Standing among the nation's leading research universities, Rutgers is acclaimed for the excellent achievements of our people and for their contributions to society in the pursuit of education, research, and health care.
Rutgers University–New Brunswick historian Erica Armstrong Dunbar served as co-executive producer on the HBO period drama The Gilded Age. Her work ensured the composite and real-life characters in the series, such as Black journalist T. Thomas Fortune, ring true on screen.
School of Criminal Justice alumna Nancy La Vigne is a widely recognized criminal justice policy expert appointed by President Joe Biden to direct the National Institute of Justice, which works to reduce crime, assist victims, and advance racial equity in the administration of justice.
The Sheryl Lanman Nichols Memorial Fellowship supports master of social work students as they complete a yearlong internship in domestic violence counseling. Recipients are in the School of Social Work’s Violence Against Women and Children certificate program.
More than 40 Rutgers graduate programs across a wide range of disciplines rank among the nation’s top 25 in U.S. News & World Report rankings—just the kind of excellence one would expect of a leading, comprehensive research university.
Historians Judith Surkis and Yesenia Barragan are known for research that challenges our understanding of race, slavery, and the lingering legacy of colonialism. These two faculty members recently received National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships that will allow them to expand their research and publish books on their respective subjects.
Rutgers Law School faculty and students developed the Stop Evicting Newark Project to provide pro bono aid to local residents facing eviction by helping them navigate complicated legal processes and court proceedings.
Internationally recognized physicist and Rutgers alumnus Vitaly Podzorov runs a research group that studies the physics of novel semiconductors. The research aims to quantitatively describe the optical and electronic properties of emergent materials and create better semiconductor devices, such as novel transistors and solar cells. Podzorov is the Donald H. Jacobs Chair in Applied Physics and a professor at Rutgers University–New Brunswick.
First-generation college student Jesse Cabrera helped his struggling family during COVID and served as a mentor to other students. It was a lot to juggle, but by taking advantage of the university resources at his disposal and having determination, grit, and resolve, Cabrera graduated in 2022 with a doctorate in pharmacy.
Rutgers University–New Brunswick is one of the nation’s top 20 public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best Colleges rankings released on September 12, 2022.
Named #19 of Top Public Schools, Rutgers–New Brunswick climbed higher in the rankings from #23 last year. Rutgers University–Newark (#53) and Rutgers University–Camden (#61) also moved higher among the top 100 public universities.
“Building on Rutgers’ academic excellence and supporting our first-rate faculty, transforming the lives of our remarkable students, and cultivating innovations that improve the world we live in are reflected in the new rankings,” said Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway.
Salamishah Tillet, a Henry Rutgers Professor of African American Studies and Creative Writing at Rutgers University–Newark, was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in criticism for her essays on race in arts and culture. The Pulitzer judges cited Tillet “for learned and stylish writing about Black stories in art and popular culture–work that successfully bridges academic and nonacademic critical discourse.”
A contributing critic-at-large for The New York Times since 2015, Tillet’s work covers popular culture, gender, sexuality, race and politics as they play out in both popular entertainment and high art, from Netflix series to museum exhibitions.
“I really wanted to pay attention to the ways in which culture and art can both be an indicator of change and also perhaps an alternative to the problems that we have today,” Tillet said. “Most of my work over the last year was looking at how Broadway or television or films or photographs have explored this loss but also offered us solace, and particularly the role of Black artists as a way of understanding how to get through what is really a traumatic and profound moment for our nation.”
Our WINLAB is taking tomorrow’s tech out of the lab and into the streets of New York City
Building on their extensive research with wireless testbeds, radio technology, and mobile internet architecture, the Rutgers team at the Wireless Information Network Laboratory (WINLAB) is helping to implement COSMOS, a real-world outdoor lab putting next-generation wireless technology to work.
A major partnership between Rutgers, Columbia, NYU, CCNY, and other innovation leaders, with funding from the National Science Foundation, COSMOS will be deployed across a square mile in Manhattan’s vibrant, densely populated West Harlem neighborhood. These urban wireless networks of the future will support data-intensive applications for a smarter, safer world, including:
Rutgers makes a world-class education accessible and affordable. All eligible New Jersey students can attend Rutgers tuition-free for four years through a combination of university, federal and state financial aid programs.
Our R-UN to the Top, Bridging the Gap, and Scarlet Guarantee programs build on existing state and federal aid programs to enable in-state students with family incomes below $65,000 to attend the university tuition-free and to reduce tuition and fees for students with family incomes below $100,000.
Providing jobs to more than 23,000 faculty and staff, Rutgers ranks in the top 100 on Forbes list of the 500 best large employers in America.
Rutgers is among only a handful of universities on the list and is ranked third among all New Jersey organizations. Providing a respectful workplace and a commitment to veterans and valuing diversity and inclusion are just some of the many reasons why Rutgers is a great place to work.
