A newsletter for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends
August 25, 2017
A new frontier fighting prostate cancer
UMES researcher’s gene splicing idea earns U.S. Patent
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Dr. Peter Wang is on a mission to unlock the mysteries behind a medical diagnosis dreaded by half the planet: prostate cancer. Along with fellow oncology researchers with whom he’s worked since immigrating from Taiwan 15 years ago, Wang is an emerging expert in the field of cancer genomics. Shortly after joining UMES’ School of Pharmacy faculty in 2016, Wang was one of three researchers awarded a U.S. Patent for a diagnosis and treatment described as “novel splicing variants of the genes associated with prostate cancer risk and survival.” Much work still lies ahead, Wang said, but peers have signaled that the gene splicing strategy focusing on ribonucleic acid – commonly known as RNA – shows promise in treating a disease that is the second leading cause of death among American men. The numbers are proportionately higher among African-American men, which is of particular CANCER / continued on page 6
UMES celebrates successful fundraising year A Development Office Update
The university has had another banner year with its fundraising achievements. Alumni, friends, corporations, foundations, employees and others gave $3,403,197 in fiscal year 2017. That’s close to 50 percent over the $2.3 million goal. Our largest donors were the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation in support of the UMES Hospitality and Tourism Management program at the Universities at Shady Grove campus, The Richard A. Henson Foundation in support of the Henson Honors Program and a corporate gift/pledge for need-based scholarships from an alumna who wishes to remain anonymous. While the large gifts are critical in helping us achieve our goal—or exceed as was the case this past year—every gift makes a difference. It is the sum of our combined effort that makes it possible for UMES to provide the margin of excellence that philanthropy brings.
Employees raised a record $80,649 from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. Thank you, colleagues! As we embark on a new fiscal year with a fundraising goal of $2.5 million, we ask that you, as members of the UMES community, help us promote our university, our programs and the achievements of our students, alumni, staff and faculty. We encourage you to serve as ambassadors and make connections with those who believe in us, to help identify leaders of industry in your professions and to reconnect with alumni. Above all, believe in the potential of our students to be the next leaders in their communities and in their professional fields. On behalf of all of our students, thank you! Dr. Veronique Diriker, UMES Director of Development
INSIDE
Center, from left, UMES President Juliette B. Bell, Board of Visitors Chairman John Allen Jr., and Dr. Veronique Diriker, UMES’ director of development, are surrounded by student athletes at the university’s annual donor reception
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Hawk Nation Column School of Pharmacy Accredited
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Making Physics Phun Faculty Promotions UMES Hosts United Way
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High School Students Earn UMES Credits UMES Partners with Peace Corps
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Student Chef Showcased at Governor’s Event Commencement
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Hawks Volleyball
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Concert Choir in Virgin Islands Professor Presents in Italy Math Professor Teaches in China La Merced Medical Mission
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M Street Grille A&E Calendar