Preparing Our Students to Become Tomorrow’s Scientific Leaders

Our goal is to establish a $15 million endowment that will support students in the College of Chemical and Life Sciences, who are among the most outstanding students at Maryland.

Lisa Pfeifer, a predoctoral fellow in biology, points to the uniqueness of the Maryand experience.  "I have access to the resources and expertise in my department, the college and the university, in addition to world-class research institutions such as the Smithsonian.  I cannot think of another situation where I could interact face-to-face with some of the brightest minds in science simply by hoping on the Metro."

Pfeifer hopes that her research, which examines two hormone receptors in humans and other primates, result in "better treatments for hypertension, preterm labor and some psychiatric disorders."

Approximately 60 percent of incoming freshmen participate in living-learning communities such as College Park Scholars and the University Honors programs. They also have many unique opportunities to work with exceptional faculty who are conducting cutting edge research in laboratories or with its many research partners in government and private industry. About 70 percent of undergraduates complete an internship or conduct research before graduation.

Endowed undergraduate scholarships will enable the college to attract the best and brightest students, increase the diversity of the undergraduate student body, and enable students to focus on their education while reducing their financial burden. Our goal: 10 undergraduate scholarships, at $25,000 each.

Graduate students represent the scientific and academic leaders of tomorrow. The College provides graduate students with an exceptional educational experience that includes extensive mentoring by faculty and the training needed to become independent researchers, excellent educators, and major contributors to the local, national and international communities.

Endowed graduate fellowships will enable the college to offer nationally competitive stipends, recruit the best students, and expand the number of students from under-represented populations. Our goal: four graduate fellowships, at $35,000 each.

The postdoctoral experience includes substantial opportunities to receive advanced training in research, teaching, and managing a laboratory.

Endowed postdoctoral fellowships will allow the college to recruit outstanding young scientists to work with its faculty and provide them with the advanced training required for leadership positions in academia, the corporate sector, and government. Our goal: two post-doctoral fellowships, at $45,000 each.