Milan K. Bagchi

Milan K. Bagchi is the Deborah Paul Professor of Molecular & Cellular Biology and Director of the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He also holds a joint appointment as Professor of Molecular & Integrative Physiology. His research focuses on steroid hormone signaling mechanisms in reproduction and disease, particularly estrogen and progesterone regulation of embryo implantation and cancer biology.

Education: B.S. (1976), M.S. (1979) from University of Calcutta, India; Ph.D. (1984) from University of Nebraska; Postdoc (1985–89) at Baylor College of Medicine.

Research interests include endocrinology, reproductive biology, and signal transduction. Key areas: hormonal regulation of implantation, gene networks in fertility, and molecular basis of hormone-dependent cancers. His lab uses mouse models and genomic approaches to study uterine function and hormonal pathways.

Notable awards: Romano Professorial Scholar and University Scholar. Recent work highlights include studies on phthalate impacts on uterine physiology (2023), hypoxia-driven embryo implantation mechanisms (2025), and decidualization pathways. His publications span hormone signaling, environmental toxin effects, and cell communication in reproductive systems.

Awards and honors include roles as a distinguished scholar and contributions to biomedical research. Collaborations extend to institutions like the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Carl R. Woese Institute of Genomic Biology.