The Ghouls, an alt rock band that formed at UMass Lowell, won this year’s Boston-area Rock & Roll Rumble, the longest running “battle of the bands” in the U.S. The four Ghouls – three recent alumni and one senior – met as music majors.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently recognized Chemical Engineering Asst. Prof. Stephen T. Lam with an $876,564 Early Career Research Program award to develop reactor monitoring technology to help to achieve and sustain nuclear fusion reaction for generating power. 

Business alum Jeurys Santiago ’23 and computer science alum Nuno Mestre ’24 were named to the Boston Business Journal’s annual BostInno 25 Under 25 list, thanks in part to their winning DifferenceMaker projects at UML.

UMass Lowell recognized more than 130 corporate partners that help support faculty research, provide internships and co-ops to students and give philanthropically at the annual “Celebration of Industry Partnerships.”

UMass Lowell's research symposium, “Friend or Foe: Transforming Social Media & AI for a Healthy Future,” brought together interdisciplinary experts and students to explore the complex relationship between technology, artificial intelligence and mental health.

Funded by a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Asst. Prof. Christopher Skinner and Prof. Mathew Barlow are studying how changes in vegetation affect climate.

Education Asst. Prof. Christine Montecillo Leider, a new faculty member, has been awarded a $3.4 million federal grant to expand training for aspiring bilingual teachers in southeastern Massachusetts – and to start a similar program in UMass Lowell’s School of Education.

Biological Sciences Assoc. Prof. Jessica Garb received a $344,000 Mid-Career Advancement grant from the National Science Foundation to further her spider silk research.

The National Science Foundation has awarded Chemical Engineering Asst. Prof. Fanglin Che and her collaborator a three-year grant totaling $781,454 to develop a sustainable method for creating organonitrogen compounds, which are used in a wide range of industrial applications, from agriculture to pharmaceuticals. 

Unwind Your Mind, a new digital wellness campaign launched by the Office of Student Life & Well-being, encourages students to set boundaries with their phones and connect with one another.

UMass Lowell and Lawrence Public Schools have teamed up to offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and public administration at no cost to school employees.

Chelmsford Public Schools Superintendent Jay Lang received the President’s Award from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.

Just like students, every faculty member has a “first day” in a new classroom. Here’s what the first day was like for Asst. Prof. of Psychology Sarah Merrill, who is continuing a family legacy at UMass Lowell.

Philosophy Chair Nicholas Evans and Criminology Assoc. Prof. Neil Shortland are researching the future of artificial intelligence in warfare and policy under a pair of Department of Defense Minerva Grants worth $4.2 million, leading teams that include paid student researchers and other UML and outside faculty.

Industrial Engineering Assoc. Prof. David Claudio won student group advisor of the year for his work with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. He also does “lean health care” and operations management research on the front lines of public health for Hispanics and Latinos.

The U.S. Navy has awarded UMass Lowell a five-year, $2 million grant to develop a pipeline of graduates in industrial and manufacturing engineering that will help support New England defense industries.

The Massachusetts Gateway Cities Climate Resilience Center seeks to develop a community-driven climate resilience model in Lowell that can be replicated in other cities.

Philosophy Prof. John Kaag is deeply concerned about the decline of literacy, and he’s using AI to do something about it. Through a new, AI venture, Rebind Publishing, he has enlisted a roster of famous scholars and authors, including Margaret Atwood, Deepak Chopra and Roxane Gay, to “discuss” classic e-books with readers.

New UMass Lowell Athletic Director Lynn Coutts hopes to take the River Hawks to new heights while engaging students and alumni and navigating the ever-changing NCAA Division I landscape.

Soon-to-be-completed South Campus quad renovations, along with a reopened Hawk’s Nest and several office moves, greeted students when they returned to campus this fall.

UMass Lowell welcomed more than 3,000 first-year and transfer students to campus during Convocation at the Tsongas Center, where alum Vala Afshar, chief digital evangelist at Salesforce, shared “28 lessons for the Class of 2028.”

UMass Lowell's new Mosaic platform empowers students to discover experiences outside of the classroom — and then track and highlight their experiences on a digital résumé for future employers or grad schools.

Keep the brain energized throughout the day by eating whole foods like fruit, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats that help regulate mood, lower stress and boost concentration.

Kennedy College of Sciences Dean Noureddine Melikechi and his research team examined metals found in blood to distinguish Alzheimer’s patients from healthy individuals.

