Several School of Public Health faculty were singled out for accolades at this year’s Maryland Research Excellence Celebration, which honors the distinct and notable accomplishments of University of Maryland researchers.
Professor Jie Chen, director of UMD’s Center on Aging and founder of the HAPPY Lab,was among professors from all UMD schools and colleges to receive the distinction of Exemplary Researcher. Chen, who focuses on interdisciplinary research in healthcare, also chairs the SPH Department of Health Management and Policy.
“Jie Chen is a powerful force at the forefront of research around aging and healthcare. We are incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Chen, with her extraordinary drive and creative spirit, advancing research that improves and integrates health services for all,” says SPH Dean, Boris D Lushniak.
A health economist and health services researcher, Chen works to improve care for aging populations by helping to improve healthcare services and also to integrate services so they work well together. She has published over 200 peer-reviewed works, pioneered advanced analytical methods, secured over $10 million in NIH funding, and earned funding support from numerous agencies and other sources for her research.
“I'm incredibly honored and deeply grateful for this recognition. Working to improve public health and healthcare systems is not just a professional goal – I believe it is the right thing to do,” says Dr. Chen.
“I'm also motivated by my roles as a mentor and department chair to help raise the next generation of scholars. And of course, I'm inspired by the dedication of the junior faculty and scholars around me. They work incredibly hard and care deeply about our department and school. Their commitment pushes me to work even harder.”
Over a dozen SPH faculty members were also 2025 honorees for demonstrating outstanding research excellence in their respective fields.
2025 SPH HONOREES
- Nate Apathy, Ph.D.
- Jie Chen, Ph.D.
- Craig S. Fryer, DrPH
- Rodolphe Gentili, Ph.D.
- Rebecca Gourevitch, Ph.D.
- Xin He, Ph.D.
- Ghaffar Ali Hurtado Choque, Ph.D.
- Kathleen McPhaul, Ph.D.
- Amir Sapkota, Ph.D.
- J. Carson Smith, Ph.D.
- Mia Smith-Bynum, Ph.D.
- Kirsten Stoebenau, Ph.D.
- Min Qi Wang, Ph.D.
Professor Sarah Peitzmeier was also the recipient of a 2025 Independent Scholarship, Research and Creativity Award) for her project, EMPOWER: Disseminating the Findings of the Empower Study on Transphobia-driven Intimate Partner Violence.