Cohort 44 Kicks Off Their QUEST Journey at Camp Tockwogh

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Guest feature by Annie Ni (Cohort 39)

At the break of dawn on January 23rd, the newest QUEST Cohort—Cohort 44—embarked on an unforgettable journey, setting out for their orientation retreat at YMCA Camp Tockwogh in Worton, MD. The crisp winter air and snow-covered trails served as the backdrop for two days filled with team-building, problem-solving, and the formation of lifelong friendships. Returning as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for another group of bright, eager students, I found myself navigating the snowy terrain of a new camp, excited for the experiences ahead. 

Cohort 44 at QUEST Orientation

Upon arrival, students were greeted by the enthusiastic YMCA staff before being introduced to their teams and mentors for the semester. From there, they launched into a dynamic three-activity rotation designed to foster collaboration and innovation. 

One of the highlights was “Pilot Products,” an interactive session where students were challenged to conceptualize and present innovative solutions—a fitting preview of their first course in the QUEST program. As students brainstormed and pitched their ideas, their enthusiasm and creativity set the tone for what promises to be a transformative experience in the program.

Meanwhile, on the ropes course in the snow, students engaged in classic team-building exercises led by camp staff. These activities, ranging from balancing on a small block while singing “Happy Birthday” to hoisting teammates across a seven-foot-high plank, pushed teams to rely on communication, trust, and collective problem-solving. By the end of the session, bonds had been forged through laughter and teamwork. 

After warming up back at the main conference center with snacks in hand, students dove into their final challenge of the day: “Ready, Set, Launch.” Armed with cardboard, tape, scissors, and rubber bands, teams constructed catapult-style devices, competing to launch ping pong balls and marshmallows with the greatest accuracy, distance, and power. The friendly competition, filled with strategic adjustments and enthusiastic cheers, made for an unforgettable afternoon.

As night fell, the group gathered indoors for a well-earned evening of relaxation. A bonfire crackled as students roasted marshmallows for s’mores, while others bonded over board games and impromptu ping pong matches—an easygoing close to an action-packed day.

Day two began with an unforgettable wake-up call—an energetic mix of the Angry Birds theme song and clattering pots and pans, courtesy of the ever-spirited TAs and mentors. Once breakfast was served, students rehearsed their product pitches, leading up to their first QUEST presentations. The culmination of their efforts resulted in compelling and creative pitches, with the standout team—Chips and QUESTo (Javier Coleman, Noah Gonzalez, Joanne Lee, Sydney Luong, and Sereen Aridi)—earning the coveted QUEST Padfolio for their outstanding performance.

The winning team and their poster

The retreat concluded with an insightful session led by QUEST Program Coordinator Emily Marks on communication styles and team development stages. This discussion provided a crucial foundation for the challenges and collaborations Cohort 44 will navigate in the months ahead. With newfound confidence and strengthened connections, the cohort returned to campus, ready to embark on their QUEST journey. 

From innovative challenges to moments of camaraderie around the bonfire, the retreat at Camp Tockwogh set the stage for an incredible semester ahead in BMGT/ENES 190H. As Cohort 44 steps into their next chapter, they do so with a shared experience that will shape their time in QUEST—and beyond.

From Freelancer to Founder: Alum Hrithik Bansal on AI Entrepreneurship

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For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the transition from employee to CEO can be scary. But for QUEST Cohort 34 alum Hrithik Bansal, it was a natural evolution to move from freelancing to starting his own software development firm, Premier Pixel. I had the opportunity to speak with Bansal, the founder of a new startup, Premier Pixel. Reflecting on his journey, Bansal shared how he transitioned from working with his previous employer to launching his own company, bringing some of the existing customers along. “I knew I wanted to do something on my own. It evolved from me being a freelancer to growing my team. I wanted to learn more and gain managerial experience,” Bansal explained.

