A University of Maryland pharmacy instructor was detained by federal officials at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport after returning from a professional conference in Texas, leaving colleagues in Baltimore searching for answers.
Berhanu Kibret was detained Tuesday, July 21, after attending the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s annual meeting, according to WBAL-TV 11. The report did not identify which federal agency took him into custody or explain whether the detention involved criminal or immigration proceedings.
University Says Kibret Has Valid Work Authorization
A University of Maryland, Baltimore representative told WBAL-TV 11 that the university is “greatly troubled” by Kibret’s detention and described him as a highly valued member of the campus community. The university also said Kibret has valid work authorization and expressed hope that he will be allowed to return to his work at the School of Pharmacy.
UMB called Kibret an effective and beloved teacher as well as a highly regarded colleague. The university said it hopes the questions surrounding his status are resolved quickly, but the available public account does not provide further details about his legal situation.
Detention Came After Pharmacy Educators’ Meeting
The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s 2026 annual meeting was held July 18 through July 21 in Grapevine, Texas, near Dallas, according to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Kibret had traveled to the meeting before heading to the airport, WBAL-TV 11 reported.
The timing has added to concern on the Baltimore campus, where Kibret joined the School of Pharmacy faculty in 2023. Before that, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at William Paterson University, according to WBAL-TV 11.
Kibret Studies Addiction And Drug Effects
UMB’s official faculty profile identifies Kibret as an instructor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. His research focuses on cannabinoid receptors, the endocannabinoid system and the behavioral effects of drugs of abuse, while WBAL-TV 11 reported that his broader work examines the causes and treatment of addiction.
Kibret has also received a Teacher of the Year award, according to WBAL-TV 11. For now, the university’s public position is that he remains a valued faculty member with valid work authorization, while the circumstances of his federal detention remain unclear.
