Grand Challenges Events
2025
January 8-9, 2025
Climate Resilience Network
Science Serving Communities: Community Workshop Advancing Climate Resilience in Maryland
Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, University of Maryland, 7801 Alumni Drive, College Park, MD 20742
A forum for regional stakeholders and University of Maryland researchers to work collaboratively to mitigate climate and weather related community impacts, vulnerabilities, risks and build sustainable futures. More information on how to register at: https://climate.umd.edu/scientists-serving-communities/
February 4, 2025
Microbiome Social
4:00 pm, ESJ 2204
To kick off our spring activities, the Microbiome initiative is hosting a social gathering where microsocial spring seminars will take place. Snacks will be provided. Hope you can attend and meet other microbiome enthusiasts.
February 7-8, 2025
Human Rights Politics and Policies: Lessons from Latin America
Taliaferro Hall, 2100
Professor of history and Director of the Center for Historical Studies Karin Rosemblatt presents two conferences examining Latin America's rich human rights history and highlighting intersections with movements for the defense of natural environments, democratic norms, racial and ethnic equity, and economic justice. The project also includes three articles and an edited volume that provides a definitive history of human rights in Latin America and corrects overly broad criticisms of human rights movements made by scholars who work on the United States and Europe.
February 18, 2025
Microbiome Invited Speaker Series
4:00–5:00 p.m. Location: ESJ 2204
Speaker: Suzanne E. Dorsey, Deputy Secretary at the Maryland Department of the Environment
Suzanne Dorsey will share her experience of over 30 years working towards conservation as a scientist and within a governmental agency. Dorsey will reflect back on how regulators might receive ideas that are generated by scientists. She is looking forward to having an open discussion with the audience. Zoom Link
MILE Literacy Research Symposium
The symposium will showcase interdisciplinary and translational language and literacy research done by students and faculty at UMD and Morgan State University. Lunch will be served. Attendees will enjoy a student poster session, a keynote from Dr. Rebecca Silverman of Stanford University, and lightning presentations from faculty finalists for the first-ever MILE Innovation Seed Grant.
Learn more and register at: https://www.mile.umd.edu/literacy-research-symposium-2025
February 27-28, 2025
ATLAS Annual Conference
H.J. Patterson Hall, Rooms 2124 and 2130
University of Maryland, College Park Campus
ATLAS invites proposals for panel presentations, roundtable sessions, and a poster session.
Learn more here
March 4, 2025
MicroSocial Seminar Series
4:00 pm, ESJ 2204
Speaker: Darby Steinman, Ph.D. student, Bioengineering
Speaker: Taiwo Bankole, Ph.D. student, Nutrition and Food Science
The MicroSocial Seminar Series aims to facilitate scientific exchange and community building across the University of Maryland's microbiome research community. Seminars feature short talks by students and faculty, followed by 30 minutes of informal socializing over coffee and snacks.
Urban Equity Collaborative
Virtual Workshop: Defending Land, Defending Sovereignty: Black Yield’s Work of Suturing the Relationships Between the Land and the People, featuring Eric Jackson of Black Yield Institute, 12:00-1:00 pm
March 13, 2025
Maryland Initiative for Digital Accessibility (MIDA)
The New ADA Title II Regulation on Accessible Digital Technologies: What it Means for Your School
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST / 9:00 am - 10:00 am PST
Presenter: Eve Hill, JD. Partner, Brown, Goldstein & Levy LLP
Zoom Registration Required: Zoom Registration Link
March 28 and April 11, 2025
Pandemic Readiness Initiative
Book Discussion: Asymptomatic by Joshua Weitz
3:30-5:00 pm, School of Public Policy, Conference Room #2202. Learn about a data-based argument that can help us process what happened during COVID and think critically about and prepare for future pandemics.
March 21, 2025
Microbiome Symposium: Innovation and Translation in Microbiome Research
The Microbiome Sciences initiative is holding its second annual one-day Symposium and Mid-Atlantic Microbiome Meet-up at the University of Maryland, Baltimore on 'Innovation and Translation in Microbiome Research.' Discover the latest advancements in microbiome research & innovation. Connect with leading experts, share your research, & explore new collaborations. Faculty, staff, students are invited to register and submit abstracts and register.
Submit your abstract by Friday, February 14, 2025
Register by Saturday, March 1, 2025
Learn more at Innovation and Translation in Microbiome Research | M3: Mid-Atlantic Microbiome Meet-up.
Please contact Gabi Steinbach for more information.
