Kara McKinley

Kara McKinley is an Assistant Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University, joining the department in 2021. She is a Principal Faculty member at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, an Associate member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and a Freeman Hrabowski Scholar at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Her research focuses on the regenerative capacity of the human uterus, particularly the endometrium, which undergoes ~400 cycles of tissue remodeling, shedding, and repair during the reproductive lifespan. Using rodent models, genetic, molecular, and live microscopy tools, her lab investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms of regeneration, defects leading to diseases like endometriosis, and applications in regenerative medicine. Her work also explores cell division, centromere biology, and CRISPR genome engineering.

Current research trends in her publications include epithelial zonation in the small intestine, mechanisms of endometrial regeneration, macropinocytosis in Hydra, and academic mentorship strategies. Her studies span cellular biomechanics, mitotic regulation, and translational approaches for tissue repair.

• NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (terminated in 2025 litigation with federal government)
• Freeman Hrabowski Scholar (Broad Institute)

Kara mentors Harvard undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows through rotations and research opportunities. Her lab is based at Harvard’s Bauer 306 and advocates for gender equity in life sciences faculty via the Leading Edge initiative. Funding includes a now-terminated NIH New Innovator grant aimed at menstrual health research.