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Minn. Profs Top TIME's Health Influencers List
12 Feb
Summary
- Two University of Minnesota faculty members recognized by TIME.
- One honored for pioneering immunotherapy cancer treatment.
- Another cited for criticizing federal vaccination policies.
Two University of Minnesota faculty members have been recognized by TIME as among the 100 most influential people in health for 2026. Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, and Dr. Emil Lou, a physician-scientist specializing in gastrointestinal oncology, were lauded for their significant contributions.
Dr. Osterholm, with over 50 years in public health, has become an outspoken critic of recent federal vaccination policy shifts. He also launched the Vaccine Integrity Project to provide science-based information on vaccines. Dr. Lou, alongside Minnesota resident Emma Dimery, pioneered an immunotherapy cancer treatment.
This groundbreaking treatment involved gene editing to modify a patient's cells to fight her late-stage colon cancer, leading to remission within months. University President Rebecca Cunningham expressed pride in their work and dedication to educating future health professionals.
