Academy for Excellence in Health Sciences Research
Professor Lisa Harnack has conducted some of the world’s most innovative nutrition research, creating the scientific evidence for national policies, programs, and practices. She is nationally recognized for her work in state-of-the-art nutrition assessment methods and tools and has played a vital role in contributing to the scientific evidence base that has informed many public health efforts to promote a healthier diet in the U.S. and around the world. To honor her work, the University of Minnesota awarded her membership in the Academy for Excellence in Health Research, its highest recognition of distinction in health-related research.
Award for Global Engagement
Associate Professor Claudia Muñoz-Zanzi was honored with this all-University award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to global education and public health work. Muñoz-Zanzi collaborates with partners across Latin America to reduce the impact of neglected zoonotic infections and reduce global health disparities. Read more about Muñoz-Zanzi and her work.
President’s Award for Outstanding Service
The University of Minnesota gave Dean and Professor Emeritus John Finnegan the President’s Award for Outstanding Service for his dedication to and hard work for the University of Minnesota throughout his more than 40-year career. Of particular note was his leadership of the University-wide President’s Initiative to Prevent Sexual Misconduct and his championing of the School of Public Health’s Strategic Plan for Antiracism — both critical examples of his care for the wellbeing of students, faculty, and staff and commitment to advance the University as a place willing to confront wrong-doing and enact culture change.
Horace T. Morse-University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award
for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education (Morse-Alumni Award)
The Morse-Alumni Award is one of the highest honors the University gives to teaching at the undergraduate level. It chose Associate Professor Ruby Nguyen for her passion for public health and her dedication to student learning and student success. Nguyen was key to developing the popular undergraduate public health minor and initiating the undergraduate public health major that the School of Public Health will offer in fall 2023. The award confers the title of Distinguished University Teaching Professor and the University will add Nguyen’s name to the Scholars Walk.
Distinguished McKnight University Professor
The commitment of Professor Irina Stepanov to preventing cancer around the world, her pioneering work to build global cancer research capacity, such as with the Institute for Global Cancer Prevention Research, and her discoveries in carcinogenesis are significant reasons why she was named a Distinguished McKnight University Professor. Stepanov will hold the title for as long as she remains at the University and her name will be added to the Scholar’s Walk.
