Morgan State Convenes National Blue-Ribbon Panel On STEM Research

Baltimore MD

13 December, 2021

9:48 PM

Description

Press release from Morgan State University: Dec. 13, 2021 As part of an overall effort to enhance its national and international reputation as a recognized research university and raise its Carnegie classification to R1 (highest research) status by 2031, Morgan State University convened a national Blue-Ribbon Panel on STEM Research Expansion. Representing a diverse gathering of some of the country's leading scholars and members of the scientific research community, the panel met over a two-day period with University administrators and faculty to learn more about Morgan's strategic plan and capabilities, and to evaluate potential "Peaks of Excellence," before offering strategic recommendations to achieve University goals. The convening of the Blue-Ribbon Panel marks the first such effort of its kind in Morgan's history. "We invited 12 national leaders in the STEM space to come learn more about the cutting-edge research that we are doing at Morgan and to listen to our plans for the future, as we wanted to be certain of the direction that we are taking in identifying and establishing core research areas that will distinguish Morgan from other institutions," said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University. "They listened and provided thoughtful feedback on how we can bolster our strengths in key fields of research while growing in other areas that present the most promise. With the resources made available by way of Maryland's recent settlement of the HBCU lawsuit, and the advice received from these experts, we will be able to expand our research efforts and enhance our environment of innovation to usher in the next generation of minority scientists, particularly those who are African American." Included among the University's current research assets presented to the Panel were its Center for Predictive Analytics, cybersecurity for IoT (Internet of Things) devices, brain science, urban health equity programs and STEM education programs, while the pioneering and rising areas of advanced manufacturing, engineering biology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, data science and data analytics, digital engineering, quantum education and literacy, climate science, and hypersonics and propulsion systems were identified as potential "Peaks of Excellence" — promising areas for new investment. This press release was produced by Morgan State University. The views expressed here are the author's own.