MD/PhD Program Administrators

Dr. LeBien is a Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. He assumed the Directorship of the M.D./Ph.D. Program in January 2003. His laboratory is in the Masonic Cancer Center Research Building where he studies normal and abnormal human B-cell development.

Dr. Bitterman is a Professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care in the Department of Medicine. He is also Director of Research at the Lillehei Heart Institute at the University of Minnesota. His laboratory focuses on mechanisms of cell-population control, proliferation and apoptosis in tissue repair and cancer biology and seeks to understand how the activity state of the protein synthesis apparatus regulates the life and death of a cell. 

Susan has been with the MD/PhD Program since January 1997. She feels that her primary job is to be an advocate for students and applicants, helping them with each step of the process toward completing the Program with as much ease as possible.  She says "working with the students is the best part of the job!" One of Susan's interests is Alternative and Complementary Medicine.  She is a trained human and canine massage therapist and also is studying acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in her free time.

Nick provides student services support for the students and participates in recruitment activities. He graduated in 1997 with a degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota. 

Sandi has worked with Dr. LeBien at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota since 1998. She keeps our web site up to date and pitches in when needed to help the Program with recruitment days, the annual retreat, and seminars.