Maryland
$12.75M MPower Grant to Spur Biomedical Tech Advances in UMCP, UMB…
A new five-year, $12.75 million grant from the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State (MPower) aims to accelerate breakthroughs in biomedical technology and innovations through a collaboration between the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).
The grant supports research and education as well as new offices, labs and faculty at the Edward & Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering and Medicine (CTEM), announced in January. The MPower funding builds upon a $10 million joint gift from the St. Johns and the Edward St. John Foundation to establish CTEM.
The center brings together clinicians from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) at UMB and engineers from the A. James Clark School of Engineering at UMCP to tackle health challenges and drive medical innovations, improving treatments for patients and empowering them to live healthier lives. CTEM’s initial work will draw from Fischell Department of Bioengineering faculty but its goal is to involve all engineering disciplines in addressing human health.
“Heart disease, diabetes and hypertension are among the leading causes of death and disability in our state, according to UMSOM. Those diseases cause personal impacts on many families, and treatments are significant drivers of health care costs, but engineering and health care, working hand in hand, can address these challenges and improve people’s lives,” said Clark School Dean Samuel Graham. “Thank you to our MPower partners for their great support in bringing the Edward and Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering and Medicine to the 4MLK Building, and in expanding our ability to serve the people of Maryland.”
The MPower funding supports the custom design and construction of state-of-the-art shared space at the 4MLK Laboratory and Office building at the University of Maryland BioPark in Baltimore, opening up new opportunities for cooperative educational programming and research. Already, UMB-UMCP partnerships in health care are propelling medical device development, improving cancer detection and care, and improving ophthalmology diagnostics and the fight against glaucoma, among other breakthroughs.
“As Maryland continues to rise as a national leader in biomedical technology, we can see the dynamic impact that MPower can have in accelerating disruptive innovation,” said Mark T. Gladwin, M.D., the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and dean of University of Maryland School of Medicine. “With this tremendous investment, we are breaking down traditional academic silos and creating a dynamic ecosystem where engineers and medical professionals work hand in hand to address the most critical health challenges of our time. In addition, we want to give our students every opportunity to combine medical and technology education. As a result, we are launching a new eight-year B.S.-M.D. program in collaboration with UMCP to enroll eligible students in engineering for direct acceptance into our medical school.”
The MPower investment also supports the recruitment, seed funding and co-location of eight UMCP bioengineering faculty alongside a similar number of UMSOM clinical faculty. Together, they will be able to provide rich opportunities for student education and experiential learning, including the new B.S.-to-M.D. degree, undergraduate clinical experiences, co-advising and support for capstone design projects and graduate fellowships.
“MPower is a collaborative resource, connecting people, ideas and programs to drive innovation to serve the people of Maryland and beyond,” said MPower Executive Director Adrianne M. Arthur. “Collaborations like this one strategically link our complementary strengths to spark powerful and transformative change, multiplying the impact that each institution could have independently.”
The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region.
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals’ first-round draft pick Chris Hacopian inked his first professional contract Wednesday, a moment made sweeter by the fact it was just a 30-minute drive from home to get to Nationals Park and put pen to paper.
The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region. He’s from Potomac, Maryland, and played his high school ball at Winston Churchill, where he was named the 2022 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and a 2022 Washington Post All-Met selection.
According to MLB.com, Hacopian grew up a Nationals fan, admiring the likes of Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa and others. He also played his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Maryland, where his father Derek played before him, before transferring to Texas A&M for his junior season.
With the Aggies, Hacopian hit .319 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI across 42 games en route to being named First-Team All-Southeastern Conference and a Third-Team All-American by Baseball America, the Nationals said in a news release.
After inking his contract Wednesday, Hacopian donned his new jersey and ball cap and stepped onto D.C.’s beloved diamond as a part of the Nationals organization for the first time.
“That was so cool, oh my gosh. I’ve been in the stands like, 100 times, but being on the field is so different,” he said.
Hacopian was ranked 14th among MLB Draft prospects by MLB.com. The 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound second baseman boasted one of the best bats in college baseball, according to MLB.com, with excellent control over the strike zone and feel for the barrel, along with solid pop.
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The state said the five recently traveled together to “a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak.”
Maryland health officials confirmed five more measles cases, all in Carroll County.
“These individuals recently traveled together to a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak,” the state Department of Health said in a release.
The agency said others may have been exposed on the afternoon of July 13 in the emergency department waiting room at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster.
Another measles case recently prompted warnings from health officials in Maryland, Virginia and the District. On June 17, a Maryland resident traveled through Dulles International Airport and visited a D.C. urgent care clinic.
Measles is highly contagious. It can spread through the air through coughs, breathing, and sneezes. Early symptoms can include fevers of over 101 degrees, coughs, runny noses, watery eyes and face or body rashes.
It can take up to 21 days after exposure for the first symptoms to appear, and those who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles are especially vulnerable.
The five new measles cases in Maryland bring the state’s year-to-date total to nine. The state health department confirmed three cases in 2025, and one in each of the previous two years.
“All Marylanders should review potential exposure times, watch for symptoms, and confirm they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations,” the health department said.
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Baltimore may be under an extreme heat alert, but residents can dream about autumn, as tickets are now on sale for the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show returning to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in October.
This three-day celebration of home and garden takes place from Friday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Expect hundreds of exhibitors, local makers, home improvement experts, family-friendly experiences and celebrity guests. The show offers everyone the chance to explore the very latest in home improvement, landscaping, outdoor living and decor, the chance to take part in hands-on experiences, and do some holiday shopping all under one roof.
This year’s show will have more than 300 exhibitors, including more than 100 crafters from around Maryland in the Makers Market. There will be unique exhibits, stage presentations and a special appearance by Chase Morrill, Ashley Morrill-Eldridge and Ryan Eldridge from Magnolia Network’s hit series “Maine Cabin Masters.” The three will have two Main Stage appearances, one on Friday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. and the second on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 12 p.m.
“As temperatures start to drop and the holiday season comes into view, the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show is a place to gather ideas, meet local experts and get inspired before the busy season begins,” said Dave Paul, show manager, in a statement. “Whether attendees are planning a home project, looking for outdoor living ideas or getting a head start on holiday shopping, the show brings together resources and experiences for every kind of homeowner, maker and DIY enthusiast.”
In addition to the Makers Market and stars of “Maine Cabin Masters”, the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show will have a petting zoo, a Kids Market where attendees can shop from local children, and much more.
Tickets are available online and at the door. Prices are as follows:
Online:
- Adults: $8
- Senior Citizens (60+): $6
- Children (ages 6-12): $4
- 4-Pack Online: $30 for four tickets, valid for one admission each and one day only
At the door:
- Adults: $10
- Senior Citizens (60+): $8
- Children (ages 6-12): $4
- Friday & Saturday: $4 after 4 p.m. at the door only
Special Offers:
- Active and retired military personnel, veterans, firefighters and police officers receive free admission all weekend, along with one guest, with valid ID at the box office.
- Attendees who show a CharmPass app, Light RailLink ticket or eligible transit pass at the box office receive free admission any day of the show. One admission is available per pass.
The Maryland State Fairgrounds is located at 2200 York Road in Lutherville-Timonium.
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