TIME named Dr. Michael Osterholm, Regents Professor, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota, to the 2026 TIME100 Health List of the World’s Most Influential Leaders in Health.

The 2026 TIME100 Health spotlights the 100 most influential leaders in health this year. As the global order has shifted, these titans, innovators, leaders, pioneers and catalysts have pushed ahead new ideas — from gene therapies to regulatory agencies — to build healthier populations around the world.

​​“I am honored to receive this recognition, which I share with the entire support team at the University of Minnesota and, specifically, the extraordinary scientists and researchers at CIDRAP and the Vaccine Integrity Project, who show up every day committed to evidence, transparency and public service,” said Osterholm. “Any impact attributed to me is the result of deeply collaborative efforts focused on protecting health and earning public trust. I’m grateful to share this honor — in a moment when evidence-based health policy is under assault in our country — with colleagues who believe that rigorous science, clearly communicated, can save and protect lives.”

A distinguished public health scholar, researcher and educator, Osterholm has served as a pioneer and leader in the research, prevention and control of infectious diseases throughout the world. He is an international leader on the critical concerns regarding preparedness for an influenza pandemic and the use of biological agents as catastrophic weapons targeting civilian populations. He has been with the University of Minnesota for 52 years, served as the Minnesota State Epidemiologist for 15 years, and has been a key public health adviser to many U.S. federal agencies and in every presidential administration since Ronald Reagan.

Last year, Osterholm led CIDRAP’s launch of the Vaccine Integrity Project, an initiative dedicated to providing trusted, science-based information for informed vaccine choices. The Vaccine Integrity Project conducts comprehensive reviews of scientific evidence to inform vaccine recommendations, working with health care providers, the public health community and medical societies; monitors and addresses inaccurate vaccine- and public health-related information in real time, and regularly convenes clinical and public health groups to support alignment and help prioritize and address emerging issues.

Osterholm is the author of two The New York Times best-selling books. He provides a comprehensive and pointed review of America’s state of preparedness for a bioterrorism attack in Living Terrors: What America Needs to Know to Survive the Coming Bioterrorist Catastrophe (2000). In Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs (2017), Osterholm not only details the most pressing infectious disease threats of our day but lays out a nine-point strategy on how to address them, with preventing a global flu pandemic at the top of the list.

His most recent book, The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics, was released last year and examines the mistakes that were made during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting key lessons that will be critical to mitigating the impact of the next pandemic.

“Dr. Osterholm’s career has been defined by groundbreaking infectious disease research and a deep commitment to ensuring the public has access to accurate, trustworthy health information,” said University of Minnesota School of Public Health Dean Melinda Pettigrew. “Through recent CIDRAP initiatives like the Vaccine Integrity Project and Public Health Alerts, he has taken a leading role in one of the most urgent challenges of our time — combating misinformation that undermines public trust in science and public health. His leadership continues to shape how we prepare for and respond to global health threats, and this recognition is a powerful affirmation of his impact.”

As one of the most prominent scientific authorities in public health, Osterholm often appears in media around the world. The author of 420 papers and abstracts, including 21 book chapters, Osterholm is a frequently invited guest lecturer on the topic of the epidemiology of infectious diseases.

Osterholm is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the Council of Foreign Relations and has received numerous honors for his work in public health.

The full list and related tributes appear in the 2/23 issue, available on newsstands on Friday, February 13, 2026, and now at http://time.com/time100health.

About the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy
Part of the University of Minnesota’s Research and Innovation Office, CIDRAP is a global leader in addressing public health preparedness and emerging infectious disease response. Founded in 2001, CIDRAP works to prevent illness and death from targeted infectious disease threats through research and the translation of scientific information into practical applications, policies and solutions.

About the School of Public Health
The University of Minnesota School of Public Health improves the health and wellbeing of populations and communities around the world by bringing innovative research, learning, and concrete actions to today’s biggest health challenges. We prepare some of the most influential leaders in the field, and partner with health departments, communities, and policymakers to advance health equity for all. Learn more at sph.umn.edu.