Department Heads

His interests remain as they always have been—in medical education.

Ward graduated from the National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. After a rotating internship at the Loyola Clinics in Mercy Hospital and a year of residency in Anatomic Pathology at the Illinois Central Hospital, both in Chicago, he was accepted for a further two years in AP at the Mallory Institute of Pathology at Boston City Hospital before entering a 3-year fellowship in Clinical Pathology at the University of Minnesota.

Contact Information:
pward@umn.edu
(218) 726-7911
Department website
223 SMed
1035 University Dr
Duluth, MN 55812
 

Prielipp received his M.D. at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He also received an M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee, School of Business in Knoxville.

Prielipp completed his surgery internship and residency at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. Additional anesthesiology training was supported with a residency at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He was also anesthetic senior house officer at Gloucester Royal Hospital in England, and he received his fellowship in critical care medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Contact Information:
prielipp@umn.edu
(612) 624-6432
Department website
B515 Mayo
420 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

His research interests include the determinants of medical specialty choice and practice site location, personnel and training issues faced in rural health settings, the socialization and professionalization of medical students, and the utilization of computers in medicine.

Boulger received his B.A. in Psychology from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., and his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota.

Contact Information:
jboulger@d.umn.edu
(218) 726-7144
Department website
234 SMed
1035 University Dr
Duluth, MN 55812

His long-term research goals are to characterize the molecular process by which nutrients are transported through the cells comprising the blood-brain barrier (endothelial cells) and the blood-CSF barrier (epithelial cells of the choroid plexus). These goals include an understanding of the molecular identity of the transporters, the membrane sites where transporters are located, the kinetic characteristics of substrate and inhibitor specificity, and, in the future, the mechanisms regulating transporter activity and expression.

Drewes received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.

Contact Information:
ldrewes@d.umn.edu 
(218) 726-7925
Department website
252 SMed
1035 University Dr
Duluth, MN 55812

Bernlohr is an expert in inflammation and adipose biology in obesity and Type 2 diabetes. His laboratory utilizes a combination of biochemical and molecular genetic approaches towards an understanding of oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and lipid signaling in adipocytes and macrophages. Bernlohr received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and conducted his postdoctoral work at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Contact Information:
bernl001@umn.edu 
(612) 624-2712
Department website
7-128 Mol/Cell/Bio Bldg
420 Washington Ave. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
 

Hordinsky completed her dermatology residency at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Additional training in dermatological and clinical research was subsequently supported with a fellowship from the Dermatology Foundation and then a National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Health.

Since 1997, Hordinsky has led the department’s division of clinical and translational research. This unit now supports the growth, development and execution of the majority of the department’s industry, foundation, investigator initiated and federal sponsored studies conducted by medical students, residents, and faculty.

Contact Information:
hordi001@umn.edu
(612) 626-4454
Department website
4-259 PWB
516 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Clinton received his M.D. at the University of Iowa, College of Medicine and continued with his rotation at Los Angeles County – University of Southern California. He completed his residency at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Emergency Medicine.

Other positions held by Clinton include: Chief of Service in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Hennepin County Medical Center and Senior Director on the American Board of Emergency Medicine.

Contact Information:
clint005@umn.edu 
(612) 626-4299
Department website
Suite 508K
717 Deaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Baird began his medical career in 1978 as a rural physician and has since held academic positions in Oklahoma; New York; and Rochester, Minnesota.

Past leadership involvement includes service on the RWJF Depression in Primary Care National Advisory Council and co-chair of the IOM report on health and behavior. Baird has worked with a multidisciplinary team to develop the Minnesota Complexity Assessment Method©, currently being tested in collaboration with a variety of practices.

Contact Information:
baird005@umn.edu 
(612) 624-4641
Department website
MMC 381
Rm 6-240 PWB
516 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

O’Connor received his B.S. in Biochemistry from Brown University and his Ph.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine. His postdoctoral studies were conducted in the laboratory of Welcome Bender at Harvard Medical School. Prior to moving to University of Minnesota, O'Connor was Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the University of California-Irvine.

Contact Information:
moconnor@umn.edu 
(612) 626-0642
Department website
5-235J Moos HS Tower
515 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Metzger has two decades experience as an independent principal investigator. His laboratory was the first to demonstrate that chemical-based membrane sealants – or “molecular Band-Aids” – can remedy cardiac disease associated with muscular dystrophy.

Metzger and his team also are investigating a new therapeutic technique using a “guardian angel” protein that would be delivered to damaged heart muscle via genetic engineering.

Metzger received his B.S. in Natural Science from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., and his Ph.D. in Biology and Physiology from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. He completed his postdoctoral studies in Physiology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Contact Information:
metzgerj@umn.edu  

office phone: (612) 625-8296

office address:
Integrative Biology and Physiology
6-125 Jackson Hall
321 Church St. S.E.
(612) 625-8296
Department website
6-125 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
 

Furcht began his medical career at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. He completed his residency at the University of Minnesota.

