Dr. Kara Mckinley

Biography

Kara McKinley is an Assistant Professor at Harvard University, affiliated with the PhD Program in Biological Biomedical Sciences. Her research focuses on the regeneration and maintenance of epithelial tissues, particularly how these tissues generate appropriate cell types in specific locations. The lab she leads studies dynamic organ systems in mammals, including the small intestine and uterus, emphasizing the rapid regenerative capacity of the intestinal epithelium, which replaces its cells every 3-5 days, and the uterine lining, which undergoes significant remodeling throughout the menstrual cycle. The goal of her research is to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the remarkable regenerative capacity of these organs, while also understanding how defects in these processes contribute to various pathologies, including cancers and endometriosis. McKinley's work integrates high-resolution live microscopy and various genetic and molecular biological approaches to dissect regeneration at both single-cell and tissue-length scales.

Research Interests