The Synapse
Updates from the Sciences at Loyola University Maryland
Kimberly Spiro makes $3.5 million gift to establish nursing simulation lab at Loyola
A generous gift of $3.5 million from Kimberly Spiro will help establish a nursing simulation lab for Loyola University Maryland’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program. The lab will be named the Spiro Nursing Simulation Lab in recognition of her support.
The gift will outfit the lab with equipment and materials, as well as create an endowed fund to cover expenses such as training lab operators, additional operating costs, equipment, and supplies.
Dive into science and engineering survey data using newly improved interactive data tools
The interactive tools on the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) website allow users to create and export custom tables and charts using NCSES survey data.
The data tools now include data from NCSES's Survey of State Government Research and Development.
With the addition of the Survey of State Government R&D, the tools now feature data from 11 surveys:
- Survey of Higher Education R&D
- Survey of Federal Funds for R&D
- Survey of Federal Science and Engineering Support to Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions
- Survey of State Government R&D
- Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities
- Survey of Earned Doctorates
- Survey of Graduate Students & Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering
- National Survey of College Graduates
- Survey of Doctorate Recipients
- National Training, Education, and Workforce Survey
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Completions (Department of Education)
Upcoming NAS Summer Fellowship Program
This year's Hauber Fellowship program will take place from June 2 to August 8, 2025, featuring 14 projects. The welcome session is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. followed by the first 2025 Hauber Research weekly workshop at 12:15 pm.
There will be weekly workshops every Wednesday from June 4 to July 16. These workshops will cover a variety of topics, including Research Methods, Library Resources, National Fellowship Opportunities, Career Development, Resume/CV Writing, Interview Preparation, Planning for Graduate School, an Alumni Panel, and Guidelines for Creating Posters and Papers.
The Hauber Fellows will present their research on July 23, July 30, and August 8. We encourage members of the NAS community and friends to support Hauber fellows by attending their research presentations.
Loyola engineering students and faculty members inducted into the Order of the Engineer
On April 24th, twenty-six seniors and four faculty members from the Department of Engineering were inducted into the Order of the Engineer. The ceremony was officiated by three current members of the Order:
- Robert Bailey, Ph.D., P.E. - Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Loyola University Maryland
- Victoria Ballestero, P.E. – Vice President and Operations Manager for ATCS and immediate past-president of the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers
- Michael Falk, Ph.D. – Vice-Dean for Undergraduate Education in the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering.
32nd Annual Pi Mu Epsilon Initiation and Mathematics and Statistics Award Ceremony
The 32nd annual Pi Mu Epsilon induction and Mathematics and Statistics awards ceremony took place on Friday, April 25th. At the ceremony, 10 students representing the classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 were inducted into Pi Mu Epsilon, a national mathematics honor society, and 7 students were recognized as outstanding student achievement over the course of the 2024-2025 school year.
Senior Data Science Majors Present Capstone Projects
We had our largest class yet of 23 UG data science majors in the DS496 Ethical Data Science Capstone course, which was taught and managed by Dr. Drummey. There were 11 of these 23 students who worked with a client, who was a sponsor of their capstone project from Loyola faculty or an external organization or a company. There were also two teams of students working on projects, which resulted in 19 different and interesting capstone presentations on Saturday, May 3rd, in Knott Hall.
The students collaborated with the following clients:
- Mr. Matt Barinholtz, Chief Executive Officer, Future Makers Company, Baltimore, MD
- Mr. Jason Hamilton, Vice President, ESI Group USA, Hartland, Wisconsin
- Mr. Landon Miller, Lead Software Engineer, Forging Software, Des Moines, Iowa
- Dr. Heide Schreiber-Pan, Founder/Psychotherapist, Center for Nature Informed Therapy, Mays Chapel, MD
- Mr. Josh Loeffler, Head Coach, Loyola Men's Basketball
- Dr. John Burger, University Professor, Loyola University Maryland Department of Economics
- Dr. Richard Auer, University Professor, Loyola University Maryland Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Donnelly Science Center Addition & Construction Livestream
The Donnelly Science Center has been the hub for Loyola’s science programs since 1978. As part of the University’s strategic plan Together We Rise: Loyola University Maryland's Strategic Plan for 2030, we aim at enhancing our STEM offerings, thus, university is making significant investments to strengthen STEM and health programs including extensive renovation and expansion of Donnelly Science Center.
More info and to view the Donnelly Science Center Addition & Construction Livestream.
Interested to support our Growth: To learn about making a gift to the Donnelly Science Center project, contact Mary Lineburger, '99, assistant vice president for major gifts, at mlmazzuca@loyola.edu or 410-617-2797.
Amaya Jones, BS Biology, 2025 Choudhury Sarkar-Dey Medalist
"My Loyola experience has been nothing short of amazing. As a STEM student, I am and have been committed to bringing positive change to campus. Since my first year, I have noticed others who have supported me as an underrepresented and first-generation STEM student. Now, I strive to support underrepresented students in STEM, especially those who are pursuing pre-health programs and more. I have been able to accomplish this on campus by joining various organizations that I am passionate about, which provides me with the opportunity to serve others in the Loyola community. I am involved in several organizations, including TriBeta, peer tutor at The Study, Health Outreach Baltimore, Resident Assistant, MAP Navigator, Society for Underrepresented Pre-Health students, Mosaic, Green and Grey Society, and a Haig Scholar. These organizations allow me to serve others in different ways, but two of the most meaningful are Health Outreach Baltimore, Resident Assistant, and being a peer tutor/mentor through the multiple organizations I am a part of."
Jose Ojea, BS Data Science, '25
"I chose Loyola’s accelerated master’s program in Data Science because of the university’s commitment to student achievement and long-term success. From the start of my undergraduate career, I’ve had opportunities to connect with passionate peers and engage with expert faculty. Loyola’s supportive environment and rigorous curriculum have equipped me with the skills and confidence to thrive in the field. This is why I am confident that the MSDS program has more than enough tools to advance my career and guide me in exploring more of the beauty beyond the undergraduate level."
Ron Capute, MS Data Science, '25, Manager, NextEra Energy, Florida, USA
“Loyola’s MS Data Science program offered a diverse array of topics and had plenty of advanced classes for those that preferred them. The instructors were very knowledgeable and available to help. I particularly enjoyed the true semester-style cadence with a structured curriculum. The structure and content of the program was what I was looking for. The tuition was reasonable. I have personal friends who went to Loyola, so I knew that the institution has a good reputation.”
Register for the MS Data Science Virtual Info Session on Wednesday, May 21st!
Join us for an upcoming information session to learn more about Loyola University Maryland's Online Graduate Data Science program. The academic program director and the director of program operations will be present to answer your questions regarding program formats, application requirements, and the admission process.
By attending any of our information sessions, you can save yourself from paying the $60 graduate application fee.
Join us and explore the opportunities that await you! Please register here.