Andrea Page-McCaw

Andrea Page-McCaw is a Professor of Cell & Developmental Biology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where she holds the Stevenson Chair and serves as Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). She is an AAAS Fellow (2018) and leads an active research laboratory investigating the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in tissue remodeling, wound healing, and cancer. Her lab is affiliated with the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, the Program in Developmental Biology, the Center for Matrix Biology, and the Program in Cancer Biology.

Her research focuses on understanding how epithelial cells transition from quiescent states to migratory and proliferative behaviors during wound healing—and how these same mechanisms are hijacked in cancer. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, her lab studies basement membrane dynamics, extracellular signaling, and tissue repair mechanisms. Key interests include MMP function, developmental tissue remodeling, immunity, and signaling pathways.

The recent publications and lab news highlight a strong trajectory in basement membrane repair, wound-induced polyploidy, and calcium signaling in wound response. Her lab has recently moved to the Engineering and Science Building, fostering new collaborations in mechanobiology. Research is supported by NIGMS, NIAMS, NICHD, the American Heart Association, and the March of Dimes.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• AAAS Fellow (2018)
• NSF GRFP awarded to mentee Elkie (2024)
• Dean’s Award to mentee Junmin (2024)
• Best Graduate Student Talk Award (PDB Retreat 2024) to Junmin
• Poster Award (PDB Retreat 2024) to Aubrie Stricker
• CDB Award to Kimi (2024)

Advising and Grants: Dr. Page-McCaw actively mentors PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, including recent advisees James White (PhD defended 2024), Aubrie Stricker, Junmin, Elkie, Kimi, and Pankajam. Her lab is funded by multiple NIH grants (NIGMS, NIAMS, NICHD), the American Heart Association, and the March of Dimes, reflecting sustained support for her innovative work in developmental and cancer biology.

Lab and Team: The Page-McCaw lab recently relocated to a state-of-the-art facility in the Engineering and Science Building, co-located with five other mechanobiology-focused labs in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. The lab fosters a collaborative, dynamic environment and welcomes IGP and QCB graduate students for rotations and postdoctoral applications from talented scientists. Recent lab members include Ryan Anderson (Aspirnaut Program), Pankajam (postdoc from Penn State), and Elkie (NSF GRFP awardee).