Hrithik Bansal’s UMD Graduation Photo

Premier Pixel provides tech services, helping companies optimize their workflows and overcome operational challenges. In his own words, “I go to companies and ask about their bottlenecks—what issues they feel need to be solved. It’s about recognizing what resources you have, understanding what the customer wants, and aligning incentives so that it works for everyone.” Bansal also highlighted a common misconception in the tech industry. “Everyone thinks AI is the solution to everything, but there are teams struggling with basic processes—some don’t even know how to use Excel or there’s no consistency in their work.” Premier Pixel works with clients across various industries from property management to tech firms.

Bansal’s long-term vision is to develop a new tech product that addresses these business challenges. “I want to create something unique, innovative, and product-based,” he said. His current experiences are helping him identify the right market needs. “The market responds to what it needs—you have to be in tune with that and stay flexible,” Bansal noted. “I need to find a problem by talking to people and understanding their pain points. Hopefully, that problem is widespread enough to build a viable business while solving it.”

Bansal credited QUEST for shaping his problem-solving approach. “From a QUEST perspective, it’s all about talking to customers, identifying their problems, conducting interviews, and doing primary research. You use all that information to figure out how to provide value,” he said. He also emphasized the benefits of hands-on experience: “When you’ve worked with companies as a consultant in college, you learn how to analyze problems and develop solutions using data-driven insights.”

For current QUEST students—especially those interested in startups—Bansal offered key advice: “You have to be fully committed to your idea. In a startup, the product depends on you showing up every day. Your work directly impacts the customer experience. You have to invest a lot of time, and to do that right, you need to be genuinely excited about its success. Ultimately, incentives align—the product’s growth is the company’s growth, which is your growth as well.”

Thanks to Hrithik Bansal for sharing his insights with us and best of luck with Premier Pixel!

Behind the Scenes with QUEST Recruiting

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Every February marks a momentous occasion as QUEST prepares to welcome two new cohorts. For QUEST students, faculty, and staff, the beginning of the spring semester is extremely busy, with the application closing right as the semester starts. There are hundreds of applications to review and a number of interviews to conduct over the next few months. None of this would be possible without the help of our very own QUEST student organization, QUEST Recruiting, a team at the forefront of this endeavor. I had the chance to talk to QUEST Recruiting Co-Lead Marvi Shroff (Cohort 42) about the behind-the-scenes work the team did to ensure a successful application season this year.

QUEST Recruiting members tabling with University of Maryland beloved mascot, Testudo
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New Year, New BMGT/ENES 390H

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New year, new professor, new perspective! Taught by Dr. Tony Barber, QUEST’s new version of BMGT/ENES 390H is moving beyond technology to focus on people, processes, and holistic solutions.

Dr. Tony Barber

BMGT/ENES 390H: Designing Innovative Systems, now the second course in the QUEST curriculum, teaches students about different kinds of systems and processes. Students employ the skills they have learned by working with different departments across the University of Maryland to enhance their productivity and quality.

Dr. Tony Barber, BMGT/ENES 390H’s new professor, works full-time as the Architecture Division Chief for the Office of the Chief Information Officer in the United States Army. He has a doctorate in systems engineering and has been teaching multiple graduate-level courses within the University of Maryland’s Applied Graduate Engineering Program since 2017. Those classes cover topics such as model-based systems engineering, software design implementation, statistical experimentation, and quality improvement. Regarding 390H, he is excited about the idea of student engagement and seeing students gain practical experience from working with clients. 

The largest change to 390H is the shift towards covering organizational and other kinds of systems, rather than only engineering-based systems. The older version of the course focused on a technological perspective of system thinking. 390H now expands that view of system thinking into what real systems are, not just the technical aspects but a combination of concepts and components that create a whole.

Dr. Barber emphasizes that “there’s always more to a solution than automating technology.” It’s important to consider the people who use the system first, then what processes could be improved, and then how technology can be used. For example, a system could be improved through providing new training exercises or through reorganizing a specific business unit. With the new version of 390H, students are learning about a more holistic approach towards analyzing systems.

