$48,731
Amount Raised
1,363
Gifts Received
Projects
Turning Pressure into Power (GD2021)
By Team PISO
Help us develop improved methods of generating clean energy.
Help us develop improved methods of generating clean energy. Team PISO About us: We’re Team PISO, a group of multidisciplinary UMD students. Formed in spring 2020, our team is part of the Maryland GEMSTONE research program. GEMSTONE is an honors program which allows students to pursue research topics of their own choice to further both their own interests and the University’s vast deposit of knowledge. Our seven members joined UMD and the GEMSTONE program in autumn 2019 and are set to graduate as part of the class of 2023. We hope to achieve as much as we can between now and then! Our Project: Our project is centered around piezoelectric tiles, devices which use electrical properties of certain materials to create and store electrical power. These devices are currently seldom used due to the high cost and relatively low efficiency of current models. This project is currently in the planning stages, but once we get going (with your help) we will be utilizing a lab space and trying to improve the efficiency of these devices for wider use. This will allow us to more effectively generate power from areas with high foot traffic, such as a bus stop or the entrance to a campus building. As part of this, we will build and test our own piezoelectric tiles in a lab setting, creating and adjusting design as we go about research and experimentation. Why Help us? Anything that we create has the possibility to be implemented on UMD campus. This project seeks to improve methods of generating clean energy, which could make the University of Maryland a higher quality and more green place to be. Consider how cool it would be to have electric tiles powering a building with your movements; that is the reality which we wish to further. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Creating an Assistive Device for the Blind (GD2021)
By Team SIGHT
Help us develop the next generation of assistive devices for the blind community.
Help us develop the next generation of assistive devices for the blind community. Team SIGHT The Gemstone Honors College at the University of Maryland is a research program in which students lead the research with the help of a mentor, usually a professor. Team SIGHT is one of these research teams. We are a Sophomore team looking to make a smartphone integrated device, referred to as the SIGHT System, that will become the assistive device of choice for the next generation of the blind, allowing them to more easily navigate unknown spaces. The SIGHT System will include the following: External scanning device (e.g. pair of glasses) Smartphone app Feedback device (e.g. pair of gloves) The SIGHT System will provide the user with a greater knowledge of their surroundings than the traditional white cane, while also looking to not encumber the user in any way by requiring a hand like the white cane does. This means that not only will the blind know more about the surrounding area, but also interact with it more easily as they would have both hands free with the SIGHT System. The SIGHT System's design will also be based on the opinions and comments we take directly from the blind community so that we can get a better idea of some general preferences of the blind. With this, the SIGHT System will be designed to fit the preferences of the blind, making it something that the blind community will want to use. It's time to update the assistive devices of the blind community using the technology that has been developed since the introduction of the white cane. The need for an upgrade is long overdue, and we at team SIGHT look to be the ones to do just that. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
44%
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Exploration of Viral Protein for Cancer Research (GD2021)
By Team EVICT
Help us develop more effective cancer treatment methods.
Help us develop more effective cancer treatment methods. Team EVICT The Problem Cancer is unfortunately one of the most alarming and widespread diseases around the world with over one hundred different types, each affecting different body systems. Current treatments are often invasive, nonspecific, and have negative side effects. Beyond health impacts, these treatments are expensive and place financial strains on many families and the healthcare system. Such financial strain is a cause of inequity in healthcare access. Many minoritized populations currently have unequal access to chemotherapy and radiation treatments, consequently causing these groups to be more at risk for developing cancer. The high prevalence, severity, and variation of cancer as well as the inequities that it causes has created a need for efficient treatment with a more targeted approach. Our Mission Our research aims to develop more targeted cancer therapy using viral proteins. We are focusing on using a viral protein to inhibit a signaling pathway that often leads to cancer. This pathway has been proven to cause lymphoma. We aim to develop this cancer treatment by inserting the viral protein into lymphoma cells to see if it can cause tumor cell death. Such data can contribute to the cancer therapeutics field by discussing the viral protein’s potential to be used as an affordable lymphoma treatment option. About Us We are team EVICT, a biomedical based research team in the Gemstone Honors Program at the University of Maryland. Our team consists of ten members with varying majors and research experience, but a common goal of applying viral proteins for therapeutic purposes. Cancer has touched each of our lives in different ways, which is why we are eager to begin our data collection and make a contribution to cancer therapeutics. This team was formed in spring of 2020 and will continue to do research until our thesis defense in April 2023. We are incredibly thankful for our mentor Dr. Yanjin Zhang, as well as our librarian Nedelina Tchangalova, who have been and will continue to be a crucial part of our work. Why We Need Your Help As an undergraduate research team looking to pursue cancer research in an ongoing pandemic, our university resources are extremely limited. Therefore, we are kindly asking for donations to support our research. Team EVICT would be able to use your donations to purchase much needed lab materials in order for us to begin data collection. These materials include, but are not limited to, retroviral packaging and delivery agents, DNA isolation supplies, chemical solvents, enzyme kits, and cancer cell lines. Donations of any size will make a significant impact on our team’s project and are greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support in advance and we are excited to develop more effective cancer treatment methods to share with you! Contact Us and Follow Us Website: https://srinivsruthi.wixsite.com/team-evict Email: teamevictumd@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/team__evict/ Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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A Mural for Mental Health (GD2021)
By Flower STEM
Help us promote creativity and better mental health within the STEM community.
