Current Scholars

Meet our current scholars!


GCSP e-portfolio here.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I believe pursuing a Grand Challenge is a great purpose for any individual that wants to make a significant impact on the world through their work. I aspire to give back to the community that raised me, but I have a strong inclination to do something to make the world better, even if that impact is infinitesimal in the grander scheme.

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

All of the Grand Challenges are interesting! However, the most interesting of the challenges to me were Reverse-Engineer the Brain and Engineer the Tools of Scientific Discovery. I found those interesting as they were (in my opinion) the most ambitious and not very elucidate. From one perspective, it is challenging to imagine how we might one day reverse engineer the brain. Whereas, engineering the tools for scientific discovery, I believe, has the most potential for various interpretations. The way I define engineering tools for scientific discovery could be vastly different from many others pursuing these challenges now.

What are your plans after graduation? 

I hope to pursue a graduate degree (M.S. or PhD) in quantum engineering/computing or computational neuroscience.


GCSP e-portfolio here.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I joined because I want to make a positive impact in this world and I think the GCSP would be a great opportunity for me to fulfill my desire to make that impact, and provide me opportunities to learn more about how I can make an impact. Additionally, this work is appealing because it provides me with an opportunity to work with other students that have a similar interest and diverse backgrounds. I’d also be able to get some experience working on projects that can make a positive impact in people’s lives. Technology and science are constantly advancing, so many of the problems that society has been facing for over a few decades, could be solved with the means of modern day technology.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
Health informatics is a multidisciplinary field that combines information technology, computer science, and healthcare to improve the storage, retrieval, and use of health information. The grand challenge of “Advance Health Informatics” focuses on addressing the key challenges and opportunities in this field to improve healthcare outcomes and patient care through the effective use of technology and information systems.

What are your plans after graduation?
Upon graduating from UMBC I will be working a cyber security job at MITRE, a not-for-profit dedicated to making the world safer.


GCSP e-portfolio here.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I was interested in opportunities to do interdisciplinary work and learn more about Engineering Better Medicine.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
Engineering Better Medicines interests me the most because I am interested in public health and medicine from and engineering perspective. This includes medical devices, prosthetics, etc.

What are your plans after graduation?
I want to do research a year abroad with full bright and then go to graduate school to get my PhD.


GCSP e-portfolio here.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I was primarily attracted to the holistic approach of the program. I could connect my various experiences to any Engineering Challenges.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
I am most interested in “Enhance Virtual Reality” because I wanted to have an impact on, we communicate and connect with one another in application to improving remote education.

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to work at FORD Motor Company as a Systems Engineer, and later earn a PhD in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Autonomous systems and Mobility.


GCSP e-portfolio here.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I was primarily attracted to the holistic approach of the program. I could connect my various experiences to any Engineering Challenges.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
I am most interested in “Enhance Virtual Reality” because I wanted to have an impact on, we communicate and connect with one another in application to improving remote education.

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to work at FORD Motor Company as a Systems Engineer, and later earn a PhD in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Autonomous systems and Mobility.


GCSP e-portfolio here.

Why did you decide to join the Grand Challenge Scholars Program?
I love a challenge and want to make a positive impact in the world. I want to improve on my public speaking and leadership skills.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
Engineering tools for scientific discovery. I have a passion for astronomy and my goal is to help make new discoveries to enhance our understanding of the universe.

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to go into the industry as an aerospace engineer and apply my skills directly in the field. I hope to move up in the company and make advances in the study of aerospace engineering.


GCSP e-portfolio here.

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

I joined the GCSP to better understand the overarching problems faced by the world as a whole, and to contribute to that community globally. I also aim to explore my combined interests in Biology and Computer Science through this program.

Which of the Grand Challenges you interest you most, and why?
Advancing Health Informatics, because healthcare is moving towards personalization and precision, and this can be advanced through existing data from health records and databases.

What are your plans after graduation? 
I hope to attend an MD/PhD program!