The UMSOM professor is honored as outstanding faculty member for her long-standing commitment to advancing representation in cancer research.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) will present its MLK Leadership Awards at the 2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 5. Webb will be honored with the award for outstanding faculty member.
Tonya J. Webb, PhD, has emulated her favorite quote throughout her career: “Ability is nothing without opportunity.” The professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and assistant dean of student engagement and student life at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) has created opportunities for the hundreds of students she has mentored, reflecting her long-standing commitment to advancing representation in research.
Webb directs three pipeline programs funded by the American Cancer Society (ACS) that broaden participation in cancer research by fostering an inclusive culture and supporting scientific innovation; developed a partnership with Baltimore organization STEMcx to help provide biomedical research experiences for underrepresented minority high school students; and serves as president of the board for the BioTechnical Institute of Maryland, Inc., a nonprofit that provides tuition-free training in basic laboratory skills to talented unemployed and underemployed Baltimoreans.
“There are many amazingly gifted individuals who have the ability to accomplish great things, but they have not been given the opportunity,” said Webb, a leading immunologist and research scientist who is also associate director for workforce excellence and development at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“My goal is to provide as many opportunities as possible so that I can help our aspiring scientists, physicians-in-training, and emerging leaders fulfill their purpose and innovate by developing novel treatments and cures and making discoveries that address fundamental gaps in our present understanding.”
One of those opportunities is UMSOM’s Accelerating Momentum for Professionals in Life Sciences (AMPLIFY) program, a new postbaccalaureate program sponsored by ACS that focuses on cancer research with the goal of providing additional training opportunities for scholars to help them transition from undergraduate to graduate and professional schools such as PhD, MD, and MD/PhD programs.
“I worked hard to start the program because the need is great,” said Webb, who serves as the program’s director. “I have directed an undergrad summer research program [now called UMB-IMPACT] for five years, and while the students thrive in the summer, for many students it was their first research experience, and they needed more time to prepare for the next step. This program provides that time, because it is a two-year certificate program in which the students are able to take graduate-level courses for free, conduct research, and prepare for exams as well as attend scientific conferences, shadow physicians in the clinic, serve as near peer mentors, and participate in community outreach and engagement.”
Her efforts have made an impact on August Ogunnowo, a postbaccalaureate research fellow in the AMPLIFY program who nominated Webb for the MLK Leadership Award.
“Dr. Webb oversees training programs that foster student engagement, address disparities in health and education, and promote collaboration across institutional, local, and national levels,” Ogunnowo said. “She has mentored hundreds — from high school interns to postdoctoral fellows — with a focus on creating spaces for others to thrive.”
Ogunnowo added that many of the initiatives Webb supports increase diversity in cancer research, a central focus of her career. Webb’s areas of study have included the development of novel cancer immunotherapeutic strategies and research into cancer health disparities.
“Dr. Webb’s commitment to justice is deeply felt by those who work with her. In two months, my confidence in a career in medicine has improved through her mentorship. She is deeply respected and embodies the values of equity, leadership, and service,” Ogunnowo said. “From our first orientation, Dr. Webb made us feel seen, valued, and inspired. Her warmth and intentionality shaped the tone of the program moving forward. She emphasizes the importance of leadership and service, encouraging mentees to advocate for others.”
Webb, who received the UMSOM Dean’s Faculty Award for Diversity and Inclusion and the ACS Visionary Award for her leadership in inclusion and cancer research training in 2023, called working with programs that support talented individuals from underserved communities a full-circle moment.
“I had no idea about research until pretty late in my undergraduate studies and someone saw a spark in me and pushed me,” she said. “Now I want to help others find that spark because that is how we will be able to move the field forward, by finding creative, brilliant minds and providing opportunities to help support, sustain, and retain them in the STEM fields.”
Webb, who is an alum of the National Institutes of Health CURE program, has also volunteered with the UMB CURE Scholars Program, the year-round program that seeks to empower middle school and high school students in West Baltimore for competitive and rewarding research, health care, and STEM-related career opportunities.
She was the keynote speaker for the 2024 CURE White Coat ceremony, encouraging the students to persevere: “All the time, things happen, but you just have to keep believing in yourself, investing in yourself, and pushing forward, and remember your why, what’s your purpose.”
Webb said a quote from Dr. King that resonates with her now has a similar message: “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.”
“To me, this means that we have to deal with things as they come. We must remember that hardships are temporary, and we must remain focused on our goals and keep pushing for better days ahead,” she said.
Webb said she was humbled to receive the MLK Leadership Award because most of UMB’s faculty and staff are engaged in outreach and service to the community.
“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized when so many do so much,” she said.
Ogunnowo called Webb’s work transformative.
“She creates spaces of belonging, encouragement, and possibility. Her leadership, mentorship, and humility are unwavering and exemplary. For students like me — who have faced challenging barriers and questioned our potential — Dr. Webb’s presence is a source of hope and empowerment,” Ogunnowo said.
Webb said she feels the same way about her students.
“I think my greatest achievement this year has been understanding the power of kindness and knowledge and being able to see it passed among my trainees,” she said. “The compassion and grace that they give to each other and the respect that they have for one another is inspiring. I look forward to seeing the positive change that this generation will be able to create.”