By Amanda Ashley, Sr. Director of Research & Innovation Communications

Research isn’t just about data — it’s about people. For Dr. Jakob Jensen, Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Utah, that truth is deeply personal. At 19, he was diagnosed with melanoma, a disease that affects Utahns at the highest rates in the country.

Rather than letting his experience end with treatment, he dedicated his career to understanding why Utah sees so many cases — and how research can lead to better prevention and early detection.

Now, Jensen is leading efforts to ensure fewer Utahns face the same diagnosis. His work exemplifies how research at the University of Utah doesn’t just stay in labs — it directly impacts lives.

This is #RealPeopleRealResearch — where personal experience fuels discovery. Share this story and help us spread the impact of research at the U.

📺  Click here to watch Jensen’s story on KSL.

🔍 To explore his patient visuals and research, click here.