IMET Student is Celebrated at USM Board of Regents Awards
The University System of Maryland Board of Regents has awarded a Student Excellence Scholarship to IMET student Abdulmajid Alrefaie for Outreach and Engagement.
This highly selective scholarship is given to just four students within the USM. With around 37,000 graduate students within the USM, IMET is proud that we can celebrate this accomplishment for a second year in a row.
Majeed Alrefaie, an UMCES-IMET Ph.D. candidate, was awarded this scholarship for his significant contributions to Outreach and Engagement on May 19, 2025.
Small Microbes, Big Potential
Abdulmajid (“Majeed”) chose IMET for his graduate studies because of its strong research foundation and its focus on making a real-world impact. His academic affiliation is with the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) and is also enrolled in the MEES Graduate Program. What stood out most for Majeed was how the institute encourages students to connect their science with the broader community. Through events like the IMET Open House and programs such as the Ratcliffe Environmental Entrepreneur Fellowship (REEF), he found opportunities to share his work, practice science communication, and grow as a leader. Support from his mentor Dr. Yantao Li and IMET’s collaborative environment helped him build a path that combines research, policy, and public service.
Majeed’s studies microalgae and how they break down acetate, a key carbon source, especially under low-oxygen conditions. His goal is to better understand and enhance the production of useful byproducts like lipids, which have potential applications in biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and environmental cleanup. This work could contribute to the advancement of biotechnology and circular bioeconomy solutions. By investigating how microalgae utilize carbon more efficiently, he hopes to support cleaner production methods to help move us closer to a future built on greener technologies.
Pictured: Dr. Yantao Li (IMET), Majeed Alrefaie, Dr. Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm (UMCES President)
A Recognition That Reflects a Mission
Receiving the USM Board of Regents Student Excellence Scholarship has been a meaningful honor in Majeed’s academic journey. To him, it reinforces the idea that being a scientist today goes beyond conducting research. It involves engaging with communities, making science accessible, and using knowledge to drive positive change. This award is not just about personal recognition; it serves as a reminder to keep giving back and use science to create opportunities and expand access to education and knowledge.
Majeed sees this award as motivation to continue bridging science and policy. It creates opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, institutions, and communities, helping him advance ideas and make a broader impact. One key lesson he has learned from policy work is that progress is not a finish line—it is momentum. This recognition encourages him to keep showing up in spaces where science can inform decisions, shape solutions, and make a real difference.
Pictured: Majeed at the World Bank
Leading Through Service
Majeed is currently serving as a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he spends his day in an office managing the water, energy, and environmental portfolio. His work involves shaping legislation through bill drafting, policy development, and strategic advocacy. He also serves on the International Graduate Student Advisory Board at the University of Maryland, where he helps support international students as they navigate life and academics far from home. He’s proud to play a role in making others feel welcomed and prepared, because for him, creating space for others to succeed is one of the most meaningful parts of his journey.
Serving on the Hill as a legislative fellow has been an exceptional experience. Majeed is fully immersed in the heart of policymaking, learning how policy, process, and politics come together in real time. From meetings with constituents on various issues to contributing to legislative work and connecting with Hill staffers over coffee chats, each day brings a new opportunity to learn and grow. For him, it is a privilege to bring a scientific perspective to the table and help shape policies that affect people’s everyday lives.
Pictured: Majeed gives a talk at the World Bank
Looking Ahead With Purpose
After completing his doctoral studies, Majeed plans to continue working at the intersection of science, policy, and education. He values translating research for the public, whether through teaching in the classroom or communicating with policymakers to turn scientific findings into real-world action. His long-term goal is to make science more accessible and actionable, helping communities and leaders use evidence to address meaningful challenges. Whether in a government agency, nonprofit, or academic setting, he hopes to apply his experience to inform, empower, and drive solutions that serve people.
Majeed recognizes that students are making incredible contributions in different ways. One lesson he has learned is the importance of connecting science to real-world impact. He encourages fellow students to think beyond the lab and consider how their work can reach people, solve problems, and drive meaningful change. His advice is not to be afraid of taking an unconventional path. Whether through policy, public engagement, or entrepreneurship, science has the power to shape a better future. There is space for all voices and approaches in that journey. Science doesn’t have to stay in the lab; it can, and should, be a tool for building solutions that matter.
Majeed’s journey has been deeply shaped by his parents, both lifelong educators, who passed on their love of learning and service. He is also thankful to Dr. Yantao Li, whose mentorship has played a meaningful role in his growth—not just as a researcher, but as a person. He also credits IMET for creating a space where research connects with the public, UMCES for its outstanding applied research ethos, and the Maryland Sea Grant team for their steady support throughout the Knauss Fellowship journey.
Pictured: Majeed on the Hill