Michaela Reagan

Michaela Reagan is a Faculty Scientist at the Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health (MHIR) and a Graduate Faculty Member at the University of Maine’s Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering. She leads an active research laboratory focused on multiple myeloma and the bone marrow microenvironment, with a mission to understand and combat bone destruction in cancer.

Her research interests include:

• Mechanisms of multiple myeloma progression in the bone marrow
• Role of bone marrow adipocytes and stromal cells in cancer growth and drug resistance
• Development of 3D tissue-engineered models of the bone marrow niche
• Metabolic crosstalk between cancer and adipose tissue
• Therapeutic targeting of the tumor microenvironment

Dr. Reagan's recent publications highlight a strong focus on bone marrow adiposity, sclerostin signaling, microRNA regulation, and 3D modeling of tumor-stromal interactions. Her work bridges cancer biology, tissue engineering, and metabolism, with a consistent theme of understanding how the bone microenvironment supports malignancy.

Her scientific contributions have been recognized through leadership roles in professional societies and editorial boards. She has served as:

• Member, Veterans Affairs Study Section (HEMA Merit Review)
• Scientific Program Committee Member, Herbert Fleisch Meeting
• Chair, ASBMR Women and Diversity Committee (2018–2021)
• Associate Editor, Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
• Guest Editor, ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering and Current Reports in Osteoporosis

Dr. Reagan has successfully secured multiple grants, including an NIH/NCI R01 (converted to R37), American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grant, and COBRE funding. She mentors graduate students, including Connor Murphy, and collaborates extensively, notably with Dr. Clifford Rosen. Her lab contributes to advancing therapies for multiple myeloma by targeting both cancer cells and their supportive stromal environment.