President’s Message

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the latest edition of CATALYST, a showcase of the groundbreaking research, bold innovation, and collaborative spirit that define the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). This issue shines a spotlight on the transformative work taking place across our seven schools —and the people making it happen.

From the streets of Baltimore to the rural corners of our state, UMB faculty, staff, and students are addressing urgent health care challenges with creativity, compassion, and scientific rigor. At the School of Medicine, students are helping close the rural health care gap on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Nursing students are building trust and gaining insight into geriatric care at Keswick Multi-Care Center. The Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy is cultivating the next generation of physician assistant educators and leaders, while the School of Dentistry is restoring oral health and hope through its Mission of Mercy.

These are not just programs — they are lifelines. And the research powering them can’t wait.

In labs and learning environments across UMB, discovery is accelerating. Our School of Pharmacy’s Mass Spectrometry Center is helping researchers unlock answers to today’s most complex biomedical questions. The Costa Rica Faculty Development Institute is expanding global perspectives and academic exchange. Meanwhile, across the UMB campus, our Office of Community and Civic Engagement is deepening connections between the University and the city we call home.

And don’t miss the story of Poe, the comfort K9 who, alongside handler PFC Anthony Summers, is strengthening public safety through empathy and outreach.

UMB is more than a university — it’s an engine of impact, where breakthroughs are not only imagined but also realized, every day. Whether in science, public health, education, or community development, our work carries urgency. Because when it comes to solving society’s most pressing challenges, we cannot afford to wait. Learn about UMB’s groundbreaking discoveries that are transforming medicine, improving health, and shaping the future in our new series “Breakthroughs Can’t Wait.”

To all of our partners, alumni, and friends — thank you. Your support fuels these efforts, and I hope this edition of CATALYST leaves you as inspired as I am by the innovation and dedication that define the UMB community.

Sincerely,

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS
President
University of Maryland, Baltimore