Help us promote creativity and better mental health within the STEM community. Flower STEM Flower STEM's project is to design and paint a mural centered around creativity within STEM to improve mental health at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. Eleanor Roosevelt High School is a science and technology magnet school in Greenbelt that produces a plethora of University of Maryland students and alumni including Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Our project champion, Patrick Gleason, is an English Teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt and is also a UMD alum. In 2017, several concerned students approached Patrick Gleason about the mental health climate at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. He had noticed an increase in stress, anxiety, and depression in the student body; several students even expressed their suicidal thoughts to him or other staff members. Patrick and other staff members immediately took action. He worked with the concerned students to start a club that would address the mental health climate in the school, in hopes of reducing the negative atmosphere that crippled many of their students. Their goal was twofold—take tangible actions to improve the school's physical environment and educate more students on proper self-care techniques. In a school where only a handful of classrooms have windows, the drab, sterile atmosphere can be suffocating. They helped organize projects to add multiple murals around the school and school grounds. Enhancing the environment that over 2,000 students call home five days a week has been vital in sustaining a more positive, hopeful mindset. Yet there are still many locations around the campus beset by dark, colorless, lifeless views. Continuing to brighten the environment is vital to sustain the bright minds of our students seeking both comfort and inspiration. The funds will help us obtain background checks — required to volunteer with Prince George’s County Public Schools, provide transportation to and from Eleanor Roosevelt High School and purchase paint, brushes, smocks and other materials. If the funding goal is met, the excess funds will be used for future projects and other Flower STEM initiatives. Flower STEM is a student-led organization dedicated to promoting creativity within the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by showcasing interdisciplinary applications where STEM and artistry collide. To encourage our members to blossom, Flower STEM hosts expert-led workshops, offers a big-little style mentorship program, and partakes on a community project every semester. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Brain Save (GD2021)
By Team NANO
Help us develop a new way to treat brain tumors.
Help us develop a new way to treat brain tumors. Team NANO Team NANO is a research group integrated with the University of Maryland GEMSTONE honors program. This project seeks to address the need for innovative solutions to the challenges surrounding treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We have developed a project to create a hydrogel-based drug delivery system that will attack GBM tumors so that those who are afflicted have more time to live a quality life. This reduces the need for chemotherapy and other chemical therapies that can decrease the quality of life for patients. We need your help to get this technology created and available to everyone in our community! We will be working alongside Dr. Mohamad Al-Sheikhly in the Nuclear Engineering Lab at the University of Maryland, College Park. As we prepare samples at the lab, we will send them to the NIST facility for synthesis. We plan to use computer modeling to assess the kinetics and logistics that would be required for this project. As of right now, we have been conducting literature and planning out the next steps for our experiment despite the limitations that exist due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the remaining of the semester and throughout summer, we are planning to start experimentation and data collection, giving us enough time for data analysis. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
26%
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2021 SHPE National Convention (GD2021)
By SHPE
Help empower Hispanic students in STEM fields at UMD by helping us get to the 2021 SHPE National Convention.
Help empower Hispanic students in STEM fields at UMD by helping us get to the 2021 SHPE National Convention. SHPE The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) seeks to empower the Hispanic community of College Park to attain careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and excel as technical and professional leaders. Through the annual SHPE National Convention, members are able to network with professionals and other members across the country, attend workshops, experience a grand career fair, and possibly secure an internship or full time job as graduation approaches. Being able to send more and more members to the National Convention provides an opportunity for our chapter to achieve our vision and mission. The 2021 National Convention is a great opportunity for members to network whether they want to learn more about a company as a freshmen or get ready to accept a full time position as a senior. We would love to send as many members as possible, as this experience can often times change lives. Many members enter the National Convention with a plan to network and grow professionally and leave with a job offer! In order to give as many members this opportunity please help us raise money and donate to fund our journey to the National Convention. Any donation is a valuable one. Thank you for checking our page out! Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Detecting Bias in Intelligent Autonomous Systems (DeBIAS) (GD22)
By Team DeBias
Help us develop a low-cost method to detect and mitigate bias in online hiring between consultants from HBCUs and non-HBCUs!
Help us develop a low-cost method to detect and mitigate bias in online hiring between consultants from HBCUs and non-HBCUs! Team DeBias About Us We are Team DeBIAS, which stands for Detecting Bias In Automated Systems. We are an undergraduate research group studying algorithmic bias in online hiring between consultants from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and non-HBCUs. The goal of our research is to recreate a hiring algorithm, show that there is bias in the algorithm, and mitigate said bias. Currently, companies are unable or unwilling to develop their hiring model to be unbiased, causing issues for disadvantaged job seekers. We want to develop a low-cost method to detect and mitigate said bias so that companies can apply it to their own hiring models. What Will We Do? We are dividing our research into two different hypotheses: preliminary analysis and algorithm training. For the first hypothesis, we are collecting resumes from Indeed, an online hiring website, along with their relative rankings from the first position on the starting page. We will analyze the information to see if there is a correlation between whether the applicant attended a HBCU and their respective ranking on Indeed. We hypothesize that on average, we will see resumes with an HBCU rank lower compared to resumes without an HBCU. These resumes will also assist us for the algorithm training in the second hypothesis. For the second hypothesis, we will use the resumes from Indeed to develop an algorithm which can emulate the performance of the Indeed algorithm that ranked the resumes in the first place. We hope to use this model and adjust it so that we get an even distribution of resumes with HCBUs and non-HCBUs on them across all rankings, therefore unbiasing it. Why Help Us? Throughout our research process, we have discovered a variety of ways that “well intentioned” hiring algorithms have inadvertently become biased against disadvantaged groups. Learned biases in machine learning hiring systems may perpetuate and worsen existing social prejudices through our own confirmation bias. These biased systems often produce faulty outcomes, resulting in the system overlooking qualified applicants. This issue has recently come to the forefront of national news, with Amazon’s AI hiring system unintentionally perpetuating prejudice and injustice against women. Our research will model the resume rankings of an online hiring website with the aim of determining how it ranks differing education levels and backgrounds. With this we can judge fairness, and if the website results produce any unfair outcomes. From there, we can evaluate different methods of debiasing the algorithm, including more data collection, a better balanced dataset, or manual model adjustments. These can inform future hiring algorithms of methods to avoid potential bias. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Green Walls for a GREY(wa)ter Future (GD2022)
By Team VERDANT
Help us evaluate which combination of MD native plants and media in an indoor green wall is most effective for filtering greywater!
