Margaret Petroff

Margaret Petroff is a Professor at Michigan State University, affiliated with the College of Natural Science. She serves as Director of the Cell & Molecular Biology Program and is a faculty member in the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology and the Genetics & Genome Sciences Program, as well as the BioMolecular Science Gateway.

• Education:
  • BS, Virginia Tech (1992)
  • MS, Ohio State University (1995)
  • PhD, Ohio State University (1998)
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Kansas Medical Center (1999-2003)

Research Interests focus on immune tolerance mechanisms during pregnancy, including maternal immunological responses to the fetus, effects of infection on pregnancy, and long-term reproductive health impacts. She is a leading figure in reproductive immunology, particularly in extracellular vesicle roles and immune-endocrine interactions.

Recent publications emphasize 2025 breakthroughs in autoimmune regulator deficiencies affecting male fertility, 2022 hormonal immunomodulation studies, and 2002 foundational work on B7 molecules at the maternal-fetal interface. Her work spans immunology, genetics, endocrinology, and reproductive medicine.

• Scientific Awards & Funding:
  • Research funded by National Institute of Child Health and Development and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
  • AgBioResearch grants

Teaching & Service includes leadership roles as Chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Mammalian Reproduction and Section Director at Frontiers in Reproduction. She mentors graduate students and contributes to institutional committees like the CVM Awards Committee.