Furcht’s primary research interests focuses on tumor cell behavior, extracellular matric protein expression, integrens, cell adhesion molecules and wound healing.

Contact Information:
furch001@umn.edu 
(612) 626-0622
Department website
MMC 609 Mayo
Room 760 Mayo
420 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Originally from Illinois, Miller learned to love Minnesota while attending Macalester College. He received his M.D. from the University of Illinois and quickly returned to the University of Minnesota for residency in internal medicine followed by fellowship in Hematology.

He has spent many years on the faculty as a hematologist and bone marrow transplant physician. He maintains strong expertise in blood diseases and cancers. His other special interests are in medical education and in evidence-based medicine and medical decision-making.

Contact Information:
mille002@umn.edu 
(612) 625-3654
Department website
14-110A PWB
516 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Haase has spent more than 25 years investigating how to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Most recently, Haase and his research team identified a compound that, applied vaginally, prevents transmission of the primate version of HIV, called SIV. This compound, glycerol monolaurate (GML), is a naturally occurring compound that the FDA recognizes as safe. Haase’s breakthrough may bring scientists one step closer to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Haase received his M.D. from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Contact Information:
haase001@umn.edu 
(612) 624-4442
Department website
1460 Mayo
420 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

After faculty positions at Johns Hopkins University, Emory University, and, most recently, the Cleveland Clinic, Vitek joined the University in July, 2010.

From his new post, he wants to see his department grow, expand its clinical services, and develop translational research, which is geared to turning its findings into new medical practices as quickly as possible.

Contact Information:
vitek004@umn.edu   
(612) 624-1903
Department website
12-100 PWB
516 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Ebner’s research is working to understand how single neurons and populations of neurons encode the information needed to plan and execute limb movements. His goal is to decipher how the brain represents different movement parameters and then uses this information to control movements.

Contact Information:
ebner@001@umn.edu
(612) 626-6800
Department website
421 Lion Res
2001 6th St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

 

Prior to his return appointment at the University of Minnesota, Haines was the department of neurological surgery chairman and a founding co-director of the Neuroscience Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina. He was board certified in neurological surgery in 1984.

Haines’ primary clinical interests lie in surgery of the skull base, cranial nerves and posterior fossa, pediatric neurosurgery and brain tumors. His primary research interest focuses on the application of advanced clinical research techniques to neurosurgery and the development of resources for the evidence-based practice of neurosurgery.

Contact Information:
shaines@umn.edu 
(612) 626-5767
Department site
D429 Mayo
420 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

In addition, Dr. Carson is the co-director and clinical care director for the Deborah E. Powell Center for Women's Health. She is a board certified gynecologic oncologist.

Carson graduated magna cum laude with honors in zoology from Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut. She graduated from George Washington School of Medicine and completed her residency at Johns Hopkins University and Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. She completed her fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the University of Minnesota.

Carson’s clinical interests are vulvar cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer; premalignant and malignant conditions of the lower genital tract, gestational trophoblastic disease, and nutrition and cancer.

Contact Information:
carso001@umn.edu 
(612) 626-3111
Department website
12-216 Moos Tower
515 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

van Kuijk received his M.D./Ph.D. from University of Nijmegen in The Netherlands. He completelyd his internship, residency and fellowship at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. Additionally, via sabbatical, he studied completed a fellowship in medical retina and posterior visual pathways with Prof. Alan Birn Bird at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, United Kingdom. van Kuijk also holds a certificate in medical and health care management from Rice University in Houston, Texas. 

van Kuijk’s clinical and research interests are laser tissue interaction, the molecular basis of and the role of genetics on efficiency of nutritional intervention in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), and the use of investigational drugs in AMD and diabetes diabetic retinopathy.

Contact Information:
vankuijk@umn.edu
612-625-7131
Department website
9-245 PWB
516 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Clohisy received his M.D. degree from Northwestern University Medical School. He completed his residency at the University of Minnesota. He completed two fellowships, one in musculoskeletal oncology with Henry J. Mankin, M.D. and the other at Harvard Medical School.

Clohisy’s clinical interests are musculoskeletal oncology with a focus on both primary and metastatic cancers of bone management of musculoskeletal problems in hemophilia.  

Contact Information:
clohi001@umn.edu 
(612) 626-9934
Department website
Rm 200
2512 S. 7th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55454

Yueh received his M.D. degree from Stanford School of Medicine and his M.P.H. degree from Yale University School of Epidemiology and Public Health. He completed his residency and fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery.