Help us evaluate which combination of MD native plants and media in an indoor green wall is most effective for filtering greywater! Team VERDANT Water scarcity is a crisis whose effects are widespread: close to a billion people worldwide lack sufficient access to drinking water, and most resources that do exist are subject to mismanagement due to overuse. As urbanization and population density continue to increase, innovation in water resource processing is becoming more and more needed. One shortcoming in water conservation is a failing in water treatment infrastructure- that’s where Team VERDANT comes in. Traditional wastewater treatment systems are costly to upgrade/maintain, energy intensive, and require a lot of land. As it stands, these systems indiscriminately send all used water to a plant for chemical purification even though only sewage, which makes up less than a third of domestic wastewater, needs to be treated to this extent. So what’s in the majority of wastewater if it’s not what comes out of the toilet? Greywater, defined as wastewater with lower levels of pollution, is what comes from showers and sinks and washing machines and it typically accounts for 75% of total domestic wastewater. If we can process greywater for separate treatment, greater sustainability in wastewater refinement can be achieved. Greywater recycling schemes have been shown to achieve potentially 10-50% savings on water usage. Purified greywater can be used for irrigation, toilet flushing, and laundry. But how do we purify greywater to start with? The answer is Green Walls! These “self-sufficient vertical gardens” receive water and nutrients from within vertical supports instead of ground. Green walls come with a variety of environmental and social advantages including energy conservation, promoting biodiversity, improving air quality, reducing noise pollution in buildings, and promoting the mental wellbeing of those that frequently interact with them. Team VERDANT, (Vegetated walls to Enable Reuse, Detoxification, And Natural Treatment of greywater), will be evaluating which combination of MD native plants and media in an indoor green wall is most effective for filtering greywater as part of the 2024 cohort of the UMD Gemstone Research Program. Specifically, we will be taking into account the greywater impurities common to our local area in order to reduce strain on local water resources. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
36%
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Send ASLA to LaBash 2022! (GD2022)
By ASLA
Help us attend LABash2022 at the Louisiana State University from March 31st - April 2nd, 2022!
Help us attend LABash2022 at the Louisiana State University from March 31st - April 2nd, 2022! ASLA What is LABash? LABash is an annual student-run Landscape Architecture conference hosted annually since 1970. Returning in-person for the first time in 2 years, LABash2022 will take place at the Louisiana State University from March 31st - April 2nd, 2022. The three-day conference features lectures from professors and professionals, design workshops, charrettes, and ample networking opportunities. Specialized workshops allow students to expand upon their skill set and prepare them to enter the professional force. Send smiles like these to LSU! SASLA's Goal Conferences are huge opportunities that often come with a decent expense. SASLA aims to fully alleviate the hotel accommodation and conference registration costs for our group. So far, 13 students have personally committed over $3000 in registration and travel. They have worked diligently --participating in fundraising events, and applying for and receiving grant aid to attend LABash. These efforts brought us just over $1000. We are $3500 shy of achieving what we set out to do and we need your help! Your donations will go towards hotel accommodation and registration fees. If we exceed our goal, we could even provide aid for student travel costs. On a site visit, imagining ourselves looking out onto the Mississippi River Why Contribute? Your donation can help change students’ lives and kickstart their careers! In the past, SASLA members walked away from the conference with internship offers and countless networking contacts but most importantly a renewed drive and spirit to succeed. Contributing to our project will help SASLA continue to fulfill our mission providing opportunities for self-development! Digging our way to Louisiana (but mostly tree planting) Thank you for visiting our project page. We appreciate your consideration! - SASLA Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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3D Printing Pills to Treat HIV (GD2022)
By Team Pills
Help us develop a 3D-printable pill capable of containing multiple drugs used to combat HIV!
