The Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy awarded fellowships to plastics engineering major Abby Mastromonaco, entrepreneurship Ph.D. student William Zhou and Chemistry Asst. Prof. Juan Artes Vivancos.

Biological Sciences Asst. Prof. Natalie Steinel co-authored a research paper published in Science that shows how the immune response of threespine stickleback fish to tapeworms can negatively affect the fish’s fertility.

Noureddine Melikechi, dean of the Kennedy College of Sciences and professor in the Department of Physics and Applied Physics, is helping to advance the use of laser technology to diagnose serious illnesses, ranging from cancers and COVID-19 to Gulf War illness.

The Kennedy College of Sciences partnered with The Calculus Project to offer an advanced mathematics summer program on campus to children of color and those who come from low-income families.

Field experience courses offered during the summer allowed students to explore New England, Montana and Idaho while gaining new skills in ecology and geology.

Community college students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field took a free course at UMass Lowell over the summer through the STEM Starter Academy.

Incoming and prospective students interested in chemistry and computer science gained hands-on experience through summer programs.

Environmental, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Prof. Mathew Barlow led the Storms, Precipitation, Flooding and Groundwater section of a new report that assesses likely climate changes for the Greater Boston area. 

Robert Gamache, a professor emeritus in the Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, has achieved an academic milestone, with his scientific publications garnering more than 30,000 Google Scholar citations.

The National Science Foundation awarded Physics Asst. Prof. Marian Jandel a five-year, $437,984 faculty early-career development (CAREER) grant for his research on alternative cancer treatment.

UMass Lowell has been recognized with the first Outstanding Radiation Safety Program award by the Health Physics Society, an international nonprofit organization of more than 5,000 scientists, physicians, engineers and other professionals.

Four University of Versailles students are taking part in a 10-week internship in biology and chemistry labs at UMass Lowell as part of a new Kennedy College of Sciences exchange program.

Biology Asst. Prof. Teresa Lee’s research to understand what information is passed between generations, from parent to child, has been awarded a three-year, $374,000 grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Chemistry Assoc. Teaching Prof. Khalilah Reddie won the Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching in recognition of her commitment to student success.

Prof. Juliette Rooney-Varga and a team of researchers are looking at ways to empower students to address climate change by advancing their climate literacy and STEM efficacy.

NASA appointed Asst. Research Prof. Christopher Mendillo to its Nancy Grace Roman Technology Fellowship program one month after awarding him a $7 million, five-year grant to develop technology for a high-altitude balloon mission that could lead to the discovery of new planets.

Asst. Prof. Christopher Skinner’s research, published in Science and Nature, looks at past changes in climate to help forecast the future.

To help students in her Chemistry I and II courses understand the diversity of those working in STEM fields, Asst. Teaching Prof. Suzanne Young has created brief lessons on Black, brown and indigenous scientists not mentioned in their textbook.  

UMass Lowell will launch a new school of computer science to be named in honor of distinguished alumnus Rich Miner, co-founder of Android, the company and mobile operating system that was acquired and launched by Google.  

Biological Sciences Asst. Prof. Christina Kwapich is the curator of a new collection of 15,000 insect specimens that she uses to teach entomology.

Quantum physicists and computer scientists have begun to harness the power of quantum computing, which has the potential to reshape computing as we know it. Asst. Prof. of Physics Archana Kamal is leading UML’s quantum research efforts.

With support from a $360,000 Department of Energy Grant, Asst. Profs. Nishant Agarwal and Archana Kamal are investigating the role of quantum fluctuations in the evolution of the universe.

The Kennedy College of Sciences hosted its fourth annual “Spring into Science” showcase, featuring educational and social events to highlight the importance of the field.

Amara, a social media platform designed to create a more positive experience for users, took top honors at the Rist DifferenceMaker Institute’s 10th annual $50,000 Idea Challenge, held recently at Moloney Hall.

Sixty-five students from Greater Lowell and Shawsheen Valley technical high schools and their teachers got an overview of UML’s computer science and cybersecurity programs and some hands-on experience at the university’s Cyber Range during a recent visit to campus.

Biology Asst. Prof. Frédéric Chain’s research on gene regulation has been recognized by the National Science Foundation (NSF) with a prestigious national faculty early-career development award.