In-class activities are centered around equipping students with popular tools used to improve systems across different kinds of organizations and industries. For example, students will be working with on-campus clients to improve departmental systems. At each stage of their quality process, students will participate in a quality toll gate, where they will present their current progress to the professor for feedback. This activity will help determine if the team is ready to move on to the next stage of quality. Many of the course’s concepts and learning outcomes are directly aligned with the American Society of Quality’s standards, so that students can reflect on their experiences and take what they have learned to pursue professional certifications in quality.

It’s only been three weeks into the semester, and the class is already off to a great start! Dr. Barber enjoys how engaging and smart the students are. He looks forward to seeing the AHA moments, where education meets enlightenment for the students as they learn the concepts by doing.

Reflections on the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

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As we spring into a new semester, students are reminiscing about their month-long winter break. Whether they traveled, relaxed at home, or worked on projects, it’s clear that this free time was much needed and allowed for some amazing opportunities for students. Today, I invited some fellow QUESTees to share their about experiences during the break.

First, I spoke to Imaad Syed, an electrical engineering major from Cohort 39, to learn more about a project he’s been working on in the Photonics Research Lab at UMD. Syed is a part of the electrical engineering honors program and was able to continue his research on the fiber optic system during break. Because of varying fluctuations in the fiber length, the polarization levels can change. This can cause the receiver in an optic system to incorrectly interpret a signal.

Syed’s solution is to use a single polarization controller that can adjust the polarization state and maintain frame alignment, leading to a more accurate interpretation of the signals. Because he also lives quite close to UMD, Syed was able to come in frequently during the break to tackle this challenge and make new discoveries. 

“It can definitely be a lot sometimes, but I find it really interesting, and I’ve learned a lot from the past courses I’ve taken. I feel more confident now going into the lab myself and learning from my mistakes.” Syed is looking forward to continuing the project this semester and can’t wait to go to Silicon Valley for his QUEST elective over spring break!

Photo of equipment in Syed’s research lab at UMD

While some QUESTees worked on fascinating projects, others traveled across the country. Eileen Chen, a finance and information systems major from Cohort 41, went traveling to Thailand and China. “We visited China since I actually have family there! We were able to visit my grandparents and my aunt which was really nice as we haven’t been back since before COVID.” Chen also visited Bangkok for the first time and particularly enjoyed getting to see different islands. “It was really beautiful! My favorite island was Phuket Island, and we also got to rent a boat which was a lot of fun for us.” 

Coming up, Chen is excited to visit her friends over spring break in Madrid. They are currently studying abroad, so she is looking forward to reuniting with everyone again! She is also taking part in a consulting case competition in Seattle with a few classmates later this semester, including some fellow QUESTees.

Photo of Chen (left) and family on vacation

Similarly, Naasera Husain, an operations management and business analytics major in Cohort 43, also traveled over break to Puerto Rico as well as Chicago and Boston! Husain especially enjoyed the beaches in Puerto Rico and the food it had to offer. She also had a blast getting to see old friends in Chicago and Boston, despite the cold weather. 

“Winter break was a lot of fun, but I’m excited for this semester too! I’m starting the 390H course for QUEST (Designing Innovative Systems), and my classes are finally more geared towards my major which is really motivating for me.”

Lastly, I reached out to Raquel Ford, a marketing student in Cohort 42, who participated in the National Retail Federation (NRF) student program in New York City, for which she was a student ambassador. Ford found the opportunity especially insightful as she got to listen to speakers involved in retail and fashion, which is an interest she is passionate in pursuing. 

After that, Ford traveled across Europe to Milan, Florence, and Rome for a short-term study abroad program called “Sustaining Luxury.” Ford was able to network with several companies like Wrad, Kering, Panerai, and Gruppo Florence. “This was definitely my favorite part of winter break. It was awesome to immerse myself in the world of fashion and learn so much about the business of all of it; it felt like my professional dreams were coming true!” 

