Johns Hopkins celebrates 'remarkable talent, innovation, and promise' of its research community

Johns Hopkins University celebrated research faculty and staff on Thursday evening at the Peabody Library, honoring recipients of the university's Catalyst and Discovery Awards as well as faculty who received large external grants after working with JHU's Research Development Team.

Johns Hopkins launched the Catalyst and Discovery awards programs in 2015 to support scientists—Catalyst Awards support early-career faculty and Discovery Awards support cross-divisional research projects. Earlier this year, 35 faculty members were announced as Catalyst Award recipients and 44 collaborative research teams received Discovery Awards.

In his keynote remarks, Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and executive publisher for the Science family of journals, noted that we are "living in the golden age of science," in which scientists are finding breakthrough treatments and cures for diseases and making astounding discoveries about our planet and our universe. It is "an extraordinary time to be in science," Parikh said, and yet scientists face real headwinds—public and private funding is stretched thin and the compact between science and society is weakening.

Image caption: Denis Wirtz, vice provost for research

Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University

In response, he encouraged attendees to act as leaders, not stewards, to build rather than stagnate, to find solutions rather than wait for solutions to come from elsewhere.

"Never underestimate the ability of a small group of people to change the world," Parikh said, sharing a quote from anthropologist and former AAAS President Margaret Mead. "Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. And when I look across this small room, I see a group of people working in so many disciplines. So many disciplines. From the social sciences to astronomy to astrophysics to mathematics to biology to chemistry. I know that this small group of people can change the world."

Denis Wirtz, the university's vice provost for research, acknowledged the Catalyst and Discovery award recipients and also applauded the work of the university's Research Development Team, or RDT, created in 2017 to support faculty through the process of developing and submitting proposals for research funding, particularly highly competitive, large-scale grants that involve collaboration across disciplines. To date, the total funding that RDT has helped secure is rapidly approaching $1 billion.

"When we launched these festivities back in 2015, our vision was clear: to craft an extraordinary, indelible experience in a brilliant venue that would become a pivotal moment in honoring and applauding the remarkable talent, innovation, and promise that thrives within our research community," Wirtz said. "Scanning the room now, seeing the mix of fresh and familiar faces, and feeling that buzz of excitement, I'm filled with hope that this gathering will be a highlight of your year. I'm delighted to join you in celebrating this evening. I want to extend my sincere congratulations to the recipients and express my gratitude to those who contributed to making it all happen."