As the chief academic and research officer (CARO) since April 2012, Bruce Jarrell is the focal point for all academic matters at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). In his CARO role, Jarrell is responsible for facilitating the research mission of the university by working closely with UMB administrators, the deans, the research leadership of the schools, and other individuals. Jarrell is dean of the Graduate School and also provides leadership for and direction to the Health Sciences and Human Services Library, Campus Life Services, and Academic Services. Jarrell also functions as the university's provost in matters related to University of Maryland: MPowering the State, UMB’s innovative and structured collaboration with the University of Maryland, College Park, and in building and maintaining academic interactions with all University System of Maryland institutions. Recruited by the University of Maryland School of Medicine to chair the Department of Surgery, Jarrell came to UMB in 1997. Under Jarrell's leadership, the Department of Surgery expanded its surgical programs and developed innovative research studies and clinical trials, and was ranked 11th nationally in total research funding from the National Institutes of Health. In 2003, Jarrell moved to the Dean’s Office of the School of Medicine, where he served as the executive vice dean, directing the school's education and research enterprises. Jarrell also served as the institutional official for human research protection and animal research protection. He has remained actively involved in research and medical student education throughout his career.
Jarrell received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware in 1969 and his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in 1973. He completed a surgical residency and transplantation fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia and practiced general and vascular surgery in Dover, Del., for two years. In 1980, he joined the faculty at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, where he performed kidney and liver transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery for 10 years. Jarrell was recruited to the University of Arizona in 1990 to chair its Department of Surgery, before coming to UMB in 1997.
In 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003, he received the student council faculty teaching award from students at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. In 2002, Jarrell received the "Golden Apple" award for best clinical faculty member.
