The Research Council at the University of Missouri School of Medicine offers faculty a forum to discuss institutional research issues and communicate them to the administration. In addition, the Research Council sponsors the School of Medicine Student Research Fellowship Program.

Research Council Membership & Guidelines

The Research Council consists of at least 15 voting members. Three members hold the following positions:

  • An associate dean responsible for research in the School of Medicine
  • Chair of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in the Health Sciences Section
  • Associate Chief of Staff for Research at the VA Hospital

At least 15 members appointed from the Faculty Assembly of the School of Medicine must meet these requirements:

  • Appointed annually by the Dean
  • May not serve more than three consecutive years
  • Major involvement in research activity

To stagger terms, approximately one-third of Council membership is replaced each year.

Research Council Roster

Member

Department

Term Expires

Mirna Becevic, PhD

Dermatology

6/30/24

Bumsuk Hahm, PhD

Surgery

6/30/26

Carmen Cirstea, MD, PhD

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

6/30/24

Guido Lastra, MD

Medicine

6/30/24

Esma Yolcu, PhD (Chair)

Pediatrics

6/30/24

Akhil Srivastava, PhD

Pathology & Anatomical Sciences

6/30/25

Margaret Lange, PhD

Molecular Microbiology & Immunology

6/30/25

Steven DeFroda, MD

Orthopaedic Surgery

6/30/25

Lei Lei, PhD

Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women’s Health

6/30/25

Scott Zawieja, PhD

Medical Pharmacology & Physiology

6/30/25

Pawan Singh, PhD

Ophthalmology

6/30/26

Mary Beth Miller, PhD

Psychiatry 6/30/26

Michael J Petris, MD

Biochemistry & Ophthalmology

6/30/26

James McClay, MD

Emergency Medicine

6/30/26

Jaapna Dhillon, PhD

Nutrition & Exercise Physiology 6/30/26

Ex-officio Members

Bettina Mittendorfer, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for Research, School of Medicine
NextGen Precision Health Endowed Professor of Medicine and Nutrition & Exercise Physiology
Director, NextGen Clinical and Translational Science Unit
University of Missouri

Administrative Support

Jessica W. Love, Executive Assistant to Dr. Bettine Mittendorfer