Department Heads

Bio

Dr. Chen is an internationally recognized brain tumor researcher and surgeon, with a dedicated interest in understanding how glioblastomas acquire resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. He is an NIH RO1-funded investigator whose research focuses on developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for brain tumor patients. He is also a leader in the study of DNA repair and gene therapy in brain tumors. His laboratory is housed in the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center.

The recipient of several highly competitive research awards, Dr. Chen has won the:

• Damon Runyon Fellowship Award
• Sidney Kimmel Scholar Award
• Burroughs Wellcome Foundation Career Award in Medical Sciences
• Sontag Foundation Distinguished Scientist Award, the Doris Duke Foundation Clinical Scientist Award
• Forbeck Scholar Award.

In 2016, Dr. Chen received the Presidential Award of Achievement from the President of Taiwan, Ma Ying-jeou. The award is given annually by the Taiwanese government to individuals of Taiwanese heritage who have made exceptional contributions to their profession.

Education

• MD, Harvard Medical School, 2001
• Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2002-2007
• Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 2006
• Clinical Fellow, Radiosurgery, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2009
• Clinical Fellow, Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 2009
• PhD, Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 1999
• MS, Epidemiology, Columbia University, 1993
• BS, Stanford University, 1992

Professional Associations

• American Association of Neurological Surgeons
• Congress of Neurological Surgeons
• American Association for Cancer Research
• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Society of Neuro-Oncology
• International Brain Mapping and Intraoperative Surgical Planning Society
• American Society for Radiation Oncology

Board Certifications

American Board of Neurological Surgeons

In the Media

2-2020: Minnesota Physician: Glioblastoma: Activating an immune response
12-4-19: Minnesota Daily: New campus MRI machine to expand surgery capability
11-20-19:

• KARE11: U of M pioneers new 'T-suite' surgical room
• M Health Fairview: State-of-the-art Neurosurgery Suite a "Giant Leap Forward" for Brain Cancer, Movement Disorder Treatment

10-4-19: The "Goldilocks" Principle for Curing Brain Cancer
7-24-19:

• KARE11: 7.2-Ton Magnet Lifted to U of M Hospital
• KSTP: First in the World Intraoperative MRI Surgical Suite at U of M Medical Center
• FOX9: New MRI Machine at U of M to Help with Surgeries of Tomorrow

6-27-19: New drug helps surgeons spot brain tumors by turning them pink
1-27-19: Minnesota-developed NeuroBlate device saves brain cancer patients. But what's next?
12-3-18: U Doctor Examining How Laser Brain Surgery Affects Peoples' Lives
11-7-18: U of M begins trial for new brain cancer treatment
8-24-18: University of Minnesota Dr. on why McCain likely stopped his cancer treatment
8-24-18: High-profile glioblastoma deaths may be no coincidence
5-29-18: Doctor, patient reunited years after lifesaving surgery
1-8-18: Breakthrough Surgery Uses Laser To Remove Minnesota Man's Brain Tumor.

Executive Assistant:

Sally Sawyer
Administrative Phone: 612-624-6666 (hit 4 for the Academic Office)
Administrative Email: sallyann@umn.edu
Administrative Fax Number: 612-624-0644

Research Summary

Dr. Chen is a nationally recognized brain tumor researcher and surgeon, with a dedicated interest in understanding how glioblastomas acquire resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. He is an NIH RO1-funded investigator with research focused on developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for brain tumor patients. He is also a leader in the study of DNA repair and gene therapy in brain tumors.

View PubMed List

Clinical Summary

Brain tumors; minimally invasive cranial surgery; laser thermal ablation; endoscopy; oncolytic virus delivery; tractography-guided surgery; awake craniotomy

Bio

Dr. Clohisy is a professor and chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota and a member of the University of Minnesota Cancer Center. He specializes in musculoskeletal oncology with a focus on both primary and metastatic cancers of bone and the management of musculoskeletal problems in hemophilia.