In recognition of Chancellor Emerita Jacqueline Moloney’s many contributions to UMass Lowell throughout her career, the university has renamed Durgin Hall on South Campus the Moloney Performing Arts Center.

Whether you’re a first-time college student or a transfer, the start of the academic year brings lots of changes – and questions. Current students offer their tips for having the best semester.

The Provost’s Office recently appointed Physics Asst. Prof. Romy Guthier as the faculty fellow for AI integration in pedagogy.

In a study published in the February issue of the journal Stroke, Assoc. Prof. Lynne Gauthier of the Physical Therapy and Kinesiology Department found that “one-size-fits-all” insurance reimbursement is not an evidence-based policy.

Eight UMass Lowell students caught some waves — and tried something new — on an Outdoor Adventure Program surfing trip to Jenness State Beach in Rye, New Hampshire.

Assoc. Prof. Gulden Camci-Unal has been conducting tissue engineering research in her lab using finely crushed eggshells to create microscopic 3D structures, or scaffolds, where bone cells can grow and proliferate.

To improve the fairness and efficiency of elections, a multidisciplinary team at UMass Lowell is developing a mathematical model to optimize poll worker assignment and voting machine allocation to reduce voting wait times, particularly in minority-dominated areas.

The UMass Lowell Weather Station is officially online, providing data on air temperature, precipitation and other weather observations.

A range of special summer programs offer a head start on college classes and campus connections for incoming first-year students, transfer students and high school students. Some even offer full scholarships.

Recent efficiency projects at Perry Hall and Saab ETIC have slashed energy usage at the buildings and reduced their carbon footprints, and Facilities Management has more work on tap across campus.

Health Services, led by new director Sarah Fischer, provides UMass Lowell students with free medical care to help them feel their best and succeed on campus.

The Nuclear Recruitment Through Undergraduate Research (NURTURE) program provides paid experience in the field to minority community college students.

Students can customize their studies to meet their personal interests and goals through the Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. They choose two concentrations among 27 options in UML’s flexible, interdisciplinary program.

Education Assoc. Prof. Phitsamay Uy has won the Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching in recognition of her commitment to students and the campus community.

UMass Lowell researchers, including Chemistry Asst. Prof. Michael Ross, have found that combining noble metal nanoparticles with bismuth created a concave shape with beneficial properties for renewable energy.

To help meet the industry’s expected demand for highly skilled workers, the SHAP3D Center at UMass Lowell has launched START, a workforce development program supported by the National Science Foundation.

Asst. Prof. Fanfei Meng of the Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences Department is evaluating the effectiveness of combining antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs in a nanoparticle to treat sepsis.

As a Fulbright Scholar in Colombia, Assoc. Prof. of Marketing Spencer Ross spent four months in South America investigating inequities in the specialty coffee value system.

RoboXploration, a robotics camp for middle school students, launched this summer at the NERVE Center.

The Kennedy College of Sciences’ Undergraduate Design Project, which connects students with companies to work on real problems, sets up a pathway for students to get full-time jobs.

Be it in the classroom or on his LinkedIn videos, Manning School of Business adjunct faculty member Kevin Willett teaches students about the power of networking, entrepreneurship and perseverance.

Kennedy College of Sciences Dean Noureddine Melikechi penned six children’s books on the five senses, most of which were illustrated by Art & Design Assoc. Prof. Ingrid Hess.

A team led by robotics expert Holly Yanco wants to improve robot manipulation by developing a standardized ecosystem that harnesses the power of publicly available research.

Business alum Sean Harrington ’97, an All-American wrestler at UMass Lowell, has started Wolf Tree Wood, which sells one-of-a-kind wood slabs that can be used for custom furniture.

With more Americans choosing where to live and work based on politics, Management Prof. Kimberly Merriman examines how companies can attract and retain talent and navigate political tensions in the workplace in a recent MIT Sloan Management Review article.

After another record-breaking season for the UMass Lowell men’s track and field team, javelin thrower James Kotowski ’24 recorded a personal-best throw at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon, but fell just short of making the U.S. team.

From novels to nonfiction and beach reads to bestsellers, students, faculty and staff have their summer reading picks lined up, and they’re ready to dive in.

Ten UTeach students traveled to England for the undergraduate teacher preparation program’s first study abroad trip.