April 2, 2025
Maryland Initiative for Digital Accessibility (MIDA)
Accessibility in Industry: MIDA Panel
Zoom Event, 4:30-6 PM
Registration is required: https://go.umd.edu/midatech
Accessibility ensures everyone can effectively use digital tools, games, platforms, and resources, regardless of their abilities or circumstances. Hear from industry leaders at Microsoft, AccessForge, and Level Access as they share insights on driving accessibility innovation in the digital world. Join the Maryland Initiative for Digital Accessibility as we explore this important topic and learn ways you can contribute to making technology more usable for everyone.
April 10, 2025
Urban Equity Collaborative
The Intersectionality of Life: How Social Justice is Environmental Justice
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
In person at Preinkert Hall Suite 1221, 7840 Preinkert Drive College Park, MD 20740 and Virtually on Zoom
Join the UEC to hear from Robin Lewis, the Director for Climate Equity at Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA). Robin will explore the intersectionality of social and environmental justice, dissect the policies and legislations at the root of climate injustices, and highlight Interfaith Power and Light’s work building grassroots coalitions to pursue climate equity in the DMV. Register here.
April 11, 2025
Maryland Democracy Initiative
Truth Under Siege: Building Information Resilience (One-Day Conference)
Knight Hall, University of Maryland, College Park 7765 Alumni Drive, College Park, MD 20742
What is the future of American democracy when seeing isn't believing? In an era of disinformation, it becomes increasingly difficult for citizens to tell fact from fiction. Join University of Maryland scholars, students and working journalists for a one-day conference to explore research into the ever-critical work of information resilience.
April 15, 2025
MicroSocial Seminar Series, 4:00 p.m, ESJ 2204
This series aims to facilitate scientific exchange and community building across the University of Maryland's microbiome research community. Seminars feature short talks by students and faculty, followed by 30 minutes of informal socializing over coffee and snacks.
Speaker: Qingyue Zeng, Ph.D. student, Food Science
Talk: "Microbial Dynamic in Food Waste Compost"
Speaker: Dhiraj Chundru, Ph.D. student, Veterinary Medicine
Talk: "Optimizing Metagenomic Approaches for Enhanced Food Safety in Poultry Production Environment"
April 22-24, 2025
Including Disability Global Summit
The digital landscape presents opportunities for innovation and collaboration in advancing disability rights. Online only. Free and open to all.
Learn more at: https://including-disability.org/
April 23, 2025
Urban Equity Collaborative
Grassroots Power: Mobilizing Communities for Environmental Justice
12:00 - 2:00 PM
As environmental degradation and social inequalities continue to intersect, the need for community-driven solutions has never been more pressing. This session will explore how local communities can harness their collective power to advocate for sustainable practices, combat pollution, and influence policy change. Register here.
April 23-24, 2025
Global FEWture Alliance
Global FEWture Alliance Symposium
Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
For more information, visit: https://globalfewture.umd.edu/events/annual-symposium
April 29, 2025
Microbiome Sciences Initiative: Invited Speaker Series
Speaker: Jotham Suez, Feinstone Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Talk: "Personalized Nutrition and the Microbiome"
4–5 p.m. Location: ESJ 2204
Can gut bacteria decode your ideal diet? Surprisingly, identical meals can trigger vastly different post-prandial fluctuations in blood glucose among various individuals. While probiotic supplements may offer health benefits to certain individuals, they remain ineffective for others. Similarly, the impact of artificial sweeteners on metabolic health is heavily contested, with some studies revealing harm and others indicating advantages. The intricate and divergent effects of dietary elements on human health pose a challenge in crafting overarching dietary guidelines for the public. Person-to-person variability in the makeup of the intestinal microbiome may underlie the discrepancies in human responses to diet. In this talk, we will discuss the potential and limitations of harnessing the microbiome to tailor personalized nutritional advice and explore the mechanisms through which the microbiome contributes to heterogeneity in responses to diet.
May 1, 2025
AI + Learning Symposium 2025
Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, UMD Campus
Join the University of Maryland College of Education and the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM) for a one-day symposium exploring how AI research and innovations can help enhance educational experiences for all learners.
May 2, 2025
Title II: Are You Ready? Preparing for the New Rule on Accessibility of Electronic Information and Web Content
Co-sponsored by the Maryland Initiative for Digital Accessibility (MIDA)
8:30AM-4PM, Anacostia Building, College Park, MD
We are one year out from the compliance deadline for the new rule on the accessibility of web content and mobile apps for all public institutions. Join us for a dynamic lineup, including a powerful keynote by Eve Hill, J.D., Partner at Brown Goldstein & Levy and Inclusivity Strategic Consulting and our opening plenary by Judy Risch, J.D., Ph.D., Title IX & Equity Access Services Special Advisor, Grand River Solutions each bringing over two decades of experience in civil rights and digital accessibility.
May 8, 2025
Racial and Social Justice Collaboration Bright Spots Community Forum
4:30-6:30 pm, Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center
Featuring Katara West, Senior Equity Specialist, AACPS, and Miesha Walker, Senior Equity Specialist, AACPS
Register here.
May 13, 2025
MicroSocial Seminar Series aims to facilitate scientific exchange and community building across UMD's microbiome research community. Seminars feature short talks by students and faculty, followed by 30 minutes of informal socializing over coffee and snacks.
4:00 p.m. Location: ESJ 2204
Speaker: Yuzhu Mao, Ph.D. student, Environmental Engineering
Talk: "Flushed with Data: Tracking COVID-19 to Candida Auris in Community Sewage" Speaker: Aishwarya Pradeep Rao, Ph.D. student, Food Science
May 19, 2025
Urban Equity Collaborative
Community Fellows Final Presentations and Celebration
12:00pm EST, Virtual Zoom Event
Please join the Urban Equity Collaborative on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 12:00pm EST for the Community Fellows Final Presentations and Celebration. The UEC focus of the 2025 Community Fellows Program is on the climate crisis and the dispossession and displacement that occurs in marginalized communities as a result. The three fellows engaged in interdisciplinary dialogues, workshops, and research to address the multiple and compounding forms of dispossession and displacement impacting their communities. For this event, the three fellows will present on their time with the UEC and answer questions. Register here.
January 5, 2024
Addressing Climate Challenges for a Sustainable Earth
Science Serving Communities: Advancing Climate Resilience in Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
January 16, 2024
Microbiome Sciences
Symposium on Microbiome Research at the Interface of Environment, Health, and Agriculture
Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
January 19, 2024
Global FEWture Alliance
Inaugural Global FEWture Alliance Annual Symposium
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
February 27, 2024
ATLAS Day Conference
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
March 12, 2024
Urban Equity Collaborative
Studying Gentrification on One Block in DC: The Many Problems of Following People Around
Tuesday, March 12th @ 2:00 pm, Hybrid Workshop (In-Person / Zoom)
Preinkert Hall, Suite 1221, 7840 Preinkert Drive College Park, MD 20740
The University of Maryland’s Humanities Initiative is hosting a lecture with Dr. Johanna Bockman, Associate Professor of Global Affairs at George Mason University. Dr. Bockman’s lecture explores her research on multiple globalizations and gentrification in Washington, DC. This event is co-sponsored by the UEC. Register
March 26, 2024
Urban Equity Collaborative
Building Narrative Power for Racial and Social Justice
12:00 pm, Hybrid Workshop (In-Person / Zoom)
Preinkert Hall, Suite 1221, 7840 Preinkert Drive College Park, MD 20740
Dr. Richard Hofrichter, former Senior Director for Health Equity at NACCHO, explores the relevance of building narrative power to advance health equity and social justice by transforming culture, with examples from public health and urban planning. This talk will explain how narratives work and shape collective consciousness, focusing on four intersecting harmful dominant narratives, (white supremacy, the free market and capitalist ideology, anti-democratic rhetoric and practice, and individualism). Register
March 29, 2024
Pandemic Readiness Initiative
Webinar: Lab and Field Experiments for Communicating Viral Exposure Risk
3:00 PM (Zoom)
Alyssa (Allie) Sinclair is the Joan Bossert Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, where she is jointly affiliated with the Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media and the Communication Neuroscience Lab within the Annenberg School for Communication.
For information on how to participate in the webinar, contact Cynthia Baur at cbaur@umd.edu.
April 29, 2024
ATLAS Monthly Speaker Series: Free African Language Resources
Connie DiJohnson and Bryan Anderson, both from the NFLC (ARHU), are our featured speakers.
Learn about the NFLC-UMD's free resources for African language learning and maintenance with Connie DiJohnson and Bryan Anderson. The NFLC-UMD's portal has over 1,000 language learning materials and self-assessments in African languages. Join us for a tour of the portal and share your language learning needs.
Attendees must register to receive a Zoom link.
