UVM College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

09/08/2026

CEMS is proud to partner with and support FIRST in Vermont, the state's premier STEM and robotics program for K-12 students. The mission and values of FIRST Vermont align naturally with our ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities for students to explore STEM in a welcoming, supportive, team-based environment. Through hands-on experiences, students not only develop a passion for technology but also gain valuable team-building and leadership skills through FIRST's hallmark philosophy of "Gracious Professionalism®."

Yesterday, UVM's Across the Fence featured FIRST in Vermont Director Joseph Chase and UVM Extension 4-H Youth Development Coordinator Liz Kenton on a special Labor Day episode exploring the growing popularity of FIRST Robotics and the program's impact on young learners.

As we know, students who discover a passion for robotics and technology through FIRST often carry those interests into college and their careers. Members of our faculty, who participated in FIRST Robotics as students, exemplify that journey through their continued involvement as coaches and mentors today.

We are excited to continue our support and help expand the program's reach across Vermont, inspiring and preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. And who doesn't love a "varsity sport for the mind"?

Watch the full episode: https://bit.ly/4gUgfLn



Across the Fence UVM Extension

09/07/26 On this Labor Day we focus on FIRST Robotics in Vermont, a...

09/08/2026

How do "forever chemicals" move through our water, soils, wildlife, and food systems?

A team of UVM researchers is helping answer that question through the newly established PFAS Environmental Research Network (PERN). Supported by $950,000 in funding for UVM as part of a $7.9 million NSF-funded initiative, the project will leverage environmental engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced computational modeling to better understand PFAS contamination and exposure pathways across Vermont.

Led at UVM by Civil and Environmental Engineering Associate Professors Kristen Underwood and Matt Scarborough, the interdisciplinary team will apply advanced computational modeling, machine learning, environmental engineering, and data science to better understand how PFAS, commonly known as "forever chemicals," move through Vermont's ecosystems and affect human and environmental health.

This collaborative interdisciplinary effort, spearheaded by Bennington College faculty member Tim Schroeder, brings together researchers, state agencies, and community partners from across Vermont to generate knowledge that can inform future environmental management, public health decisions, and policy development.

Congratulations to Kristen and Matt, along with co-investigators Bindu Panikkar of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources and Jana Kraft of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and all our partners advancing solutions to one of the nation's most pressing environmental challenges.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4hc85zr

University of Vermont UVM Rubenstein School UVM CALS

| The University of Vermont

09/04/2026

A sure sign the fall semester has arrived at UVM? CEMS students spread across Fleming Green learning the surveying tools of the civil engineering trade. Here, Professor Luis Garcia shares his expertise with students in CEE 2000: Geomatics on a beautiful Friday morning (before a 3-day weekend!)

University of Vermont

08/28/2026

Following a quiet summer, the halls of Innovation and Discovery were bustling once more as our Week of Welcome concluded this afternoon with an entertaining orientation for CEMS first-year and transfer students. The event featured club and organization networking, peer mentor guidance, free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (of course!), and the annual incoming class photo.

We’re excited to follow the journey of this impressive class over the next four years and beyond!



University of Vermont

08/26/2026

UVM Welcome Week has arrived!

This morning, our newest cohort of CEMS graduate students came together for a day of information sessions, tours, and trainings hosted by Graduate Programs Coordinator Jane Kimble. It's always exciting to welcome new students as they begin this next chapter of their academic journey. Just as rewarding is watching friendships and professional connections take shape, many of which will last a lifetime.



University of Vermont

08/25/2026

In what was likely a first in the annals of Votey Hall, a 2002 Volvo station wagon was wheeled down a ground-floor corridor yesterday morning and into the CEMS machine shop to be outfitted with a roll cage for the next unexpected chapter of its life.

The car is an extracurricular project of four UVM students: Mechanical Engineering majors Maddie Bromberg, Thomas Michaelson, and Noah Fowler, along with Global Studies major Billy Spelman. The team is test-driving their engineering skills, transforming the dark blue family hauler into a race car for an endurance racing series that doesn't take itself too seriously: the 24 Hours of Lemons.

Started in 2006 as a sarcastic rebellion against the rising costs, elitism, and strict regulations of traditional amateur sports car racing, the 24 Hours of Lemons prioritizes thriftiness, creativity, and camaraderie. The purchase price and performance modifications of each participating car must not exceed $500, and all eligible vehicles must have been street-legal when originally manufactured.

Despite the lighthearted approach to car racing, the organizers take safety seriously, with strict safety systems required for each vehicle, including a 6-point steel roll cage, the fabrication and installation of which was the reason the team brought the car into the well-outfitted machine shop.

Looking ahead, the UVM squad hopes to race the car in a future 14-hour endurance event held over two days at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire.



The 24 Hours of Lemons University of Vermont

08/19/2026

Dr. Michael Leamy, Professor and Chair of UVM's Department of Mechanical Engineering, has been awarded $350,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to explore a transformative wave-based approach for analyzing jointed structures.

Working alongside his colleague, Dr. Matthew Brake at Rice University, who received an additional $330,000 in NSF funding, the researchers aim to develop advanced analytical and experimental techniques to better understand wave transmission, damping, and nonlinear dynamic behavior in mechanical joints.

By reducing computational complexity while improving predictive accuracy, the project could significantly enhance the design and performance of structures ranging from bridges and buildings to advanced aerospace systems. The research will also create new experimental tools for studying mechanical joints and provide opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge engineering research.

Congratulations to Dr. Leamy on this impressive collaborative research award!

University of Vermont Rice Engineering and Computing

08/06/2026

A trio of researchers from the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences is part of an interdisciplinary team that was awarded the first Impact Award from the Gund Institute for Environment.

An expansion of the Gund Institute’s signature Catalyst Awards, which have provided over $1.8 million to UVM scholars over the past eight years, the new Impact Award provides up to $300,000 to further transform established research into real-world change by implementing on-the-ground solutions.

Associate professor Mads R. Almassalkhi and postdoctoral associate Jayashree Raharam Yadav in the Electrical and Computer Engineering program, along with civil and environmental assistant professor Kathryn Hinkelman, are part of the winning team that includes associate professor Bindu Panikkar with the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.

Four years ago, the research team received a Catalyst Award to work alongside municipal and tribal leaders, local utilities and private firms in Alaska’s Northwest Arctic Borough to bring cheaper, cleaner energy to one of the coldest and most remote communities in the United States.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4gexEiK.



University of Vermont Gund Institute at UVM

| The University of Vermont

08/05/2026

This week, students participating in UVM's STEM Scholars program were introduced to the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) FabLab, where they were challenged to design and fabricate model cars using the lab's suite of 3D printers, laser cutters, and computer-aided design (CAD) software. Powered by classic mousetraps, the two-day workshop will culminate in head-to-head races down the hallways of Votey Hall.

STEM Scholars: Leading Change is a cohort-based learning community focused on developing the next generation of STEM leaders. Through a carefully curated four-year program, participating students not only pursue degrees in their chosen STEM disciplines but also develop the skills to become change leaders.

Each July, a new cohort of STEM Scholars arrives on campus to begin a six-week summer bridge program. During the program, students take a three-credit course, work as interns in research labs, and strengthen key skills that help them start their first semester with confidence.

As they progress through the program, students receive ongoing support, training, and mentorship to further develop their leadership and STEM capabilities. They also have opportunities to pursue a second internship in industry, a medical facility, or a research laboratory, gaining valuable experience beyond the classroom.

Learn more: https://www.uvm.edu/admissions/undergraduate/stemscholars



University of Vermont

07/30/2026

We could not hope for a more exceptional industry partner than GlobalFoundries! The nation’s top tier semiconductor manufacturer with a state of the art fabrication plant located just down the road from our campus. So many CEMS students have had the unparalleled experience of going from “Lab to Fab” with prized internships that often mature into extraordinary careers. Thank you, GlobalFoundries!!