Breaking Barriers: UDC Community College at Research Week
Research is thriving across every part of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), including at UDC Community College (UDC-CC), where students are demonstrating that innovation knows no bounds. As part of Research Week 2025, UDC-CC is showcasing a wide range of projects spanning from health care advancements to criminal justice reform and artificial intelligence (AI), and above all, the power of research to drive meaningful change.
“At UDC-CC, we are proving that great research can come from any background and is happening at every degree level,” says Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences Michael Ha. “Our students are tackling real-world challenges, from using AI to improve radiotherapy for cancer patients to analyzing public health disparities through D.C.’s mortality data. Others are exploring the dangers of plea bargains in the criminal justice system or the role of social media algorithms in shaping public opinion. This work isn’t just about academics—it’s about creating solutions that matter.
Dr. Michael Ha is a dedicated educator, researcher, and medical professional with extensive experience in public health, anatomy, and interdisciplinary research. Since joining the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) in 2024, Dr. Ha has been instrumental in fostering a culture of academic excellence and student engagement. As a Visiting Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences, he has designed and led innovative courses, including the Public Health & Information Technology (PHIT) course. His commitment to research mentorship is evident in his founding of UDC’s first Interdisciplinary Research Club, which facilitates faculty-student collaboration across departments.
Matthew Mille, PhD is a staff scientist in the Radiation Epidemiology Branch of the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (Rockville, MD, USA). In this role he conducts original research in support of epidemiological studies on late health effects following radiotherapy. His research portfolio centers on computer simulations and metrology related to the delivery, detection, and dosimetry of ionizing radiation in support of important problems in radiation epidemiology, medical physics, and radiation protection. His research has touched on the need to optimize the radiation dose received by patients undergoing medical imaging exams or radiation treatment for cancer, as well as the need to detect and accurately quantify radioactivity inside the body resulting from planned nuclear medicine procedures or accidental contamination during a radiological emergency. Dr. Mille is a Past President of the Council on Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards and the Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the Health Physics Society. He has also served on the executive committees of the Biology and Medicine Division of the American Nuclear Society and the International Society of Radiation Epidemiology and Dosimetry. Matthew received a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering and science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2013. He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed journal publications and 100+ invite talks, presentations, and abstracts. Dr. Mille received the Elda Anderson Award (2021) of the Health Physics Society and the Bernard Wheatly Award (2019) of The Society for Radiological Protection (UK) for the best paper published in the Journal of Radiological Protection.