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Winter 2025

Winter 2025 Kan Cao holds flask as she works in lab

The Age of Skin

A UMD researcher of a rare disease that fatally ages children has discovered how an obscure blue compound could help us all look younger.

Explorations strawberry holding umbrella with crabs on it; a pear holding a "RIPE" sign shaking hands with a banana; a sparkling steak

Fresh Takes on Fighting Food Waste

Researchers Devise Spoilage-Stopping Tech That Could Change How We Grow, Buy and Store Produce

Parting Shot Kermit sits with statue of himself and Jim Henson on UMD campus

Kermit Comes Home

Famed Frog Makes a Rainbow Connection With Terps

Post-Grad three women smile with cow

Ag Day A-moo-sment

An ‘Underexposed’ Photo of UMD History

Post-Grad Nasozi Kakembo poses next to Juju hat

At Home With a Continent’s Cultural Heritage

Alumna’s Book Weaves Together African Design Principles and Contemporary Decor

Post-Grad goldendoodle with UMD bandana

Pup ‘Reels’ in the Likes

Antics of Alums’ Goldendoodle Bring Joy to Millions on Social Media

Post-Grad avatar wearing black hoodie

Creating a Cartoon You

Terp Promotes On-Screen Representation by Making Avatars More Customizable

Post-Grad gold star on red background

Alumni Association News

The Alumni Excellence Awards

Explorations one person says "Bonjour!" and the other says "Tres bien!"

How to Make a Second Language Second Nature

Ask the Expert: Advice for Real Life

Features Joi Howard poses by brick columns and greenery

A Fresh Start for ‘Maryland’s Shame’

Joi Howard ’03 seeks to turn a shuttered, segregated psychiatric hospital into a working farm and wellness site for the Black community.

Features collage of photos: cars driving on Route 1 at night; students standing in Rendezvous; students dancing; students standing outside on sidewalk; man wearing hat playing pinball with beer; man in aviator sunglasses

The Lost Haunts of Route 1

No matter the decade, Terps found refuges and ‘Rendezvous’ points on College Park’s Main Street

Explorations silhouette with scribble brain and garbled words coming out of mouth

Lost (and Found) in Translation

Migraines Rob Doctoral Student of Words. He Helps Youths Find Theirs.

Explorations man in red hoodie going up escalator

Commuter Crunch

Management Researcher Eyes Steps to Improve Escalator Efficiency

Explorations Jill Bradbury signs in front of stage next to electronic sign that reads, "Welcome to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center"

Signs of Accessibility in Performing Arts

School’s First Deaf Leader to Expand Options to Guests

Explorations waves crash

AI Confronts Seagoing ‘Rogues’

System Can Predict Approach of Giant Waves

Explorations house with fertilizer, salt shaker, cleaning products, cinder block and ice melt

Salt Life

Take a Home Tour to Learn How We’re Worsening Salinity Around the World

Campus Life students sit at round tables as professor lectures; screens show slide reading, "What are the most pressing social issues of our time?"

Freshmen Philanthropists

For 10 Years, iGive Students Have Learned by Awarding Grants to Nonprofits

Campus Life women's rifle team lies on ground to shoot

Steady Eye on the Target

Hoops Shooters and Sharpshooters Pioneered Terp Women’s Sports a Century Ago

Campus Life collage of Edmond Dédé, flowers and musical notes

A ‘Mind-Blowing’ Premiere, 130 Years Later

UMD to Debut Oldest Existing Opera by Black Composer

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue
Catherine Springer-Sapp Ph.D. ’24 headshot

20s

Catherine Springer-Sapp Ph.D. ’24

Catherine Springer-Sapp Ph.D. ’24 was named assistant professor of kinesiology and coordinator of health sciences at McDaniel College in Westminster, Md. She earned a master’s degree in kinesiology from East Carolina University and has a bachelor’s degree…

10s

Ryan Merkel M.A. ’10

Ryan Merkel M.A. ’10 was hired as principal gifts officer at the National Gallery of Art. He most recently was chief development officer at Washington’s Arena Stage, and he began his career in development at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing…

80s

Brian J. Gibbons '84

Brian J. Gibbons '84, chairman of the board and CEO of Greenberg Gibbons, was among 31 leaders recognized by The Daily Record as the 2024 Most Admired CEOs. Honorees were selected based on professional accomplishments, community service and letters of…
Jason D. Winn ’96 headshot

90s

Jason D. Winn ’96

Jason D. Winn ’96 joined Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A. as a senior attorney. He serves as general counsel for the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, Florida Podiatric Medical Association, Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Foundation,…

10s

Rachel Grafman ’16

Rachel Grafman ’16 launched Prosperity Personal Finance, a personal finance coaching practice that helps people, largely millennials and members of Generation Z, gain the tools and skills to take control of their finances.
J. Michael Bruff ’90, ’90 headshot

90s

J. Michael Bruff ’90, ’90

J. Michael Bruff ’90, ’90 was appointed chief financial officer at Envision Healthcare. He previously served as CFO of ChenMed of Lifestance Health and of Varian Medical Systems.
Natalia Luis ’95 headshot

90s

Natalia Luis ’95

Natalia Luis ’95 was named to the Maryland Daily Record’s 2024 Best Women-Owned Business List. She is the co-CEO of M Luis Construction. Under her leadership, the company has received numerous accolades, including the Ernst and Young Maryland Entrepreneur…
“Always Think of Me” book cover

70s

Lori Keesey ’79

Lori Keesey ’79 released her first novel, “Always Think of Me,” a love story about friendship and do-overs that features a unique perspective on life. A former journalist, Keesey has written for daily newspapers, trade publications and magazines and…