Endowed Professorships
Howard M. Eisenberg, MD Distinguished Professor in Neurosurgery
Created in 2019 through a generous gift from an anonymous donor and matched by the Maryland E-Novation Initiative to honor Dr. Howard M. Eisenberg’s immeasurable impact on the University of Maryland and the field of Neurosurgery, the Eisenberg Professor will be positioned to accelerate innovation and discovery in the field of translational neurosciences. This senior-level physician-scientist will have a long history of extramural funding and an entrepreneurial spirit to conduct large-scale, multidisciplinary studies focused on developing new treatment options and therapies.
It is expected that the inaugural Eisenberg Professor will facilitate scientific collaborations across institutional boundaries and partner with like-minded experts both inside and outside of the university, providing mentorship to medical students, residents, fellows, junior faculty, and researchers alike.
Current: Graeme F. Woodworth, MD, FACS
Dr. Bizhan Aarabi Professor in Neurotrauma
Created in 2018 by Drs. Bizhan and Judith Ann Aarabi and matched by the Maryland E-Novation Initiative, the Aarabi Professor is focused on the expansion of translational research and clinical activities in stroke research, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and spinal cord injury in collaboration with the University of Maryland Program in Trauma.
Dr. J. Marc Simard, the inaugural Aarabi Professor, has significantly advanced research in the areas of stroke and TBI. Dr. Simard’s seminal discovery of a critical ion channel that controls water balance in the brain, SUR1-Trmp4, over a decade ago has led to over 27 U.S. and international patents. Notably, this discovery has matured to the point of three clinical trials using a patented formulation of the antidiabetic drug, Glyburide are studying the impact of reducing dangerous swelling in could advance the first ever pharmacological intervention for stroke, TBI, and possibly other neurological conditions.
Current: J. Marc Simard, MD, PhD