UMSOM DEAN
Mark T. Gladwin, MD
Dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore
John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean
Dr. Mark T. Gladwin, MD is a distinguished physician-scientist and academic leader currently serving as Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Vice President for Medical Affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor.
He has an extensive research portfolio with high impact on vascular biology, translational science, and clinical medicine.
Dean Gladwin’s work transcends national boundaries, through clinical trials in multiple countries and contributions to understanding diseases that have significant global health burden.
Dean Gladwin’s research spans fundamental biochemical discoveries, translational mechanisms of disease, and clinical trials with global relevance, particularly in vascular biology and sickle cell disease. His work has had a lasting impact on both scientific understanding and experimental therapies, connecting laboratory findings to patient-centered outcomes.
“We need to continue to be a leader on the global health front, helping to develop new solutions for generational health challenges like new emerging pathogens that put us at risk for the next pandemic. This new global health alliance emphasizes our commitment to our mission to serve not just those in our local communities but to those countries throughout the world without access to basic health services.”
UMGHA CO-DIRECTOR
Manhattan E. Charurat, PhD, MHS
Homer & Martha Gudelsky Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Global Director, Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity; Division Head, Epidemiology and Prevention, IHV; Associate Member, Population Science Program, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Manhattan E. Charurat, PhD, MHS is a Homer & Martha Gudelsky distinguished Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, holding appointments at the Department of Medicine and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health.
Dr. Charurat’s research integrates rigorous epidemiological methods with public health practice to inform policy and clinical decision-making in resource-limited settings, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Charurat has served as PI for over $200 million in grant funding for global research and training from the U.S. NIH and CDC. He and his team have established vibrant centers of excellence and partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa that conduct public health implementation, clinical research and training in infectious diseases and cancer control
Dr. Charurat has mentored many African researchers who are in important positions in their universities or governments in making their fights against HIV. He serves on numerous national and international committees including appointment to the NIH AIDS and Clinical and Epidemiology Review Panel, the World Bank-funded Center of Excellence in Public Health and Maternal-child Health, and the International AIDS Society.
“The Global Health Alliance is a bold commitment to harnessing our collective expertise, partnerships, and innovation to improve the human condition worldwide. It represents our belief that global challenges demand global solutions, rooted in collaboration and impact.”
UMGHA CO-DIRECTOR
Meagan C, Fitzpatrick, PhD
Associate Professor of the Center
for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the School of Medicine
Dr. Meagan C. Fitzpatrick, PhD is an infectious disease transmission modeler and global health researcher.
Her work applies advanced epidemiological modeling, health economics, and decision science to evaluate infectious disease control strategies, with a strong emphasis on the cost-effectiveness of vaccination and other public health interventions.
Dr. Fitzpatrick has made significant contributions to modeling the impacts of vaccine strategies for diseases such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in low-resource settings and assessing COVID-19 transmission dynamics and mitigation approaches, including vaccine impact and strategies to reduce spread in school environments and populations. Her research supports evidence-based policy decisions for infectious disease prevention and control and integrates economic evaluation with epidemiologic modeling to inform global public health planning.
She has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and collaborates broadly with international partners to address vaccine optimization and infectious disease dynamics across diverse settings.
"By establishing avenues within our university for sharing knowledge and experiences, the Global Health Alliance will enable us to strengthen those networks and meet the challenges of the current moment.”
UMGHA CO-ORDINATOR
Cathy Mwangi, PhD
Director of International Operations at the Institute of Human Virology at the School of Medicine and Program Manager for the NIH Fogarty INSIGHT Fellowship
Dr. Cathy Mwangi, PhD is an accomplished global health and strategic operations leader at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine at the Institute of Human Virology
Her work spans global health research management, compliance systems strengthening, and international partnership development, with a focus on ensuring high-impact, audit-ready research programs in complex funding environments.
Dr. Mwangi has led and delivered compliance-driven training and capacity-building initiatives for academic institutions and research consortia, emphasizing proactive risk mitigation, alignment with evolving NIH/HHS policy frameworks, and integrated financial and regulatory stewardship. She has designed and facilitated institutional training on federal grant management “best practice” frameworks that reduce retroactive correction and promote sustainable research administration.
Her global portfolio includes strategic engagement with government entities and academic collaborators in sub-Saharan Africa, advising on health systems strengthening, research infrastructure development, and collaborative research agenda-setting. She has contributed to expanding institutional footprints in areas such as HIV/AIDS transitions, human resources for health, health policy research, and philanthropic diversification.