Help us develop a 3D-printable pill capable of containing multiple drugs used to combat HIV! Team Pills THE PROBLEM: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system is destroyed by the body’s white blood cells, leaving patients vulnerable to other infections such as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Across the world, HIV affects 38 million people, with 690,000 people dying from AIDS-related illnesses in 2019 alone. Treatment for HIV is regulated using a drug cocktail, in which different medications work to fight different steps of the HIV reproduction pathway. Current methods for delivering drug cocktails are limited by synthesized particle size, architecture, material composition, and lack of controlled drug release. OUR SOLUTION: Advancements in additive manufacturing through the use of Direct Laser Writing (DLW) and biodegradable structures have allowed for new methods of drug delivery. Our research will focus on the creation of a multi-drug delivery system via the use of additive manufacturing and photolithography to develop a compartmentalized and biodegradable pill. We will develop a 3D-printable pill on the micro scale (around the size of a human red blood cell) capable of containing multiple drugs used to combat HIV. The pill will be sealed with a biodegradable cap of variable thickness used to control the release rate of the liquid-based HIV drug cocktail in the body (thicker material results in longer degradation time). By doing so, it will ensure that the drug concentration in the human body remains in the therapeutic range. OUR IMPACT: Team PILLS aims to address the effects of HIV and the disproportionate impact it has had on historically marginalized people and communities. We must recognize the perspectives of those impacted by HIV so that we can focus on research that most positively affects them. These strategies will enable us to identify those that are affected by HIV, culminating with our research being used to limit the disparities that have become associated with the virus. If successful, these pills will cut down on drug costs, lower the risk of over or under dosage, and improve the efficiency and efficacy of the drugs. YOUR SUPPORT: Over the course of our LaunchUMD campaign, we hope to raise $5,000 for our project. The money raised will help purchase materials for the printing of our pill prototype. Your support will also allow us to pay for the printing costs associated with the Nanoscribe device. Any donation made no matter the amount is greatly appreciated and will assist us in achieving our goal. Thank you! CONTACT INFORMATION: Team Email: GemstoneTeamPills@gmail.com Team Instagram: @gems_team_pills Team Website: https://gemstoneteampills.wixsite.com/pills Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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New Horse Project (GD2022)
By MEC
Help us to purchase a beginner-level riding horse to increase the safety of our members!
Help us to purchase a beginner-level riding horse to increase the safety of our members! MEC About Us The Maryland Equestrian Club (MEC) is an organization that strives to bring together fellow equestrians through a common love for horses. We are unique in the way that we provide on-campus riding opportunities to students at a more affordable cost than they would find elsewhere. Our members are hard workers, as we as a team take several hours out of our busy schedules to take care of all the horses at the campus farm on a daily basis. Some experienced members are even trainers! MEC is a great way for Animal Science students to gain experience with large animals, and we offer lessons to riders of all skill levels. This is why it is crucial that our horses are safe to ride— many of our members are new to working with them, and we want this club to give them the best experience possible. The Dilemma Unfortunately as a result of Covid-19, we could not retain some of our more seasoned horses, so we are searching for new additions. It is very difficult to find an inexpensive, calm, beginner-safe horse in the current state of the market, and we do not want to risk purchasing a cheaper horse at the expense of our riders' safety. Thus, our goal is to raise the funds we need to purchase a horse that will be a great fit for our program. Our Goal With these funds, we would be able to purchase a beginner-level riding horse. This would increase the safety of our members who ride and complete chores, since a more agreeable horse would reduce the risk of injury, especially for less experienced members. Financial assistance would be extremely beneficial for providing more riding lessons, as it would mean there would be more horses available to ride. We would greatly appreciate any support to our cause, since finding safe, affordable horses is extremely challenging in the present market. Donor Poster To show our gratitude and celebrate our donors, anyone who contributes to this campaign will have their name included on a custom poster that will be shown in our barn display case, with the exception being if they have selected to donate anonymously. Thank you Even if you can't make a donation right now, we appreciate you taking the time to look through our page. Other ways to make an impact could involve sharing this campaign by posting on social media under the hashtag #MECNewHorseProject, checking out our Instagram account @marylandequestrianclub, or telling your friends and family! Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Terps Against Hunger! (GD2022)
By Terps Against Hunger
Help us pack more nonperishable meals in 2022!
Help us pack more nonperishable meals in 2022! Terps Against Hunger The Problem Approximately 1 in 6 people in the Washington D.C. area experience some form of food insecurity. This can mean different things- no easy access to purchase food, no access to nutritious foods, or the inability to afford food in general. For many people in the D.C. metropolitan area, these issues are unfortunately faced on a regular basis Children often suffer the most. D.C. has the highest rate of food insecurity for children, with approximately 30% of them living in food-insecure households. Many of these children don't know when their next meal will be, or where it will come from. In total, around 85,000 people in D.C. are struggling with hunger. Over 26,000 of these hungry individuals are children, who can not do much about it. It is our goal to help provide nutritious and accessible meals to as many of these people, both children and adults, as possible. What We Do To help combat this problem, our Founder, Jonathon Fix, started Terps Against Hunger in 2013. We typically host meal packaging events about once a month, but sometimes have even more than this! We continue to make new partnerships every year and continue to grow as an organization. Since 2013, we have hosted events in which students, faculty and staff, alumni, and many other volunteers come together and pack almost 3 million nonperishable meals together! So far this school year we have already packed 100,800 meals at our Homecoming event! These meals that we package consist of rice, soy, veggies, and vitamins and minerals. They taste a bit like ramen noodles, but we promise they are much more nutritious! Not only do these events provide food security for many in the D.C. area, but they also educate our participants on the growing issues of local food insecurity and allow the students involved to develop leadership roles where they are truly making a difference. We have also recently started hosting social events that allow our volunteers, both students and others, to come together and create lasting relationships with individuals they may not typically have the pleasure of meeting. How You Can Help Each of the meals that we package costs roughly $0.10, this may not seem like a lot of money, but there is so much more that goes into them. In order for our events to run smoothly, we have to rent rooms on campus for hours at a time, rent 18-wheeler trucks to transport our meals and supplies (which our students operate themselves!), and continually purchase the bags we package the meals in, boxes, tape, hairnets, gloves, scales, sealers, etc. All of these essential ingredients and materials add up to a very expensive price tag! As our organization continues to grow, we are ecstatic at the thought that we will be able to help even more individuals in need. In order for this to happen though, we have to be able to buy and/or rent all of the supplies needed to package more meals (especially at our upcoming Maryland Day event)! Our amazing volunteers and donors are a huge part of what makes Terps Against Hunger so successful. We truly could not help as many people as we do without your help. Please consider donating to our organization where you will be helping us package tens of thousands of meals this upcoming Maryland Day! We thank you in advance for your generosity and hope to see you at future events! Thank you and GO TERPS! Emily W., Clarissa, and Emily J. Co-Presidents and Fundraising Chair, Terps Against Hunger Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Neuromorphic Computing to Save Bees (GD2022)
By Team HiveMind
Help us use an innovative vision sensor, known as a dynamic vision sensor to monitor bees!
