Tyler Denk ’16, Parinaz Fathi ’15, and Julia Lamb ’17 are making waves in their respective fields. These three University of Maryland alumni were recently named to Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list for 2025. Fathi, who earned her degree in mechanical engineering, developed VIPER (Vital Injury Protein Evaluation for Recovery).
This powerful tool can predict survival in cases of traumatic injury. At the National Institutes of Health, Fathi leads a team that creates miniature organ models to study immune-related conditions. They also examine how biological nanoparticles play a role in cancer and autoimmune diseases to develop therapeutic interventions.
Denk, who also studied mechanical engineering, is the co-founder of Beehiiv. This online newsletter platform is used by notable figures such as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Beehiiv’s easy-to-use and customizable templates have allowed its customers to reach over 6 million subscribers.
Young Maryland alumni lead innovations
The startup raised $33 million from investors this year and expects to earn $20 million in revenue. Lamb, a chemical engineering graduate, is the head of cathode research and development at Bedrock Materials.
This Chicago-based startup is working on technology to enable domestic manufacturing of sodium-ion batteries. The aim is to create more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones and electric vehicles. Bedrock Materials has raised $9 million in seed funding.
These exemplary alumni continue to make significant strides in their respective fields. They are contributing to advancements in health, media, and sustainable energy. In 2024, the Alumni Association recognized Fathi and Denk with the Rising Terp Award.
The University of Maryland community is proud of these young leaders. Their achievements showcase Terps’ impact on critical aspects of everyday life.
