Claudia Lucchinetti, M.D., named dean for Clinical and Translational Science, director of Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science

Claudia Lucchinetti, M.D. (N ‘94, NIMM ‘95), chair, Mayo Clinic Department of Neurology, was named dean for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS) and director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science. Dr. Lucchinetti is the Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Professor of Neurosciences. Dr. Lucchinetti succeeds Sundeep Khosla, M.D. (ENDO ’88), Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, who served in the role for seven years.

“Dr. Khosla championed the establishment of important programs in CCaTS — such as the Office of Translation to Practice, Office of Clinical Trials, Office of Entrepreneurship, and Center for Health Equity and Community Engagement Research — that I want to continue to develop and strengthen,” says Dr. Lucchinetti.

“I will strive to carry on Dr. Khosla’s example of inspiring and enabling collaborative innovation, leading with integrity and humility, and with an unwavering commitment to excellence, grounded in scientific rigor and aligned with our Mayo values.”

In 2006, Mayo Clinic was one of the first 12 institutions to receive awards under the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program. The grant has been renewed twice, and its next renewal cycle will be in 2021. The award is designed to fund resources and educational programs for advancing clinical research. It is the largest research grant for one of Mayo Clinic’s centers, totaling more than $50 million over five years.