Eva L. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., and Dawn Kleindorfer, M.D., to receive Muraszko Award

Two Medical School leaders in the neurosciences are being recognized for their efforts to advance the careers of women faculty, staff and learners in medicine and science.

Eva L. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., left, and Dawn Kleindorfer, M.D., right, are the 2026 recipients of the Karin Muraszo, M.D., Advancing Women in Academic Medicine and Science Award. They will be honored Feb. 26 at the fourth annual Celebrating the Advancement of Women in Academic Medicine and Science event.

The award ceremony is 3-5 p.m. in the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Auditorium of the A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, with a reception to follow. The program will include a plenary talk by U-M Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Laurie K. McCauley, DDS, M.S., Ph.D. Event details will be updated HERE. Those interested in attending should reply HERE.

The Muraszko Award, named after the neurosurgery pioneer and U-M leader who was the first recipient of the honor in 2023, recognizes women and men who have demonstrated impact in advancing women individually, who serve as a role model for women, and whose contributions to academic medicine or science through clinical care, research, education, leadership, innovation, policy and/or service have made a significant systemic impact on advancing women’s careers in academic medicine or science.

Faculty Chair for Women’s Careers Lori L. Isom, Ph.D., says that women faculty at U-M excel in and lead the critical missions of patient care, research, teaching/mentoring, service, and public scholarship. They also provide national leadership in healthcare policy, clinical care guidelines, basic, clinical, and translational research, and cutting-edge drug discovery. Importantly, she adds, they pull each other up.

“Congratulations to Dr. Feldman and Dr. Kleindorfer for their amazing achievements in medicine, science, and the advancement of women,” says Isom, the Maurice H. Seevers Professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology, and a professor of molecular and integrative physiology and neurology. “This year it was more difficult than ever to choose the winners of the Muraszko Award. I congratulate all the nominees and thank their nominators.”

Eva L. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D.

Feldman is the James W. Albers Distinguished University Professor of Neurology, Russell N. DeJong Professor of Neurology, professor of neurosurgery, and director of the NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies and the ALS Center of Excellence in the Medical School.

Her nominators call Feldman an exceptional and unparalleled mentor who has an incredible ability to make each mentee feel like the most important investigator. Whether through late-night conversations about grant proposals, early-morning meetings on lab management, or a simple email to lift spirits during challenging times, Feldman has been a steady source of guidance and encouragement, they say. 

“Advancing the careers of women is deeply personal for me because I know firsthand the challenges women face in medicine and science,” says Feldman, who says she benefitted greatly from mentors who believed she could succeed as a mother of three, wife and physician-scientist. “I believe it’s our responsibility to ensure that talented women and men have the support, mentorship, and sponsorship they need to lead. Every time I see a colleague or trainee succeed, to me it feels like a collective victory for all of us."

Dawn Kleindorfer, M.D.

Kleindorfer is the Robert W. Brear Professor of Neurology, and professor and chair of the Department of Neurology.

Her nominators say in her clinical, administrative and research work, Kleindorfer leads by example. She is strong, but humble, and she works to eliminate the unrealistic image of the “do everything” woman physician. She openly discusses the difficulties inherent in raising a family and maintaining a healthy work-life balance while being a female physician. They add that she combines superb leadership with great content expertise and a dedication to doing the right thing, even if difficult.

“Assisting women in medicine and science has long been one of my greatest passions,” Kleindorfer says. “When women are given room to grow, contribute, and lead, our teams become better for our patients, our learners, and our field. Ensuring that women have the mentorship, resources, and sponsorship they need is not only a matter of equity it's an investment in the future of academic medicine.”

The duo’s portraits will be added to a display in Medical Science Building I that honors Muraszko Award recipients. The display, which includes quotes from various women leaders and faculty, is located on the fourth floor near the elevator bank commonly used to access to the Dean’s Office on floors 6-7.