As president of University of Maryland, Baltimore, for 13 years, David Ramsay has overseen the growth of the school?s BioPark, where research and drug development is done. The university?s schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, social work and law are well-known for the volunteering students do throughout the community, from pro bono legal services to free dental work.
The Examiner met with Ramsay on Thursday to learn more about the future of the university.
The university?s BioParkkeeps growing. What?s in store?
We are going to have more buildings and tenants. It?s really about community development and outreach because we hope we will be able to create jobs for people who live in the neighborhood. We?ve got to try and help the schools. We all know there is a problem in math and science teaching so we hope to use our volunteer resources to do something about that. We want to provide coordinated programs between the university and various schools in the neighborhood so there is an easy-access pipeline so the community can grow through the school, community college and university, and actually obtain jobs.
You mentioned the school?s research into anthrax. Tell me about the homeland security research the university?s doing.
We are developing vaccines against organisms that can be potentially used in a biological attack. At some point, I would love to get the development of vaccine manufacturing.
Does the university do any other research people would find surprising?
Dr. Alessio Fasano has done research into celiac disease, which makes people sensitive to gluten. His company is now its third year and has received $40 million in venture-capital funding. His research will help people with celiac disease and diabetes. ?
