The Dean’s List: A Conversation with UM School of Pharmacy Dean Sarah Michel

On this episode of Virtual Face to Face, UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, sits down with University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) Dean Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, as she talks about her vision for the future of pharmacy education and research. Now in her sixth month as dean, Michel discusses her five-part plan for the future of the school, including: • A comprehensive reimagining of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum • Increasing the size and scope of research • Expanding master’s and certificate programs • Advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion • Improving alumni engagement Michel is an internationally recognized scientist regarding the role metals play in the regulation of chronic inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. A recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clinical trial she headed led the FDA to issue new guidance on how generic nanomedicines should be evaluated for approval. During her 19 years at UMSOP, Michel has also been a leader in all aspects of education, establishing the annual “Spring Into Science” event with the National Science Foundation and helping to win a National Institutes of Health Initiative for Maximizing Student Development T32 grant to train students from groups underrepresented in health-related sciences.