With sustainability in mind, Chemistry Asst. Prof. James Reuther and his lab group are developing ways to keep combat boots and other products out of landfills.

Manning School of Business Assoc. Dean Amit Deokar shared his AI expertise with nearly 80 local business leaders during his recent talk, “Leveraging Generative AI: Opportunities and Challenges in the New Era of Work.” It was the inaugural event of a new Business Leaders Roundtable series hosted by UMass Lowell, Enterprise Bank and the Middlesex 3 Coalition.

Hai and Lan Pho changed the city and the university forever when they founded the Indochinese Refugees Foundation to assist Southeast Asian refugees.

Chemical Engineering Asst. Prof. Stephen T. Lam and researchers from MIT and Stony Brook University recently won a three-year, $1 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to improve our understanding of molten salt reactor systems.

Assoc. Teaching Prof. of Art & Design Regina Milan was commissioned by the nonprofit Pollinator Partnership to create its 2024 poster, leveraging her extensive background in botanical and natural science illustration and her passion for nature and sustainability.

UTeach alumni welcome current UTeach students into their classrooms so they can gain practical teaching experience.

The inaugural Lowell High Idea Challenge, a business pitch competition held in collaboration with UMass Lowell’s Rist DifferenceMaker Institute and Project LEARN, provided high school students with hands-on entrepreneurial experience and mentorship from faculty and local business leaders.

A group of researchers, including Public Health Assoc. Prof. Herpreet Thind of the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, is investigating whether yoga can be used to help manage Type 2 diabetes.

Climate scientist Juliette Rooney-Varga and environmental studies master’s student Lucia Cheney recently presented to local lawmakers at the Massachusetts State House.

Asst. Prof. Chiara Ghezzi will use her five-year, $650,000 CAREER grant to understand the connection between human oral tissue and the oral microbiome, and how they interact, by creating a model of the human gum tissue system in her laboratory.

The food forest on South Campus is being used for research, in academic courses and as a place for the community to gather.

Asst. Prof. Yun-Ju Lai of the Solomont School of Nursing is leading a study that uses virtual reality to help UMass Lowell students improve health and well-being.

Forty-seven students graduated with River Hawk Experience Distinction (RHED) cords this year, the most in the program’s six-year history. Students can earn a RHED credential in leadership, entrepreneurship, global engagement, community engagement or sustainability.

Commencement was a momentous occasion for graduates of the Class of 2024, thanks in part to the support of family and friends in attendance at the Tsongas Center.

The National Science Foundation has recognized Asst. Prof. Xinfang Jin of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering with its prestigious faculty early career development CAREER award. Jin is researching ways to greatly increase the production of hydrogen and the long-term storage of energy.

The MassRobotics Jumpstart Fellowship Program in Lowell and Boston provides opportunities for high school girls to learn about STEM careers in robotics.

The UML Library recently hosted its third annual Wikipedia edit-a-thon, where students learned how to improve articles on the popular online encyclopedia. This year’s event focused on raising the profiles of notable Asian American and Pacific Islander community members on the site.

Ten students recently completed UMass Lowell’s Innovative Fellows Training (LIFT), a new program supported by a five-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Institute on Aging that is designed to diversify career opportunities for early-career scientists in the field of aging and aging-related diseases.

Students in the Radiation Safety and Control course received practical experience assessing, measuring and evaluating simulated radioactive contamination in a controlled environment.

The Class of 2024 will be remembered not just for their academic achievements, but for their resilience in the face of unprecedented adversity following the pandemic shutdowns.

Although they took different academic paths at UMass Lowell, the Nkwantah sisters relied on each other for support and inspiration.

English alum and former UML men’s soccer goalie Carter Hochman ’19 is back on campus as the social media and marketing associate for Boston's Professional Women's Hockey League team, which plays its home games at the Tsongas Center.

Seniors Jake Hogan and Nick Israelson are embracing all the Commencement festivities that they missed out on four years ago when they graduated together from Saugus High School.

Studio art student Kara Cormier was ready for a change when she transferred to UMass Lowell.

Amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental science students found a community through their virtual classes.

Ashley Okoro and Lovia Gyau started their college careers in isolation, met in sophomore year and supported each other through graduation.

Amidst the uncertainty and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, eight first-year business and engineering majors developed a strong bond in the fall of 2020 at UML that carried them through to Commencement and beyond.

