Mayo Clinic recognizes new named professors
Mayo Clinic has recognized 11 new recipients of Mayo Clinic named professorships — the highest academic distinction for staff members at Mayo Clinic.
These positions represent the pinnacle of medical achievement and excellence for Mayo Clinic physicians and scientists. A professorship signifies a staff member who fuels scientific discovery and invests in teaching and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
Endowed professorships, which are supported through philanthropy, allow Mayo Clinic to attract and retain the most sought-after, experienced scholars. Endowed funds ensure Mayo Clinic’s capacity to support the highest level of scientific leadership and speed the pace of research to solve unmet patient needs.
Dr. Cattaneo succeeds Stephen Russell, M.D. (MMED ’98), as the Richard O. Jacobson Professor of Molecular Medicine. This position was established in 1993 by Richard O. Jacobson of Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Cattaneo joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 1999 and is a consultant and vice chair for education in the Department of Molecular Medicine, with joint appointments in the Department of Immunology and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He studies enveloped ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses that cause highly contagious diseases, including measles and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Dr. Connolly succeeds Rick Nishimura, M.D. (I ’80, CV ’83), as the Judd and Mary Morris Leighton Professor of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hypertension in Honor of Dr. Alex Schirger. This professorship was established in 2000 by Judd and Mary Morris Leighton of South Bend, Indiana. Dr. Connolly joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 1993 and is a consultant in the Division of Structural Heart Disease, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine. She serves as director of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinic and the Carcinoid Heart Disease Clinic. Her research interests include adult congenital heart disease, Marfan syndrome and related disorders, pregnancy and heart disease, carcinoid and other forms of valve disease, and echocardiography.
Dr. Friedman succeeds David Holmes, Jr., M.D. (CV ’76), as the Edward W. and Betty Knight Scripps Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine in Honor of George M. Gura, Jr., M.D. This professorship was established in 2000 by the Edward W. and Betty Knight Scripps Foundation of Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Friedman is the Norman Blane & Billie Jean Harty Chair, Mayo Clinic Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Honoring Robert L. Frye, M.D. He joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 1998 and is a consultant in the Division of Heart Rhythm Services with a joint appointment in the Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering. He previously served as medical director for the Mayo Clinic Center for Connected Care. His research focuses on advanced treatments for clinical arrhythmias.
Dr. Habermann succeeds the late Gloria Petersen, Ph.D. (MSEP ’99), as the Purvis and Roberta Tabor Professor. This professorship was created in 1981 by Purvis and Roberta Tabor of Decatur, Illinois. Dr. Habermann joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 1985 and is a consultant in the Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine. His research in the science of lymphoma includes a broad array of experiences in the study of different treatment approaches, biology, prognostic factors and surrogate outcomes of overall survival.
Dr. Knopman is the inaugural Robert H. and Susan M. Rewoldt Professor of Neurology Honoring Bradley F. Boeve, M.D. This is one of two professorships established by Susan M. Rewoldt in 2022. Dr. Knopman joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 2000 and is a consultant in the Division of Behavioral Neurology, Department of Neurology. He is a clinical neurologist involved in research in late-life cognitive disorders, such as mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
Dr. Krych succeeds Michael Yaszemski, M.D., Ph.D. (OR ’96), as the John and Posy Krehbiel Professor of Orthopedics Honoring Bernard F. Morrey, M.D. This professorship was established in 2007 by John J. Krehbiel, Jr. and Kennetha (Posy) Krehbiel of Lake Forest, Illinois. Dr. Krych joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 2011 and is a consultant in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He also serves as co-chair of the Division of Sports Medicine. Dr. Krych studies biological preservation of the knee and hip joints and specializes in meniscus repair and transplantation, realignment surgery with osteotomy and ligament reconstruction, articular cartilage restoration, and surgical treatment of femoroacetabular impingement.
Dr. Matveyenko is the inaugural J. W. Kieckhefer Professor of Regenerative Medicine to Support Research in Type 1 Diabetes. This position was created by the J.W. Kieckhefer Foundation of Prescott, Arizona, using investment growth from a previous position established in 1974. Dr. Matveyenko joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 2014 and is a consultant in the Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, with a joint appointment in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Department of Medicine. Dr. Matveyenko is affiliated with the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics where he heads the Islet Regeneration Laboratory. His research is focused on understanding physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the decline in beta cell function and mass in patients with diabetes.
Dr. Montori is the inaugural Robert H. and Susan M. Rewoldt Professor of Endocrinology Honoring Daniel L. Hurley, M.D. This is one of two professorships established by Susan M. Rewoldt in 2022. Dr. Montori joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 2002 and is a consultant in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, and a lead investigator in the Knowledge and Evaluation Research (KER) Unit. He is interested in how knowledge is produced, disseminated and taken up in practice — and how this leads to optimal health care delivery and patient outcomes. His clinical work involves care of patients with diabetes, with particular attention to the interventions that reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.
Dr. Pittock succeeds Claudia F. Lucchinetti, M.D. (N ’94, NIMM ’95), as the Applebaum Family Professor of Neurosciences. This professorship was established in 2005 by Eugene and Marcia Applebaum of Detroit, Michigan, and Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Pittock joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 2005 and is a consultant in the Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Department of Neurology. Dr. Pittock has a joint appointment in the Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. He serves as a director of the Neuroimmunology Laboratory, and he is the Marilyn A. Park and Moon S. Park, M.D., Director of the Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology. His research focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis and autoimmune disorders that target the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Dr. Willman is the inaugural David A. Ahlquist, M.D., Professor of Cancer Research. This professorship was created by Exact Sciences Corporation of Madison, Wisconsin, in honor of their friend and collaborator, the late David A. Ahlquist, M.D. (MED ’77, I ’80, GI ’83). Dr. Willman is the Stephen and Barbara Slaggie Executive Director, Mayo Clinic Cancer Programs, and Director, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Willman joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 2021. She is an internationally renowned physician-scientist and a pioneer in the field of cancer individualized medicine with a track record of innovation and successful translation of discoveries to clinical trials
Dr. Witzig succeeds Thomas R. Viggiano, M.D. (GI ’80), as the Barbara Woodward Lips Professor I. This position, and two others, were established in 1999 through gifts from the estate of Barbara Woodward Lips of San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Witzig joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 1986 and is a consultant in the Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, with a joint appointment in the Division of Hematopathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. His research is focused on translational research in multiple myeloma and lymphoma.