The highest faculty honor at UMB recognizes not just excellence, but also impact and significant contribution to the professor’s field, knowledge, profession, and/or practice.
Photo: Top row, left to right: Eun-Shim Nahm, Thomas Scalea, and Deanna Kelly. Bottom row, left to right: Hongbing Wang, Michael Van Alstine, and Huakun Xu.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) announced on May 12 that six faculty members have been recognized with the designation of Distinguished University Professor, the highest appointment bestowed upon faculty at UMB. This title is a recognition not just of excellence, but also of impact and significant contribution to the nominee’s field, knowledge, profession, and/or practice.
The new cohort noted below of joins a list of Distinguished University Professors that began with the inaugural 2021 class.
Here is the 2026 class:
- Deanna L. Kelly, PharmD, BCPP, FAAPP, Dr. William and Carol Carpenter Professor in Psychiatry for Mental Illness Research, Department of Psychiatry, and Director, Treatment Research Program, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM)
- Eun-Shim Nahm, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA, Professor, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, and Associate Dean for PhD Program, University of Maryland School of Nursing
- Thomas M. Scalea, MD, Honorable Francis X. Kelly Distinguished Professor of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, and Director, Program in Trauma, UMSOM
- Michael P. Van Alstine, JD, Francis King Carey Professor in Business Law, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
- Hongbing Wang, PhD, Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
- Huakun Xu, PhD, MS, FADM, Professor and Chair, Department of Biomaterials and Regenerative Dental Medicine, University of Maryland School of Dentistry
In the joint announcement, UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, and Provost and Executive Vice President Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MSL, MPA, said: “We are extremely proud of the exceptional and transformational contributions each of these faculty members has made to support UMB’s mission to improve the human condition and serve the public good. They are excellent examples of living UMB’s core values, and it is our honor to call them colleagues.”
The 2026 cohort will be celebrated and receive their Distinguished University Professor medals at UMB’s Faculty Convocation on Sept. 17.