Environmental Science Prof. Mathew Barlow used data from NOAA’s GOES-West satellite to create an animation that demonstrated the intensity of Tonga's volcanic blast.

A competition-based initiative to get students thinking about their residence hall energy usage won the third annual Rist Institute for Sustainability & Energy Climate Mitigation Challenge, which asks students to find ways to reduce CO2 emissions by 10,000 pounds in 10 weeks.

“River Hawk Review” classes offer students a second chance to earn a passing grade in some required classes so that they don’t fall behind on their degree pathways. The summer and winter classes in chemistry, business math, computer science and college writing offer lots of individual support.

The Office of National Scholarships, run by Associate Director of Honors Scholarship and Curriculum Rae Mansfield, encourages students to apply for external scholarships for research, academic and international experiences. 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded Asst. Prof. James Heiss a $680,000 faculty early-career development award to understand water and chemical exchanges between groundwater and surface water along the land-sea transition zone.

A team of researchers from UMass Lowell, Cornell University and the American Museum of Natural History is examining a family of spiders called Deinopidae to understand how these eight-legged creatures became so adept in detecting and capturing prey.

Asst. Prof. Christopher Skinner, who researches atmospheric rivers, explains why the weather phenomenon has been making headlines recently — and why it’s important to understand them.

Two Honors College students who started their UML careers during the pandemic hosted a Discord server to keep in touch with other students they’d met at the summer Student Success Summit. “Riverhawk Rendezvous” has grown rapidly by hosting study groups and connecting students to clubs – and each other.

An interdisciplinary group of faculty members from UMass Lowell’s Climate Change Initiative attended the recent United Nations global climate summit, aka COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland, where they observed progress being made — but also missed opportunities.

Students learned about internship opportunities at a dozen early-stage medical device and biotech startups during a networking event co-hosted by the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2) and the UML student chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society.

SPACE HAUC – UMass Lowell’s first satellite – was successfully released into Earth orbit from the International Space Station on Oct. 12.

UMass Lowell received more than $3 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop new undergraduate and graduate programs in public health informatics and technology. UML will work with community colleges and health care partners to educate diverse students who can fill vital jobs.

An interdisciplinary team of UML faculty, led by Assoc. Profs. Meg Sobkowicz-Kline and Chris Hansen, have received a nearly $3 million National Science Foundation Research Traineeship award for a new graduate student program focused on developing sustainable materials and chemicals that won’t harm water resources.

Biology Prof. Matthew Nugent, who is an expert in disease biology, biochemistry and biotechnology, recently answered questions about the Delta variant and how best to protect against it.

If everything goes according to plan, SPACE HAUC, UMass Lowell’s first satellite, will launch into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday, Aug. 28, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The National Science Foundation has awarded a team of researchers led by Biology Assoc. Prof. Rick Hochberg a four-year grant worth more than $1.5 million to understand the biology and life cycle evolution of rotifers, which are a key link in the aquatic food chain.

This summer, a UML support program for first-generation college students is piloting a “First to Launch” program on campus for incoming first-year students. With support from two recent grants, the River Hawk Scholars Academy is also expanding its services to sophomores, juniors and seniors. 

“Integrating Climate Change into the K-12 Classroom,” a free professional development workshop hosted by EEAS Assoc. Teaching Prof. Lori Weeden and the university’s Climate Change Initiative, showed teachers how they can address the topic through a variety of educational lenses.

SPACE HAUC, UMass Lowell’s first satellite, recently passed a critical test that cleared the way for its upcoming launch into Earth orbit. The satellite was designed and built by more than 100 students from the Kennedy College of Sciences and the Francis College of Engineering over the course of five years.

Toxic mercury is being deposited in forests in much higher quantities than previously thought, posing a concern for the health and well-being of people, wildlife and waterways, according to Prof. Daniel Obrist, who is investigating the source of the pollution.

The UTeach program, which turns science, math and engineering majors into classroom teachers, is now in its 10th year at UMass Lowell. Graduates are in great demand at local high schools, and one was named a finalist for Massachusetts STEM Teacher of the Year.

A recent discovery by a research team that includes Kennedy College of Sciences Prof. Nelson Eby is shedding light on the debris created by an atomic blast, and it could set the stage for advances in materials research, including potential applications in energy, health care and nuclear forensics.

Eighty high school students from across New England and New York will get a chance to learn about cybersecurity during a free, two-week virtual summer camp hosted by the UML Cyber Range.

The MAGIC program, started by Chemistry Assoc. Teaching Prof. Khalilah Reddie, aims to close the health professions and medical school admissions gap for students from underrepresented groups, especially students of color, through tutoring and support. Students say MAGIC has improved their academics and their confidence, while providing them with a community.

Several recent UML alumni are doing their part to bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end through their vaccine production work at pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Pfizer.

Physics Asst. Prof. Archana Kamal has won two early career development awards totaling $1 million from the U.S. Air Force and the National Science Foundation for her research on quantum information processing with open quantum systems.

Noureddine Melikechi, dean of the Kennedy College of Sciences and a professor in the Department of Physics and Applied Physics, is part of the science team for SuperCam, one of the main instruments onboard Perseverance that will be conducting experiments on the surface of Mars.

The university has expanded its COVID-19 surveillance testing with the creation of an in-house test processing lab at Olney Science Center, where students are getting hands-on laboratory experience while helping to fight the pandemic.

Two faculty members from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Asst. Profs. Min Hyung Cho and Nilabja Guha, have won grants totaling nearly $340,000 from the National Science Foundation for research that could advance a range of other disciplines, from high-resolution imaging to economics and finance.

Recent alumni from the Honors College say their honors experiences, from research with faculty to small seminars, have had a lasting impact, preparing them for advanced graduate studies and rewarding jobs.

Kennedy College of Sciences Dean Noureddine Melikechi is among the experts interviewed about NASA’s successful mission to Mars.

A team of researchers led by Chemistry Asst. Prof. Manos Gkikas is developing an advanced X-ray imaging method that aims to improve the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.

Environmental Science Prof. Juliette Rooney-Varga, director of UMass Lowell’s Climate Change Initiative, says we must depolarize the politics of climate change — an issue that President Biden has made a top priority in his new administration.

Get Girls Going was created in 2016, by three young women who are all graduates of the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

UMass Lowell’s Climate Change Initiative, in partnership with the Environmental, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Department and the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy, is hosting a virtual spring seminar series featuring experts from across the country.

Thanks to a pair of three-year grants totaling more than $612,000 from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Biology Asst. Prof. Jennifer L. Fish is conducting studies to understand how genetic mutations cause birth defects of the head, face and mouth.

Four Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences faculty members and graduate students from the Kennedy College of Sciences presented research at the virtual AGU Fall Meeting, the largest gathering of Earth and space scientists from around the world.

A new honors seminar that helps students think critically about different sources of energy is inspiring research involving renewables, including projects at UMass Lowell’s Haiti Development Studies Center.

Michele Woodland and Shanice Kelly do almost everything together: They’re both in the Honors College and they both do renewable energy research with Physics Prof. Robert Giles. They both work at the new telescope on South Campus – and they’re president and vice president of the UML Astronomy Club.

Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Asst. Prof. James Heiss and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution were awarded a three-year, $784,000 National Science Foundation grant to study how powerful coastal storms affect the fresh water flowing below the ground along the seashore.

Profs. Mathew Barlow and Christopher Skinner of the Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences will study the cause of heat waves and droughts in the Northeast and how they interact with each other under a three-year, $478,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Students who miss being on campus — and incoming freshmen who want to meet fellow River Hawks outside of the remote classroom this fall — can connect virtually on HawkCraft, the university’s official Minecraft server.

Noureddine Melikechi, dean of the Kennedy College of Sciences and a physics professor, is a member of the science team for SuperCam, one of the main instruments onboard NASA's Mars 2020 "Perseverance" rover.

A team of researchers from UMass Lowell and SUNY Albany won a three-year, $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create a computer science curriculum for middle schools in collaboration with school districts in Lowell and Methuen, Mass., and Schenectady, N.Y.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to cripple social interaction, upend education, endanger health and disrupt business, the university’s researchers are exploring the ever-widening aspects of the virus’ presence. Several UML researchers recently earned grants to explore a wide array of COVID-19's effects.