This semester, Ford hopes to continue pursuing opportunities in fashion to land an internship this summer.

Ford (left) posing with another fellow UMD student during the NRF program

Even though winter break is over, these experiences only motivate students to keep up their hard work and stay focused. Before we know it, we’ll all be off pursuing our passions and maybe even traveling the world. Until then, spring invites us to a warm and welcoming semester!

Alumnus Matthew Ambrogi Transforms Text into Talk

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This month, I had the pleasure of speaking to Matthew Ambrogi, a QUEST alumnus from Cohort 27, who is a co-founder of PalateAI, an AI-powered app that transforms text content into audio podcasts.

Matthew Ambrogi, co-founder of PalateAI

Read more: Alumnus Matthew Ambrogi Transforms Text into Talk

While initially a mechanical engineering major, Matthew realized that his interests spanned both engineering and business. Under the mentorship of then QUEST associate director Pamela Armstrong, Ambrogi created and completed his own custom interdisciplinary major through Maryland’s Individual Studies Program called Engineering and Product Management.

“QUEST was the bridge between engineering and business for me,” Ambrogi explained. “It introduced me to the idea of product management and opened my eyes to tech as a career path.”

The foundation he built at Maryland laid the groundwork for his first professional role as a product manager at Capital One, but it wasn’t long before he felt the urge to branch out on his own. Ambrogi decided to leave his job at Capital One to start his own project. “I felt like I was good at product management, but I wanted to build products myself,” he says.

He spent six months teaching himself to code, experimenting with personal projects, and exploring AI by working with APIs at the start of 2022. 

After being approached by his co-founder with this app idea, the two began working on PalateAI. The app can take text content from a variety of sources– articles, essays, PDFs –and create audio podcasts that summarize the relevant information in an engaging way. Ambrogi said, “Just because something you know exists as text doesn’t necessarily mean that it needs to stay that way.” The customer base for Palate includes students, busy professionals, and parents– all groups that can utilize the flexibility of audio content. 

Starting a company hasn’t been without its challenges. Ambrogi balances his role as the app’s head of engineering with his full-time job as an applied AI software engineer. “Time management is the hardest part,” he said. “Some days, I’m negotiating deals with content creators, troubleshooting a bug, and writing code— all while managing a day job.”

Despite the demanding schedule, Ambrogi is energized by the variety of tasks that come with entrepreneurship. “If I’m tired of coding, I can focus on sales or customer feedback,” he says. “It’s exciting to have so much control over the direction of the product.”

PalateAI is focusing on improving the quality of its audio summaries, balancing conversational tone with detailed content summarization. Ambrogi adds, “Imagine if you didn’t do the reading for class, and your friend tells you everything you need to know. We try to make it engaging and conversational like that.”

As Palate gains traction, the team is exploring new features, such as supporting YouTube videos, integrating with platforms like Google Drive, and integrating paid text content platforms with authentication. 

Ambrogi recommends that students pursue their own personal projects. He said, “The deeper you get into a project of your own, the less it feels like work. Because it’s something you’ve brought to life.”

For Ambrogi, being in QUEST was an opportunity to learn how to work with other passionate people. He said that QUEST students all care deeply about their work. Ambrogi said, “When people actually care, you’re going to disagree and have a variety of ideas. And I think that QUEST teaches you how to work well on a team with people. Whether it’s in the corporate [world] or a co-founder, those collaborative skills from QUEST are extremely useful.” Check out PalateAI at https://www.palateai.app/.

Breaking Into Tech, One Social Media Post at a Time: A Student Spotlight on Ume Habiba

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Meet Ume Habiba, a senior who’s helping women break into the tech industry! She’s gained 87,000 followers on Instagram since March and has spoken at multiple tech conferences, including Google’s DevFest, Kode with Klossy’s speaker series, and php[tek]!

