Sophomores & Juniors, students will develop resilience techniques for adjusting to this new environment, learn how to pivot plans for internships and examine options for a meaningful summer.
ASK A RECRUITER - Mon., May 11 @ 12 pm
This Senior-only session will help students acquire the latest
information on job market data and insights, participate in
an "Ask Me Anything" segment with recruiters, learn how
to strengthen personal brand and leverage transferable skills.
RESILIENCE & INSPIRATION NOW - Tuesday, May 12 @ 5 pm
Wrap up the LOYOLA READY SUMMIT with none other than the beloved Rev. Timothy Brown, SJ, Associate Professor of Law and Social Responsibility, as he imparts words of inspiration and wisdom in light of the pandemic. Terry Sawyer, Senior Vice President, will provide closing remarks. Open to the entire Loyola Community.
Join us virtually for the 38th Annual Cosmos & Creation Conference
The annual Cosmos & Creation conference scheduled for June 2020 and traditionally held on Loyola's campus will be online this year with several keynote lectures available to the public as well as member discussions via an online platform. Plans are still underway.
The conference began in 1982 with the vision that working scientists would find it fruitful to share their religious awareness with other scientists, to discuss and share their vision of God and the world, based on their scientific training, reading, and working experience.
Visit www.loyola.edu/cosmosandcreation for more information about the conference and details as they become available.
X-STEM All Access Virtual Speaker Series
X-STEM All Access – presented by AstraZeneca – is a virtual interactive speaker series designed to inspire students, teachers, and parents. Moderated by science educator and communicator Justin Shaifer, X-STEM All Access will be presented as a series of five daily livestream events featuring an exclusive group of visionaries aimed to empower students about careers in STEM. View the speakers here.
X-STEM All Access will take place on May 13-15 and May 18-19 and will be free to attend.
Opportunities
COVID-19 Student Action Fund to Support Students Committed to Social Action
Launched by President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) COVID-19 Student Action Fund will support select students at universities around the world who are committed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund will provide at least $100,000 in total funding to students who are developing social enterprises, awareness and prevention campaigns, infectious disease monitoring and response systems, and other emergency response initiatives to provide immediate support during this global crisis.
Apply by June 3 with your commitment to take action at cgiu.org/covid19fund.
Opportunities for Connection and Service
We encourage you to visit the University's COVID-19 update page for important information, useful links and resources.
- Care for your neighbors. Don't underestimate the gifts you can share during this time, from donating to a local food pantry or calling a neighbor or relative to check in. Check out this greeting from Erin O'Keefe in CCSJ.
- Pray together. Connect with the resources available through Campus Ministry including live streamed worship on Sunday's at 6 pm, and communal prayer throughout the week.
- Donate blood. Visit www.redcrossblood.org to learn more and schedule an appointment for a location near you.