Michael Osterholm

Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH, is Regents Professor and McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities. He directs the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), serves as Professor in the Technological Leadership Institute, College of Science and Engineering, and as Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine. Osterholm received his PhD in Environmental Health and MS in Environmental Health from the University of Minnesota in 1980 and 1976, an MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Minnesota in 1978, and a BA in Biology and Political Science from Luther College in 1975. He is also a Distinguished Teaching Professor in Environmental Health Sciences.

Osterholm spent 24 years at the Minnesota Department of Health, serving the last 15 years as state epidemiologist and chief of the Acute Disease Epidemiology Section. He has held key appointments including Special Advisor to HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson on bioterrorism and public health preparedness from 2001 to 2005, Science Envoy for Health Security for the U.S. Department of State from 2018 to 2019, member of President-elect Biden's COVID-19 Advisory Board in 2020, National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity in 2005, and World Economic Forum Working Group on Pandemics in 2008. His research specializations encompass infectious disease epidemiology, disease surveillance, public health preparedness, vaccines, health communications, and policy. Notable publications include the book Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs (2017), Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2012), Anthrax as a biological weapon, 2002: updated recommendations for management (JAMA, 2002), and Botulinum toxin as a biological weapon: medical and public health management (JAMA, 2001). Awards and honors include the Regents Professorship (2015), Charles C. Shepard Science Award (CDC), Harvey W. Wiley Medal (FDA), Squibb Award (IDSA), Wade Hampton Frost Leadership Award (American Public Health Association), Pump Handle Award (CSTE), six major research awards from NIH and CDC, American Medical Association Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service (2024), and inclusion in TIME's 2026 TIME100 Health List. A member of the National Academy of Medicine and Council of Foreign Relations, Osterholm hosts the Osterholm Update podcast and leads CIDRAP's Antimicrobial Stewardship Project.

Professional Email: mto@umn.edu