University of Minnesota School of Public Health (SPH) Professor Julian Wolfson has been recognized with the 2025–26 Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Professional Education, an honor that celebrates faculty who have made significant contributions to graduate and professional education at the University. Established in 1999, the award recognizes excellence across teaching, advising and mentoring, student involvement in research and professional development, and the development of innovative academic programs.
Wolfson, a professor in the Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science (BHDS), is an expert in developing statistical and computational methods to analyze complex health data. His research uses both causal inference and machine learning, with applications to large, real-world datasets such as electronic health records. He has applied these methods in a wide range of public health challenges, including cardiovascular disease risk prediction, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and studies of human behavior using mobile and sensor data.
In addition to his research, Wolfson is regarded for his commitment to teaching and mentoring students across disciplines, and helping prepare graduates to work at the forefront of data science and public health. His work frequently involves collaboration across fields, giving students opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary research and applied problem-solving.
In announcing the award, the University noted that Wolfson “is an exemplar of outstanding graduate and professional classroom instruction, student advising, curricular innovation and educational leadership in health data sciences. His courses are accessible, rigorous, inclusive, and creative; he has supported the career development of students in a wide range of fields; and the courses, programs, and policies he has helped develop have been vital to advancing the educational missions of the School of Public Health and University of Minnesota.”
“Dr. Wolfson has truly made outstanding contributions to graduate and professional education at the University of Minnesota,” wrote BHDS Division Head Joe Koopmeiners. “His teaching evaluations have been stellar, and he has made an impact on countless students in BHDS, SPH, and across the health sciences through his advising and mentoring.”
Each year since 1999, the University of Minnesota recognizes a select group of faculty for their outstanding contributions to graduate and professional education. The award is supported by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.
