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Can Earthly Microbes Survive on the Moon? Scientists Say Yes (in the Shade)

Can Earthly Microbes Survive on the Moon? Scientists Say Yes (in the Shade)

Microbes likely to hitch a ride to space with human explorers could survive in shady spots in the moon’s south pole region, say researchers from NASA and the University of Maryland. 

UMD Physicist Joins National Effort to Develop Diagnostics Tools for the World’s Most Powerful Lasers

UMD Physicist Joins National Effort to Develop Diagnostics Tools for the World’s Most Powerful Lasers

As part of a new $4.5 million initiative, Wendell T. Hill III will help develop instrumentation and measurement procedures to measure a laser's peak intensity and focal spot quality at full power, on every shot.

Advancing Nuclear Safety, From UMD’s Reactor to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Advancing Nuclear Safety, From UMD’s Reactor to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Junior physics major Mary Keen’s summer internship at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is a stepping stone toward a career in nuclear energy.

Challenging Social Injustice with Medicine and Law

Challenging Social Injustice with Medicine and Law

UMD senior chemistry major Mallory Striplin hopes to treat patients facing medical inequities while advocating for them through law and policy. 

Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Chair Sumant Nigam Named Distinguished University Professor

Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Chair Sumant Nigam Named Distinguished University Professor

Nigam, a leading scholar in climate dynamics, earned the highest academic honor bestowed by the University of Maryland.

Scientists Discover a Brain Cycle That May Explain Why Learning Eventually Stalls

Scientists Discover a Brain Cycle That May Explain Why Learning Eventually Stalls

UMD scientists found that a matrix surrounding brain cells loosens and rebuilds during learning—and gradually stops recurring once a skill is learned, offering new clues to why progress can grind to a halt.

Rare Supernova Observation Reveals New Ways That Stars Can Die

Rare Supernova Observation Reveals New Ways That Stars Can Die

UMD astronomers glimpsed a massive star’s death from the first explosive moment, reporting their findings in a new study. 

Chasing Neutrinos at the ‘End of the World’

Chasing Neutrinos at the ‘End of the World’

Working on a giant subatomic particle detector at the South Pole helped UMD physics Ph.D. student Rachel Procter-Murphy discover a new side of herself.

Quantum World Congress Announces the University of Maryland as 2026 Lead Academic Partner

Quantum World Congress Announces the University of Maryland as 2026 Lead Academic Partner

The partnership reflects both UMD’s longstanding leadership in quantum science and technology and Quantum World Congress’ move into the heart of Maryland’s rapidly expanding quantum ecosystem. 

Researchers Explore How Quantum Computers—and Their Errors—May Enhance AI

Researchers Explore How Quantum Computers—and Their Errors—May Enhance AI

Joint Quantum Institute Fellows Alaina Green, Norbert Linke, Victor Galitski and their colleagues recently reported on new experiments exploring how quantum computing influences—and might improve—machine learning. 

New Tool Reveals Hidden Security Risks in AI Systems

New Tool Reveals Hidden Security Risks in AI Systems

A new study found that critical security vulnerabilities often lie not within AI models themselves, but in the complex software infrastructure that serves them to millions of users. 

Scientists Use Moonquakes to Locate Lunar Ice

Scientists Use Moonquakes to Locate Lunar Ice

By studying how seismic waves travel through frozen soil on Earth, UMD geophysicist Nicholas Schmerr helped develop a better way to detect water ice on the moon—a critical resource for future astronauts and extended lunar missions.