Pictured: David Dreyfus, Assistant Professor Supply Chain Management, Rutgers Business School; Yalidy Matos, Assistant Professor Department of Political Science; and Dione Sandiford, School of Nursing Facilitator on the steps to Old Queens on the College Avenue campus.
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
Rutgers President and University Professor
A national higher education leader and scholar of American history and African American studies, Holloway’s priorities for the success of Rutgers and New Jersey are to provide a world-class education, advance health care, and conduct research that improves lives and propels economic growth.
Chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs
From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Strom’s expertise as a nationally recognized epidemiologist provided insight into the disease and helped lead Rutgers and the state through the uncertainty of the health crisis.
Dean and Professor of Biostatistics and Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers School of Public Health
Halkitis is a public health expert whose work often explores the relationship between infectious disease and mental health in vulnerable populations in New Jersey and the nation.
Twelve Rutgers professors have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), an honor awarded by their association peers.
AAAS fellows pursue scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.
Professor of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Distinguished contributions to understanding growth factor regulation of neurogenesis during mammalian brain development, focusing on human neurodevelopmental disorders
Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences
Advancing understanding of continental scale hydrology, particularly groundwater and near-surface systems interactions, including vegetation and surface water
Director, Center for Immunity and Inflammation; Senior Associate Dean for Research, New Jersey Medical School
Advancing understanding of molecular and translational immunology, especially the initiation and function of type 2 immunity during infectious disease
Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, School of Arts and Sciences
Distinguished contributions to catalysis by transition-metal complexes, particularly elucidation of reaction
mechanisms and development of catalysts for hydrocarbon functionalization
Chair and Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Microbiology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Advancing understanding of fundamental and application components of microbial biotransformations of pollutants
Chair and Professor of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Furthering knowledge of ecology and conservation biology, particularly biological invasions and causes of biotic homogenization
Dean and Professor, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Outstanding contributions to dentistry and distinguished leadership and advocacy in addressing contemporary issues facing dental education, research, and delivery of oral health care
Provost, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences–Newark; Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, New Jersey Medical School
Distinguished science leadership and contributions to the field of biology, especially innate immune responses to human viral infections
University Professor of History, Rutgers University–Camden and Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research ·
Distinguished contributions to the social sciences, particularly the history of medicine, academic leadership, and communicating and interpreting science to the public
Chair and Professor of Genetics, School of Arts and Sciences
Distinguished contributions to developing human genetic maps and for critical efforts to bring genetics to diverse human populations
Professor of Genetics, School of Arts and Sciences and Waksman Institute of Microbiology
Innovations in the field of fertilization, particularly discovery and characterization of genes required for fertilization in Caenorhabditis elegans
William and Myrle Garbe Chair in Cancer and Leukemia Research, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
Advancing knowledge of molecular signaling in organizing biological structures and function, particularly protein interactions regulating growth of neuronal processes
Committed to research and development driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, Rutgers exceeds
all NJ colleges and universities combined in R&D expenditures.
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Rutgers leads one of the nation’s first state-funded centers researching gun violence, a complex issue deeply rooted in American culture.
Rutgers’ New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center translates its research into actionable policies and programs to reduce gun violence, while respecting the right to legal, safe gun ownership and use.
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences conducts research, trains health professionals, and provides patient care through our Rutgers Health practice, New Jersey's sole academic health care provider organization.
Rutgers has brought together some of the finest minds in health care to confront humanity’s most urgent challenges. These researchers are leading discoveries across the spectrum of human health, from genomic psychiatry to infertility and so much more, with results that will save lives.
Tuberculosis
In order to develop more effective therapies for tuberculosis, Samantha Bell is studying the bacterium that causes the deadly disease and how the immune system detects this pathogen. Her research seeks to unravel the mysteries of the pathogen/immune system interplay--colloquially referred to as “the arms race”--and how bacterial and human factors dictate disease outcomes. The resources available at Rutgers have proven invaluable; notably collaborations with leading experts in the field, a diverse and enthusiastic community of colleagues from around the world; in addition to cutting-edge lab facilities. Rutgers has also proven uniquely supportive, especially to early career faculty.
