University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, has announced the appointment of Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, as dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP).
Since June, Michel has served as interim dean and was previously chair of UMSOP’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PSC) and associate dean for graduate programs.
“After an extensive national search, I am thrilled to name Dr. Sarah Michel to lead the School of Pharmacy into its next phase,” Jarrell said. “Dr. Michel brings an immense wealth of experience and knowledge to the role as dean. In her long tenure on campus, she has not only supported the school in an academic manner but has been fully committed to involvement in campus life. We are incredibly excited to welcome Dr. Michel into this role.”
As a pharmaceutical researcher, Michel is an internationally recognized leader in the field of metals in medicine. Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and U.S. Army Research Labs for investigating the roles that metals play in the regulation of chronic inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
She also has been active in clinical research through U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants and has been closely involved with the Maryland Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation. Notably, a recent FDA clinical trial headed by Michel led the FDA to issue new guidance on how generic nanomedicines should be evaluated for approval. In addition, she is part of an FDA-funded PSC and University of Maryland School of Pharmacy team of researchers investigating the safety of electronic cigarettes.
“I am thrilled to take on the role of dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, where I have spent my entire professional career,” Michel said. “I look forward to working closely with our remarkable faculty, staff, and students and leading the school in excellence as we train the pharmacists, pharmapreneurs, and health scientists of the future and engage in cutting edge, innovative research, practice, and community outreach to improve the human condition.”
In her nearly 19 years at UMSOP, Michel has been intricately involved in all of the school’s educational aspects, including PhD and MS programs and the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, where she redesigned the core biochemistry course to emphasize clinical applications to pharmacy and led the development of the PharmD research pathway1.
About University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, founded in 1841, was the fourth school of pharmacy established in United States. The School is one of seven professional schools and a graduate school located at the University of Maryland, a thriving center for life sciences research and community service. Through its education, research, and service programs, the School of Pharmacy strives to improve the health and well-being of society by aiding in the discovery, development, and use of medicines.
About Dr. Sarah Michel
Sarah Michel began her tenure as dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) on Oct. 15, 2023, after serving as interim dean for 4½ months, succeeding Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, FCP, who stepped down after nearly 16 years as dean.
Michel is a professor, former chair of UMSOP’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PSC), former associate dean for graduate programs, and an internationally recognized leader in the field of metals in medicine. Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and U.S. Army Research labs for investigating the roles that metals play in the regulation of chronic inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Sources:
- News Source: Pharmaceutical Researcher Sarah Michel to Lead School of Pharmacy
- School Source: About Us – University of Maryland, Baltimore
- Doctor Source: Sarah L.J. Michel – University of Maryland, Baltimore