The Research & Development Council of New Jersey has named Dr. Brian Strom, chancellor of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (now Rutgers Health), the recipient of its prestigious “Educator of the Year” award. The council cited his “transformative impact on medical education in New Jersey,” recognizing his efforts to unify and strengthen the state’s medical and health professional schools.
The award will be presented at the council’s 46th annual Edison Patent Awards ceremony on Nov. 20 at Bell Works in Holmdel. The event, which celebrates New Jersey’s top inventors and innovators, will also honor six other individuals and the teams behind 12 patents. Among the other honorees are two research teams from the Rutgers School of Engineering.
A legacy of leadership and innovation
According to the R&D Council, Strom’s leadership has been instrumental in positioning New Jersey as a national leader in health sciences education. He was the “chief architect” of Rutgers Health, a premier academic health-care center that was established after the integration of the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey into Rutgers University in 2013.
In addition to his administrative achievements, Strom is a globally recognized scholar and is considered a founder of the field of pharmacoepidemiology, which applies epidemiological methods to study the use and effects of drugs in large populations. His work in this area has helped foster the development of epidemiology units in medical schools across the world through his involvement in the International Clinical Epidemiology Network.
Honored among New Jersey’s innovators
Upon receiving the honor, Strom expressed his gratitude, stating, “Receiving this recognition alongside other accomplished leaders and researchers who are recipients of the Edison Patent Awards is a tremendous honor.” He also highlighted the collaborative spirit of his faculty and colleagues, crediting them for their dedication to patient care, research, and education.
Other notable honorees at the Edison Patent Awards include Robert Cohen of Stryker Corp., who is receiving the Science & Technology Medal, and Nathaniel Banks and Yidian Liu of PolyGone Systems, who are being recognized with the Emerging Tech Award. According to Kim Case, the executive director of the council, these individuals “exemplify the many ways innovation can drive real-world change.”
