Four University of Iowa faculty members have been invited to the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) 2026 Emerging Leaders Forum April 14-15 in Washington, D.C.
The Emerging Leaders Forum is an invitation-only event that gathers exceptional early- and mid-career professionals who show remarkable promise, achievement, and leadership in biomedical science, health care, health policy, and related fields. Participants engage in interdisciplinary workshops and discussions designed to stimulate innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in health and medicine.
Each emerging leader must be nominated by a current NAM member. The UI faculty selected for the honor include:
- James Ankrum, professor of biomedical engineering, College of Engineering
- James Byrne, assistant professor of radiation oncology, Carver College of Medicine
- Stephanie Gantz, assistant professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, Carver College of Medicine
- Kristan Worthington, associate professor of biomedical engineering, College of Engineering
“Being selected for the Emerging Leaders Forum is a remarkable honor that reflects the talent and drive of our faculty,” says Kevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost. “We’re proud to see their innovative work recognized on a national stage and look forward to the contributions they will continue to make in advancing medicine.”
Dr. Michael Welsh, UI professor of internal medicine, will give a keynote address at the Emerging Leaders Forum. Welsh has been a member of NAM since 1997 and was recognized last year with a Lasker Award for his fundamental cystic fibrosis discoveries that helped create life-saving therapies.
For more information about the NAM Emerging Leaders Forum, please visit the National Academy of Medicine's website.