Ume Habiba speaking at Google’s DevFest conference in New York City last year
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Raising the Bar: The Success of Cohort 40’s QUEST Conference

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Earlier this month, the QUEST community celebrated the culmination of nine semester-long capstone projects with Cohort 40’s QUEST Conference at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center. Attendees enjoyed poster presentations, snacks, and even a dessert intermission! During the event, I had the chance to talk to some of the teams about their project.

Cohort 40 QUESTees at QUEST Conference
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A Successful Launch with the Department of Defense in 390H: Designing Innovative Systems

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As the semester comes to a close, it’s time to congratulate everyone on their hard work they’ve accomplished. Whether it’s taking final exams, working on projects, or even participating in extracurricular activities, there is so much to be proud of! Some of the most hardworking students include our very own QUESTees, who have put in endless hours of work to complete projects for their clients. QUEST’s Designing Innovative Systems course (BMGT/ENES 390H) introduced projects with the Department of Defense (DoD) this semester, specifically the Navy and Air Force. With the DoD being such a large system, these projects challenged the students to understand complex problems, handle ambiguity, and push their creative boundaries.

I reached out to the course TA, Supriya Daddi (Cohort 40), to understand her perspective as an assistant for the updated course. I first asked her how the course is now structured and how they chose to allocate class time. “The class met once a week on Mondays, but each week, the students switched off with a client meeting the first hour and then had teamwork time or lecture time for the remaining period.” Daddi also mentioned that students were split into teams of 5-6 and about half of the class was working with the Navy, while the other half worked with the Air Force. As a TA for the course, Daddi found it very exciting to see the final presentations. “They showcased the tools they were able to use, and the clients were so impressed and engaged. It was truly a very rewarding experience overall!”

Cohort 41 students Shareen Ahmed and Jimmy Miller told me about their projects related to data management for the Navy. They conducted data analysis before designing a new process to make the Navy’s data system more efficient. 

Overall, Ahmed enjoyed the process of using their analysis to develop a solution for their client and found it extremely rewarding. “It was definitely a lot of work and challenging at times. But, I think it really paid off, and I’m proud of our final presentation!” 

Miller spoke about his gratitude for the opportunity to work with the Navy. “Working with the Navy allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of one of the biggest, most important organizations in the country. Getting a behind the scenes view of their data management systems and AI applications was fascinating!”

Next, I heard from Parsa Sedghi (Cohort 41) who worked with the Air Force’s Program Office for Mission Support. Their team was tasked to optimize their service acquisition process and provide improvements for their client. Sedghi enjoyed his experience getting to learn about the federal government as well as implementing strategies he has learned in class. “We were able to apply methodologies such as Strategy Canvases and Monte Carlo simulations. I also gained a deeper understanding of the client’s needs as well as the many intricacies working with the federal government.”

I also got a chance to speak to some students that won awards for having especially outstanding presentations! Faith LeBrun (Cohort 41) spoke about an opportunity her team received from their client. “Our champion, Michele Wolfe, was incredibly supportive and committed to our team’s success. She provided invaluable insights and guidance throughout the project. As recognition for our efforts and being the winning Navy team, she has graciously offered us a tour of the Pentagon in January!” LeBrun is absolutely thrilled and honored by this opportunity to engage with the Navy and see the impact of their work.

Faith LeBrun, second from right, standing with her 390H team and their clients from the Navy

Regardless of which QUEST course you completed this semester, each and every one of us has definitely learned something valuable and worked extremely hard! QUEST wishes everyone a wonderful winter break and some much needed relaxation time. Until next semester, happy holidays!

Celebrating Our December Grads

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We are so excited to be celebrating our QUEST graduates this December! From unforgettable team memories to impressive professional journeys ahead, these students have left their mark on the QUEST community and beyond. This month, I had the opportunity to get to know some of these excellent students and learn more about their favorite QUEST moments, their post-grad plans, and how the program shaped their college experience.

