
Institute for Translational Neuroscience
About Institute for Translational Neuroscience
The Institute for Translational Neuroscience's greatest strength is bringing together different groups under one common goal: to advance neuroscience research at the University of Minnesota.
The Institute for Translational Neuroscience (ITN) was established in 2007 as a University-wide presidential initiative to promote the transfer of discoveries in the basic neurosciences to clinical practice. The institute is charged to enhance basic science discovery with new knowledge leading to subsequent clinical trials and establishment of new therapeutic principles or tools.
Goals
Our main goal is to attract and recruit top scientists to shape discoveries that will lead to tomorrow's cures. The institute exemplifies how different disciplines, departments, and centers can work together in partnership to evolve neurological disease research at the University of Minnesota. We have built a community that encourages learning, education, innovation, and discovery all of which are more successful in a team-oriented environment.

Founding centers
These world-class centers embrace and advance the institute's mission:
ITN In the News
ITN Scholar Carrie haskell-luevano elected aaas fellow
ITN Scholar and College of Pharmacy Professor Carrie Haskell-Luevano, PhD, is one of two University of Minnesota scientists elected to the 2024 class of Fellows for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Dr. Haskell-Luevano was recognized by AAAS "for distinguished contributions to the field of neuroscience, particularly understanding the role of melanocortin receptors in appetite/obesity and their potential as therapeutic targets." Her research focuses on the understanding of G protein-coupled receptors and their involvement in numerous biological functions, including feeding behavior, pain and obesity. By using multidisciplinary approaches to study endocrine systems, her work has led to the discovery of “one of a kind” molecular tool and probe compounds. These molecules are likely to advance therapeutic discovery for diseases like Type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and neuropathic pain. Fewer than 1% of AAAS members are elected as Fellows each year. We congratulate Carrie on this prestigious honor!
Innovation

Moving promising neuroscience research forward
Exploration

Discoveries happen where disciplines meet.
Collaboration

Combining powerhouse research and clinical care to impact lives