Help us use an innovative vision sensor, known as a dynamic vision sensor to monitor bees! Team HiveMind Who are we? We’re team HiveMIND, a sophomore Gemstone team studying the use of neuromorphic hardware and event based vision to monitor beehive health. Gemstone is a UMD Honors research program in which teams of undergraduate students propose research projects, perform experiments, and present their original research findings. Our team consists of 11 students who are passionate about using computer science and engineering principles to learn more about how we can protect the environment. Specifically, our team plans to use an innovative vision sensor known as a dynamic vision sensor to monitor bees. Why bees? The vast majority of the world’s tropical forests are pollinated by bees, and even in temperate climates smaller plants like shrubs and wildflowers depend on bees for reproduction. Of particular interest to humans are agricultural crops such as fruits, vegetables, fiber, and forage. Most top monocultures in agriculture require pollination by bees, and in the United States bee-pollinated crops are worth an estimated $18.9 billion. Declines in bee populations have the potential to have sizable impacts on the biodiversity of flora, especially in regions where pollinator services are highly specialized. The health of many ecosystems globally would be devastated by such a change, highlighting the impact bees have on their overall health. Our idea The dynamic vision sensor is modeled off of biological eyes, and responds to changes in the environment rather than absolute brightness levels like a traditional camera. As a result, it is extremely useful for tracking small, fast objects like bees. Our team plans to use the DVS to perform operations such as counting bees to track population levels, as well as monitoring the hive for signs of invaders in real time. Contact and Follow Us: Website: http://teamhivemind.atwebpages.com Email: teamhivemind.gems@gmail.com Instagram: hivemind2024 Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Self-assembling Micro-scale Robots (GD2022)
By Team SAND
Help us design and create a system of self-assembling robots on smaller scales!
Help us design and create a system of self-assembling robots on smaller scales! Team SAND The Project We want to design and create a system of self-assembling robots on smaller scales. Initially, the shapes can be two-dimensional, but eventually we would like to build them up to three-dimensional structures because those would be much more adaptable and productive in the real world. We hope to use our technological advancements to progress a number of different fields and build the framework for a more sustainable version of 3D printing. Our project has a ton of exciting potential applications. The application we envision the most is as the aforementioned reusable 3D printer, where the bots can assemble into one shape and hold it until they are told to change into a different shape. Or, nanobots can be very helpful in the medical field. Their size allows them to enter the body and move through smaller passageways such as the bloodstream and accomplish a great number of tasks. How You Can Help You can directly contribute to our research. Even a donation of just $10 would help us greatly. If you want to give more, feel free! You can spread the word on all of your social media! And, you can share our socials! Thank you very much! We appreciate your support! Special Thanks Our mentor, Dr. Po-Yen Chen, Our librarian, Jodi Coalter, and the Gemstone Staff. Contact Us Feel free to email us with any questions, comments, and/or concerns at gemstoneteamsand@gmail.com. You can visit our website at ter.ps/sand. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @TeamSand2024. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Enhancing the Detection of Lung Cancer (GD2022)
By Team DOC
Help us bridge the gap between the technological and medical fields in an effort to help those impacted by Non Small Cell Lung Cancer!
Help us bridge the gap between the technological and medical fields in an effort to help those impacted by Non Small Cell Lung Cancer! Team DOC About Us We, Team DOC, are a team of sophomore students who were brought together (courtesy of the Gemstone Honors Program) due to our passion in the ever-growing interdisciplinary field of cancer research. Our Aim As Computer Science and Neuroscience majors, we aim to bridge the gap between the technological and medical fields in an effort to help underprivileged communities, specifically those impacted by Non Small Cell Lung Cancer. Our Why Many of us have loved ones who have been impacted by cancer or have personally been impacted by deficiencies in the healthcare system. As researchers, these experiences have influenced our determination to make a contribution to this field and make a difference in the lives of countless people. So... Why Help Us? Late cancer detection is often the main cause of low survival rates and through literature review, Team DOC has discovered an unparalleled burden of non-small cell lung cancer on underserved communities. There is great urgency for innovative and accessible methods that will improve healthcare access for lung cancer patients. We hope to combat this inequity by developing an AI model that is able to not only improve lung cancer diagnoses but also predict the progression of non-small cell lung cancer. By utilizing our survey data, we aim to adjust our AI model to address the needs of underserved communities that are often overlooked. Furthermore, we intend to evaluate the performance of a state-of-the-art cancer detection model on our chosen dataset and retrain the final layers of the model to improve its performance on the same dataset. In order to do this we need all hands on deck from our community! Stay Connected! Instagram: @teamdoc.gems Website: http://teamdoc.tech/ Email: teamdocgemstone@gmail.com Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Mapping and Analyzing Microplastics in the Anacostia (GD2022)
By Team MARINE
Help us investigate potential methods to reduce the amount of microplastics in marine ecosystems!
