Department of Medicine Faculty Members Receive Prestigious McKnight Awards
Two faculty members from the Department of Medicine have been honored with McKnight Awards, recognizing their outstanding contributions to research and academic excellence. These awards are made possible through generous donations from the McKnight Foundation and are administered by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.
Dr. Alexander Khoruts Receives Distinguished McKnight University Professorship
Dr. Alexander Khoruts, Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, has been selected as a recipient of the Distinguished McKnight University Professorship. Dr. Khoruts has pioneered a new frontier in medical therapeutics through groundbreaking publications, focusing on the gut microbiome to address clinical challenges like antibiotic resistance, cancer, autoimmunity, and autism. His team remains a leading force in advancing research in this emerging field, fostering scholarly inquiry through a broad network of collaborations at the University of Minnesota and nationwide.
The Distinguished McKnight University Professorship honors exceptional faculty members who have recently achieved full professor status. The title is held for the remainder of the recipient’s career at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Joan Beckman Receives McKnight Land-Grant Professorship
Dr. Joan Beckman, Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, has been awarded the McKnight Land-Grant Professorship for her research, CHIPing Away at Why Blood Clots. This project investigates how mutations in clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), particularly the JAK2V617F mutation, affect blood vessel health and increase clot risk. The goal of her research is to identify key translational markers and potential drugs to mitigate these risks.
The McKnight Land-Grant Professorship is designed to advance the careers of assistant professors at a pivotal stage in their academic journeys. Recipients hold the title of “McKnight Land-Grant Professor” for a two-year period.
Drs. Khoruts and Beckman both exemplify the dedication and excellence of faculty members in the Department of Medicine. Their innovative research continues to drive progress in their respective fields, and the McKnight Awards recognize their significant contributions to advancing medical knowledge and enhancing patient care.
Congratulations to both recipients on receiving these prestigious awards!