Human Microbiome
Martin Blaser chose Rutgers as the ideal destination where he could take his acclaimed research to new heights. His work over the past 30 years has led to a new understanding of the beneficial relationships between humans and their microbiome–the microbes that live on and in our bodies–impacting health and diseases including asthma, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Author of Missing Microbes, a general audience book translated into 20 languages, he’s written over 600 articles and holds 28 U.S. patents. The recipient of the Robert Koch Gold Medal and the Alexander Fleming Award for his accomplishments, Blaser is also advisor to students, post-doctoral fellows, and junior faculty. He currently serves as Chair of the Presidential Advisory Council for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist Nataki Douglas combines patient care with translational research to raise the clinical bar for her patients. Her research is focused on the role of the endometrium (uterine lining) as a determinant of embryo implantation and normal formation of the placenta, both of which are needed for a successful pregnancy. This work addresses important unanswered questions in the field of gynecology and will deepen our understanding of endometrial regeneration. Douglas chose Rutgers for the opportunity to provide clinical care to a diverse population and for the many exciting opportunities for scientific collaboration and professional growth, with leadership committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all faculty, staff, and students.
Cell Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer
Hou’s research focuses on the oncogene KRAS and the development of cell therapy in pancreatic cancer, addressing low five-year survival rates of patients with advanced stages of the disease. Hou was drawn to Rutgers’ strong biomedical research programs, NIH-designated comprehensive cancer center, and core facilities that can further cancer research, in addition to dedicated programs to help junior faculties with their career development. She welcomes the chance to contribute to what she has found to be an open, equal, inclusive, diverse, and collaborative academic environment.
Translational Science and Medicine
Reynold Panettieri and his team are pioneering new ways to improve the care of asthma and COPD patients, using new drugs to open the narrowed airways of the lung. As a physician scientist, he’s particularly excited to put their new discoveries into practice, and is working toward a future when patients can be cured before they even become ill. He sees Rutgers’ potential to grow meteorically, uniquely empowered to improve health state-wide, employing state-of-the-art scientific approaches and leveraging incomparable expertise across all the biomedical schools.
Genomic Psychiatry
Carlos Pato is studying how genetics affects serious mental illness, working with large, diverse populations to define the genetic profiles that cause risk and those that are protective against these devastating disorders. Access to the latest technologies has greatly advanced Pato’s research and is enabling him to make a real difference in people’s lives, developing appropriate treatments that in turn lead to better health outcomes. Rutgers helps make this possible through continued investment in discovery and education, as well as an unwavering commitment to the care of hundreds of thousands of patients in New Jersey.
And our work continues. At the Center for COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness, our scientists are accelerating the discovery of new diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for coronavirus and preparing now to respond to future epidemics.
Rapid Diagnostic Test for Virus Variants
What’s different about the Rutgers COVID-19 variant test? It cuts from days to hours the time it takes to obtain results. Rutgers shared this latest innovation on an open-source basis to serve the greater good, enabling swift, responsive test modifications as new variants emerge, with more than 1,000 downloads to date.
The new rapid test is easy to set up and can be adapted for labs that use varying types of equipment and methods. The open-source test is free to use as described or modify as needed.
“This rapid test was developed and tested over a few weeks in a crash program to respond to a serious public health need,” said David Alland, director of the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) Public Health Research Institute and professor and chief of infectious disease at NJMS. “Despite our hurry to get the test completed, it performed extremely well. We hope that this test will help in the control of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic.”
Pictured: David Alland
Rutgers is making game-changing contributions in the fight against COVID-19.
President Holloway formally commenced his duties on July 1, 2020, and was inaugurated on November 5, 2021. Forward-looking, inclusive, charismatic, and decisive, he has ably steered Rutgers through the uncharted waters of a pandemic, all the while maintaining focus on continuously improving our standing as a preeminent research institution, attracting and retaining the finest scholars, and providing world-class education, health care, and public service.
His distinguished scholarship in post-emancipation American history and African American studies, his remarkable integrity, and his outstanding record as a higher education administrator inform President Holloway’s institutional priorities and his transformational vision for the future of Rutgers.
President Holloway’s dedication to excellence in all aspects of university life, and his belief in the university as a beloved community, already have raised us up and given us more than good reason to believe that the best by far is yet to come.
Chartered in 1766, Rutgers is the eighth-oldest college in the nation. Our charter was granted by King George III of England and signed by William Franklin, the last Royal Governor of New Jersey and son of Benjamin Franklin.
Rutgers perennially appears in the most respected annual listings of the world's top universities. And we are the only university in the United States that is a colonial college, a land-grant institution, and a leading national public research university.
Rutgers faculty include members of the National Academies and winners of the National Medals of Science and Technology; Pulitzer Prizes; Guggenheim, MacArthur “Genius,” and Simons Fellowships; Fulbright Scholarships; and NSF CAREER Awards.
Rutgers is proud to be The State University of New Jersey, the Garden State's premier, comprehensive public research university, with educational and outreach programs that reach residents in all 21 New Jersey counties.
Rutgers and its partners form one of the nation's largest academic health care systems, and the largest in New Jersey.
Our students receive an outstanding education that prepares them for a future of leadership and success and is also a great value. Forbes magazine ranks Rutgers as #29 in the nation as "Best Value Colleges."