Where Science Meets Care: How the CeIDeR Team is Shaping the Future of Infectious Disease Treatment | | |
The Center for Infectious Disease Research (CeIDeR), is one of many research programs within Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute (HHRI). CeIDeR’s mission “is to advance clinical care of infectious diseases by expanding our understanding of disease pathogenesis, as well as developing prevention, treatment, and implementation strategies to that end,” said Jason V. Baker, MD, MS. Dr. Baker is a physician-scientist who has been the Director of CeIDeR since it was formed in 2024.
Dr. Baker works alongside fellow infectious disease researchers, Kristin Burrack, PhD; Anne Frosch, MD, MPH; Amanda Noska, MD, MPH; Jenell Stewart, DO, MPH; and their newest team member, Diana Zychowski, MD. Together, they investigate the epidemiology and pathogenesis of existing and emerging infectious diseases and how best to prevent and treat them. HHRI differs slightly from other infectious disease research programs through its unique focus not only on clinical care, but on translational and implementation research as well.
| | Featured Research Program: Center for Infectious Disease Research (CeIDeR) | | |
CeIDeR research program is improving health outcomes for persons with infections through generating knowledge on pathogenesis, interventions, and clinical implementation.
Their core programs feature:
- Program on Cardiometabolic Complications
- Program on STIs and HIV Prevention
- Burrack Lab
- STRIVE Network Clinical Coordinating Center
- Laboratory for Translational Immunology and Vaccine Research
- Clinical Research Unit
| | |
Dr. Amanda Noska discusses "Where are we with HIV in 2026?" on the Healthy Matters Podcast
Infectious Disease Specialist and HIV expert Amanda Noska, MD, MPH, spoke with David Hilden, MD, MPH, FACP, on Season 5, Episode 8 of Hennepin Healthcare's Healthy Matters podcast. During their conversation, Dr. Noska shared how HIV is most commonly transmitted today, how many people it affects, and how prevention has evolved over the years.
| |
2026 Brain Health Awareness Day: Brain Health Starts with Us
Hennepin Healthcare hosted its first Brain Health Awareness Day on January 22, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST, at the Hennepin Healthcare Clinic and Specialty Center and on Microsoft Teams. The event brought together community partners, clinicians, researchers, patients, caregivers, and staff to share the latest evidence on how to preserve and promote lifelong brain health through interactive activities. The event highlighted practical strategies for prevention and the early detection of stroke and dementia, with a strong focus on managing cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, physical activity, and sleep. The event featured 10-minute talks with five-minute Q&As, including presentations from HHRI researchers:
|
Recent Publications
- Geriatrician, internist, neuroepidemiologist, and Medical Director of the Berman Center for Outcomes and Clinical Research, Anne Murray, MD, MSc, co-authored "Cancer Incidence and Mortality with Aspirin in Older Adults, Follow-Up of the ASPREE Study," published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Oncology on January 29, 2026. The study explored whether adhering to a low-dose aspirin regimen is associated with cancer risks and cancer-related mortality in older adults. Findings of this study suggest that starting a long-term aspirin strategy to prevent cancer is not recommended for older adults. You can read the abstract here.
- Vascular and preventative neurologist Behnam Sabayan, MD, MSc, PhD, FAHA, and cardiologist Gautam Shroff, MBBS, FACC, co-authored "Heart-Brain Axis: Subclinical Cardiovascular Changes and Brain Health," published January 30, 2026, in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA). The study investigated how your brain and heart are deeply connected. Even subtle heart and blood vessel changes can cause reduced blood flow to the brain, increasing the risks of cognitive decline over time. Read more here.
-
Hennepin Healthcare researchers and residents (Lexy Kindt, DO; Charly Vang, MPH; Derek Lumbard, MD, FACS; Kyle Schmitz, MD; and Rachel Nygaard, PhD) were co-authors on the article "Frostbite in January—Amputate in July: Is Watchful Waiting for Surgical Management Following Frostbite Injury Still Standard? An Examination of the National Readmission Database" published February 2, 2026, in the Journal of Burn Care & Research. The study examines the timing of amputation among US-based frostbite patients and identifies the factors that influence early versus delayed amputation. You can learn more here.
|
Why We Give: The Follmer Family
Suzi Follmer and her family knew they had to do something. For weeks, they listened to stories about families who couldn’t leave their homes for basic necessities and medical appointments for fear of Operation Metro Surge. This hit especially hard because Suzi’s husband, Ryan, works for Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute.
“Living thirty minutes outside of the Twin Cities in Wright County, we felt really helpless,” Suzi said. “But then we realized there was something tangible we could do.”
Suzi and Ryan felt inspired after hearing about the baby supply drive at the Trampled By Turtles concert that benefited Hennepin Healthcare, so Ryan contacted the Labor and Delivery Center to learn what was most needed. Suzi called a few family members and friends and made social media posts asking for donations of items for young families at Hennepin Healthcare.
| | Did a colleague forward you this email? Subscribe to the HHRI Research Highlights email list and get our newsletter sent directly to your inbox. | | You are receiving this message because you have been identified as a key stakeholder of Hennepin Healthcare. |
| | | |
