Current Scholars

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I decided to join the Grand Challenges Scholars Program is because it connects directly to my passion in Computer Science, specifically AI, and their role in solving real world problems. GCSP offers the chance to deepen my learning beyond the classroom into real world problems by engaging actively in research, community service and global interactions. This program also gives me the opportunity to explore more into real life issues that our society is facing and help find a part of the solution which really means a lot to me as my motive is to contribute to the society in a good way.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
All the grand challenges are interesting and important in their own way, but the ones that got my attention are Virtual reality in different fields other than gaming such as education and medical. Advance Personalized Learning is also a very interesting challenges as it involves creation of Advanced Personalized Learning is also a very interesting challenge, as it involves the creation of, but the one that got my attention is virtual reality in different fields, other than gaming, such as education and medicine ed-tech platforms, AI tutors, or accessible tools that transform how people learn.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, I am looking forward to pursuing my master’s in computer science and start working in a related field.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I decided to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program because it combines engineering with real-world impact. I like how it connects research, service learning, global perspective and even entrepreneurship. Those experiences will give me a strong foundation to become the kind of engineer who can work across disciplines and apply what I learn in class to real problems.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I was most interested in the multidisciplinary aspect of the program. As an engineering major, I believe that critical challenges can be optimally solved with the collaboration of many different perspectives. I am excited to research more intently within my discipline of choice.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
I am most interested in the Energy from Fusion challenge because I am passionate about sustainable energy and wide scale implementation of renewable energy sources. Unlike conventional fossil fuels, fusion energy has the potential to provide a nearly limitless and clean energy source.

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to pursue a graduate degree in the field of Nuclear Engineering. My long-term goal is to contribute to the development of sustainable energy technologies. and to play an active role in bringing them to fruition on a global scale.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
One of the main things drawing me to mechanical engineering was its potential for advancing humanitarian causes. I want to be able to use the education I am working towards to make a positive change in the world, and I believe that GCSP does just that. This program encourages its scholars to get involved with real world issues and to get involved with the many opportunities for growth at UMBC. I was also interested in the multidisciplinary aspect of GCSP– students from various majors are encouraged to join, allowing GCSP scholars to work together with students from a variety of different departments.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
Out of all the Grand Challenges, I am most interested in engineering better medicines. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Biological Sciences– I hope to one day work on medical devices. I believe that this grand challenge most closely aligns with that vision.

What are your plans after graduation?
I hope to use the skills I learn here at UMBC to work in the biomedical engineering industry to design medical devices.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I decided to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program because it provides the perfect platform to connect my passion for computer science with real-world problems. I wanted to challenge myself beyond the classroom by engaging in interdisciplinary learning, research, and service that can make a meaningful impact on society. The program also gives me an opportunity to collaborate with like-minded peers and mentors who are equally motivated to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
I am drawn to several of the Grand Challenges because they focus on creating a better, more sustainable, and more connected world. Challenges like providing access to clean water, advancing health technologies, and securing cyberspace all resonate with me because they directly affect people’s quality of life. I am especially motivated by the idea of using engineering and technology to address problems that cut across disciplines and require global collaboration. Even if I am still exploring which challenge to focus on, I am excited by the opportunity to learn and contribute toward solutions that make a tangible impact on society.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to pursue graduate studies in computer science, with a focus on artificial intelligence and human-centered computing.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I decided to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program for two main reasons. First is that I am passionate about sustainable energy and two of the grand challenges, Make Solar Energy Economical and Provide Energy from Fusion, give me a good opportunity to work with them. Second is that I wanted the mentorship that this program offers. I feel that I need a bit more outside help to really succeed in my goals for college.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
I would’ve said Provide Energy from Fusion a month or so ago but now Make Solar Energy Economical is my main interest. This is because I think the ability to be able to provide power in remote locations with no infrastructure is a problem that is better addressed sooner. I also think that with how much waste we currently produce making solar energy it needs to be made better.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I plan to either go into the energy field or become a fly-in fly-out engineer.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I decided to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program due to the opportunity it provides to apply the skills and information I’m learning in the classroom to real world situations. I find that the problems I’m presented in the classroom often have cut-and-dry solutions, leaving little room for alternative ways of thinking. I believe that having an overarching problem (with no set solution) that societies across the world experience will allow me to participate in discussions that further develop my education as well as my personal beliefs and critical thinking.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
The Grand Challenge that interests me most is to restore and improve urban infrastructure. This challenge interests me the most due to the fact that stable and adaptable infrastructure is vital to the overall functioning of society as a whole- including economic development and improving quality of life. Despite this, the infrastructure that is currently in place is aging and unable to accommodate/adapt to the constantly evolving needs of the people who rely on it- especially in urban areas, leaving marginalized and underrepresented communities at risk.

What are your plans after graduation?
My plan after graduation is to get a full-time mechanical engineering job. While I do not know what specific field of engineering I would like to go into, I know that one of my main goals after graduation is to earn my Professional Engineer license. I currently have no plans to go to graduate school, but that could change in the future.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?

I believe that without fixing issues with sustainability and renewable energy, we may have issues that become irreversible. However, I wanted to learn more about these issues to see how they truly impact us as a society. I can’t imagine it’s just as simple as making it a faster kind of issue but something more. Like how to integrate Solar energy without causing habitat loss. How to make this energy abundant for those who cannot access the resources to this energy? As without energy, no one can do anything and we’ll lose the ability to keep moving forward. So I believed

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
Sustainability is a Grand challenge, I derive the greatest importance as even though the universe is vast. We still only have 1 Earth to be on. Earth is where we live, and with all of the terraforming we do to the Earth, we want to make sure that it can be preserved for as long as possible, since it is our home.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to go to graduate school to research more about electromagnetic radiation to help improve solar panels and to improve or revolutionize our current solar panel efficiency.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I decided to join because this program align with my goals and will allow me to find path that will lead me to find my graduate school path.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
The grand challenge that interests me the most is making solar energy economical. I think that’s solar energy has a lot of potential, especially in areas with sun and the right requirements. If we make it, especially remote places accessible to people, they could have access to power, which intern makes people have better lives.

