Centers and Labs

Botanical Estrogen Research Center

Evaluating phytoestrogens such as soy isoflavones for their potential for preventing and causing diseases

• Project Leaders: William Helferich, Benita Katzenellenbogen, and Susan Schantz
• Funding: National Institutes of Health

Children’s Environmental Health Research Center at Illinois (I-Kids)

Researching the impact of bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and other endocrine disruptors on child development

• Directors: Susan Schantz and Jodi Flaws
• Funding: National Institutes of Health and Environmental Protection Agency

Midwest Center for Excellence | Vector-Borne Disease

Developing solutions to the problem of vector-borne disease in Illinois as part of a larger center

• Leaders: Nohra Mateus-Pinilla and Rebecca Smith
• Funding: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Matt Allender Wildlife Epidemiology Laboratory

A collaborative research, diagnostic, and training lab for new or ongoing studies in free-ranging and captive amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Indrani Bagchi Laboratory

Investigating hormonal mechanisms regulating uterine biology.

Aditi Das Laboratory

Seeking to understand the structure-function of membrane-bound enzymes involved in lipid metabolism in their native-like lipid bilayer environment of nanodiscs.

Jodi Flaws Reproductive Toxicology Laboratory

Studying the effects of environmental chemicals on the development and function of the female reproductive system throughout the life cycle.

Makoto Inoue Laboratory

Elucidating the interaction between immune system and nervous system in autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Keith Jarosinski Laboratory

Using the natural virus-host model of Marek’s disease virus in chickens to study the replication and pathogenesis of herpesviruses.

CheMyong Ko Laboratory

Working to elucidate the molecular mechanism of ovulation, i.e., the process of egg release from the ovary, by focusing on endothelin system in ovulation and luteal function, steroids and prostaglandins in leukocyte trafficking, steroid receptors in PCOS pathogenesis and reproductive aging.

Gee Lau Laboratory

Studying lung-bacterial pathogen interactions, specifically the modulation of airway mucus hypersecretion in chronic lung diseases, alveolar epithelium during lung infection, and regulation of genetic transfer and virulence by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Megan Mahoney Laboratory

The research in our lab brings together two major fields of biology: reproductive endocrinology and chronobiology. These research aims are of broad significance as they investigate questions important for basic science as well as human health.

Wenyan Mei Laboratory

Seeking to understand how reciprocal interactions between the host and gut microbiota impact host health.

Program in Embryology, Endocrinology, and Reproduction

A large, internationally recognized group of faculty, located in various departments on the Illinois campus, whose work focuses on various aspects of reproductive biology, early embryonic development and endocrine physiology.

Qiao Laboratory

A group that seeks to understand how post-translational modifications, such as SUMOylation (Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier) and ubiquitination, regulate a range of checkpoint pathways in mammalian cells.

Prabhakara Reddi Laboratory

Seeking to understand the mechanisms regulating mammalian spermatogenesis at the molecular level, with the aim to development of novel therapies for the infertile male.

Uwe Rudolph Laboratory

Developing and studying genetic mouse models relevant for pathophysiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders using molecular biological, biochemical, morphological, optogenetic, chemogenetic and behavioral methods.

Rebecca Smith Modeling for Disease Control Improvement

Focusing on improving health by finding better ways to intervene in disease processes, from tuberculosis in cattle to breast cancer in women.

Spinella-Freemantle Laboratory

Investigating molecular mechanisms of cancer therapeutics and mechanism of chemoresistance.

Csaba Varga Laboratory

Improving the health of people, animals, and the environment through scientific inquiry that identifies the causes of health disparities across time and locations.

Sumiti Vinayak Laboratory

Using a combination of genetics, genomics and cell biology approaches to understand parasite biology and develop novel therapeutics for cryptosporidiosis.

Bo Wang Laboratory

Studying the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism and human diseases, in particular the roles of membrane phospholipids and cholesterol in both normal physiology and disease states.

Jing Yang Laboratory

Studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing vertebrate early embryonic development.