WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (October 29, 2025) — Des Moines University (DMU) Medicine and Health Sciences has promoted Pravin Mishra PhD MBA, to the role of chief research officer. In this role, he will continue to lead the university's strategic research priorities and further advance the strong foundation he has built since joining DMU in 2023.
While at DMU, Mishra has launched several key initiatives to expand research, including:
- The Innovation Tank, which helps advance promising health care ideas through expert mentoring and support.
- The Young Scientist Program, an annual initiative that recognizes the research achievements of high school students and engages them in experiential learning about health care and STEM professions.
- The Applied Analytics and Innovation Center, which integrates data science, Artificial Intelligence and healthcare innovation to support translational research and data-driven decision-making.
"Dr Mishra has brought extraordinary vision and momentum to DMU's research mission," says Angela L Walker Franklin PhD, President and CEO of DMU.
"His ability to spark curiosity and drive results is exactly what we need as we expand our research portfolio and its impact on the world."
A biomedical scientist by training, Mishra continues to expand DMU's research capacity through strategic investments in infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaboration, and student engagement. He has championed a culture of inquiry across all programs, enhancing research mentorship, and promoting innovation among students and faculty alike. His new role reflects his accomplishments and the university's commitment to innovation, scholarship and advancing health.
Mishra holds six patents and has contributed to others, has been published in international peer-reviewed publications and has delivered more than fifty invited lectureships and presentations. His numerous awards in research and teaching include the National Cancer Institute Director's Innovation Award, which was presented to him by Nobel Laureate and NCI Director Harold Varmus MD. Immediately before joining DMU, Mishra was the chief operating officer at the Oklahoma State University Research Foundation — Prairie One, where he established a nationally-competitive state public-health laboratory.
He earned his PhD in molecular medicine from The George Washington University, an MBA in leadership and business administration from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and an M-MBA from Rutgers Business School.
Located in West Des Moines, part of Iowa's capital metro, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences offers ten graduate-level professional-degree programs in anatomy, biomedical sciences, health-care administration, occupational therapy, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, physician-assistant studies, podiatric medicine, and public health. Founded in 1898, the institution offers superior academics in a collaborative environment. DMU students' scores on national examinations, pass-rates on board certifications, and match-rates for medical-residency programs are consistently higher than national averages and rates at peer institutions.
