Scope - April 2026

Dean's Welcome Message

As I settle into my roles as interim Dean of the Medical School and interim Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your incredibly warm welcome.

Over the past several weeks, I have prioritized listening and learning. From the energy of my first UMN Match Day to advocating for our mission at the State Capitol, I am deeply impressed by the dedication you bring to our land-grant mission. Our work is a vital promise to the people of Minnesota, and it is a privilege to see you deliver on that promise daily through research, clinical care, and education.

I look forward to continuing these conversations during my upcoming visits to our Duluth and St. Cloud campuses. As you read this edition of The Scope, I hope you take a moment to reflect on the milestones we are achieving together. These stories are a testament to our shared commitment to excellence and equity, providing a strong foundation for our future.

Thank you for your partnership and your honesty during this transition. I look forward to everything we will achieve in the months to come.

Featured Stories

Celebrating Match Day 2026

Each year, the third Friday of March marks a life-changing turning point for our medical students. On March 20, 2026, our fourth-year students joined thousands of peers across the country in discovering where they will spend the next three to seven years of their professional lives. See where our students matched!
Empowering Communities with Purpose and Passion

Megan Lhotka’s professional path to the University of Minnesota Medical School, where she supports the Center for American Indian and Minority Health (CAIMH), is driven by a deep commitment to her community. Her career trajectory—from a Pre-K through 12th-grade language and culture teacher to a leader in health workforce development—underscores the critical role that dedicated staff play in advancing the university's mission and producing tangible change.
Reflecting on 30 Years of Partnership in Rural Health

For Duluth Campus alums Drs. Tony and Mary Amon, medicine has always been defined by connection. Their relationship began during their time in medical school and has grown into decades of marriage, parenting, and delivering high-quality healthcare with a homegrown touch.

Congratulations

Drs. Emmanuel Antonarakis Lin Yee Chen Rosemary Kelly, Gregory Metzger Paari Murugan Benjamin Spilseth, Todd Tuttle, & Christopher Warlick
2025 Academies of Excellence Award
Congratulations to our Medical School Academies of Excellence Awardees! The Academies of Excellence honors outstanding faculty for their unwavering efforts in the advanacement of scientific research, educational scholarship, clinical practice and team science.
Dr. Michael Gale, Jr.
American Association for the Advancement of Science fellowship
Each year, the AAAS Council elects members to recognize their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications. Dr. Gale is being honored for his distinguished contributions to the fields of virology and immunology, specifically in innate immunity and understanding how the body recognizes viral pathogens and mediates an innate immune response that is the first line of antiviral defense and serves to activate and program the systemic immune response.
Dr. Alon Herschhorn
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health grant
Dr. Herschhorn and a team of Medical School researchers recieved $3.1 Million for their continuing the study of molecular determinants and vulnerabilities of HIV-1 spread by cell-to-cell transmission. This enables the study to continue to shape the future of combating HIV-1.
Dr. Jeffrey Ho
American Board of Emergency Medicine Board of Directors
ABEM certifies emergency physicians who exemplify the educational, professional standing, and examination standards. Dr. Ho will begin his term in July 2026.
Dr. David Ingbar
Fellows of Association for Clinical and Translational Science Membership
Dr. Ingbar has been named a member of FACTS, a prestigious membership program for individuals who have made substantial contributions to and service within the clinical and translational science field.
Dr. Rosemary Kelly
2026 Nina Starr Braunwald Extraordinary Woman in Cardiothoracic Surgery Award
Congratulations to Dr. Kelly, who is honored as a woman cardiothoracic surgeon who showcases leadership and dedication in clinical expertise and commitment in advancing the field of cardiothoracic surgery.
Dr. Emil Lou
Time 100 Health 2026
TIME has named Emil Lou, MD, PhD, to the 2026 TIME100 Health List of the World’s Most Influential Leaders in Health. The 2026 TIME100 HealthExternal link that opens in the same window spotlights the 100 most influential leaders in health this year. Dr. Lou, a member of the University of Minnesota Medical School faculty for nearly 15 years, was recognized by TIME for his innovative approach toward translational research in oncology.
Dr. David Masopust
2026 American Association of Immunologists Meritorious Career Award
The distinguished AAI Meritorious Career Award honors a mid-career scientist for valuable impact on the field of immunology and outstanding research contributions. Dr. Masopust was selected for internationally renowned lab advancing our understanding of T cell immunosurveillance, memory, and protective immunity.
Drs. Lin Yee Chen, Aaron Kelly, Douglas Mashek, Jenny Pointer, Carolyn Bramante, Xiao Dong, & Jacqueline Palmer
McKnight Professorship
This year, Drs. Chen, Kelly, Mashek, and Pointer were named Distinguished McKnight University Professors, recognizing them as outstanding faculty members who have recently achieved full professor status. Drs. Bramante, Dong, and Palmer received McKnight Land-Grant Professorships, advancing the careers of assistant professors at a crucial point in their professional lives. Congratulations to all our newly minted McKnight Professors.
Dr. Sasha Prisco
American Society for Clinical Investigation Young Physician-Scientist Award
The ASCI Young Physician-Scientist Awards recognize physician-scientists who are early in their first faculty appointment and have made notable achievements in their research. Dr. Prisco specializes in treating pulmonary hypertension patients and leads a basic and translational research program that investigates the role of the micro/mycobiome in pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction.
Dr. Pranava Sinha
Every Heartbeat Matters Award
For the tenth consecutive year, Dr. Sinha has been honored by the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for his commitment to improving cardiovascular health equity globally. The Every Heartbeat Matters Award provides financial support to qualified surgeons in their efforts of supporting underserved regions.
Dr. Michael Zhang
American Heart Association Career Development Award
The AHA has awarded Michael Zhang, MD, PhD, of the University of Minnesota, a Career Development Award for his research targeting atrial fibrillation, a common and dangerous heart rhythm disorder often caused by early damage to the heart muscle.

News Around the Med School

Family Medicine Residents Attend Advocacy Day at the Capitol
Department of Family Medicine & Community Health
University of Minnesota scientists reveal how deadly Marburg virus enters human cells, identify therapeutic vulnerability
Midwest Avidd Center
Experimental Surgical Services Lab Proves Power of Translational Research Through Curiosity and Collaboration
Department of Surgery
How rapid sequencing in the NICU plays out
Department of Laboratory Medicine & pathology
UMN Study Finds Higher Rifampin Dose Does Not Improve Survival in TB Meningitus
Department of medicine
Community, Care, and the Future of Physical Therapy
department of family medicine & community health
Study by Feng Xie, PhD, Published in High-Impact Journal
Department of Surgery
A Head Start on the Celebration: Meeting Our Early Matchers
Medical School
A smartphone and 3 minutes are all you need to test your heart health
department of integrative biology & physiology