What are your plans after graduation?
My goals include earning my master’s degree then later a PhD, and working in the renewable or sustainability industry.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I decided to join the Grand Challenges Scholars Program because it seemed the perfect medium to seamlessly blend Chemical Engineering and Political Science, my two majors, while also building towards my overall goal of a social altruistic career. At UMBC, I have always searched for a community of like-minded people who value combining STEM and humanities in the way I do, and the Grand Challenges program seems the perfect fit for that.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I joined the Grand Challenges Scholars Program due to my beliefs that addressing complex global challenges require interdisciplinary conversations. I have a particular interest in the role that technology can have in addressing social inequalities and the program pushes students to become more well-rounded in global challenges.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?

I am most interested in advancements in personalized learning. Education is the strongest tool against inequality and by ensuring that everyone has access to learning opportunities that are tailored to their needs, then we can deepen one’s understanding of their potential contributions to society.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I plan to work in a space that focuses on addressing social injustices through technology. In particular, I hope to design and develop assistive technologies creating inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?

I joined the Grand Challenge Scholars Program to  collaborate with students who are not only technically  skilled, but also deeply interested in using engineering to  tackle societal challenges.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
Research interests me most because I want to tackle the racial and gender inequalities in biomedical research. I want to conduct research where members of marginalized groups are not an afterthought and contribute to a future where everyone receives effective treatment.

What are your plans after graduation?
My plans after graduation are to pursue a PhD in bioengineering with the goal of working as a research scientist.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I wanted to be more involved in undergraduate research and this program seemed like a good place to start.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
Securing Cyber space because I think it is an issue that warrants a lot of attention; as our personal lives become more digital so should our security.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I would like to work in industry and build embedded systems but I am also considering grad school.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I believe that making a difference in the world is a contribution I want to make. Joining the Grand Challenge Scholars Program I believe will give me the resources and community to make that difference.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
Engineering the tools of scientific discovery interests me most, as it is the direction of scientific discovery. Through challenges and growth, we can further the advancement in humanity and make a better world.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I would like to get into the field of “Research and Development”, specifically for space-based discovery. With how far we have gotten, there is still so much more to learn and pioneer in.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I found the program to be interesting. It provides a variety of different topics I wanted to investigate further. It also allows for multiple different opportunities and research to do. Diving deeper into the fields my major offers me. I learn more about engineering history and the world. I get to see how my field has developed, and how it will continue to grow over the years. All of this to help our generation grow further, while being mindful of the planet and every living and nonliving on it.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
The ones that interest me the most are “Restore and Improve Urban Infrastructure” and “Engineer the tools of Scientific Discovery”. They both contain most of my interests. I have always wanted to help people through our advancements in technology. When I chose mechanical engineering as my major, this was my main intention. I want to help our planet. I also wanted to make sure nothing that we do gets in the way of other living creatures whose habitat would be harmed. While all of the challenges make a different, where my interest are is with both these topics.

What are your plans after graduation?
My plans after graduation are still unclear. I have an interest in pursuing my academics, but I also want to enter the work force. I am hoping my time in the Grand Challenge Scholars Program will confirm what path I want to go on for now. In terms of industry, I would like to build off the challenge I decide to follow.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?

I decided to join the Grand Challenges Scholars Program because I wanted to ensure that I have a well-rounded engineering experience in college. As a member of the program, I will have the opportunity to focus on a grand challenge and work towards finding a solution. I am excited to make an impact towards solving a major problem while simultaneously improving my own skills.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
The Grand Challenge that interests me most is Restoring and Improving Urban Infrastructure. This issue is an intriguing topic as it impacts so many people on a daily basis. Maintained infrastructure is necessary to keep our cities thriving and safe. This summer I was able to work as an intern at Whiting-Turner helping to build the CMSC building at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Working on a project that will benefit a diverse group of individuals is very rewarding and has further piqued my interest in the topic of infrastructure.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I intend on getting a full-time job as a mechanical engineer. I am unsure what engineering field to pursue as a career, but I hope being a member of the Grand Challenges Scholars Program will further help narrow my potential options.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I decided to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program because I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and push myself into spaces that aren’t always expecting individuals like me. I thought this program would be an amazing opportunity for me to think outside the box about solving important societal problems. I believe it will also allow me to discover new parts of myself and find new ways to integrate my social science background in a STEM world.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
The Joy of Living interests me the most because it allows me to make a positive impact on someone’s or multiple people’s lives, which is a beautiful thing to witness. It is essential to incorporate aspects of life that can brighten one’s day or have a profound impact on their life trajectory, and that is what I see the joy of living being able to do for others. Coming up with tools and implementing new ones, as well as those that already exist, to bring a new perspective to life piques my interest and challenges me to see how I can add to the enjoyment of life for others.

What are your plans after graduation?
My plans after graduation are to pursue a master’s or PhD program in Clinical Psychology and potentially earn my JD. I have a keen interest in combining psychology and political science to investigate law-making and advocate for those whose voices are not always heard or allowed to be heard in rooms where they feel they don’t belong.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I decided to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program because of the emphasis on interdisciplinary experiences. I truly believe that in order to solve a challenge; it needs to be looked at through an interdisciplinary lens.