In partnership with the Radiation Safety Office, Radiological Sciences in the Department of Physics and Applied Physics and Art & Design Assoc. Prof. Yuko Oda’s Sculpture III class, students competed in a radiation-themed sculpture contest.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, UMass Lowell’s Saab Center for Portuguese Studies and Department of World Languages & Cultures is hosting a colloquium featuring leading scholars and a screening of the film “April’s Captains.”

Kennedy College of Sciences Dean Noureddine Melikechi, postdoctoral researcher Ali Safi and an international team of researchers combined laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with machine learning to identify gemstones.

First-generation college students studied abroad in Madrid and Seville, Spain, as part of Assoc. Prof. Daniel Arroyo-Rodríguez’s new course, Understanding World Cultures.

Billerica Assistant Town Manager Clancy Main ’13, ’16 reached out to the Department of Public Health for advice on how to develop an effective plan that will help residents who suffer with substance use disorders.

Six sustainability-focused entrepreneurs and startups from across the region competed in the third annual Clean Green Challenge at the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub.

Mechanical engineering graduate student Joshua Landis ’22 took home the top prize at the Rist DifferenceMaker Institute’s 12th annual $50,000 Idea Challenge with SparkCell Technologies, his fast and cost-effective way to detect problems in concrete structures.

UMass Lowell’s Model U.N. team won the award for best delegation at a Model U.N. conference in Scotland over spring break. The team also went to the national competition for Model Arab League a week later and brought home several delegate awards.

From producing small satellites to unlocking the mysteries of black holes, UML researchers are making space more accessible.

Sciences dean helps NASA's rover unlock the secrets of Mars.

The “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran is much more than a struggle over whether women must wear the hijab, said exiled feminist activist, poet and scholar Fatemeh Shams, the 2024 Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies.

Physics students get paid for supernova research.

Geoscientists study clues to understand how the earth evolved.

A biology professor’s research into corals and oysters sheds light on climate change and infectious diseases.

Will train life sciences workers in Massachusetts.

Students' math skills have slipped since the pandemic. Assoc. Teaching Prof. Roser Gine is working to change that. 

After benefiting from mentors' help, Hoda gives back.

Scientist and business leader becomes a family health advocate.

An internship with an iconic brand opens up a new career path for the math major. 

A desire to make space travel faster and easier is a motivating force.

Nine Manning School of Business students are preparing taxes for low-income people as part of a three-credit internship with Community Teamwork, a Lowell-based nonprofit organization that supports the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

UMass Lowell was recognized as a silver-level EMS Ready Campus, its highest designation ever, at the National Collegiate EMS Foundation’s annual conference in Baltimore, where 10 student EMTs expanded their emergency response skills.

A three-year, $140,000 grant from the Theodore Edson Parker Foundation is paying up to 12 students each semester to provide support to Lowell nonprofits – and paying for staff from 60 nonprofits to take an intensive UML class on grant-writing.

Junior English major Evan Applebaum had a courtside seat for the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament at TD Garden in Boston as a sports journalist for the Eagle-Tribune newspaper.

Students can take a break from city life — and step out of their comfort zones — on a trip with Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Adventure Program.

The Core Research Facilities came to the aid of a Boston Latin School sophomore in search of help with her research on Lower Neponset River contamination.

“Postcards from the Azores,” an exhibition of student photography from an annual study abroad trip to the Portuguese islands, is on display at University Crossing until May 12.

With a total solar eclipse approaching, Physics Assoc. Prof. Silas Laycock answered questions about the phenomenon.

Students competing in the Climate Mitigation Challenge came up with innovative ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10,000 pounds in 10 weeks.

Nursing major E'Armani Corporan recently won two boxing fights at the New England Golden Gloves competition in Lowell.

UMass Lowell researchers are gearing up to expand their efforts targeting offshore wind energy as part of ARROW, a collaborative project with UMass Amherst, UMass Dartmouth and other partners that will accelerate research and the deployment and scale-up of domestic offshore wind energy. 

Across the country, people are gearing up for the April 8 total solar eclipse, which will be visible in North America along a narrow track that stretches from Mexico through Texas and across the Midwest and New England before ending in the Canadian Maritimes.

UMass Lowell student-athletes serve as mentors for Lowell schoolchildren through a pen pal program run by UML Athletics.

The Robotics Club is looking to make a difference in people’s lives with its robotic guide dog invention, which the club has entered into the SICK $10K Challenge and the Rist DifferenceMaker Institute’s $50K Idea Challenge.

