Michelle Tallquist

Michelle Tallquist is a Professor of Medicine and Director of the Cell & Molecular Biology Graduate Program at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii. Her research focuses on cardiac and pulmonary microenvironments, particularly the roles of fibroblasts and extracellular matrix (ECM) in development, repair, and disease. She leads the Tallquist Lab, which investigates how fibroblast signaling pathways impact heart and lung function, with emphasis on ECM production, inflammation, and tissue regeneration.

Her work has revealed critical insights into cardiac fibroblast lineage specification via Tcf21 transcription factor and PDGFRα signaling. Notable contributions include redefining the identity and heterogeneity of cardiac fibroblasts, their role in myocardial repair, and their implications in conditions like atherosclerosis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. She also explores fibroblast survival mechanisms and their interactions with cardiomyocytes and inflammatory cells post-injury.

Her research employs interdisciplinary approaches, including genetic mouse models, lineage tracing, and single-cell analysis, to bridge basic science and translational medicine. Key collaborations have linked Tcf21 variants to coronary artery disease and identified novel therapeutic targets for fibrotic disorders.

Dr. Tallquist’s lab is affiliated with the Center for Cardiovascular Research, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. Her work emphasizes translating findings from fibroblast biology to improve treatments for heart and lung diseases, with recent studies exploring fibrosis modulation and regenerative strategies.