They join more than 60 colleagues in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences who have been named Distinguished University Professor since 1980.

A leading scientist in the field of quantum algorithms, Childs has helped develop both theoretical foundations and practical applications for quantum computers, which have the potential to address problems that are beyond the reach of traditional computational methods.

The Distinguished Scholar-Teacher title is awarded to a select number of faculty members who have blazed trails in their classrooms and their areas of expertise.

Thompson, an instructor and assistant dean for science education initiatives in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, has demonstrated exemplary commitment to improving student outcomes in STEM majors and enhancing science teaching and learning for more than 30 years.

Payne, a research professor in the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, is a world-renowned expert in measuring oxidation processes.

From elevating UMD on the global stage to supporting more than 20% of the undergraduate majors on campus, Infantino has been an energetic and innovative campus leader at the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) for three decades. 

Pairing Google’s AlphaFold technology with centuries-old physics laws yields better results than a purely AI-powered approach.

UMD biologists identified a pheromone receptor that controls parenting behavior in African cichlid fish.

Departments in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences host summer camps for K-12 students.

He brings 35-plus years of experience in computer science and software engineering to the role.