His clinical research focuses on the effect of surgical treatment of skeletal metastasis on health status, and he has also researched the cellular mechanisms of tumor osteolysis and mechanisms of bone cancer pain. He is committed to advancing all levels of musculoskeletal education and has interest and experience in developing both outstanding community orthopedic surgeons and orthopedic clinician scientists. His research program has had NIH funding for 23 consecutive years and he currently leads an Academic Health Center NIH training grant for graduate and past doctoral students.

Expertise

• Orthopedics
• Cancer

Awards & Recognition

• Best Doctors in America®: 2007-2010, 2011-2012, 2013
• Mpls.St. Paul Magazine "Top Doctors:" 2009-2010, 2012-2015, 2020
• U.S. News & World Report Top Doctor: 2012
• Minnesota Monthly "Top Doctors:" 2014, 2018, 2020

Publications

View Dr. Clohisy's Publications on PubMed

Professional Associations

• Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery
• Elected member of the University of Minnesota Physicians (UMP) Board of Directors, serves on the UMP Executive committee and Chairs the UMP Clinical Strategies Committee
• Member, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Board Exam Committee
• Member, American Orthopaedic Association Critical Issues Committee
• Member, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Communicative Cabinet and Council on Education.

Administrative Assistant

Connie Butterfuss
612-626-2817
butte152@umn.edu
Fax: 612-273-7959

Mailing Address

University of Minnesota
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
2450 Riverside Avenue South
Suite R200
Minneapolis, MN 55454

Research Summary

Research Interests

• Bone and Soft Tissue Neoplasms
• Osteolysis
• Osteoclasts
• Mouse Genetic Engineering
• Bone Cancer Pain
• Experimental Sarcoma Models

Clinical Summary

My passion is bringing cutting-edge techniques, compassion, and hope to orthopedic oncology patients and their families. I listen to my patient’s needs and work with them to create a care plan tailored to their unique situation. I enjoy getting to know my patients and improving their quality of life.

Board Certifications

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Clinical Specialties

• Musculoskeletal oncology with focus on both primary and metastatic cancers of the bone
• Management of musculoskeletal problems in hemophilia

Clinical Interests

Musculoskeletal oncology with focus on both primary and metastatic cancers of the bone; Management of musculoskeletal problems in hemophilia

Hospital Privileges

University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital; University of Minnesota Medical Center

Bio

Executive Assistant

Laura Geffre-Rick
Email: geffr019@umn.edu
Phone: 612-301-6040
Fax: (612) 625-9411

Research Summary

Neurophysiology of cerebellum and motor cortex. Our laboratory is trying to understand how single neurons and populations of neurons encode the information needed to plan and execute limb movements. Our goal is to decipher how the brain represents different movement parameters and then uses this information to control movements. We are investigating both kinematic and dynamic movement parameters, recording the activity of neurons in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex in primates during motor behaviors. A variety of movements are studied, including reaching to targets in space, tracking moving targets, the learning of new visuomotor relations, and hand movements. Using analytical and statistical techniques, we sort out how information about movement parameters is embedded in the neuronal discharge.At a higher level of integration, we are interested in how information in the brain is represented spatially and temporally in populations of neurons. In the cerebellum we are using flavoprotein fluorescence and Ca++ dyes to visualize neural activity. Using epifluorescence and multi-photon imaging, we are able to construct detailed spatial and temporal maps of the neuronal activity in the cerebellar cortex. One major question is to understand the spatial patterns of activity generated during behavior. We are also using optical imaging to examine the abnormalities in the cerebellar cortex in the spinocerebellar and episodic ataxias.

Bio

Dr. Fischer earned his medical degree at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and completed Residency training at Wright State and Urogynecology Fellowship training at Indiana University. He has served in numerous leadership roles including Urogynecology Fellowship Director, Ob/Gyn Residency Director and served as the Department Chief of one of the largest Ob/Gyn departments in the Department of Defense. He is currently serving as Faculty for APGO's Surgical Scholars Course and as an Oral Board Examiner, ABOG. He was honored to be named the Professor of the Year by the Junior Fellows of Armed Forces District of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. His research interests include the effects of pregnancy, labor, and delivery on the pelvic floor and surgical education.