Yueh’s clinical interests are in head and neck tumors, salivary gland tumors and thyroid tumors. His research interests are head and neck cancer survivorship and treatment effectiveness.

Contact Information:
byueh@umn.edu
Department website
8-247 PWB
516 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

 

Neglia has been at the University of Minnesota since 1984 when he came to pursue a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

He received his M.D. degree in 1981 from Loma Linda University School of Medicine and was a pediatric intern, resident, and chief resident at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. During his fellowship at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Neglia received a Master's degree in Public Health in Epidemiology. Following his fellowship, he was an instructor in the Department of Pediatrics in 1987, promoted to assistant professor in 1988, associate professor in 1992, and full professor in 2002.

Dr. Neglia has a joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology in the School of Public Health.

Loh has attained national and international prominence for his research on the scientific basis of addiction to morphine and related substances and for the treatment of opiate addiction. For more than 30 years, his research has had a major impact on the understanding of how opioid drugs work on a cellular and molecular level. He discovered the effectiveness of dynorphine in treating narcotic addiction and as a non-addictive analgesic agent.

Loh received his B.S. in Biochemistry from National Taiwan University and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Iowa School of Medicine. He completed his postdoctoral training in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco.

Contact Information:
lohxx001@umn.edu
(612) 626-4460
Department website
3-129A Moos Tower
515 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Dykstra’s clinical interests lie in standard and novel uses of botulinum neurotoxins (Botox® and Myobloc™) with an emphasis on treatment of movement disorders, including focal, segmental and generalized dystonias and spasticity due to stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. He is also interested in the treatment of painful conditions utilizing botulinum neurotoxins and the utilization of intrathecal Baclofen therapy for rehabilitation management for people with spasticity and dystonia.

After receiving the Young Investigator Award, two years running, from the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Foundation, Dykstra has continued expanding his research interests to include participation and leadership in numerous research projects. His area of research focus includes: novel uses of botulinum neurotoxins for management of disorders such as dystonia, spasticity, numerous painful conditions and hyperactive and spastic bladders.

Contact Information:
dykst001@umn.edu
(612) 626-5399
Department website
500E Boyton
297 MMC
420 St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

His research interests include temperature regulation and metabolism with special emphasis on cold exposure and hypothermia, and pain perception and addiction with special emphasis on smoking and smoking cessation.

Wittmers received his B.S. degree in Chemistry and Mathematics and his M.D. and Ph.D. in Physiology and Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota.

Contact Information:
lwittmer@d.umn.edu 
(218) 525-6273
Department website
351 SMed
1025 University Dr
Duluth, MN 55812

He received his Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Southern California and upon graduation moved across town to UCLA Medical School where he received his M.D., as well as his psychiatric residency training.

Following an interest in academic psychiatry, Schulz became a clinical associate at the National Institute of Mental Health where he worked in the neuropsychopharmacology section at the clinical center. During his clinical associateship, he became interested in clinical trials for patients with schizophrenia, as well as research in family issues.

His research interests are schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, psychiatric illnesses in adolescents, and brain imaging. He also has been active in clinical trials with antipsychotic medications.

Contact Information:
scs@umn.edu
(612) 273-8700
Department website
2450 Riverside Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55454

Dietz received his M.D. at Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus. He completed his residency at the University of Minnesota Medical Center (formerly University of Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics) in Minneapolis. He also completed his residency at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C.

Dietz received certification from the National Board of Medical Examiners and from the American Board of Radiology in diagnostic radiology with added qualification sin vascular and interventional radiology.

Contact Information:
dietz004@umn.edu 
(612) 626-3345
Department website
B236 Mayo
420 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Vickers began his medical training at Johns Hopkins University where he received his M.D., surgical residency and fellowship in both surgical research and surgical oncology.

Vickers’ clinical interests are pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer, pancreatitis and gastrointestinal cancer. His research focus is on the pancreas.

Contact Information:
vickers@umn.edu  
(612) 626-1999
Department website
Rm 11-132 PWB
516 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Dusenbery received her M.D. from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit.

She completed her residencies at Michigan State University in internal medicine and the University of Minnesota in therapeutic radiology and radiology oncology. She stayed in Minnesota to receive her fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic, known today as the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.

Contact Information:
dusen001@umn.edu 
(612) 626-6146
Department website
M26 Masonic Memorial Building
424 Harvard St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Konety’s clinical interest is urologic oncology, specifically prostate and bladder cancer. His research interests are in the diagnosis and management of urologic cancers in the elderly, prostate cancer screening in the elderly, clinical trials of gene therapy for prostate cancer, development of synthetic nerve grafts to restore function after prostate surgery, research and development of bladder cancer markers, and the role of vitamin D in prostate cancer growth.

Contact Information:
brkonety@umn.edu 
(612) 626-8599
Department website
B535 Mayo
420 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455