HHRI Research Heroes
HHRI Research Heroes
HHRI researchers are experts in their fields, tackling our biggest healthcare challenges, including COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, substance use disorders, life-threatening and time-sensitive conditions, chronic diseases, and access to care.
They conduct basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiologic research with a focus on four areas – Acute Care/Trauma, Addiction, Health Services, and Infectious Diseases – with the priority throughout being to better understand and address factors that contribute to health equity and the concerns of the patient population served by Hennepin Healthcare.
Below are some of HHRI's 200+ HHRI investigators and research staff who share their stories and experiences working at HHRI.
Ella Casalenda
Role: Senior Research Coordinator
Department: Health, Homelessness, & Criminal Justice Lab
What inspires you in your career?
What inspires me in my career is the impact research has on society and the opportunity to improve lives.
How do you balance the demands of work with your personal life?
I balance the demands of work and my personal life by taking breaks, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care through exercise.
Can you describe your career focus and what excites you most about it?
My career focus is diabetes wellness coaching. We are in the preparation phase for our R01 study which focuses on diabetes homeless medication support which we will start recruiting for in May.
Karen Schulz, DC
Role: Pathology Clinical Research Laboratory Director
Department: HHRI/HCMC Cardiac Biomarker Trials Laboratory (CBTL)
What inspires you in your career?
Inspiration comes in many forms, but for me, it is deeply rooted in both the work we do and the people who make it possible. I am constantly motivated by the tangible impact of our research—the fact that every blood collection tube, laboratory instrument, and diagnostic test we evaluate has the potential to improve patient care worldwide. From advancing higher-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays to investigating rapid point-of-care testing, the work we do in the Cardiac Biomarker Trials Laboratory (CBTL) has real-world implications, ensuring that clinical diagnostics are as accurate and reliable as possible.
But what truly inspires me is the leadership and dedication of Dr. Fred Apple, the driving force behind our laboratory. Dr. Apple is an internationally recognized expert in clinical chemistry and toxicology, a leader in developing strategies for diagnosing myocardial infarction, and a pioneer in cardiac biomarker research. Since founding CBTL in 1982, he has conducted hundreds of clinical trials, published extensively, and served on multiple steering committees, all while being a sought-after speaker in his field. Despite his extraordinary contributions to science, I feel he does not receive the recognition he truly deserves—yet he is completely at peace with this.
His motivation has never been about accolades; rather, he is driven by the pursuit of scientific advancement and mentorship. He tirelessly supervises undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students, residents, and fellows, shaping the next generation of clinical researchers. More than that, he is genuine, kind, and giving—always going out of his way to support me and our lab. Dr. Apple’s humility, dedication, and unwavering commitment to both science and people set the standard for the kind of professional I aspire to be. His example reminds me that true impact isn’t measured by awards or recognition, but by the knowledge we contribute, the people we mentor, and the advancements we leave behind.
How do you balance the demands of work with your personal life?
Like many in my field, I have a Type A personality; I love making lists, not just for organization, but for the satisfaction of crossing tasks off and visually seeing what I’ve accomplished. On days when it feels like there’s always more to do, my lists serve as a reminder of progress made, keeping me grounded rather than overwhelmed.
Outside of work, my life is just as full—I have three kids with busy schedules, and I’m often training for a running race of some kind. With so many moving pieces, structure is essential. My secret to balance? Waking up before the world does. This early morning time is sacred—a solo run, without music, before the chaos of the day begins. It’s my chance to breathe, reset, and appreciate what my body can do. There’s something special about running when the streets are quiet, when the world is still asleep, when I can think clearly and map out the day ahead—who needs to be where, what forms are due, which practices or rehearsals are happening, and what’s for dinner. This morning routine allows me to step into work fully present. I’ve learned that if I give 100% to my job while I’m there, I can leave at the end of the day without guilt, even knowing there are still tasks left undone.
The reality of science—and life—is that the work is never truly finished, but I’ve found that by being intentional with my time, I can show up fully for my family, my career, and myself.
Can you describe your career focus and what excites you most about it?
Many people don’t realize that the work we do in the Cardiac Biomarker Trials Laboratory has a direct and critical impact on clinical care. Unlike research funded by high-profile government agencies, our work is largely supported by In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) companies—but that doesn’t make it any less vital. In fact, every blood collection tube, laboratory instrument, and diagnostic test used in hospitals today has gone through rigorous, FDA-monitored clinical trials before reaching patients, and that’s where our lab plays a crucial role.
Although our name suggests a focus on cardiac biomarkers, our work spans all aspects of laboratory medicine. We investigate how subtle variables—such as improper tube handling, filling errors, or incorrect inversion—could impact test results and, ultimately, patient diagnoses. We evaluate cutting-edge blood tests, including those that differentiate between bacterial and viral infections, SARS-CoV-2 antigen and antibodies, and higher-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays to improve early myocardial infarction detection. Our research into point-of-care instrumentation is helping to revolutionize rapid testing, enabling faster, more accurate treatment decisions.
What excites me most about my work isn’t just the science—it’s the people and the purpose. I have the privilege of working alongside some of the most dedicated, resilient, and innovative individuals, all driven by a shared goal: to push the boundaries of diagnostic medicine. In research, progress isn’t always linear—some days are seamless, while others feel like every instrument in the lab has failed. But no matter the obstacles, my team continues to move forward, knowing that the advancements we make today will shape the future of patient care. There is something incredibly rewarding about seeing a test, a tube, or a piece of laboratory equipment in hospitals worldwide and knowing that our work made it possible.