Dr. Fischer transitioned from a 29-year career as an Air Force physician to start a new Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health. He began his new role in October 2017 and his clinical practice sites will include Women's Health Specialists Clinic and M Health Clinics & Surgery Center.

Administrator Information

Brenda Olson
Administrative Phone: 612-626-3111
Administrative Email: ols00323@umn.edu

Clinical Summary

Schedule an Appointment:
Minneapolis - M Health Fairview Women's Clinic - Riverside: 612-273-7111
M Health Fairview Clinics & Surgery Center: 612-273-8383
M Health Fairview Center for Women - Edina: 952-285-6140
 

Bio

Leo T. Furcht is Allen-Pardee Professor and Head of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Minnesota and a member of the Division of Molecular Pathology and Genomics. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for University of Minnesota Physicians, the Medical School practice plan with approximately 700 physicians, from 2004-2014. For a three-year period in the 90's he served as Vice Provost for Research of the University of Minnesota Health Sciences and established a research services organization to provide turnkey solutions for faculty and companies to facilitate clinical trials. Furcht served as the President of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) a biomedical research advocacy organization with over 125,000 members and 23 constituent societies from 2006-2007. Prior to this he served as Vice President for Science Policy and led a FASEB program on conflict of interest in biomedical research. Furcht was also founding director of the Biomedical Engineering Center and led early efforts focused on biomedical MEMS, stem cells and molecular diagnostics. He was also founding director MD/ PhD program at the University of Minnesota and was principal investigator of the initial grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medical Scientist Training Program for the MD/PhD program. He played the lead role in establishing a highly regarded Center for Immunology at the University of Minnesota. Early in his career Furcht received a Research Career Development Award from the NIH and later a NCI Merit award.Furcht served on two American Association of Medical Colleges / American Association of Universities Task Forces working on issues surrounding academia industry interactions and issues regarding medical education and clinical research. He has testified in Congressional hearings on NIH budget re-authorization, before Institute of Medicine committees on scientific issues including embryonic stem cell research and a Presidential commission on the dual use of biological organisms. Furcht has published more than 175 scientific papers and holds more than 30 patents in the fields of polypeptides, biomaterials, and adult stem cells. He was profiled in the Medical School's Impact Medicine campaign under the title "Dr. Leo Furcht Creates a Legacy Many Aspire to Achieve."

Research Summary

Research Summary/Interests

• tumor cell behavior and metastasis
• extracellular matrix proteins and receptors
• stem cells
• biotechnology

Publications

• Hoffman, W. and Furcht, L. Divergence, convergence, and innovation: East-West bioscience in an anxious age.Asian Biotechnology and Development Review 16 (3): 3-23, 2014.
• Hoffman, W. and Furcht, L.T. The Biologist’s Imagination: Innovation in the Biosciences (New York: Oxford University Press, 2014).
• Furcht, L.T., and Hoffman, W. The Stem Cell Dilemma, second edition (New York: Arcade Publishing, 2011).
• DeLarco, J.E., Park, C.A., Dronava, H., Furcht, L.T. Cancer Biol. Ther. 9(5):362-70, 2010.
• Furcht, L.T., and Hoffman, W. Stem Cells. Minnesota Health Care News, 7(3), March 2009.
• Furcht, L.T., and Hoffman, W. The Stem Cell Dilemma (New York: Arcade Publishing, 2008).
• Furcht, L.T. and Wolinetz, C.D. What cures will we miss? The effects of reduced funding for biomedical research. Minnesota Physician, XXI (5), August 2007.
• Brockway LM. and Furcht, L.T. Financial disclosure policies of scientific publications. [Comment letter]. JAMA, 296(4): 2925-6: author reply 2926, 2006.

For a full list of Dr. Furcht's publications, Search PubMed.