Help us investigate potential methods to reduce the amount of microplastics in marine ecosystems! Team MARINE We are Team MARINE: a research group of 12 dedicated sophomore gemstone students investigating sources and prevention methods of microplastic pollution. Microplastics are small particles that come from the degradation of larger plastics. Our team is researching where microplastics are introduced to the Anacostia watershed and mapping their concentration. Additionally, we are investigating potential methods to reduce the amount of microplastics in marine ecosystems. With your support, we hope to fund our collection and analysis efforts to better understand where microplastics are and how we can manage them. We plan to collect microplastic samples in three distinct phases. The first phase beginning Spring 2022 involves collecting water samples on and around the University of Maryland campus. The second phase involves expanding our collection to the greater Paint Branch Creek watershed adjacent to campus in College Park. Our third and final phase involves broadening our efforts to the main Anacostia River. We plan to strategically select collection sites based on access, weather, tidal, urban development, and seasonal considerations. After collection, our team hopes to conduct a range of polymer analyses to determine the count of microplastics in our samples. We hope to compare samples longitudinally and from different circumstances (e.g. after heavy rainfall, snowpack melting, and drought). Even broader, we want to understand the magnitude of where microplastics are in our local watershed and develop solutions to reduce them. These solutions could include investigating filtration solutions to block microplastics from entering the watershed at point sources. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Filling the Gaps in Disordered Eating Research (GD2022)
By Team UNITED
Help us research the disparity of diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders in communities that are historically left out of the literature!
Help us research the disparity of diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders in communities that are historically left out of the literature! Team UNITED About Team United Team UNITED aims to research the disparity of diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders in communities that are historically left out of the literature. There is a lack of literature on this topic among several groups, especially male-identifying individuals. Much of the current research and data that exists about the topic has a focus on young white women, leaving out a significant amount of those who are affected by this issue out. There are also disparities among the treatments offered to certain populations and these disparities are further reflected in the internal attitudes held by many towards seeking help. The connection between these attitudes and the actual likelihood of help-seeking behavior is defined by the concept of mental health literacy. What is Team UNITED's plan? The research in this project will include assessing and evaluating the different factors related to these inequities. Our project is composed of two phases: A quantitative survey to assess how perceptions of how disordered eating in men impact help-seeking behaviors. Qualitative in-depth interviews with select participants to gather more specific data. The goal is to contribute to the literature on this topic, as well as inform a mitigation strategy/prevention technique that reaches all communities rather than those that have been repeatedly targeted by prevention campaigns in the past. Going forward, our research seeks to expand how eating disorders in underrepresented communities, including men, are understood. Why help us? A fundamental step in alleviating the impact that eating disorders has had on our society is having knowledge and information. While one of Team UNITED's main goals is to contribute more literature to this issue, we are ultimately wanting to increase awareness about eating disorders and eliminating its stigma. With you contribution, we will be able to change the narrative and dismantle health inequities. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Support Creativity in the STEM Fields (GT2021)
By Flower STEM
Help our members pursue their passion projects in the intersection of the arts and the sciences!
Help our members pursue their passion projects in the intersection of the arts and the sciences! Flower STEM Imagine a dress that can change colors based on its surroundings or holograms that can transform any room into a ecstatic dance party. These are just some of the ideas and creative projects that the members of Flower STEM want to make a reality. Over the summer, we completed our first two creative projects. The first project were our murals for mental health at Eleanor Roosevelt High School where our members used their artistic skills to make a difference in the community. The second project was The mXRket, a virtual night market created through a combination of interactive projection art and virtual reality which we showcased to the public at the NextNOW Festival. We were able to fund these projects through the generous support of the campus and extended community and we'd like to do it again! We are raising $2,500 to cover the costs associated with materials, transportation and training needed for our members to pursue their passion projects in the intersection of the arts and the sciences. If we reach our goals, we can support our creators and showcase their hard work at future events that will benefit the community. Thank you for your support! Flower STEM is a student-led organization dedicated to promoting creativity within the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by showcasing interdisciplinary applications where STEM and artistry collide. We want to change the stigma that STEM is restrictive, convoluted, and monotonous by promoting diverse and inviting atmospheres. Our members design and showcase creative projects where they can explore new concepts and learn the skills they want for their careers in a creative and fun manner. To encourage our members to blossom further, Flower STEM hosts expert-led masterclasses, offers a big-little style mentorship program, and partakes in community projects. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Brain-Computer Interface Prosthetics (GT2021)
By BCIPRO
Help us improve current-day upper-arm prosthetics.
