Dean Michel Named Innovation Fellow by Universities at Shady Grove
Sarah L.J. Michel will lead innovation in the health and life sciences sector.
By Andrew Tie
February 26, 2024
The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) has named Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean and professor of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), as part of the newly created Joann Boughman Innovation Fellows program.
Named after Joann Boughman, PhD, the recently retired senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University System of Maryland, the Innovation Fellows program will support the work of four individuals leading innovation in academia, industry, government, or the nonprofit arenas, in partnership with USG.
“USG is proud to launch the Innovation Fellows program to support our collaborators in advancing innovation across a number of industry sector hubs,” said Anne Khademian, PhD, MPA, executive director of USG. “Dean Michel has been a fantastic partner with USG in designing programs to meet industry needs, and we look forward to seeing how she will help us strengthen our ties in the health and life sciences arena.”
UMSOP has a long history with USG. A cohort of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students were based at USG for 14 years, and the School’s MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PSC) and Graduate Studies in Medical Cannabis programs are based there.
Michel, appointed as an Innovation Fellow with the Health and Life Sciences Hub, has been part of those collaborations. While director of graduate studies for the Department of PSC, Michel helped conceive of the MS in PSC program. A key requirement in the curriculum is the completion of a biopharmaceutical research internship, with several companies located near USG serving as research sites for students.
“The unique Universities at Shady Grove model provides enormous opportunities and synergies for the USM institutions with programs based there, including the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy,” said Michel. “Our 16-year history at USG and our partnership with the Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research in Rockville demonstrate our commitment to USG.”
For the next year, Michel will be tasked with imagining, designing, planning for, and/or advancing a component in the health and life sciences hub, along with USG collaborators and regional employers.
“This appointment as an Innovation Fellow is truly an honor and further cements the School of Pharmacy’s integration at USG, where I will work towards developing cutting-edge student-centric programs to the benefit of USG, students, and the School of Pharmacy,” said Michel.
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