CFI Welcomes New Leadership: Dr. Carla Rothlin and Dr. Sourav Ghosh to Join in 2025

The Center for Immunology (CFI) is thrilled to share an exciting leadership transition and welcome two internationally recognized scientists to the University of Minnesota.

In August 2025, Dr. Carla Rothlin and Dr. Sourav Ghosh, both currently at Yale University, will join the University of Minnesota Medical School and the CFI community.

Dr. Rothlin will become the Director of the Center for Immunology, Co-Leader of the Masonic Cancer Center (MCC) Immunology Program, Andersen Chair in Immunology at MCC, and a Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. She is internationally known for her research on immunobiology, immune homeostasis, and receptor tyrosine kinases. Her leadership marks an exciting new chapter for CFI, and we are honored to have her at the helm.

Dr. Ghosh will serve as Program Director in the Immunology of Tissue Resolution, Repair, and Regeneration at CFI, and as a Professor of Pharmacology. His research explores mechanisms of cell death, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, and neurodevelopmental disorders. His addition will significantly enhance our growing focus on tissue immunology and regenerative biology.

This transition also marks the conclusion of an impactful era under Dr. Marc Jenkins, who has served as CFI Director since 2013. Under his leadership, CFI has flourished as a collaborative, high-impact research center. As Dr. Michael Gale, Head of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (DMI), noted:

“Dr. Jenkins trained students and postdocs who have populated positions in industry, academia, and public health. Many are now in leadership roles—division heads, department heads, and clinic directors. Marc's trainees are a legacy for the UMN.”

Dr. Ashley Haase, former DMI Head, added:

“Marc Jenkins, in his personal research and leadership of CFI, restored immunology at the UMN to the world-class stature it had more than a half century ago in the Robert Good era. In doing so, he laid the foundations for the next and continuing advances under new leadership.”

As we look to the future, we are fortunate to have continuity in leadership. Dr. Kris Hogquist will continue as Associate Director, joined by Dr. David Masopust, who will also serve as Associate Director of CFI.

Drs. Rothlin and Ghosh embody the research excellence, innovation, and collaborative spirit that define our center. We look forward to the next chapter of CFI with great anticipation and enthusiasm.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Carla Rothlin and Dr. Sourav Ghosh!