Megan L. Killian

Megan L. Killian, PhD, is an Associate Professor with tenure at the University of Michigan's Medical School, holding joint appointments in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, and Biomedical Engineering. She relocated her laboratory from the University of Delaware to Michigan Medicine in 2020 and serves as Associate Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery. Her work focuses on tendon and enthesis development, healing, and mechanobiology.

• Education: PhD (Michigan Technological University, 2010), MS (Montana State University, 2007), BS (Michigan Technological University, 2005)

Killian's research explores pre-clinical models for tendon enthesis development, injury, and healing. Key areas include FGF signaling, hypoxia, and HIF1 regulation of progenitor cells and extracellular matrix dynamics. Her lab pioneered optogenetics in in vivo musculoskeletal studies, focusing on tendon, enthesis, and bone adaptation.

Her publications reflect expertise in biomechanical testing, transgenic mouse models, and advanced imaging techniques. Grant support includes NIH, NSF, and the Michigan-Israel Partnership. She is affiliated with the Michigan Integrative Musculoskeletal Health Center, Caswell Diabetes Institute, and Center for Cell Plasticity and Organ Design.