Were you forwarded this email and would like to sign up? Register for the newsletter here, and for the Google Group here.
University of Maryland Fearlessly Forward
University of Maryland Center of Excellence in Microbiome Sciences logo
September-October 2026

News
Katharina Maisel in white lab coat and glasses

Maisel Co-Leads NIH Project to Develop Low-Cost Technologies for Cervical Cancer Prevention

Supported by a $3.4M grant, Maisel will develop a topical gel that can treat abnormal tissue while leaving healthy tissue intact.
tiny capsule is in focus and held up in a blue lab glove by Reza, whose face is out of focus behind the pill

New Patents and Papers Mark Significant Advances in “Smart Pill” for Gut Monitoring

Two U.S. patents and two journal papers detail the latest developments in Reza Ghodssi’s ingestible capsule technology.

NSF Awards UMD $17.3M to Establish Autonomous Biomanufacturing Lab

Led by William Bentley, the center will be part of a new national network speeding up experimentation in the biomanufacturing industry.
Dual image showing Saúl Flores (left) and Holly Hemesath (right)

UMD Biochemistry Ph.D. Students Explore the Depths of the Microbiome

Saúl Flores and Holly Hemesath are immersed in the Center's student fellowship program.
Mihai Pop standing in his office holding a laptop displaying a Reddit AMA announcement.

UMD Researchers Take Microbiome Questions to Reddit

Mihai Pop participated in a Reddit "Ask Me Anything" where he explained how computation tools help decode the microbial world. 
A hand rolling wooden dice engraved with biological and medical icons across a plain white surface.

Rolling the Dice on Microbiome Science

Designed by Mihai Pop, a new game challenges players to turn scientific symbols into imaginative research ideas. 
A 3D rendering of glowing blue bacteriophages with geometric heads and leg-like fibers attaching to a bacterial cell surface.

Scientists Find Hidden Individuality in Viral Infections

A study by Joshua Weitz published in the journal Science Advances reveals major cell-to-cell differences in how viruses infect and destroy host cells—with key implications for ecology, evolution and biotechnology.

A graphic announcement featuring a white logo and the text "GRAND CHALLENGES GRANTS" next to a red ribbon that reads "AWARDEES ANNOUNCED" against a black textured background.

Microbiome Center Researchers Contribute to Four Grand Challenges Projects

Joshua Weitz, Reza Ghodssi, Katharina Maisel, Norberto Gonzalez-Juarbe, and Haung Lin are all contributing to projects supported by the most recent round of UMD Grand Challenges Grants.
 

Events

MicroSocial Seminar Series

The MicroSocial Seminar Series aims to facilitate scientific exchange and community building across the University of Maryland's microbiome research community. Seminars feature short talks by students and faculty, followed by 30 minutes of informal socializing over coffee and snacks in room 1103 of the Bioscience Research Building.


When: Tuesday, November 3 from 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Speakers: Taiwo Bankole and Ujjwol Subedi, Ph.D. students in nutrition and food science


Expanding Access to Microbiome Research and Tools to Improve Human and Environmental Health—A Discussion Among Societal Stakeholders


When: Thursday, November 17, 2026, 3–5 p.m.

Where: Chemistry Great Hall 1112


The Center's 2026 Fellows invite you to an interactive panel with three leading experts in research, education, and community engagement to discuss how microbial research applies to our daily lives. Learn More. Light refreshments will be served. Seating is Limited. RSVP Here.

Other Announcements
 

Professional Opportunities

  • Applications are open for UMD's Predictive Biology Hub's Impact Fellowship. The fellowship provides training and networking opportunities to postdocs interested in harnessing their expertise and scientific discoveries in human and environmental systems into data-driven, health- and policy-relevant insights for societal benefit. Fellows will receive a $2,500 award. Applications due October 23. Learn more.
  • The Center for Microbial Communities at Aaolborg University in Denmark is searching for a postdoctoral researcher to advance single-cell genomics of uncultured protists. Learn More.
  • The One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State is seeking a Research Project Manager. Learn More.
  • The California Nano Systems Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara is looking for two postdoctoral researchers to focus on the foundations of a resilient microbiome. Learn more.

To have your research, events, or other resources included in the next newsletter, contact Maria Herd at mherd@umd.edu.
University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies logo
Grand Challenges Grants Program logo

University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies | Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering 8125 Paint Branch Dr | College Park, MD 20742 US

Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Our Privacy Policy | Constant Contact Data Notice