Clinical Summary

Specialties

• Cell adhesion molecules and tumor metastasis

Bio

Ashley T. Haase is a Regents' Professor and Head of the Department Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Dr. Haase has devoted the past 25 years of his career to investigating human (HIV-1/AIDS) and non-human primate (SIV) lentivirus infections, and his laboratory is currently investigating the globally predominant sexual route of HIV transmission in the SIV rhesus macaque model with the goal of developing effective vaccines and microbicides. Dr. Haase is an NIH NINDS Javits Awardee and two-time recipient of an NIH MERIT Award for his work on HIV, and a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.

Research Summary

Viral pathogenesis, HIV My laboratory investigates the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of lentiviral immunodeficiency infections caused by HIV-1 and its simian relative, SIV, using such technologies as in situ hybridization, in situ tetramer staining and quantitative image analysis to visualize infection and the hosts' cellular immune response in tissues. Much of our recent work has focused on sexual mucosal transmission and the acute stage of SIV infection, the roles of "resting" and activated CD4 T cells in establishing infection, and the mechanisms of the massive depletion of CD4 T cells in the gut. Going forward, these studies provide a foundation for studies of the correlates of protection for attenuated vaccines, and the development of vaccines and microbicides to prevent transmission. My laboratory has also undertaken a comprehensive microarray analysis of HIV-1 and SIV infections with the objectives of understanding pathogenesis and identifying novel targets for treatment and prevention. Current efforts focus on broadening the microarray analysis to encompass the early through late stages of HIV-1 infection, and mapping genes identified in the analysis to gain insight into their function in HIV-1 infected lymphatic tissues, the principal sites of virus production, persistence and pathology.

Bio

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hordinsky, please call (612) 625-5656.

Maria K. Hordinsky, M.D. is Professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota and is also the Director of the Department’s Clinical Research Division. Dr. Hordinsky is recognized for her expertise and research in hair diseases and the peripheral nervous system as it relates to hair follicle biology. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dermatology and the Scarring Alopecia Foundation. She is also an Immediate Past President of the American Hair Research Society (North, South, Central).

Dr. Hordinsky was a recipient of the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award and has over 200 publications. She regularly lectures and teaches on hair diseases and divides her time between seeing patients with residents and medical students in her clinical practice associated with University of Minnesota Physicians, doing clinical research, teaching, and administration.

Teaching Summary

Director, UMMC Dermatology clinical rotation for 3rd and 4th year medical students; Hair Disease Research; Mentor to the clinical research fellow at the UMMC site and medical students interested in Dermatology.

Clinical Summary

General dermatology; Hair diseases in children and adults; Genetic dermatology; Cutaneous T cell lymphoma; Neurodermatology; Skin cancer

Bio

Administrative Contact: Orit Ackerman | 612-625-2478 | koban003@umn.edu

Dr. Ikramuddin is the Jay Phillips Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery. He completed his medical degree at Albany Medical College, New York, followed by a residency in General Surgery at the State University of New York, Syracuse. Dr. Ikramuddin completed fellowships at Ohio State University in minimally invasive surgery and at the University of Pittsburgh in minimally invasive foregut surgery. He was on staff at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and he was Chief of General Surgery at the VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh until his recruitment to the University of Minnesota in 2001. Dr. Ikramuddin previously held the Robert and Katherine Goodale Chair in Minimally Invasive Surgery. He has a research focus on the outcomes of type 2 diabetes following bariatric surgery and vagal nerve stimulation to produce weight loss.Academically, Dr. Ikramuddin has co-edited a textbook on laparoscopic bariatric surgery, and has authored or co-authored over 125 peer-reviewed publications. He has an interest in basic science research as it relates to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

Research Summary

The effects of pneumoperitoneum on immunology The pattern of common bile duct healing after surgery Telecommunication systems to enable teleconferencing between remote sites 3-D real-time video holography

Clinical Summary

Minimally invasive general surgery; Effects of gastric bypass on type 2 diabetes mellitus

Bio

The diagnosis of a tumor in the head and neck is daunting for any patient given the possible implications for appearance, speech, and general quality of life. My goal is to establish a foundation of trust and understanding such that my patients fully understand the nature of their disease, the treatment options available, and expected outcomes. I am committed to treating my patients with a combination of well-established therapies and new technology to optimize cure of the disease and quality of life. In addition, microvascular reconstructive techniques are used when appropriate to achieve the goals of optimizing function and form.

