Rachel Nygaard, PhD

I’m a research leader working at the intersection of trauma systems, climate resilience, and public health. I direct applied, equity-focused research that bridges military, clinical, and community contexts—often in high-risk or resource-constrained settings. My current work focuses on cold weather injury prevention, firearm violence, and the systems that shape frontline care.

I’m driven by a core question: how do we design systems that don’t just respond to harm, but prevent it—especially for people historically left behind?

Rachel Nygaard, PhD, is a nationally recognized leader in trauma and public health research. She currently serves as Director of Research for the Department of Surgery at Hennepin Healthcare, where she oversees a high-performing, equity-driven research program focused on injury prevention, climate resilience, and systems coordination.

Her work includes leading a Department of Defense-funded multicenter frostbite outcomes study, co-authoring U.S. national frostbite treatment guidelines, and co-founding a hospital-based firearm violence prevention program grounded in community partnership.

Rachel’s approach blends rigorous research with real-world systems change. She works across sectors—including military, clinical, and community organizations—to design interventions that are practical, sustainable, and equitable. She has authored over 90 peer-reviewed publications and mentored dozens of emerging researchers.

She holds a PhD in Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology from the University of Minnesota.

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