Precious Gem: Andrew Zhao

Team INJECT

This week’s Precious Gem is Andrew Zhao, a sophomore bioengineering major. We started discussing his experience in Gemstone on Team INJECT. Team INJECT is looking for a treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, which occurs mainly in adults fifty years and older and is “a pretty common form of eye loss”. Their treatment uses curcumin, which, according to Andrew, is “not that great as an actual drug” but has a lot of potential as a “therapeutic” due to its antioxidant properties. They are engineering nanoliposomes to transfer the curcumin through the membranes of the body, and then release the drug when it gets to the macula. When I asked Andrew about his role on the team, he called himself “just a regular team member”, meaning he doesn’t manage money, talk to the librarians, or do another specific role. However, as I kept talking to Andrew, it became clear that he was much more that the average team member.

For one, Andrew is a bioengineering major, so he is already well equipped to work in the lab, go through the literature, and design experiments. He is extremely interested in research, and enjoys picking out techniques and interesting ideas from journal articles. Moreover, he has a great deal of lab experience already. Last summer he was part of the inaugural International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team at University of Maryland. Their project revolved around a pathogen, dermo (Perkinsus marinus), which attacks oysters by binding to their hemocytes and acting as a parasite. This is a problem that affects many oyster populations, including those in the Chesapeake Bay. Their solution was genetically engineering E. Coli to act as a sensor for dermo. By modifying the bacteria to produce a protein, it can bind to the dermo and then reveal how much dermo is in a water sample. He worked with Integrated Life Science undergraduate students, graduate advisors, and professors, and it’s clear he absorbed a lot of advice about being a researcher and an engineer.

Before the interview, Andrew was coming from his “Transport Process Design” class, which incidentally is taught by his Gemstone mentor. He says that this class, which focuses more on the mathematical modeling side of bioengineering, is close to what he wants to research after UMD. Andrew is planning on going on to get a PhD in bioengineering, although he’s still considering his options. This summer he’s looking at internships at private companies to get a feel for that side of research. No matter where Andrew ends up, it is clear he’s going to bring experience and a deep understanding of bioengineering with him. Even from our one conversation, I was inspired by Andrew’s love of research and his ability to take advantage of all that Gemstone and UMD offer. Best of luck to this week’s Precious Gem, Andrew Zhao!



20 February 2015 - Elliot Frank

Discover Gems in Your Area!

Valentine's Day is almost here! Still need a date? Maybe our GSC members can help you out!

Precious Gem: Pablo Goldschtein

Our sophomore Precious Gem this week is Pablo Goldschtein, who a valued member of Team MORALS. Pablo hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina and is an International Business major with a minor in Spanish Business and Culture. As if that was not enough, he is seeking to add another major within the Business School as well. He is currently enrolled in 15 credits this semester, which include his Gemstone meeting, some business classes, and Gen Ed classes. He speaks most fondly of his Conflicts of Latin America class in which, as the name would suggest, he learns all about the dynamics of different conflicts throughout the history of Latin America.

Pablo has many passions, which is why he is a member of the Primannum Honor Society, as well as the Association of Latino Professionals in Accounting and Finance (ALPHA) in the Business School. Of all that he does, his biggest passion is soccer. Whether playing, coaching, or watching, chances are you can find Pablo around a soccer field if he ever wants to relax and enjoy himself. Pablo even says his fondest moment about soccer is "going to the stadium for the first time with my brother and my father. I was five. There was no going back at that moment, soccer became my passion.” He currently plays in the Washington International Soccer League and in the OAS Inter-Business League. He also coaches the under-13 and under-14 teams for Toca Juniors FC, for whom he played when he was younger, and at summer camps in between semesters.

Pablo has his sights set on a career that allows him to use his International Business major and also allows him to travel back to Argentina. His family is very important to him and he cherishes every opportunity he gets to see not only his family in the United States, but also his extended family back in Argentina. While he would still like to live in the States, the possibility of going back to see family, friends, and enjoy Argentinian culture excites and motivates him to succeed in his academics. Pablo works harder than most with soccer, extracurricular activities, school, and Gemstone, but he is still a charming guy, who is fun to talk to. Be sure to be on the lookout for him around campus.




13 February 2015 - Nate Nenortas

22 Feelings Every Gemstone Student Knows

1. Being loaded down with tons of work and just wishing you could be back at Gems Camp

2. When you have a case of the Monday blues, but then you remember that Mondays mean GEMSTONE JAVA!

Plus it’s a great chance to talk to the Gems staff


3. When you literally cannot wait for Gems Formal
(IT’S THIS FRIDAY BRB DYING OF EXCITEMENT)

You can buy tickets at the ticket office in stamp or online at umdtickets.com


4. And you get there and it’s like:

Can’t wait to eat some Chick-fil-a and pizza before dancing with my friends!


