Morgan State University Names Dr. Walter Royal III as First Endowed Professor of Brain Science

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Published by Stephen Oluwadara at August 5, 2025

Who is Dr Walter Royal III

The Baltimore native has a background in biochemistry from Harvard and medicine from Dartmouth. Dr Royal brings over 30 years of experience in leadership, clinical work, and research in neurovirology, neuroimmunology, and multiple sclerosis. He’s also dedicated to mentoring the next generation, guiding them into academic and clinical careers.

“It is an honor to return to my hometown of Baltimore as the inaugural endowed professor in Brain Science at Morgan, amid its impressive research expansion and ascendency to R1 reclassification,” said Dr. Royal. “Advances in neuroscience have deepened our understanding of brain disorders, especially their impact on historically marginalized communities. At the Brain Health Center, we are committed to applying that knowledge and, through collaborative research and innovation, developing strategies to improve brain health across our region and beyond.”

Dr. Royal has spearheaded major research initiatives at the Veterans Administration (VA), where he served as Associate Executive Director of the Centre for Visual and Neurorehabilitation Research. Throughout his career, he’s held notable appointments at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, and the VA Health System.

Additionally, he’s had training and work experience in the intramural programs at the NIH (National Institute of Drug Abuse and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) and the Food and Drug Administration.

Dr. Royal earned his A.B. in Biochemistry from Harvard University and his M.D. from Dartmouth Medical School. He completed postgraduate training in medicine at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital and neurology/neurovirology at Johns Hopkins.

As a distinguished academic, he’s directed major MS programs and neurology departments. Dr. Royal is also a dedicated mentor, having supervised numerous students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty who’ve gone on to prominent careers.

Closing Healthcare Disparities in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

As the endowed professor of Brain Science, Dr. Royal will oversee Morgan’s Center for Brain Health Research, which focuses on researching brain disorders affecting underrepresented populations, particularly those of recent African ancestry.

The Center will conduct cutting-edge research on neurological disorders, develop AI-based precision medicine tools, collaborate with leading research entities, and train students and researchers to address brain health disparities. Under Dr. Royal’s leadership, the Center will play a vital role in closing gaps in representation, data equity, and health outcomes.

Significant health disparities exist in diagnosing and treating neurological and psychiatric disorders within the African diaspora. Precision medicine, which relies heavily on data analytics, is often limited by its dependence on European ancestry datasets. This leaves a substantial gap in genomic, genetic, physiological, and neurochemical/pharmacological markers for individuals of recent African ancestry and other underrepresented groups.

The Center for Brain Health Research aims to bridge this gap by applying cutting-edge AI and Big Data analytics to generate critical data for the research and medical communities. In collaboration with the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, the Center will focus on researching brain disorders that disproportionately affect individuals of recent African ancestry and other underrepresented populations.

Through interdisciplinary research, AI-driven precision medicine tool development, and partnerships with leading neural science entities, the Center will also train students and researchers to tackle brain health disparities.

“Dr. Royal brings to Morgan and the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences (SCMNS) a profound depth of scientific expertise and leadership that will significantly advance our brain science research initiatives while strengthening the broader academic environment,” said Paul Tchounwou, Sc.D., SCMNS Dean and AAAS Fellow. “His appointment reflects our strategic commitment to attracting distinguished, world-class faculty who are dedicated to excellence and transformative contributions.”