BioE Undergrads Give Back to their Department by Founding The Catalyst

Departments first undergraduate research journal highlights student research.

By Emilie Berman
While countless undergraduate students in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering (BioE) log long
hours participating in innovative research under the tutelage of university faculty and professionals in the
field, one student decided it was time for his peers to gain recognition for their work.
Kevin Pineault, a transfer student in BioE and a member of Assistant Professor Christopher Jewells
research lab, felt the need to give back to his department by publishing student research in what is now
the departments first-ever undergraduate research journal, The Catalyst.
A lot of students dont know a lot about undergraduate research, and they dont know how beneficial it
can be, Pineault said to explain why starting the journal was extremely important for him.
After coming to the University of Maryland (UMD) the summer before his sophomore year, Pineault
contacted Dr. Tracy Chung, Director of Academic and Student Affairs for the department, to discuss his
vision for a research journal specifically focused on bioengineering. Having little knowledge of how to
assemble a research journal at the time, Pineault decided to speak with students at the University of
Virginia who had helped to establish their own research journal, The Spectra.
By founding The Catalyst with a group of fellow bioengineering students, Pineault hoped not only to
create a professional journal that would highlight the work of his peers and BioE faculty, but also to
galvanize interest and involvement within the Clark School.
The Catalyst, published each semester, highlights two to three papers that BioE students submit to an
editorial team, who then work one-on-one with the students to record ongoing and completed research
involving undergraduate students.
A goal of the publications editorial team is to encourage all students to publish their research, whether
completed or not, and to build confidence in specific fields of study, Pineault said. The editorial board
also hopes the publication creates interest in the research currently being conducted at the university and
helps boost attendance at various events held by the department and the Clark School.
With the help of BioE lecturer Angela Jones, an advisor to The Catalyst editorial team, eight to ten
bioengineering students work throughout the semester to compile interviews with fellow bioengineering
students, follow up with research paper submissions, and find upcoming events to publish in the next
edition in order to create a more connected community among students and researchers.
The Catalyst team is always looking for new research to publish, and students who would like to become
more involved with the Clark School. With the help of future UMD students, Pineault and The Catalyst
editorial team hope that their journal continues to grow and recognize the talent and drive for innovation
present in both the Clark School and across the UMD community.
The third edition of The Catalyst is slated for publication this spring.