Read Dr. Jarrell’s column on UMB’s prestigious research classification and learn about student, faculty, and staff achievements; upcoming events; and news and notes from around the University.
To see previous editions of The President’s Message newsletter, go to the archives page on the Office of the President website.
President’s Column: UMB Achieves Research 1 Institution Classification
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) has long been a research and discovery powerhouse, shaping the health and well-being of society. From our groundbreaking work in 1811 predicting the relationship between insects and disease, to our historic achievement in 2022 with the first successful pig heart-to-human xenotransplantation, UMB has consistently pushed the boundaries of knowledge and improved lives around the world.
This year marks another milestone for UMB. We officially have been recognized as a Research 1 (R1) institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. For many universities, achieving R1 status is a defining moment and signifies a commitment to world-class research and development. While it is not an official ranking, R1 status often has been used to determine appropriations, influence national rankings, and elevate an institution’s global standing. Despite UMB’s long-standing leadership in research, we previously were categorized as a Special Focus Four Year: Research Institution rather than R1 because of an arcane rule that devalued the important contributions of universities that serve predominantly graduate and professional students. That oversight has now been corrected.
The criteria for R1 status, recently revised by Carnegie, reflect the level of research excellence that UMB has consistently demonstrated. To be classified as an R1 institution, universities must spend at least $50 million annually on research and development and award a minimum of 70 research doctorates each year. UMB surpassed the $50 million threshold in 1987, and today our research funding exceeds $638 million annually. In addition, we collaborate with more than 300 bioscience and pharmaceutical firms, conducting over $60 million in corporate-sponsored research each year.
With the change by Carnegie, UMB is officially acknowledged for what we have always been: a top-tier research university driving impactful advancements that directly improve lives and health worldwide.
This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of each of you — our faculty, staff, and students. Together, we continue to shape the future and demonstrate that UMB is not only a place of exceptional research but also a community of innovators, thinkers, and leaders who are making a difference on a global scale.
Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence. This R1 recognition, while long overdue, is just the beginning of even greater accomplishments ahead.
Sincerely,
Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS
President
Laurels
See our monthly roundup of the achievements of STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF.
New Hires
See a LIST OF NEW HIRES at UMB central administration and our seven schools for January.
News and Notes
Darrick Hamilton delivers his keynote speech, which was titled “Fulfilling Dr. King’s Legacy from Civil Rights to Economic Rights: Causes, Consequences, and Remedies to Fulfill Economic and Racial Justice." (Photo by Matthew D’Agostino)
A CALL TO BUILD ON KING’S LEGACY: In what he described as a “solemn” speech at UMB’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month celebration, economist Darrick Hamilton called President Trump’s popularity a “symptom” of a bipartisan economy that has failed to promote security and prosperity for most Americans. The keynote by Hamilton, a professor at The New School, a private college in New York City, was the centerpiece of the annual event, where Diversity Recognition and Community Champion of Equity and Justice award winners were honored and spoken-word artist Lady Brion, the state of Maryland’s poet laureate, performed several of her works.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND INNOVATION: The opening of the 4MLK building drew dignitaries such as Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (in photo at left, with UMB President Bruce Jarrell) and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott on Jan. 15, as well as UMB leaders, community members, and other partners who turned the project’s vision into reality and have helped to shape the University of Maryland BioPark’s growth over the past two decades. The eight-story building on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and West Baltimore Street is the newest addition to the 14-acre BioPark. It will serve as the headquarters of its builder, Wexford Science & Technology, and aims to be a hub of innovation and community in West Baltimore.
‘THE UMB PULSE’: JODY OLSEN: In this podcast episode, Jody Olsen, a distinguished leader in global public service and former director of the Peace Corps, shares her journey from aspiring social worker to influential advocate for women’s empowerment, cross-cultural understanding, and global citizenship. The School of Social Work alumna and former director of UMB’s Center for Global Education discusses her experiences leading transformative Peace Corps programs, overcoming challenges, and her ongoing contributions to the University community.
