GRIT-X is a series of presentations to celebrate the passion and achievements of UMBC’s alumni, faculty and graduate students, with invited speakers conveying compelling aspects of UMBC’s impact in the areas of research, scholarship and creative achievement. GRIT-X is a Homecoming staple at UMBC since 2016. More information about the GRIT-X 2026 (including registration info) is available on the Division of Research & Creative Achievement website.
GRIT-X celebrated its tenth anniversary in the Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall on October 17, 2026, with presentations from faculty and accomplished alumni addressing some of the most pressing issues facing society now and throughout history, and how UMBC scholars are working to build a better tomorrow.
“The goal of GRIT-X is to provide a sneak peek behind the scenes of some of the exciting and impactful research and creative achievement initiatives across our campus community,” says Karl V. Steiner, UMBC’s vice president of research and creative achievement. “[GRIT-X] takes you around the whole campus and beyond.”
GRIT-X 2026 – Tenth Anniversary
Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall – October 17, 2026
Karuna Pande Joshi, M.S. ’99, Ph.D. ’12, Computer Science, Professor, Information Systems; Director, NSF CARTA IUCRC The Silicon Scientist – How Digital Twins are Accelerating Science (27:52)
Soobum Lee, Professor, Mechanical Engineering AI Designing Physical AI – Deep Learning to Create Smarter Sensors and Electronics (40:47)
Ramana Vinjamuri, Associate Professor, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering; Director, NSF BRAIN IUCRC The Language of Human Movement – A Dance Between Minds and Machines (1:14:10)
GRIT-X 2025 – UMBC Fine Arts Recital Hall – Oct 9, 2025
Gargi Banerjee Dasgupta ’03, computer science: “The Future is Here Already – AI Agents for Enterprise Productivity”
Foad Hamidi, associate professor of information systems: “Message in a Bottle – Using Poetry-infused Wine for Transdisciplinary Engagement”
GRIT-X 2024 – UMBC Fine Arts Recital Hall – Oct 24, 2024
Aryya Gangopadhyay, professor of information systems: “Where Humans Can’t Go – Human Robot Teaming”
Patricia Ordóñez ’10, ’12, computer science, associate professor of information systems: “Why Moms Should Be Leaders in Computing Education”
GRIT-X 2023 – UMBC Fine Arts Recital Hall – Oct 14, 2023
Zhensen Huang ’00, ’04, information systems, : “Create Possibility – on Campus and in Business”
Cynthia Matuszek, associate professor of computer science and electrical engineering: “Talking to Robots – The Role of Language in Human-Robot Interaction”
Carlos Romero Talamás, associate professor of mechanical engineering: “The Fusion Energy Solution – Why Engineering Simplicity Matters”
GRIT-X 2022 – UMBC Fine Arts Recital Hall – Oct 15, 2022