Morgan State University Receives $20.9 Million NIH/NIMHD Grant to Expand Groundbreaking Research on Urban Health Disparities

Grant Extends Critical Health Research Conducted by RCMI Center for Urban Health Disparities Research and Innovation to Address Health Issues of Concern to Underserved Populations in Baltimore and Maryland

BALTIMORE — Advancing highly essential examination of the determinants and impacts of health inequities in underserved urban populations, Morgan State University announces the award of a $20.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). The five-year grant will expand ongoing health research spearheaded by Morgan’s Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Center for Urban Health Disparities Research and Innovation (RCMI@Morgan) aimed at progressing the reduction or elimination of health disparities within marginalized communities.

The grant extension affirms the significant advancements and contributions RCMI@Morgan has made to enhance health outcomes while fostering a better understanding of the measures necessary to prevent chronic diseases that disproportionately affect diverse populations in Baltimore—a city with 70% of its residents identifying as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). The continuance of RCMI@Morgan’s NIH/NIMHD-funded health research underscores Morgan’s commitment as an anchor institution to addressing the societal challenges most prevalent in urban communities.

“We extend our appreciation to the NIH and NIMHD for their continued endorsement of Morgan State University and the transformative work being carried out by RCMI@Morgan,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan. “This extension and recommitment of funding are a testament to the life-changing impact our researchers and their partners are making; their research not only delivers tangible health solutions to underserved communities but also fosters innovative discoveries that are shaping the future of urban health. Morgan remains committed to leading this charge and ensuring that our research continues to reflect who we are as an institution—a driving force for equity and change.”

The five-year NIH/NIMHD grant will enable RCMI@Morgan to build on its existing efforts by fostering a more robust biomedical research ecosystem. RCMI@Morgan has been acutely focused on examining solutions to chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, HIV, neurological disorders, and COVID-19, all of which disproportionately impact minority and underserved communities. Since its inception in 2019, the center has published 66 peer-reviewed articles, presented 160 papers at scientific conferences, and secured nearly $20 million in additional funding to support this critical work.

“This new funding will significantly accelerate the pace of scientific discoveries at Morgan, allowing us to deepen our exploration into the root causes of health disparities and evidence-based solutions,” said Willie E. May, Ph.D., vice president for the Division of Research and Economic Development at Morgan. “The grant will allow us to expand our biomedical research infrastructure and continue to develop the next generation of scientists. This award also brings us closer to our goal of achieving R1 status while further cementing Morgan’s role as a hub for impactful, high-quality research.”

Key Goals and Program Initiatives

Scientific discoveries pursued at the RCMI@Morgan are making significant contributions to advancing the science of health disparity and minority health through understanding the causes and underlying mechanisms and developing cost-effective strategies to prevent and control health disparity diseases in urban settings. The new funding will bolster several key areas of Morgan’s biomedical research infrastructure

• Strengthening Multiusers Core Laboratories – The grant will support the enhancement of core laboratories, including Analytical, Animal, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, and Molecular and Cellular Biology labs, ensuring that MSU researchers have access to cutting-edge technology and expertise

• Fostering Excellence and Enabling Innovation in Biomedical and Health Disparities Research – The grant will enable principal investigators of three funded research projects to address health disparities through groundbreaking biomedical, socio-behavioral, clinical, and translational research.

• Implementing a Robust Pilot Project Program and Fostering Biomedical Research Career Development– Rooted in developing the next generation of biomedical researchers, the grant will support career development programs and provide funding for junior investigators. This will enable early-stage researchers to transition to research independence while strengthening the critical mass of biomedical and health disparities researchers at Morgan.

• Strengthening Community Engagement and Partnership – RCMI@Morgan will continue to foster community partnerships to improve health outcomes in Baltimore and beyond. Through participatory community-based research, the center translates scientific findings into actionable strategies that benefit local communities.

“The five years of additional funding will significantly elevate opportunities for our advanced degree researchers and postdocs, providing them with unparalleled resources to advance their work,” said Paul B. Tchounwou, D.Sc., principal investigator and executive director of RCMI@Morgan, and dean of School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences at Morgan. “The impact will be profound and far-reaching from fostering higher caliber multidisciplinary research, initiating novel programs and driving innovation in addressing health disparities. This investment ensures that Morgan continues to cultivate top-tier researchers who will lead in solving some of the most pressing challenges in urban health.”

Building a Legacy of Impactful Research

Since its launch, RCMI@Morgan has been a vital force in improving urban health outcomes. Research initiatives have explored the biological and socio-economic mechanisms behind health disparities, with projects addressing everything from cancer to HIV to social determinants of health. Collaborating with institutions like Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland, RCMI@Morgan has forged strong partnerships that enhance its research capabilities and broaden its reach.

“Our vision is to continue to develop and implement new approaches and cost-effective strategies that produce science-driven solutions for the prevention and control of health disparity diseases that plague our urban communities,” added Dr. Tchounwou.

RCMI@Morgan was established in 2019 through a $14.2 million formative grant from NIH/NIMHD). The Center’s charge was to develop research-based solutions designed to enhance health outcomes in Baltimore, while focusing on eliminating health disparities among underserved and marginalized populations within the city. The founding grant was part of NIH/NIMHD’s national initiative to support research at minority-serving institutions and positively impact their surrounding communities. Researchers focused their efforts on studying the causes and underlying mechanisms of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, asthma, cancer, COVID-19, HIV, diabetes, and neurological disorders that disproportionately affect minority and underrepresented populations. These efforts have contributed to the development of novel prevention and treatment strategies that are reshaping healthcare practices in Baltimore, across the state and nationally.

“This NIH/NIMHD grant is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our researchers,” said Hongtao Yu, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Morgan. “It positions Morgan as a major player in the national conversation on health disparities, and we are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of research to serve our community and beyond.”

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 academic degree and certificate programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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Media Contacts:

Larry Jones, Dell Jackson or Cheryl Stewart, for Morgan State University PR
443-885-3022

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health, under Award Number U54MD013376, supported the research reported in this announcement. The content is solely the authors' responsibility and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.