May 9, 2024
Urban Equity Collaborative
Workshop: Building Interdisciplinary Research Teams
2:15 pm, Zoom or In-Person at Preinkert Hall, Suite 1221, 7840 Preinkert Dr, College Park, MD
The Urban Equity Collaborative is hosting a hybrid workshop titled Building Interdisciplinary Research Teams with Kate Clancy, Ph.D.
Register Here
May 22, 2024
Urban Equity Collaborative
Community Fellows Final Presentation and Celebration
3:00pm
The inaugural cohort of the UEC Community Fellows Program — Ms. Jourgette Reid-Sillah of ONEDC, Jenn Tran of Viet Place Collective, and Reverend Roosevelt Toussaint of The Haitian Development Center — will present on their projects with the UEC and answer questions.
Register Here
June 13, 2024
Evaluating Climate-Ready Urban Street Trees In Historically Redlined Neighborhoods
Baltimore Ecosystem Study Symposium on Urban Heat
1:00-4:00 pm
5200 Westland Blvd., Arbutus, Maryland
September 4, 2024
Global FEWture Alliance
International Seminar Series, 9:00-10:00 am EST
Metagenomics and Sampling Methods to Establish the Fitness of Environmental Resources
Speaker: Dr. Ryan Blaustein, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland
September 21, 2024
Maryland Initiative for Literacy and Equity (MILE)
Family Literacy Day, Morgan State University's Banneker Hall
MILE is proud to introduce Family Literacy Day, co-sponsored by the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED). MILE and NCEED will offer a program focused on ways parents and caregivers can capitalize on their home literacy practices to strengthen school-based literacies. Family Literacy Day will teach parents how to advocate for their children, especially when regarding unexpected outcomes or when their home literacy efforts are undervalued.
October 2, 2024
International Webinar Series: Upcycled Food Opportunities and Consumer Acceptance
Speaker: Jonathan Deutsch, Ph.D., CHE, CRC, Professor and Vice Chair of Health Sciences, Drexel University
9:00-10:00AM EST
October 7, 2024
ATLAS Monthly Speaker Series:
Global Research Resilience: Navigating Social Unrest - Insights from Africa, 11am - 12pm
A panel of risk and security experts from the U.S. Department of State and faculty from UMD share perspectives, experiences, and recommendations for navigating challenges and opportunities inherent in conducting academic research and field work in international environments, particularly within the context of Africa.
Register here
October 8, 2024
Pandemic Readiness Initiative | Health Literacy in Action
Join us in exploring innovative approaches for improving health literacy! Learn more about how to integrate health literacy into your work. Leaders in the health literacy field bring you a day of learning and participation. This conference will be held virtually. Register here.
October 10, 2024
Living Democracy Symposium
A day of learning, engagement, and dialogue. This event is organized by UMD Libraries, with support from the Maryland Democracy Initiative (MDI) and will feature MDI’s Sarah Oates, who will be speaking about the First Amendment and "the Fourth Estate."
October 10, 2024
Faculty Forum on Digital Accessibility
Virtual Event via Zoom, 12:00-1:00 pm
The Faculty Forum on Digital Accessibility offers a valuable opportunity to stay updated on the latest ADA regulations and explore best practices for digital accessibility. Join us to gain actionable insights and resources for digital accessibility in both teaching and research and contribute to creating a more inclusive digital experience for all.
October 15, 2024
MicroSocial Seminar Series
"Multimodal Inference of Virus-microbe Infection Networks and Microbial Interactions from Population Dynamics," Speaker: Raunak Dey, Ph.D student, Physics
"A Comparison of Daidzein-Metabolizing Phenotypes and its Relationship to Cardiovascular Disease Risk," Speaker: Holly Childs, Ph.D student, Nutrition & Food Science
This monthly series takes place on Tuesdays from 4:00–5:00 p.m. Location: ESJ 1224
The MicroSocial Seminar Series aims to facilitate scientific exchange and community building across UMD's microbiome research community. Seminars will feature short talks by students and faculty, followed by 30 minutes of informal socializing over coffee and snacks.
October 29, 2024
Preventing Climate Displacement With Community Resilience Hubs with Dennis Chestnut and Justin Lini from the Ward 7 Resilience Hub Community Coalition, 12:00-2:00 pm
This session will explain what Resilience Hubs are, where DC’s program came from, and how they can prevent climate displacement by investing in community-serving organizations to create platforms for resilience and recovery. Location: Preinkert Hall, Suite 1221, 7840 Preinkert Drive College Park, MD 20740, and virtually on Zoom. Light refreshments will be provided for all in-person participants! Register Here
November 8, 2024
Pandemic Readiness Initiative Public Research Seminar
11:15 AM to 12:45 PM, Friedgen Lounge (Room 2236), School of Public Health
Learn more about COVID-19 and other public health crises from a team of UMD researchers. This research seminar is an in-person event and will be held in the Friedgen Lounge on November 8th from 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM. Please RSVP here. Contact Dr. Cynthia Baur (cbaur@umd.edu) for any questions. Hope to see you there!
