---
title: "7 UMCP, UMB Researchers Named MPower Professors"
date: 2025-02-06T05:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/7-umcp-umb-researchers-named-mpower-professors"
section: Articles
---
# 7 UMCP, UMB Researchers Named MPower Professors

*February 6, 2025* — by [Maryland Today Staff](/author/maryland-today-staff)


> Faculty Pursuing Collaborative Work on Pressing Issues Awarded $150K

*Maryland Flag 10122018 6313 1920x1080 — Seven new MPower Professors from UMCP and UMB will each receive $150,000, allocated over three years. All are involved in collaborative research activities that leverage the strengths of both universities under the MPowering the State initiative.*

Seven faculty members—three from the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) and four from the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB)—have been appointed 2025 MPower Professors, the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: [MPowering the State (MPower)](https://mpower.maryland.edu/) announced on Wednesday.

All have demonstrated collaboration on strategic research that would be unattainable or difficult to achieve by UMB or UMCP acting independently of one another, and they embrace the mission of MPower: to collectively strengthen and serve the state of Maryland and its citizens.

MPower Professors will each receive $150,000, allocated over three years, to apply to their salary or to support supplemental research activities. These funds recognize, enable and support strong collaborations between faculty in the joint research enterprise between UMCP and UMB.

“I’m deeply inspired by this incredible group of MPower Professors, who are not only dedicating themselves to solving some of the most complex problems facing society, but also embracing the power of cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration. By working together, we unlock new creative potential and develop innovative solutions that we couldn’t achieve alone,” said UMCP President Darryll J. Pines. “Together, we are stronger."

“Each of the new MPower Professors demonstrates the core ideals of collaboration, innovation and real-world impact,” said UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell. “By bringing together the expertise of our two institutions, these outstanding researchers are advancing scientific discovery and addressing critical challenges that will benefit Maryland and the broader global community."

The new MPower Professors are pushing boundaries at the intersection of data science, genomics, infectious diseases and pain research. Their endeavors range from developing advanced statistical and computational tools to analyze complex biomedical data, to investigating lateral gene transfer in pathogens, creating new anti-tick vaccines and unveiling how stress influences chronic pain. Harnessing cutting-edge methods in bioinformatics, epidemiology and public health, these researchers are shaping the future of biomedical science while informing policies and practices that improve lives.

The 2025 MPower Professors are:


*Shuo Chen headshot*



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*Michael Cummings headshot*



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*Julie Dunning Hotopp headshot*



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*Utpal Pal headshot*



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*Mihai Pop headshot*



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*Fadia Shaya headshot*



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*Richard J. Traub headshot*




**Topics:** [Research](https://today.umd.edu/tags/research)


**Tags:** [Biology](https://today.umd.edu/topic/biology), [Computer Science](https://today.umd.edu/topic/computer-science), [Veterinary Medicine](https://today.umd.edu/topic/veterinary-medicine)


**Units:** [College of Agriculture and Natural Resources](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-agriculture-and-natural-resources), [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences), [University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies](https://today.umd.edu/topic/university-of-maryland-institute-for-advanced-computer-studies)