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Science and medicine inspired alumna Linnea (Dahl) Baudhuin ’95, of Rochester Minn., to continue her education in clinical laboratory medicine.

Baudhuin’s exceptional work in the medical field has led her to be recognized by the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Alumni Association as one of its 2015 Distinguished Alumni.

Baudhuin studied biology and chemistry at UW Oshkosh and was involved in the cross country and track teams. She excelled in classes and was invited to take part in undergraduate chemistry research by chemistry professor Linfeng Xie. She presented her project at an American Chemical Society Annual Meeting.

She also completed biochemistry research with Robert Moore, former chemistry professor and recipient of UWO’s 2000 Distinguished Teaching Award.

Baudhuin learned how discipline and dedication can fuel a career. She credits her academic success to her commitment to UWO athletics, where she learned how to manage her time as a full-time student and athlete.

After graduation, Baudhuin continued her education by earning her doctorate from Cleveland State University. She completed fellowships in clinical chemistry and clinical molecular genetics at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and became certified in clinical molecular genetics by the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.

Currently, Baudhuin is an associate professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She’s a co-director of the personalized genomics laboratory, clinical genome sequencing laboratory, cardiovascular laboratory and has a joint appointment in the department of medical genetics.

Her interests include cardiovascular-related inherited disorders, pharmacogenomics and personalized genomic medicine, which motivated her to lead and be involved in a variety of technological and clinical initiatives at Mayo Clinic. Many of these efforts involve an exciting new technology, Next Generation Sequencing, which is revolutionizing patient care.

Baudhuin has authored more than 50 published articles and book chapters. She also is an associate editor for the most prestigious journal in her field, Clinical Chemistry. Because of her well-known expertise in genomic medicine, she has been invited to speak at various conferences and meetings and is chair of the organizing committee of several conferences.

She has received multiple grants, both as principal investigator and co-investigator, to pursue research opportunities. For example, Baudhuin is the laboratory head for regional, national and international sites for one of the largest international clinical trials.

Baudhuin has received many awards, including the 2011 Outstanding Scientific Achievements by a Young Investigator, the highest honor given to an early career professional by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry.

Her UWO award nominators say Baudhuin is “proof that it is possible to simultaneously have a successful and fulfilling career, and a very full and active family life,” as she’s a mother to five children between the ages of three and 13. She also enjoys running, hiking and gardening. In her free time, she plays and teaches piano, and always cheers for the Green Bay Packers.

She also is active through volunteer activities in her church and her children’s schools and organizations like Girl Scouts.

Between the work she does for her career, her family and her volunteer activities, she’s proud of her achievement with the advancement of personalized medicine on a local, national and international level.

“Even if she had not published any papers and had never made the major mark she has made in academic laboratory medicine, she would be an ideal person to highlight as a human being who everyone should aspire to emulate because of her values as a person,” said Dr. Allan Jaffe, clinical cardiologist and division chair of clinical core laboratory services at Mayo Clinic.

Professor Xie is Baudhuin’s UWO hero because he noticed that she had potential and encouraged her to explore her academic interests through research.

“As a result of Dr. Xie’s mentorship, I became much more self-confident in my academic abilities and realized my potential and passion for pursuing scientific endeavors,” Baudhuin said. “I’m 100 percent positive that if it were not for his mentorship, I would not be where I am today.”

Because of her interest in mentoring, she became involved in establishing the Society for Young Clinical Laboratorians in 2004, eventually serving as its chair. “A good mentor can make a tremendous difference in the life of a mentee,” Baudhuin said. “It is important for young professionals to have someone that they can reliably turn to who is encouraging and can provide them with crucial pieces of advice to help them pursue their career passions.”

For more information about the alumni awards celebration on Oct. 16 during Homecoming 2015, please contact the UW Oshkosh Alumni Relations Office at (920) 424-3449 or send an email to alumni@uwosh.edu.

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