If it's Tuesday, junior Physics major Sarah Bustin must be sending a flurry of emails and prepping for Folk Dance Club's Zoom class.

At Biotech 2020, a weeklong virtual course co-presented recently by the Manning School of Business, 45 Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers in health, science and medical programs from across the country learned how to transition to careers in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

With the help of seed funding from the Office of Research and Innovation, faculty researchers from the Kennedy College of Sciences and the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences will conduct studies designed to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

With labs closed and all academic programs now online due to COVID-19, seniors are adapting their capstone projects. Some capstones have even taken on new relevance because they address aspects of the pandemic.

Environmental science students from the Kennedy College of Sciences led free educational sessions on Zoom for middle and high school students who, like them, are stuck at home because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Three faculty-led research projects focused on immediate responses to the COVID-19 pandemic received more than $33,000 in seed funding from the university’s Office of Research and Innovation.

The Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences and the Kennedy College of Sciences donated face shields, masks, gowns, eyewear, gloves and more to local health and first responders on the front lines of fighting the coronavirus.

Prof. Susanna Remold, the new chair of biology, served on a White House working group on pandemic prediction. She says the U.S. response to COVID-19 was hurt by the lack of testing and contact tracking early on – and that it still lags.

The Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2) has quickly shifted its focus to connect members of the life sciences innovation community with resources and funding opportunities to advance solutions for the coronavirus pandemic, from testing and detection to, ultimately, an effective vaccine.

As CEO and chief scientific officer of Franklin, Mass.-based MRN Diagnostics, Gregory Chiklis has spent the past six weeks in a race against the clock, working on a rapid blood test for COVID-19.

Computer Science Prof. Xinwen Fu has been awarded more than $4.5 million by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy for his research on the Internet of Things, or IoT.

As Massachusetts officials advised everyone to stay at home to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus, students are adapting to studying online – and adopting coping strategies to help manage the upheaval.

Asst. Prof. Richard Gaschnig of the Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences has been awarded a three-year, $222,600 grant by the National Science Foundation to study the chemical exchange that occurs between the ocean crust and the earth’s mantle during a geological process called subduction.

Kennedy College of Sciences Dean and Physics Prof. Noureddine Melikechi is among the 27 physicists and 416 scientists of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) worldwide who have been elected as new fellows of the organization.

Three student projects proposing ways to reduce the university community’s carbon dioxide emissions by 10,000 pounds in 10 weeks received the first-ever Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy (RISE) Student Innovation Awards and a share of $1,000 in prize money.

UMass Lowell Research Scientist Christopher Mendillo recounted the successes and challenges of the Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology’s work on PICTURE-C – which will be used to image planets – at the American Astronomical Society’s recent meeting.

When the Honors College dean put out the call for volunteers at a local food pantry, dozens of students stepped up, allowing Central Food Ministry to serve more families. Now, two honors student fellows are helping to sustain and grow the partnership.

Climate change was the central issue at the 100th annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society in Boston, where students, faculty and alumni from the Kennedy College of Sciences shared their environmental and atmospheric science research and networked with meteorologists, climate scientists and academics from around the country.

From exploring the solar system and searching for habitable planets around nearby stars to zapping the Martian surface with a laser, our faculty and student researchers are working to gain a better understanding of the cosmic neighborhood in which we live.

Chemistry Prof. Yuyu Sun and Assoc. Prof. Nancy Goodyear of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences are using N-halamine – a biocide with proven germ-killing property – to reduce the occupational burden of exposure by protecting the hospital staff from harmful microorganisms that can cause various infections. 

Manning School of Business students (and siblings) Brit and Easmond Tsewole spent much of their young lives overseas because of their parents’ work for the U.S. State Department. Now, they are settled into the campus where their parents, Ann and Roosevelt Tsewole, met 25 years ago.

UMass Lowell has opened a new center for cybersecurity education, research and workforce development called the Cyber Range that will help students prepare for careers in the high-demand field.

Knowing more about how and when flooding will occur helps us manage our watersheds for the benefit of people and fish.

With public concern over cybersecurity at an all-time-high, UMass Lowell is teaching students how to prepare and counter cyber attacks with its new Cyber Range.