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A plant virologist and longtime “The X-Files” scientific adviser, Simon is donating $15 million to support two endowed professorships, one in virology and another in RNA or plant biology; multiple postdoctoral fellowships; and multiple graduate fellowships.

Beyond the physical space in the Computer Science Instructional Center, one of the most visible results of the Brins’ philanthropy is the steady drumbeat of workshops, summer schools and distinguished lectures. The events are central to the Brin Center’s operations because academic mathematics, despite what the uninitiated might envision, is an intensely social discipline.

The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences hosted a Reddit Ask-Me-Anything spotlighting research on the role of artificial intelligence in drug discovery.

Capy’s Journey introduces mindfulness through interactive levels and daily challenges. Players guide a capybara character through activities designed to encourage reflection, focus and consistency.

An app based on Music Flamingo could start with both a listener’s baseline preferences pegged to listening history—like a fondness for gravelly vocals or waltz crescendos—then adjust its recommendations following ChatGPT-like prompts.

The company's annual artificial intelligence-focused GTC Conference appeared via video feed in The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center’s Dekelboum Concert Hall. Nvidia executives visited College Park, where they participated in discussion panels and distributed pricey Nvidia swag including—for the two luckiest attendees—RTX 5090s, the most powerful consumer graphics processing units (GPU) ever sold, with retail prices starting at $2,000.

This new technique lays the groundwork for more detailed future explorations of faraway planets.

University of Maryland computer scientists developed an AI-enhanced system that protects personal voice data from automated surveillance.

Entomology's Raymond St. Leger helped develop a new strain of fungus that mimics flowers to attract and kill mosquitoes, offering a new weapon in the fight against disease-carrying insects.

At Google, Sweta Agrawal (M.S. ’20, Ph.D. ’23, computer science) and Eleftheria Briakou (M.S. ’20, Ph.D. ’23, computer science) are working on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, advancing Google Translate.

Over 200 students from our college graduated in August 2025.

UMD sophomore Priya Tyagi became EMT-certified to help people in crisis. Now, she’s pursuing a career in computational biology to demystify disease—including her own rare condition.