Laura Mauro

Laura Mauro is an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota, where she has been a faculty member since 2000 and achieved her current rank in 2006. She is also an Associate Member of the Masonic Cancer Center since 1996, reflecting her interdisciplinary contributions to cancer research. Her academic home is within the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and she is deeply involved in both teaching and research related to reproductive and cellular physiology.

Research Interests: Dr. Mauro's research focuses on the physiological and molecular mechanisms governing reproductive function in animals, with a strong emphasis on endocrinology and cellular signaling. Her work investigates how ovarian steroids and endocrine disruptors contribute to reproductive diseases and cancers, particularly high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC). She explores epigenetic regulation through methylation in reproductive tissues and collaborates with Dr. Carol Lange on progesterone receptor signaling in fallopian tube carcinogenesis. Her integrative approach spans biochemistry, genetics, and environmental health.

Although specific publications are not listed in the provided text, her research output is indexed through NCBI, and her work consistently addresses hormonal regulation, fertility, and cancer initiation, particularly in the context of hereditary ovarian cancer and sex steroid dysfunction.

Honors & Awards:

• NIH James A Shannon Director’s Award (1997–1998)
• ASM/NSF Biology Scholar (2011–2013)
• National Society of Collegiate Scholars – Distinguished Faculty (2013)

Advising and Grants: Dr. Mauro has served as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI on multiple competitive grants, including funding from the NIH, USDA, and Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA). Her funded projects include investigations into DNA-PK kinases in hereditary ovarian cancer (Co-PI with Carol A. Lange), BRCA deficiency and sex steroid milieu, GABAergic modulation of fertility, and skeletal hormone roles in adipocyte function. She mentors students through the Undergraduate Senior Thesis and Professional Experience Internship programs, indicating active engagement in student training.

Labs and Research Teams: She is part of the Physiology and Genetics division within the Animal Science Department and collaborates closely with the Carol Lange Laboratory at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center. Her work is embedded in a larger scientific network including the Endocrine Society, American Association for Cancer Research, and Environmental Mutagenesis & Genomics Society.