Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD, has been appointed the next dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School pending Board of Regents approval. Prof. Tolar is an internationally recognized leader in regenerative medicine who has been with the University of Minnesota for 25 years. He is the Director of the Stem Cell Institute, a Consortium member. An article in the Star Tribune notes, Tolar "believes the school is poised for a boost in academic standing and research funding. . . . [He states,] 'I am incredibly competitive. I am not ashamed of this. I like to win. I like the medical school to win. In order to do this, we have to be better than others.'” In addition to his role as dean, Tolar has been named Interim Vice President for Health Sciences while the University determines the best structure for its health education, clinical and research operations.