Indira Mysorekar named vice dean Penn State College of Medicine

🎓🔬 Accomplished Indian American researcher Dr. Indira U. Mysorekar is set to join Penn State College of Medicine on July 1 as vice dean for research, basic science and graduate studies, marking a major addition to the university’s biomedical research leadership. She will also serve as the prestigious Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Medicine and professor of medicine and cell and biological systems.

Mysorekar joins Penn State from Baylor College of Medicine, where she has built a nationally respected reputation as a leading scientist in infectious diseases, women’s health, maternal-fetal medicine, and host-pathogen interactions. Over nearly two decades at Baylor and Washington University School of Medicine, her research has helped advance understanding of how infections impact mucosal surfaces, pregnancy, aging, and the urogenital tract — areas with major implications for public health and translational medicine.

Beyond her scientific achievements, Mysorekar is widely recognized for her leadership in graduate education, mentorship, and interdisciplinary research development. She has directed multiple NIH-supported training programs for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career investigators, helping shape the next generation of biomedical scientists and physician-researchers. Her contributions to mentoring and scientific training have earned her multiple awards and national recognition.

A fellow of The American Academy of Microbiology and current president of The American Society for Reproductive Immunology, Mysorekar brings to Penn State a globally respected research portfolio, extensive NIH-funded collaborations, and deep experience building research infrastructure. University leaders say her appointment will help strengthen Penn State’s interdisciplinary scientific research, graduate education programs, and translational innovation efforts connecting laboratory discoveries to real-world clinical impact. 🌍🧬