Rutgers Health Chancellor Is Honored as Educator of the Year
Brian Strom, chancellor of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (now called Rutgers Health), has been named “Educator of the Year” by the Research & Development Council of New Jersey for his transformative impact on medical education in the state.
Strom will be honored during the council’s 46th annual Edison Patent Awards on Nov. 20 at Bell Works in Holmdel, N.J.
The awards, the state’s highest honor for invention and innovation, will recognize six trailblazing individuals, including Strom, as well as the leaders behind 12 patents from New Jersey companies, including two awards to researchers at the Rutgers School of Engineering. They are: Kristin Dana, a professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering and alumnus Eric Wengrowski; and Richard E. Riman, a Distinguished Professor of materials science and engineering, and alumnus Daniel Kopp.
As the chief architect of Rutgers’ academic health enterprise, Dr. Strom has unified and strengthened the state’s medical, dental and health professional schools, expanding opportunities for students, improving care delivery and positioning New Jersey as a national leader in health sciences education.
Research & Development Council of New Jersey
“The Edison Patent Awards is the largest statewide celebration recognizing research organizations and inventors whose breakthroughs power New Jersey’s innovation economy,” said Virginie Maillard, chair of the R&D Council and Head of Global Research in Simulation and Digital Twin and Head of Research in the U.S. for Siemens Foundational Technologies. “Each year, we’re reminded that invention is at the heart of progress and that the work being done right here in New Jersey has global impact.”
The Research & Development Council of New Jersey promotes collaboration among industry, academia and government to expand and strengthen science, technology, engineering and math education, innovation and the economy. On naming Strom “Educator of the Year,” officials at the council noted: “As the chief architect of Rutgers’ academic health enterprise, Dr. Strom has unified and strengthened the state’s medical, dental and health professional schools, expanding opportunities for students, improving care delivery and positioning New Jersey as a national leader in health sciences education.”
Strom joins five other honorees whose leadership, research and advocacy have made a lasting impact: Robert Cohen, vice president of innovation and technology for Stryker Corp.’s Orthopaedics Group (Science & Technology Medal); John Crowley, president and chief executive of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (Visionary Award); Craig Arnold, vice dean for innovation and university innovation officer at Princeton University (Catalyst Award); and Nathaniel Banks and Yidian Liu, co-founders of startup PolyGone Systems (Emerging Tech Award).
“These six individuals exemplify the many ways innovation can drive real-world change — from saving lives and cleaning our environment to building a stronger research infrastructure for the future,” said Kim Case, executive director of the council. “Their vision, dedication and leadership continue to inspire the next generation of scientists, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers across our state.”
“Receiving this recognition alongside other accomplished leaders and researchers who are recipients of the Edison Patent Awards is a tremendous honor,” Strom said. “I am equally honored to work with my dedicated faculty who focus on combining high-quality patient care, cutting-edge research and education to benefit our communities both locally and worldwide. This honor would not have been possible without the collaboration of my colleagues as Rutgers Health leaders. Most of all, I am grateful to our fantastic trainees, both those I have personally taught and the many now being taught by our terrific Rutgers Health faculty.”
Strom oversaw the establishment of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences following the integration of the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey into Rutgers in 2013. Since the merger, Rutgers Health has developed into one of the nation’s premier academic health-care centers.
He is a founder of the field of pharmacoepidemiology, which applies epidemiological methods to the study of drugs and their effectiveness within populations. Strom helped develop the International Clinical Epidemiology Network, responsible for fostering the establishment of epidemiology units in medical schools throughout the developing world.
Strom also was recognized earlier this year for his academic leadership in health care on NJBIZ’s 2025 “Power 100” list.