Kathryn Milligan-McClellan

Dr. Kathryn Milligan-McClellan is an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut (UConn), specializing in host-microbe interactions using threespine stickleback as a model organism. Her research focuses on understanding how host genetic background and environmental factors shape microbiota composition and immune responses. Key areas include microbiota differences between populations, microbial effects on fish development, and bioremediation of ecotoxicants.

Her lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, blending ecology, immunology, and systems biology. Recent work includes studying crude oil impacts on stickleback immunity and developing microfluidic gut-on-chip models for microbiome research. She actively promotes diversity in STEM through inclusive pedagogy and mentorship programs, such as courses highlighting historically excluded scientists and initiatives supporting underrepresented undergraduates in biomedical research.

Notable student contributions include Kelly Ireland (graduate student) and Jolie Atwood (undergraduate awardee in 2024). While no personal awards are explicitly listed, the lab has received recognition for its innovative approaches to virtual conferencing and community engagement during the pandemic era.

Dr. Milligan-McClellan’s work bridges evolutionary biology and environmental science, with applications to human health (e.g., inflammatory bowel diseases) and ecological conservation. Her team collaborates on bioremediation strategies and uses stickleback populations to model complex disease mechanisms influenced by host-microbe interactions.