Maryland Supports Research Professorships at Five Higher Education Institutions
Bowie State University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, Baltimore, the University of Maryland, College Park, and Washington College raised matching funds to promote research and technology through Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative
BALTIMORE, MD (September 18, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Commerce joined Bowie State University; Johns Hopkins University; the University of Maryland, Baltimore; the University of Maryland, College Park; and Washington College in endowing nearly $17.9 million to fund new research professorships. The endowments were made through the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative (MEI), a state program created to spur basic and applied research in scientific and technical fields at colleges and universities. The schools raised a total of $9.1 million in private funding for the positions, and Maryland Commerce approved matching grants totaling $8.75 million to support the endowments.
“The latest round of grants from the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund will support cutting-edge research in critically important disciplines such as cybersecurity, cancer detection, chronic disease treatment, applied mathematics, economic development and more,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson. “Maryland Commerce is thrilled to once again join our partners in higher education to advance these bold new ideas.”
Bowie State University received $500,000 from Commerce to continue support for an endowed chair of Cyber Entrepreneurship and director of the Center of Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies; the award was matched by $500,000 in qualified funding from the university. The chair and director will support development of an ecosystem for cyber and deep technology innovators at the university as well as a growing pipeline of students from traditionally underrepresented communities preparing for leadership roles in the cybersecurity industry.
“Securing critical IT infrastructure is vital to our national security,” said Bowie State University Provost Dr. Guy-Alain Amoussou. “The endowed chair in Cyber Entrepreneurship and director will advance and promote entrepreneurship and discovery in the cyber space, as well as the creation of a new multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary ecosystem. Combining Bowie State’s strengths in cybersecurity and entrepreneurship will solidify the university’s leadership role in both emerging areas while paving the way for new business ventures.”
Johns Hopkins University received three MEI awards:
Commerce provided $1,250,000, matched by $1,500,000 in qualified funding from JHU, to support the Boone Pickens Rising Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute. This professorship will support Dr. Ji Yi, an emerging faculty and leading expert in the highly interdisciplinary field of ophthalmic imaging technology development, advancing his research and entrepreneurial activities to commercialize technologies for the prevention of blindness.
Commerce also provided $750,000, matched by $882,995 in qualified funding from JHU, to establish the Neurosurgery Rising Professorship at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, which will support the work of Dr. Risheng Xu. An early career faculty who is highly-recognized for making important discoveries in the field of neuroscience, Dr. Xu will pursue further innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders, leading to potential commercialization.
Finally, Commerce provided $1,250,000, matched by an equal amount of qualified funding from JHU, to establish the Professor of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. This professorship will allow Dr. Victor Velculescu, internationally known for his discoveries in genomics and cancer research, to continue his work in the groundbreaking field of early cancer detection, and support entrepreneurial activities at the intersection of non-invasive liquid biopsies, artificial intelligence (AI), and public health. It will also reinforce Maryland’s position as a leading hub for advanced cancer diagnostics.
“We are thrilled that the Department of Commerce continues to invest in endowed research professorships here at Johns Hopkins University, and at other institutions of higher education in the state, to drive future innovation and economic growth in Maryland,” said JHU Vice Provost for Research Denis Wirtz. “The excellence of our university depends strongly on endowed professorships, which are an incredibly effective way to support critical areas of research and attract and retain the finest faculty. Each of these investigators represent the brightest minds in their fields, and the dedicated funding to support their work will ignite discovery, stimulate the economy, and lead to advances in disease diagnosis and treatment. Through this unique matching program, our generous donors and the state of Maryland have stepped forward to establish these endowed positions and are true partners in the future success of Johns Hopkins.”
The University of Maryland, Baltimore, also received three MEI awards:
Commerce provided $750,000, matched by $750,000 in qualified funding from UMB, to support the Bartley P. Griffith, MD Professorship in Surgery, Transplantation, and Innovation in the Department of Surgery. This will allow the School of Medicine to recruit an internationally recognized surgeon-scientist and innovator specializing in cardiothoracic surgery and heart and lung transplantation, with a focus on new applications towards clinical use and potential commercialization.
Commerce also provided $500,000, matched by $500,000 in qualified funding from UMB, to support the Brown Capital Management, LLC Professorship in Sickle Cell Disease. This position will lead the University of Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Center (UMSCDC), a multidisciplinary Center of Excellence to enhance and expand the treatment, education, and research programs for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in a community with a high prevalence of the disease. The endowed professorship will be fully dedicated to improving care and finding a cure for SCD.
Finally, Commerce provided $750,000, matched by $750,000 in qualified funding from UMB, to support the Mordecai P. Blaustein Faculty Scholar Professorship. This position will allow an innovative physician-scientist specializing in research of biological systems on cellular and molecular mechanisms with a strong emphasis on integrative membrane physiology. This will give the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Drug Development a competitive edge with a focus on commercialization of scientific discoveries.
“These endowed professorships support research in very meaningful areas of public health,” said UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS. “Attracting the most innovative researchers also enables us to maintain leadership and a competitive edge in critical areas of health sciences research.”
“These matching grants will support some of the most significant areas for biomedical innovation, discovery, and commercialization—where Maryland is leading the way,” said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean. “This funding will enable us to build on our success in advancing xenotransplantation, discover innovative cancer therapies, and establish a new center to develop novel treatments for our warriors living with Sickle Cell Disease in Maryland, Nigeria, and globally.”
The University of Maryland, College Park received a $2,000,000 MEI award from Commerce, accompanied by an equal match in qualified funding from Michael and Eugenia Brin, to establish the Brin Endowed Chair in Mathematics within the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. This will allow the college to attract world-class faculty members who study fundamental areas of mathematics with modern applications.
“Michael and Eugenia Brin’s support for a new endowed chair will allow the Department of Mathematics to retain and recruit talented faculty members and students to the University of Maryland,” said University of Maryland, College Park President Darryll J. Pines. “We are grateful for the Brin family’s leadership and the state of Maryland matching funding that will continue to propel our campus Fearlessly Forward.”
Washington College received a $1,000,000 MEI award, accompanied by an equal match in qualified funding from the college, to establish a Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The chair will have expertise in behavioral science and will teach courses in the college’s entrepreneurship minor program, supervise students in co-curricular research centered on identifying and pursuing marketable ideas that spur local and regional economic development, and establish collaborative relationships with on- and off-campus programs to promote and support entrepreneurial activity and develop internships.
“With this Chair, Washington College will expand its ongoing efforts with Chestertown and the surrounding Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties to provide economic development opportunities,” said Washington College Provost and Dean Kiho Kim. “We deeply appreciate this generous support, which will not only strengthen the College’s entrepreneurship program but also create an innovative and inclusive space to bring the community together in the spirit of collaboration.”
The Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative was created by the General Assembly during the 2014 legislative session and has provided more than $86 million in funding to leverage more than $96 million in private donations. The funding can be used to pay salaries of newly endowed department chairs, staff, and support personnel in designated scientific and technical fields of study; fund related research fellowships for graduate and undergraduate students; and purchase lab equipment and other basic infrastructure and equipment.
About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.
