Nehal Naqvi is a senior Political Science, and Applied Statistics major. He is a member of the Honors College and a Sondheim Scholar.
Title of your research project: Interdisciplinary educational training to improve students’ audio deepfake discernment
Describe your project: We evaluated whether a deepfake audio training created by sociolinguists at UMBC would be effective in improving students’ discernment of audio deepfake files.
Who is your mentor(s) for your project?
Dr. Christine Mallinson (LLC), Dr. Vandana Janeja (IS), Dr. Elizabeth Stanwyck (Math/Stat). I found my mentors (Dr. Mallinson and Dr. Janeja) through the Data Science Scholars program at UMBC, which is an interdisciplinary program that allows students to apply their technical skills towards faculty research projects. Currently, my research has transitioned from the Data Science scholars’ program to UMBC CISAAD (Community Infrastructure to Strengthen AI for Audio Deepfake analysis) where students and faculty are working to tackle deepfake recognition through various academic disciplines (AI, linguistics, educational training).
Dr. Stanwyck was my faculty advisor for statistics and was my instructor for STAT 454 Applied Statistics. As I applied paired hypothesis testing method which were covered in Applied Statistics, I often would go back to Dr. Stanwyck to make sure I was fulfilling the assumptions for each method.
How did you become interested in this project?
I became interested in this project because of the impact of deepfakes in politics, especially within U.S. elections. I saw this research experience as an opportunity to apply my skills in statistics in an interdisciplinary context. I think researchers should be open to applying their skills in unfamiliar disciplines, as it can expose oneself to new perspectives and methodologies.
What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher?
The hardest part of my research was explaining the statistical methodology to my PIs, as well as PhD and graduate students on team who came from a linguistics or AI background. I found it to be really important to explain the methods that one plans to use in an approachable and simple manner, so that individuals outside of the discipline can understand why the problem is being approached in a certain way.
Emmanuella Osei is pursuing a dual degree in Public Health and Sociology.
She is a member of the Honors College, a Sondheim Scholar, a McNair Scholar, and a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar.
Title of your research project: Food Insecurity among College Students at a Minority Serving Institution
Who is your mentor(s) for your project?
I began this project in the fall of 2023 through the McNair Scholars Program and chose Dr. Sameera Nayak from the Public Health department as my mentor. I selected her because I knew she would be exceptionally helpful in guiding me through the research process. Additionally, she has expertise in researching topics related to the social determinants of health. Dr. Nayak has been incredibly supportive and continues to provide invaluable assistance.
How did you become interested in this project?During the summer after my first year at UMBC, I interned at a nonprofit in my local community named Columbia Community Care. My work included managing the food pantry and deepening my understanding of food insecurity in Howard County. When I returned to school for my sophomore year, I was interested in exploring this issue on my college campus and generating data that could be used to address it.
What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher?
There have been challenges at every stage of my research journey, which is completely normal. As I’m currently in the data analysis phase, some of the difficulties I’ve faced include learning to use programming software that I wasn’t previously familiar with. I also didn’t anticipate how time-consuming the research process can be.
What has been the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part has been connecting with others who share similar research interests and meeting individuals who have provided valuable insights for my study. I am also very grateful for the perspectives students shared in my survey and the solutions they proposed.
How will you disseminate your research?
I plan to present my results to the UMBC administration, the Retriever Essentials staff, the broader UMBC community at URCAD, and at future conferences outside of UMBC.
What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
Talk to your professors whose research interests you and ask if they have opportunities for you to join their lab. You can also design your own research project, like I did, and find a professor who can support you through it. Lastly, I recommend applying for and participating in summer research opportunities outside of UMBC to broaden your network!
Sondheim Alum Sayre Posey, Class of 2016, Named Teacher of The Year in Utah
Sayre Posey ’16, was recently named Utah Teacher of the Year! Sayre is a Sondheim Scholars Program alumna who majored in History and earned certificates in Education and from the Honors College. Sayre taught in Baltimore City Public Schools for 3 years, and she currently teaches eighth grade history at Salt Lake City’s Northwest Middle School.
Stefanie Mavronis ’12, political science and media and communications studies
Sondheim alumna, Stefanie Mavronis was honored at the UMBC Alumni Association’s Awards Ceremony and Reception with the 2022 Rising Star Award. This award recognizes outstanding early career achievements. Her acceptance of the award can be viewed here. The Baltimore native, Sondheim Scholar and UMBC grad outlines her trajectory and growth that began at UMBC and has placed her in a key role on Baltimore mayor, Brandon Scott’s communications team: https://magazine.umbc.edu/baltimore-together/. Stefanie currently serves as Chief of Staff of the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.
Farah Helal ’24, global studies and political science
Current Sondheim Scholar, Farah Helal, was featured in the UMBC news in April 2022 for being named as USM Student Regent. She will serve a two-year term and will represent the USM student voice to issues that impact the University of Maryland’s twelve institutions. Read Farah’s story that led to their appointment by Gov. Larry Hogan to this leadership position.
Katie Poteet ’21, global studies and political science
The UMBC Valedictorian and Sondheim Scholar was featured in the UMBC News in May 2021, following her graduation and prior to her trip to England. Read Katie’s journey from Harford County, to UMBC to Cambridge University.
Kelsey Krach ’14, anthropology
The April 27, 2021 UMBC Magazine included a feature and interview with Sondheim alumna Kelsey Krach and Delali Dzirasa ‘04, computer engineering. Check out the story and video where they discuss their work at Fearless, a digital services software company built on the ideas of community partnerships and service and the inspiration that began during their time at UMBC.
Asif Majid ’13, interdisciplinary studies
An article, Pursuing Art and Peace Through Theatre of Ideas, on Asif appears in the November 5, 2020 issue of UMBC Magazine. To learn more about how a fellow Sondheim navigates the challenges of COVID-19 and explores new ways to serve, click here: https://magazine.umbc.edu/asif/.
Susan Keen ’10, anthropology and political science
Susan Keen, and fellow Sondheim Theresa Bruce, ‘09 political science and social work are featured in UMBC Magazine’s January 25, 2021 video series “Retriever Educators are Everywhere”. To learn more about these educators, including video clips and accomplishments after graduation, visit: https://magazine.umbc.edu/retriever-educators-are-everywhere/
Theresa Bruce ’09, political science and social work
Read about Theresa’s journey from Sondheim Scholar to runner up for 2020 Baltimore City Teacher of the Year in the December 7th issue of UMBC Magazine: https://magazine.umbc.edu/theresa-bruce/ . Theresa was also recognized as a UMBC Outstanding Alumni on October 20 at the 2021 Alumni Awards Ceremony and Reception.
Kristina Gaddy ’09 history and modern languages & linguistics
Kristina has given back to the program as a guest speaker in the Sondheim Scholars’ writing course a couple years ago. Her book, Flowers in the Gutter: The True Story of the Edelweiss Pirates, Teenagers Who Resisted the Nazis was published earlier this year. To read more about Kristina, check out her story in the March 2020 issue of UMBC Magazine.
Aaron Merki ’05, political science
Aaron co-founded the nonprofit organization, Free State Legal after graduation and helped win coverage of transition-related care for transgender state employees under their state health plans. Aaron works as managing director of programs and grants at The Weinberg Foundation. Learn more about Aaron’s journey and how meeting Walter Sondheim remains an inspiration to today’s work: https://magazine.umbc.edu/access-for-all/