Innovation and Collaboration: Congressional Leaders Visit Southern Maryland

The University of Maryland (UMD) MATRIX Lab hosted part of a Congressional visit to Southern Maryland by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and U.S. Representatives Steny Hoyer and Sarah Elfreth. On May 19, the members of Congress, plus U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks earlier in the day, toured the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, the USMSM SMART Building, and the MATRIX Lab to learn about how different sectors collaborate to teach students in-demand skills, strengthening the region’s workforce and its economy.

“I am proud of our outstanding federal and state representatives for all they do to provide access and opportunities for our students across the state of Maryland. Education and research are always the backbones of what makes the U.S. the world's leader in science and technology,” said said Dr. Reza Ghodssi, Distinguished University Professor at UMD and the Executive Director of Research and Innovation at the MATRIX Lab. “Thank you to Senator Van Hollen, Representative Steny Hoyer, and Representative Sarah Elfreth for touring the MATRIX Lab during their visit to Southern Maryland and meeting our students and researchers.”

At the MATRIX Lab, representatives from organizations presented examples of how academia, military, government, industry, and nonprofit organizations collaborate to create opportunities in Southern Maryland.

Speakers represented USMSM, the Southern Maryland Navy Alliance (SMNA), St. Mary's County Economic Development, the Patuxent Partnership, UMD, and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM).

More information can be found on the UMD ECE News (30 - May / 2025)