Help us improve current-day upper-arm prosthetics. BCIPRO About us We are Team BCIPRO which stands for Brain-Computer Interface Prosthetics. You might be wondering what a BCI is? A brain-computer interface (BCI) is a type of neurotechnology that allows for direct communication between our brain and technology. The purpose of our research is to improve current-day upper-arm prosthetics. Currently, body-powered and externally-powered myoelectric prostheses (where signals are taken from nerve endings in the upper arm), or a hybrid of the two, are the most popular and widely available options. We want to maintain the non-intrusive aspects of these prosthetics while improving the accuracy and control of conventional prosthetics. By leveraging an external BCI we can process EEG signals in real time to provide a better experience for the user. What We Will Do Upon receiving IRB approval, we plan to collect brain signal data from participants using an electroencephalogram (EEG). This acquired data will be used in the analysis phase of our project to generate a model that can recognize features of hand movement, such as opening and closing your right hand. We hope to then implement this by translating the analyzed data into a physical demonstration with an Arduino uArm; and in the future be able to apply it to prosthetic devices. Through a machine learning assisted BCI, we are working to offer a more functional and practical prosthesis for individuals with limb loss that operates the limbs intuitively and naturally. Our hope is that individuals with limb loss would have greater accessibility to a prosthetic device that would allow them to be able to better engage in daily living activities and live a more comfortable life. Why Help Us? Throughout our literature review and research process, we uncovered a web of disparities that exist surrounding accessibility to prosthetic devices that can be best explained by examining the intersection between race, socioeconomic status, and healthcare as a whole. 54% of limb loss is due to vascular disease, and we know that marginalized racial identities are at greater risk for developing and sustaining adverse effects of these diseases because of socioeconomic status. For example, a statistic from Ohio State University reports that African Americans are 4x more likely to need a prosthetic due to limb loss. Furthermore, cosmetic upper-limb prosthetics are upwards of 3k, and functional myoelectric prosthetics, which are often invasive, are upwards of 30k. There is a great need for a new iteration of a prosthetic device that increases accessibility and Team BCIPRO aims to address this. When we approach lowering the price for prosthetic devices, we are considering two main sources of cost, reading and translating brain signals, and the actual mechanical prosthetic itself. In essence, decreasing the cost to replicate human motion effectively increases accessibility and restores quality of life to marginalized populations. Our project is not just about prosthetics research, it is about integrating innovative features in devices that solve systematic disparities and spark a greater conversation about medical ethics and healthcare inequity. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Public Health Beyond Borders Support and Scholarships (GT2021)
By PHBB
Help us support students' travel to conduct health education workshops in Peru, India, Sierra Leone, and locally in Langley Park, MD.
Help us support students' travel to conduct health education workshops in Peru, India, Sierra Leone, and locally in Langley Park, MD. PHBB Public Health Beyond Borders (PHBB) is a globally-minded organization of students aiming to assess and address health needs in our partnering communities in Compone, Peru; Varanasi, India; Calaba Town, Sierra Leone; and Langely Park, Maryland. Our mission is to reduce health disparities and provide awareness and education about good health practices while additionally exposing undergraduate students to opportunities for global development and leadership work through faculty-mentored international trips. Our project teams focus on creating interventions about first aid, stress management, nutrition, oral hygiene, hand washing, and much more. Members also engage in fundraisers and weekly meetings to develop interventions during the academic year. PHBB focuses on creating lasting relationships with the partnering communities through adopting sustainable interventions and culturally competent practices. In doing so, PHBB enables students of all backgrounds to interact with one another under the broader context of public health. In addition, PHBB membership includes more than 150 undergraduate students from across majors and colleges, graduate students, and faculty. This diverse collaboration provides individuals of different ages and academic levels the opportunity to interact with one another outside of the classroom setting. PHBB exemplifies the University’s commitment to service as well as its commitment to providing living and learning opportunities to students. Each trip costs approximately $10,000 for a group of UMD students to travel and implement their health education workshops in-country. Your donations to PHBB will support scholarships for student travel to conduct health education workshops in Peru, India, Sierra Leone, and locally in Langley Park, Maryland. Please see the suggested donor levels; however, donations of any amount are much appreciated. For more information about PHBB, visit the following website: https://sph.umd.edu/student-opportunities/student-organizations-honor-societies-and-honor-programs/public-health-beyond-borders Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Block and Bridle's Trip to National Convention 2022 (GT2021)
By UMD Block and Bridle
Help us attend the 2022 Block and Bridle National Convention hosted this year by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Help us attend the 2022 Block and Bridle National Convention hosted this year by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. UMD Block and Bridle Our club is looking to raise money so we can attend the 2022 Block and Bridle National Convention. This year’s convention is being hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and will take place from March 31st until April 2nd 2022. During this three day period, our members will participate in lectures from guest speakers in the agricultural industry, tour the livestock and crop production facilities of Nebraska, and network with industry professionals and other Block and Bridle members from across the country. We will learn about how to engage agriculture into our communities and develop an understanding of the current issues facing the agricultural world. Our members are extremely excited about participating in the national convention, but we are unable to pay for it on our own. Aside from the fees to attend the convention, we have to buy plane tickets to Nebraska, hotel rooms for three nights, and food for the trip. With the help of generous donors, we could experience this amazing opportunity to learn more about the agricultural industry and make connections with people who could be valuable in our future careers. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Exploring How Alcohol Affects the Brain (GT2021)
By Team DRINK
Help us address the dangers of College binge drinking.
Help us address the dangers of College binge drinking. Team DRINK THE TEAM We are a group of UMD students in the GEMSTONE program who came together in the start of 2020 in order to address a rampant problem on college campuses. As college students, we've all become familiar with binge drinking on campus. The problem is that binge drinking is extremely dangerous and can lead to all sorts of dangerous side effects including comas and death, so we're hoping that we'll be able to add to our knowledge about alcohol abuse. OUR PLAN We have two main research subteams. Our computational modeling subteam is focused on better understanding the mechanism by which alcohol interacts with the brain. They will be developing a protein model of the GABA receptor: a protein that binds alcohol leading to several of the side effects of alcohol abuse. Our public health subteam is focused on understanding the prevalence of alcohol abuse on our campus and in the lives of UMD students. They will be sending out a survey to students all over campus to gather information on students' experiences with alcohol. Together, we hope that we'll be able to contribute to strengthening our understanding of alcohol abuse from a multidisciplinary perspective. HOW WILL WE USE THE FUNDS DONATED? Our computational modeling subteam is hoping to gain enough funds to purchase a computer with higher processing power that is able to handle the difficult work they are doing in protein modeling, and our public health subteam is planning to use excess funds to support our survey research by providing an incentive for people who participate in our study. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at contact.umd.teamdrink@gmail.com A very special thank you to our mentor Dr. Silvina Matysiak! Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Maryland Equestrian Club Fundraiser (GT2021)
By MEC
Help us replace deteriorating tack, equipment, and assorted barn necessities!