5. When you’re a freshman in Gemstone: hearing about all the teams got you like

Junior Colloquia: A Freshman Perspective

Team BRAIN BLAST, November 20

It was Wednesday, November 19th, at 6:30pm, and the lecture hall in Biosciences Research Building was filled with the sounds of GSC gift water bottles clinking on the floor and chatter among an animated audience of GEMS100 students. These students were not the only one who were excited, as the teams were also presenting to the Gemstone staff and many mentors who came to support their teams. I spoke with Dr. Coale before the presentations; he said he was most looking forward to see “the incredible progress” the teams have made since they last presented to him.

Each evening of Junior Colloquia had six teams presenting for fifteen minutes each, with another five minutes of questions. Questions came from everyone from freshmen to team mentors, and this variety made for challenging and thought-provoking questions. All of the teams were ready for the questions, and for the presentations at large. I asked Team Haptic’s presenters about how they prepared, and they said they did many dry runs with feedback from their mentor and teammates.

Each team included a section on advice for freshmen at the end of their presentation. It was clear that each team learned something different from their experience, but some popular tips included “communicating with your team”, “picking a project you love”, and “knowing your project will change”. As a freshman, I found the most helpful part not to be the tips, but simply seeing the projects. We talk a lot about our potential projects in GEMS100, but seeing everything these teams have accomplished is an inspiring experience. The juniors I talked to understood this sentiment. I asked Team Forget It members Charlie Urrutia and Ashwin Reddi what the best part of Junior Colloquia was. Emphatically, they said, “getting our presentation done. We’ve been working a year and a half on [our research], and it’s great to get it out to an audience."

Congratulations to all the junior teams!


21 November 2014 - Elliot Frank

Precious Gems: Katie Krejcik

This week's Precious Gem spotlight is Katie Krejcik, a freshman Materials Science and Engineering major from Baltimore, MD. Although Katie hasn't been at UMD for long, she seems to be adjusting to college very well. She is on top of her school work even in CHEM135, which she calls her hardest class this semester. Katie spoke very fondly of GEMS100 and her history class on the life of people in the American Revolution, which are her two favorite classes.

Outside of class, Katie has had no issue in finding ways to fill her free time. She played soccer from age 3 to high school and plays for the club soccer team here. The season recently ended but that doesn’t stop Katie from heading over to La Plata beach to enjoy the game when she can. In addition to her interest in athletics, Katie played the alto sax throughout high school and taught herself a bit of piano as well. She also finds time to give back to the community as she is the VP of Greensquad in RHA for Ellicott Hall.

Katie hasn’t had your typical freshman year so far. Recently, she attended GE's Female Diversity Leadership Recruitment Summit. There were 5 colleges represented at the conference and Katie was the only representative from the UMD. Her days consisted of getting to hear the stories of executives in the engineering field and touring GE’s aviation facility. Also, the summit gave the attendees a chance to interview for an internship working with ceramics for GE next semester. Katie knocked the interview out of the park and received an offer for the internship.

It may be Katie’s freshman year, but that hasn’t stopped her from doing big things. Whether she’s making plays on the soccer pitch or casually getting a huge internship in her first semester, she’s making a huge splash. Be on the lookout for this precious gem around campus, Katie is going to do big things.

14 November 2014 - Nate Nenortas

November Events

We've got lots of stuff for y'all this month! Be on the lookout for Facebook events or contact your friendly neighborhood GSC member for more information!

Saturday, 11/8 (2pm - 5pm): Video Game Tournament!
We're having a Super Smash Bros Tournament down in the Gemstone Suite! Do you have what it takes to be the champion?

Thursday, 11/13 (2pm - 6pm): Strike a Pose - Professional Photos
Need a professional photo for your LinkedIn profile? Want a new team photo to go along with your website? Want to just dress up for fun and look awesome? Come by the Math Building fountain to get your picture taken (by reservations only!) Sign up here by 11/9!

Saturday, 11/22 (2-5:30pm): Touchdown for Turkeys - Flag Football Tournament
Come play flag football with GSC! Sign ups will be going out soon! [Location TBD]

Saturday, 11/22 (6pm - 8pm): Gemsgiving - Thanksgiving Potluck
After you've worked up an appetite from flag football, be sure to come by the La Plata Multipurpose Room for our 2nd annual Gemsgiving Potluck dinner!

Make sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to keep up-to-date on everything GSC-related!