Proven Provisions, a business started by health sciences alum Christianto Putra ’16, ’21 and his wife, plastics engineering alumna Raissa Yona ’15, recently introduced its first gluten-free, high-protein waffle mix.

With Pi Day approaching, Adjunct Prof. Matthew Beyranevand ’03, ’10 shares everything you need to know about the irrational number.

Art & design alumna Anna Dugan ’13 was selected as the inaugural TD Garden House Artist and commissioned to paint a mural, “Celebration of Belonging,” inside the main entrance of the Boston arena.

A $4 million state grant will pay for the university to set up broadband internet access in disadvantaged areas of Lowell, Fitchburg and Haverhill. The grant, part of a state effort to promote digital equity, is also paying UMass Lowell students to teach basic computer skills to older and low-income residents.

Manning School of Business students are serving as consultants this semester to Lowell restaurant FORK Included as part of their Internship in Entrepreneurship course.

Physical Therapy Assoc. Prof. Maggie O’Neil and Computer Science Asst. Prof. Maru Cabrera are evaluating whether virtual reality gaming and a roving robot can improve the mobility of a group of children with cerebral palsy and keep them engaged.

Nineteen teachers representing 18 countries spent six weeks at UMass Lowell for the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement program.

Assoc. Prof. Arghavan Louhghalam of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is conducting research on “resilience analytics” that could someday help communities mitigate the impact of such earthquakes and other natural disasters.

iRacing Principal Software Engineer Randy Cassidy ’86, ’90 visited campus with Executive Vice President Steve Myers to discuss the company’s success.

A theatre arts collaboration between Haverhill High School and UMass Lowell, led by alumna Melissa Allen ’15 and Prof. Shelley Barish, serves as a bridge to college for young students.

Chemistry Asst. Prof. James Reuther and his research team created a gel that removes PFAS from water.

UMass Lowell alumni Louis Cirignano ’20, Khyteang Lim ’16, ’18 and Tatiana Tompkins ’21 are helping people save for vacations and other major purchases with their FAM Social Finance app.

A new minor in sports engineering offers practical experience and a well-rounded approach. It’s the first such program for undergraduates in the U.S.

Lowell native Bucky Lew, who became the first Black professional basketball player in 1902 and later coached the Lowell Textile School team, will be recognized during a UML men’s basketball game on Feb. 22. He is also the subject of a recent book by English alum Chris Boucher ’93.

A new analysis reveals that the benefits of omega-3 consumption on cardiovascular outcomes and cognitive function can differ by sex and race.

The Undergraduate Women’s Investment Network, a mentorship and internship program run by the Boston-based investment management firm Loomis, Sayles & Co., helps female UMass Lowell students interested in business, finance, accounting, mathematics or economics explore career paths and build connections. 

The state has awarded UML a $500,000 grant to help establish the Massachusetts Electronics Manufacturing Evolution (MEME) Laboratory to train students and industry workers in the design and fabrication of PCBs.

Chemistry Asst. Prof. Michael Ross received two Scialog: Negative Emissions Science awards for his greenhouse gas research proposals.

Marty Walsh discussed his career path from politics to sports as part of the Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Dean's Speaker Series.

A new interdisciplinary course, Adaptive Devices for Better Life, brings together students majoring in art and design, physical therapy and kinesiology, engineering and biology to create devices that assist disabled clients from the community.

Yolanda Hood, the UMass Lowell Library’s new first-year experience and instruction coordinator, ensures that students know about the resources and services that are available to them to help them succeed.

A universal light therapy protocol developed by Physics Prof. Anna Yaroslavsky and a team of researchers has been published in Nature’s Scientific Reports.

Business alum Benjamin McEvoy ’21 has turned his DifferenceMaker project Benji Ball into a game that’s now being played in nearly 200 school districts in 41 states across the country.

From discounted museum passes and ski lift tickets to free software and transportation, here are some great ways that UML students can save money on campus, in the city and beyond.

The Department of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology opened a pro bono clinic to provide opportunities for students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program to gain more clinical experiences on campus.

Students represented UMass Lowell in Dubai at COP28, the annual United Nations climate summit.

In this new year, Kelley Lawson is grateful for second chances. One year after extensive surgery and chemotherapy for Stage 4 cancer, Lawson shares some of the ways she’s winning this battle, one day at a time.