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University of Maryland

Colwell Travel Fellowship

The Rita Colwell Travel Fellowship is made possible by a generous donation from Distinguished University Professor Rita Colwell with the intention to help eligible students attend scientific meetings relevant to their field of study. The funds are available on a competitive basis (see application process below) and applications are reviewed through out the year. Successful applicants will be reimbursed retroactively.

aerial view of wildfire

Heng Huang Leading Cross-Institutional Effort to Advance AI-Powered Wildfire Forecasting

The NSF-funded project leverages AI and diverse environmental data to better predict and manage wildfires.

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Portrait of Can Firtina

Can Firtina

Assistant Professor
Computational Biology
diverse pathogenic Vibrio species in red, blue, yellow, and green

Tracking Climate-Linked Pathogens Through DNA Science

UMIACS Postdoc Kyle Brumfield is using DNA sequencing and other technologies to study how environmental factors like climate can impact waterborne pathogens.

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An image of the Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering with text over it saying "WABI Conference on Algorithms in Bioinformatics, Aug 20-22, 2025."

UMD to Host International Conference on Bioinformatics Research

The event will focus on discrete algorithms and machine learning tools that can address important challenges in molecular biology.

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Erin Molloy and a student stand in front of a white board with equations and technical terms written on it.

Molloy Receives NSF CAREER Award to Advance Evolutionary Biology with Novel Computational Tools

The award supports the development of advanced computational methods to uncover deeper insights into species’ evolutionary relationships.

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aerial view of the Chesapeake Bay

UMIACS Researchers Track the Rise of Deadly Bacteria in Maryland’s Coastal Areas

Kyle Brumfield and Rita Colwell are developing a forecasting system that can predict the risk of coming into contact with Vibrio bacteria.

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Algorithms and Data Structures for Analyzing Genomic Data

We’re active in the development of computational algorithms for analyzing biological data generated through high-throughput experimental techniques, such as sequencing technologies. Our experts are also active in the design of algorithms and data structures for processing, organizing, indexing and querying high-throughput genomics data.

Gut Health and Nutrition

We’re exploring how research and scholarship in the microbiome sciences can result in an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and the environment. This includes the use of innovative tools to measure microbial functions and improving health outcomes through microbiome modulation.

Remote Sensing to Track Disease Outbreaks

Our experts pioneered the use of bioinformatics combined with satellite imaging and other remote sensing devices to predict and monitor waterborne diseases like cholera.

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