Brian Ding (Cohort 39) is a Computer Science major who has made so many wonderful QUEST memories. Ding mentions that he especially loved the very beginning: “190H orientation was super fun, even though it was on campus. It was just so cool meeting everyone and doing little team-building activities with my new team!” Ding went on to explain how 190H was his favorite QUEST class, where he learned so many soft and hard skills he still uses to this day. Now, Ding is looking forward to traveling and moving into a new city—he’s already got his sights set on Arlington, VA. While QUEST sparked his interest in collaborative work like consulting, Ding plans to stick with software engineering for now. Wherever he goes, we know he’ll thrive!

Brian Ding (Cohort 39, back left) with his 190H group!

Samantha Yee (Cohort 39) is an Operations Management & Business Analytics and Information Systems double major. For Samantha, QUEST was about teamwork, growth, and friendships—both in and out of the classroom. As she looks back, she fondly remembers being part of the Cohort 39 volleyball team, “the 39 Qties”! “This past semester, we made it to the semi-finals, and the whole experience was such a fun and energetic environment,” she shared. Post-grad, Yee is planning to travel around Asia before starting her full-time role in August. She’ll be joining Capital One as a Business Analyst in the Analyst Development Program in McLean, VA. We wish you the “QUEST” of luck, but we know you don’t need it!

Samantha Yee (Cohort 39, bottom middle) with the Qties!

Next up, I spoke to Computer Science major Melvin Rajendran (Cohort 40) who loved getting to know the passionate and diverse QUEST community. When it came to classes, he recommends the Product Management elective. “It’s a unique course that gives you insight into how companies ideate, design, and launch products. Jess [Alves de Sa], the instructor, is a senior product manager herself, so her feedback was invaluable!” After graduating this winter, Rajendran is excited to move to New York! He thanks QUEST for equipping him with professional skills, strong teamwork experience, and great alumni resources. Melvin will be starting as a Software Engineer in NYC. We wish you all the best in the big city!

Melvin Rajendran (Cohort 40)

Last but not least, Annaika Taneja (Cohort 39), Computer Science major, spoke with us about her unique and enriching QUEST journey. When we asked her about some of her favorite QUEST memories, she looked back on her time with QUESTPress. “I loved being on QUESTPress and bonding with some of the members (Andrew, Sona, and Ananya back then!). Through QUESTPress, I was able to interview incoming students and professors and feel really close to the QUEST community.” After graduation, Taneja is planning on taking a graduation trip to Europe with friends before starting as a Software Engineer in NYC. QUEST played a key role in her post-grad journey, too. “I got my job after meeting a recruiter at the QUEST Career Fair back in 2022.” We can’t wait to see what’s in store for you!

Annaika Taneja (Cohort 39)

We are so proud of all the December graduates who’ve completed their QUEST journey. Whether they’re heading off to work, traveling the world, or pursuing new adventures, we know they’ll represent QUEST with passion, drive, and excellence. If you see a familiar name in this year’s group, be sure to send them a huge congratulations—you’ll be hearing great things about them soon:

  • Ijeoma Asonye (Cohort 35)
  • Jack Humphreys (Cohort 37)
  • Elaine Sanico (Cohort 37)
  • Dahlia Andres (Cohort 38)
  • Ume Habiba (Cohort 38)
  • Liam Roy (Cohort 38)
  • Brian Ding (Cohort 39)
  • Christopher Li (Cohort 39)
  • Mudit Mathur (Cohort 39)
  • Manasvini Nagampalli (Cohort 39)
  • Sneha Patel (Cohort 39)
  • Saimadhav Sakhamuri (Cohort 39)
  • Valeria Salas-Dietz (Cohort 39)
  • Annaika Taneja (Cohort 39)
  • Sanjana Vellanki (Cohort 39)
  • Samantha Yee (Cohort 39)
  • Sakshi Gholap (Cohort 40)
  • Melvin Rajendran (Cohort 40)