Alumni

The KL2 Program at Mayo Clinic is a cornerstone of our translational research training. It supports early-career investigators as they bridge the gap between bench and bedside. Our alumni represent a growing network of clinician-scientists who are advancing medical knowledge and transforming health outcomes across disciplines.

Impact at a glance

  • More than 80 scholars supported since program inception.
  • Alumni funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (R-series, K-series, R01 and DP2), U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), industry and private foundations.
  • Fields include oncology, neurology, cardiology, infectious diseases, women's health, endocrinology, psychiatry, bioengineering and more.
  • Alumni projects span molecular mechanisms, diagnostic imaging, digital health technologies, health disparities and clinical trial innovation.

Program outcomes

KL2 alumni have gone on to:

  • Secure federal research grants (NIH, DoD, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and PCORI).
  • Lead interdisciplinary clinical trials and biomedical innovation initiatives.
  • Develop and validate diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
  • Advance early-phase therapeutic discovery and personalized medicine approaches.
  • Launch multisite collaborations and serve as principal investigators on high-impact studies.
  • Publish in leading journals such as JAMA, New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Medicine, and Science Translational Medicine.
  • Transition into tenure-track academic roles and institutional leadership positions.

Alumni highlights

2022 cohort

  • Margot A. Cousin, Ph.D.
  • Project: RNA-Targeted Individualized Therapies for Rare Genetic Disorders
  • Dr. Cousin focused on developing precision RNA therapies to correct gene expression defects in patients with rare, inherited disorders — advancing therapeutic innovation.
  • Lauren A. Dalvin, M.D.
  • Project: Mechanisms of Uveal Melanoma Pathogenesis
  • Dr. Dalvin's research uncovered molecular and cellular drivers of uveal melanoma, a rare eye cancer, contributing to earlier detection and improved treatment strategies.
  • Nidhi Jalan Sakrikar, Ph.D.
  • Project: Epigenetic Dysregulation of Telomeres in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
  • Dr. Sakrikar investigated how epigenetic alterations in telomere regulation contribute to PSC, a chronic liver disease. Dr. Sakrikar aims to identify early biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets.

2020 cohort

  • Brooke R. Druliner, Ph.D.
  • Project: Characterizing Telomere and Chromatin Dynamics in Colorectal Cancer Transformation
  • Dr. Druliner's work focused on the molecular mechanisms of colorectal tumorigenesis, specifically how changes in chromatin and telomere biology contribute to early cancer development. This work paves the way for novel biomarkers and prevention strategies.
  • Michelle P. Lin, M.D., M.P.H.
  • Project: Retinal Vasoreactivity as a Biomarker for Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Progression
  • Dr. Lin explored how noninvasive retinal imaging can detect vascular changes linked to cognitive decline and stroke risk, offering a promising new avenue for early detection of cerebral small vessel disease.

2019 cohort

  • Emmanuel M. Gabriel, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Project: Dynamic Control of Tumor Vasculature to Enhance Systemic Therapies
  • Dr. Gabriel's research focused on manipulating tumor blood vessels to improve delivery and efficacy of cancer treatments. This research bridges surgical insight with molecular targeting strategies.
  • Roberto A. Leon Ferre, M.D.
  • Project: Unveiling the Immune Landscape of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Subtypes
  • His work identified immunologic differences in TNBC, especially in the luminal androgen receptor subtype. This work guides more personalized therapeutic strategies.
  • Kai J. Miller, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Project: Brain-Computer Interface Development for ALS Patients
  • Dr. Miller advanced implantable neural technologies to restore device control and communication in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), pushing the boundaries of neuroengineering in medicine.
  • Gita Thanarajasingam, M.D.
  • Project: Patient-Centered Evaluation of Immunotherapy Tolerability Using Electronic PROs and Longitudinal Toxicity Tracking
  • She developed tools to measure and monitor symptom burden from checkpoint inhibitors, improving how tolerability is assessed in real time across cancer therapies.