Research Summary

I spend my clinical time treating patients with benign and malignant disease of the head neck. Given that this disease is strongly associated with tobacco use, I have become interested in the tobacco-related carcinogenesis and the risk of oral cancer. Specifically, I am driven to produce new and clinically applicable knowledge about the carcinogenic events that lead to oral carcinoma. Many of our patients have a history of smoking, but the factors that cause some smokers to develop carcinoma while others do not are poorly studied. This gap in knowledge led me to study tobacco related carcinogenesis in oral/head and neck cancer. We seek to better understand the specific carcinogens most important in the genesis of oral cancer. This research is expected to not only significantly increase understanding of tobacco-related carcinogenesis, but also aid in risk assessment for oral cancer as well as tobacco regulation efforts. 

Bio

Joseph M. Metzger, Ph.D., is the Maurice Visscher Land-Grant Chair of Physiology and Professor and Head of Integrative Biology and Physiology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. The Metzger laboratory uses molecular and integrative biomedical approaches for mechanistic investigations of heart and skeletal muscle function, with the long-range goal of translating these findings to new therapies and treatments for acquired and inherited heart and muscle diseases.
Metzger Lab Mission Statement: We seek mechanistic insights into normal and diseased cardiac and skeletal muscle function. Our overarching goal is to translate basic science discoveries into potential therapeutic strategies to combat inherited and acquired forms of heart and muscle diseases. Lab projects embrace individuality, emphasize cooperation and collaboration, and encompass a standard of excellence to all that we do as individual researchers and as a laboratory. Our guiding principles are to treat others with respect and courtesy, to maintain the lab in a collegial, safe and professional environment, and to work each day to the fullest of our capabilities.
Metzger received a Bachelor's degree in Natural Science from Saint John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota (1980), a Master's degree in Biology and Exercise Physiology from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana (1982), a Ph.D. degree in Biology/Physiology under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Fitts from Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1985), and performed post doctoral studies with Dr. Richard Moss at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin (1991). His lab designed and implemented a cardiac muscle-cell system that allows the transfer of genes into heart cells in order to assess the impact of those genes on the production of force and motion, the major function of cardiac muscle cells. The approach has the advantage of shedding light on the primary role of a normal or mutated gene in an otherwise normal muscle cell.
Metzger's findings have been published in top peer journals including Nature, Science, Nature Medicine, the Journal of Clinical Investigation, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This research is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Heart Association, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the Federation to Eradicate Duchenne, and has opened the path to treatment for a variety of heart and muscle diseases.

Research Summary

We are a mechanistically driven biomedical research lab focused on the form and function of heart and skeletal muscle in health and disease. We use molecular and integrative biomedical approaches for mechanistic investigations of heart and skeletal muscle function, with the long-range goal of translating these findings to new therapies and treatments for acquired and inherited heart and muscle diseases.Integrative systems biology of cardiac and skeletal muscle function Gene therapy, Gene and Base Editing Synthetic chemistries as membrane stabilizers Transgenic models of heart and muscle diseases Molecular mechanisms of sarcomere function Human iPS cell cardiac and skeletal muscle

Bio

Dr. Miner is the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center, and is a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine and is the Senior Associate Editor for Electronic Publications of Academic Emergency Medicine. .Dr. Miner conducts research in the areas of pain management, procedural sedation, altered mental status, shock, and monitoring during critical care in the Emergency Department and has numerous publications on these topics. He has edited a textbook on pain management and sedation (Emergency Pain and Sedation, Cambridge University Press, 2008) and has authored chapters about pain management, sedation, and monitoring in several other textbooks. He also conducts research in the effects of poverty on patients seen in the Emergency Department.