November 12, 2024
MicroSocial Seminar Series
4:00 p.m., Location: ESJ 1224
Talk: "Electrochemical Detection of Gastrointestinal Serotonin Toward Understanding the Gut Brain Axis," Sydney Overton, Ph.D. student, electrical engineering
Talk: "Exploration of the Upper Respiratory Tract Microbiome and Probiotic Interventions In Chickens," Madhusudan Timilsina, Ph.D. student, veterinary medicine
November 13, 2024
Urban Equity Collaborative Workshop: Internal Climate Migration in the United States
Kelly Leilani Main, Executive Director and Founder of Buy-In Community Planning, a national 501c3 organization providing equitable and accessible voluntary relocation services for communities on the front lines of irreversible climate impacts. This workshop will take place virtually from 12:00-2:00pm. Register here.
November 14, 2024
ATLAS Monthly Speaker Series:
Language, Power, and Identity: Black Languages as Tools of Liberation and Expression, 11am-12pm
This panel explores the dynamic relationship between language, power, and identity within Black diasporic communities, focusing on Black languages as powerful tools of liberation and cultural expression.
Register here
November 20, 2024
Climate Resilience Network
Department of Geographical Sciences High School Hub: GIS Day
High school students are invited to join the Geography department to enjoy a variety of activities in commemoration of Geographical Information Systems Day.
Click here for more details.
November 20 - 22, 2024
National Student Vote Summit
The Maryland Democracy Initiative (MDI) is once again co-sponsoring and co-hosting this event with partners Terps Vote and the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition. Hundreds of students, faculty, campus staff, administrators, and non-profit leaders are expected to attend from across the country. The summit aims to build connections within the nonpartisan student democratic engagement space, share valuable lessons learned, provide comprehensive training and resources, and ignite a shared momentum toward our collective goals for 2025.
November 26, 2024
Microbiome Sciences Invited Speaker Series: "BLAST to the Future: A Story of Sequences in Biology"
Speaker: David J. Lipman, senior science advisor for bioinformatics and genomics at the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 4:00–5:00 p.m., Location: ESJ 1224 — Zoom Link
Abstract: Questions about DNA and amino acid sequence data have evolved alongside advances in biological knowledge and sequencing technology. This presentation traces the historical trajectory of molecular sequencing, from foundational protein sequencing methods to modern high-throughput DNA sequencing, highlighting how each era has demanded specialized tools and resources and led to novel biological insights.
December 10, 2024
MicroSocial Seminar Series
4:00 p.m., Location: BRB 1103
Speaker #1: Robert Kirian, Ph.D. student, Bioengineering
Speaker #2: Lora Cheng, Ph.D. student, Civil and Environmental Engineering
September 18, 2023
Maryland Democracy Initiative
Constitution Day Dialogue: Affirming Our Commitment to Diversity and Democracy
University of Maryland, College Park
September 20, 2023
Maryland Initiative for Literacy & Equity (MILE)
Launch Event
University of Maryland, College Park
September 25, 2023
Maryland Initiative for Literacy & Equity (MILE)
Launch Event
Morgan State University
October 3, 2023
Urban Equity Collaborative
Urban Equity Collaborative Open House
3 - 4pm, Suite 1221, Preinkert Hall, 7840 Preinkert Drive, College Park
October 11, 2023
Racial and Social Justice Research-Practice Partnership Collaborative
Research-Practice Partnership Launch
4:30-6:30 pm, University of Maryland Marriott, Room 0105
October 25, 2023
Maryland Initiative for Literacy & Equity (MILE)
Lunch & Learn Webinar: The Science of Reading
Information & Registration Here
12:00-1:00 pm
November 8, 2023
Maryland Initiative for Literacy & Equity (MILE)
Lunch & Learn Webinar: How Speech Language Pathologists Identify Dyslexia
Information & Registration Here
12:00-1:00 pm
November 15, 2023
Maryland Initiative for Literacy & Equity (MILE)
Lunch & Learn Webinar: Introduction to the Blueprint to Maryland's Future
Information & Registration Here
12:00-1:00 pm