Braxton Mitchell

Braxton Mitchell is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, with secondary appointments in Epidemiology & Public Health. He serves as Vice Chair for Research in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Nutrition and directs the genomics core for nutrition and diabetes research centers. A prolific investigator with over 400 publications, he leads major initiatives in cardiometabolic genetics and stroke research within the Amish population.

• Princeton University, B.A., Psychology, 1978
• University of Michigan, M.P.H., Epidemiology, 1982
• University of Michigan, Ph.D., Epidemiology, 1987
• University of Texas Health Science Center, Postdoctoral Fellowship, Epidemiology, 1991

Dr. Mitchell is a leading genetic epidemiologist focused on complex disease genetics, particularly in type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, ischemic stroke, osteoporosis, and obesity. His work leverages the unique genetic architecture of the Old Order Amish to identify rare large-effect variants through whole genome/exome sequencing and multi-omics integration. Current projects include the Amish Connectome Project on Mental Illness and genetics of early-onset stroke in the Stroke Genetics Network (SiGN).

Dr. Mitchell's publications show expertise in cardiometabolic genetics, stroke subtypes, and bone health. His research spans environmental interaction studies (e.g., arsenic exposure), GWAS methodology, and translational applications of rare variant discovery. The Amish population serves as a recurring research platform across multiple domains.

• Klare Memorial Scholarship (University of Michigan), 1982
• Diabetes Epidemiology Training Grant (University of Michigan), 1984-87
• Modan Award for epidemiology abstract, 2000
• Multiple Faculty Mentor Awards (University of Maryland), 2006, 2011
• Harry Weinberg Research Award, 2008
• Research Faculty Teacher of the Year, 2012
• Chairman’s Special Achievement Award, 2016

As a mentor, Dr. Mitchell has guided numerous students, fellows, and junior faculty in translational research. He holds multiple NIH grants totaling over $5 million, including projects on cerebral connectomics (U01MH1D8148), stroke genetics (R01NS105150, R01NS100178), and nutrition research (P30DK072488). He co-leads the Stroke Genetics Network (SiGN) and serves on editorial boards for leading journals.