University of Maryland Names New Biochemistry Department Chair

The University of Maryland School of Medicine named Gerald M. Wilson, PhD, as chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, an appointment that took effect December 15, 2025. The announcement, made December 9, 2025, positions a longtime faculty member to lead a department central to molecular research, translational science, and graduate training.

Wilson brings a research focus in RNA biochemistry and cancer to the leadership role, and he has served in multiple academic and programmatic capacities at the school. The announcement described his scholarly record and noted support from multiple funding sources that have sustained his laboratory and educational work. He has also led graduate programs, experience that University leadership cited as relevant to department priorities and student training.

University leaders framed the appointment as part of a broader effort to revitalize drug discovery within the department, to recruit new faculty, and to strengthen collaborative ties with the UM Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. These priorities aim to accelerate translation of laboratory findings into candidate therapies, expand research capacity on campus, and deepen connections between basic science and clinical oncology in Baltimore.

For Baltimore residents, the leadership change matters because it can influence local clinical research and treatment pipelines. Stronger drug discovery efforts and closer collaboration with the Greenebaum Cancer Center can bring more clinical trials, expanded expertise, and potential investments to the city. Recruitment of faculty and growth in research programs also create jobs and training opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who study and work in Baltimore laboratories.

The appointment highlights both scientific ambition and ethical responsibilities. As the department pursues translational work, considerations of equitable access to new therapies, community engagement in clinical research, and transparent communication about benefits and risks will be important for maintaining public trust. With Wilson at the helm, the department will be expected to balance innovation with those ethical commitments while contributing to Baltimore's role as a center for biomedical research and patient care.