About Us

A translational research center dedicated to trauma and critically ill patients that advances biologic discovery, develops novel treatments for hemorrhage and organ failure, and educates providers across the spectrum of care—from austere environments to definitive care.

Greg Beilman, MD, COL (ret) Senior Director

A general surgeon and ICU physician, Greg Beilman currently serves as the Associate Dean for DoD Relationships for the University of Minnesota Medical School and is Professor of Surgery at the University of Minnesota. He recently served as Senior Vice President of Acute Operations for the Minnesota Health Fairview Health System, the largest health system in the state of Minnesota, where he co-lead the system response to COVID-19. Greg has an active translational research program funded by the Department of Defense, the NIH, and industry. Greg is a retired Colonel in the Army Reserves and has deployed five times; serving during one deployment as the CENTCOM Joint Theater Trauma System Director in Iraq and Afghanistan. Greg has significant experience in Global Health efforts, with his experience in the Army, a decade of patient care and research efforts in Uganda, and recent efforts in Ukraine.

Todd Costantini, MD Interim Director

Dr. Todd Costantini is Chief of the Division of Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery, and Vice Chair for Clinical Quality in the Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Costantini has an NIH-funded translational research laboratory that aims to understand the inflammatory response after severe injury.  His clinical research focuses on optimizing venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis for injured patients and improving treatment pathways for bleeding control in patients with severe pelvic fracture. He has held several national leadership positions including Chair of the Multi-institutional Trials Committee for the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Council for the Coalition for National Trauma Research (CNTR). Dr. Costantini currently serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery.

Lisa Rogers, MS, MPH Executive Director

Lisa Rogers has a scientific background in toll-receptor biology, cancer immunology, and health disparities. She has over two decades of experience in the operations of large multi-disciplinary and multi-institution research centers with a focus on developing and optimizing strategies to drive the research mission. She also has expertise in pre- and post-doctoral training programs.

Mike Puskarich, MD Associate Director

Mike Puskarich is a practicing emergency physician and clinician scientist. He is the associate director of the Center and director of research in the Department of Emergency Medicine. He is an expert in the conduct of emergency care research, with a particular interest in the conception and implementation of innovative clinical trials designed to improve the care of critically ill and injured patients.

Kristine Mulier, MS Preclinical Research Director

Kristine Mulier is the Preclinical Director for the Translational Center for Resuscitative Trauma Care in the Medical School at the University of Minnesota. Kristine received her Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Cell Biology at the University of Minnesota and Master of Science in Biological Science at the University of Minnesota. Her skill set is very diverse with decades of experience in animal modeling, sample/data procurement and data analysis.

Amanda Hayward, PhD Director of Research Development

Amanda Hayward received her PhD from the Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics program at the University of Minnesota. She started large center grant writing, editing, and assembly in 2019 as a part of the Institute for Engineering in Medicine’s (IEM’s) Center Accelerator program. Amanda manages Center projects, provides grant writing and editing support to Center faculty members, and supports junior faculty development.

Chris vanBrenk Director of Education and Training

Mr. vanBrenk currently serves as a full time Critical Care/Flight Paramedic with Duke Life Flight (Duke University Hospital) in Durham, NC. Mr. vanBrenk also currently works as a project manager with the Global Surgical and Medical Support Group (GSMSG) coordinating medical and tactical training for Ukrainian Special Operations Forces and conducted two overseas deployments to Ukraine in 2022 to support partnerships with the Ukrainian Military and the American College of Surgeons. From 2008-2018, Chris served as an Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader and US Army Special Forces Detachment Commander of a 12-man Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha (ODA) as well as Team Leader for a 3-man Special Activities team on several overseas rotations to the Middle East and Africa. As a Special Forces Officer, Chris was responsible for planning and conducting Special Operations which included direct action, unconventional warfare and prolonged field care in permissive, semi-permissive or denied areas often as the senior US Military Representative. Mr. vanBrenk graduated in 2008 with a B.S. in Political Science and minor degree in Classical Studies.