Help us replace deteriorating tack, equipment, and assorted barn necessities! MEC About Us The Maryland Equestrian Club (MEC) is a student organization that strives to bring together fellow equestrians at UMD. We are responsible for the care for our beloved campus horses, and their wellbeing is of utmost priority. MEC members learn proper horsemanship, farm management, engage in a variety of service events, and have the opportunity to ride at a range of skill levels. We are passionate about this club, and want the best for our horses and members so that we can thrive alongside each other. Our Goal Behind the scenes, there are a number of working parts and essential supplies required to keep this club functioning smoothly. After years of training and use, we are in dire need of funds to replace deteriorating tack, equipment, and assorted barn necessities. This would make activities safer and more enjoyable for both the horses and club members, which is crucial to providing a one of a kind experience here with MEC. Community Impact By funding our cause, you would be supporting the education and safety of our riding program here at MEC. This would encourage students to engage more with the farm here at UMD, provide safe animal experiences for those who need it to apply to veterinary schools, increase the overall comfort of our horses, and much more! Your donation would be valued greatly by the equestrian community here at Maryland, since every bit would contribute to creating an amazing learning environment for our students and horses. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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SHPE Lounge Funding (GT2021)
By SHPE
Help us improve our lounge so we can continue to make it an inclusive and safe space for all new and existing members.
Help us improve our lounge so we can continue to make it an inclusive and safe space for all new and existing members. SHPE The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at UMD is an organization that promotes the Hispanic community of College Park in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We are part of a national organization and this allows us to grow and maintain connections to companies and recruiters who promise to support our chapter and provide our members with career or professional opportunities. Every year, we also send several of our members to the SHPE National Convention in the Fall, where they are able to attend educational workshops, career fairs, and expos. SHPE UMD at National Convention 2019 Our mission is to enable our college students to find careers in STEM, provide professional development for our members, expand our members networks while providing a sense of inclusion, improve our neighborhoods through community service, promote STEM awareness among the youth in the community, and encourage middle and high school students to pursue degrees in STEM. Giving Back to the Community! The funds that we raise will be used to help improve the SHPE Lounge, located in EGR0142 Glenn Martin Hall, which has remained untouched over the years. We hope to replace aging furniture while also improving on the appearance of the lounge for our community. We also want to continue to make this be an inclusive and safe space for all new and existing members. By updating the look of our lounge we may continue to provide a space where members can continue to use for studying or for weekly executive board meetings. Any leftover funds will be used for events that we host on campus being social or corporate events where food and materials are needed. Find out more about SHPE UMD by checking out our linktree: linktr.ee/shpeumd Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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Using NanoTech to Treat Brain Cancer (GT2021)
By Team NANO
Help us develop and innovate drug delivery systems that are currently being used to treat GBM!
Help us develop and innovate drug delivery systems that are currently being used to treat GBM! Team NANO Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive cancer that can form within the brain or spinal cord. The challenges of treating GBM are caused by the blood brain barrier only allowing drugs with certain physical properties to pass. This problem with diffusion causes researchers to have to add in a drug delivery system when it comes to treating GBM. This study is focused on developing and innovating drug delivery systems that are currently being used to treat this malignant tumor. Using data from Gliadel wafers, a very popular and newly introduced drug delivery system, we have developed an idea for a new drug delivery system that involves using hydrogels. Since these hydrogels are more biocompatible, they will allow for less significant side effects compared to Gliadel wafers. We intend to place the chemotherapeutic drugs within the hydrogel to allow the drug to easily cross the blood brain barrier without the drug having to follow specific physical properties. Specifically, we will be using polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymers to encapsulate the chemotherapeutic drug, Carmustine. The 3D hydrogel network will be able to absorb large quantities of water without dissolving. The hydrogel we will use will be composed of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and chitosan. Post surgical resection of the glioblastoma tumor, the hydrogel will be implanted into the resulting cavity. The biodegradable polymers will slowly degrade, while releasing the Carmustine loaded lipoproteins into the remaining tumor cells that could not be surgically extracted. The lipoprotein consists of a phospholipid monolayer outer shell and a hydrophobic core to transport hydrophobic molecules through the aqueous environment of the hydrogel and the surgical cavity. As a team we hope to design a hydrogel to be implanted after surgical resection of GBM that will deliver chemotherapeutics over a prolonged period of time to reduce possibility of recurrence. We will be preparing PVP/chitosan hydrogels with ionizing radiation using an electron beam as the source of high energy irradiation. Hydrogel synthesis through ionizing radiation is an electron-driven process where electrons transfer energy to water molecules leading to many excitation reactions in which hydroxide ions are produced in the solution. During the radiolysis of water, nitrous oxide is bubbled through the solution to double the yield of OH radicals by splitting the aqueous electrons. Next, we will be using modeling to predict the release of drugs via the drug delivery system in the GBM tumor environment, helping to save money, time, and resources by cutting down on the need for physical experiments. Finally, we will put the hydrogel in GBM cell culture to demonstrate anti cancer efficiency. Repetition of the in vitro cell experiments will also allow for artificial neural network modeling of the parameters used in polymer design and its effects on polymer degradation and drug release kinetics. Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
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