Des Moines University

« Back to Recent News

DMU Earns Carnegie Recognition for Growing Research Enterprise

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences joins select group of 24 institutions nationwide holding both medical school and research classifications

West Des Moines, IA (05/18/2026) — Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences has received national recognition for the continued growth of its research enterprise with an updated institutional classification from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

DMU is now designated as a Research Colleges and Universities institution in addition to its longstanding Special Focus: Medical Schools and Centers classification. DMU is one of only 24 institutions in the country to hold both designations.

The Research Colleges and Universities classification recognizes institutions that invest at least $2.5 million annually in research and development and demonstrate significant research activity and a meaningful contribution to discovery and innovation. In recent years, DMU has accelerated the growth of its research enterprise through increased institutional investment, a rising volume of externally funded projects and more opportunities for faculty and student research.

"This classification from Carnegie affirms the intentional investments DMU has made to elevate research as a core pillar of our academic mission and demonstrates our role as a national contributor to health sciences discovery," says Angela L. Walker Franklin, PhD, DMU's president and CEO. "This work enhances the educational experience for our students and fulfills our promise to improve health and serve communities."

Faculty and student research at DMU spans public health, disease prevention, forensic science and emerging therapies, with an emphasis on translational research that connects discovery to patient care. This work includes cardiovascular science, neuroscience, oncology and artificial intelligence, supported by an array of research programs and centers. In addition, DMU has expanded its research footprint through increased scholarly activity, interdisciplinary collaboration and the launch of the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences degree program. The doctoral program prepares students to design and lead original research in areas ranging from brain tumors and cardiovascular disease to mood disorders and obesity.

"This recognition reflects the scale and trajectory of research growth at DMU. Our teams are advancing work that directly addresses real-world health challenges and expands our role in discovery and innovation," says Pravin Mishra, PhD, MBA, chief research officer. "We are building a research enterprise that not only generates new knowledge but also drives meaningful impact in health care."

Visit dmu.edu/research for more information about DMU's research enterprise.

Located in West Des Moines, part of Iowa's capital metro, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences offers 11 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.

Media Attachments

Elizabeth McConnaha, PhD’25, with mentor Eric Wauson, PhD, associate

Copyright © 2026 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out