A TRANSFORMATIVE GIFT: A $10 million joint gift from Edward and Jennifer St. John (in photo at right) and the Edward St. John Foundation will establish the Edward and Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering and Medicine. The center will occupy the fourth floor of the new 4MLK building and bring together clinicians and engineers from the School of Medicine at UMB and the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. The researchers’ proximity will ensure that real-world clinical needs inform the creation of new devices, diagnostics, and treatments.
MPOWER PROFESSORS: Seven professors from UMB and the University of Maryland, College Park were named as the 2025 cohort of MPower Professors. This designation from the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State recognizes, incentivizes, and fosters collaborations between faculty members in Baltimore and College Park. The professors from UMB are Shuo Chen and Julie Dunning Hotopp, both from the School of Medicine; Fadia Shaya of the School of Pharmacy; and Richard Traub of the School of Dentistry.
PUTTING AN EYE ON GENERATIVE AI: The 2025 cohort of the President’s Symposium and White Paper Project is tackling the future of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) at UMB. The eight fellows will interview University leadership and consult with experts to investigate GenAI’s potential benefits and pitfalls for teaching and learning. Their research will culminate in a white paper and presentation with recommendations on how UMB can responsibly integrate this technology into academics. “As a President’s Fellow, I hope to inspect how [AI tools] can positively transform our studying and how we treat patients,” medical student Andrew Nguyen said.
The 2025 President’s Fellows: (top, left to right) Devina Chatterjee, Andrew Nguyen, Oreoluwa Olaniyan, and Raina Crew; (bottom) Dorothy Veron, Onyemauchechukwu Ijezie, Margaret Kim, and David Robertson. (Photos by Angela Jackson)
Upcoming Events
FEB. 25: ‘VIRTUAL FACE TO FACE’: In this episode, UMB President Bruce Jarrell will host three experts from the Francis King Carey School of Law — Dean Renée Hutchins Laurent, University of Maryland Regents Professor Mark Graber, and Michael Millemann Professor of Consumer Law Jeff Sovern. They will discuss the origins, scope, and limits of U.S. presidential authority, exploring its constitutional foundations, historical precedents, and modern challenges while highlighting UMB’s commitment to informed dialogue.
FEB. 28: LEAPS PANEL DISCUSSION: Leaders in Education: Academy of Presidential Scholars (LEAPS) will host an in-person panel discussion that will include faculty members from across the University, including those with experience serving on Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure committees, who will provide their expertise on best practices and challenges associated in achieving faculty promotion.
MARCH 13: WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH SYMPOSIUM: This sixth annual symposium, featuring the theme “Championing Change: The Role of Allies in Women’s Advancement,” will be held in person at the SMC Campus Center. The UMBrella Group event will explore how allyship fosters women’s advancement across personal and professional landscapes. The symposium also marks a milestone: UMBrella’s 10th anniversary. Registration is full, but a wait list is available.
Save the Date
APRIL 2: LEAPS SYMPOSIUM: Registration is open for the LEAPS 2025 Symposium, with the topic “Navigating Your Professional Path: Scholarship Development Strategies for Tenure and Promotion in Professional and Graduate Education.” This symposium aims to empower faculty to integrate their teaching and educational innovations into impactful scholarship while fostering cross-disciplinary connections. Participants will explore strategies for designing, conducting, funding, and publishing educational research.
MAY 19-23: GRADUATION 2025: UMB will celebrate the Class of 2025’s accomplishments and graduation in May with a series of individual school ceremonies at sites on or near our campus and at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Md. UMB President Bruce Jarrell and Provost Roger Ward will confer degrees at the individual school ceremonies, where graduates will walk the stage as they embark on the next step of their educational or career journeys.
Video of the Month
Learn how students in UMB’s Physician Assistant Program are using virtual reality to enhance their education in the video below and in this article on UMB News: