Vani Nilakantan

Vani Nilakantan, PhD, serves as the System Vice President of Research at CommonSpirit Health since April 2021, overseeing research initiatives within one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S. Prior to this role, Vani held the position of Vice President of Research at Allina Health, where leadership was provided for system-wide research efforts and the development of a five-year strategic plan. Experience also includes serving as the Director of Investigator Initiated Research at Aurora Health Care, managing diverse research programs aligned with institutional missions, and holding various research and academic positions at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University. Vani's academic background encompasses a PhD in Toxicology and advanced degrees in Environmental Engineering Sciences and Marine Biological Sciences from reputable institutions.