MaineHealth Institute for Research

11/20/2025

MaineHealth has joined the ECHO IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ISPCTN) through the project Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes in Maine (ECHO-ME).

Led by Drs. Alexa Craig and Laura Faherty, this initiative will:

✅ Expand pediatric clinical trial capacity across Maine

✅ Ensure representation of children in rural and underserved communities

✅ Engage stakeholders to strengthen the impact and feasibility of clinical research statewide

Congratulations to Dr. Craig and Dr. Faherty on advancing opportunities for children’s health research in Maine and eastern New Hampshire.

Learn more in this recent WMTW Channel 8 News coverage:

The five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health will loop the hospital system into a pediatric clinical trials network that spans 17 other states.

11/19/2025

Yesterday staff from our labs and clinical trials office volunteered during Bioscience Association of Maine ’s Day at Scarborough Middle School! This statewide event helps educate middle school students about the work that's possible in science fields.

Gratitude for all who supported and participated.🙌

Learn more: https://biomaine.org/me-bioscience-day/

11/18/2025

Michaela Reagan, PhD, gives a glimpse into a typical day in the lab—watch the video for an inside look!

11/13/2025

Did you know November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month?

The Maine Lung Cancer Coalition brings together partners across the state—including our Center for Interdisciplinary Population & Health Research—to reduce the burden of lung cancer in Maine.
Learn more: https://mainelungcancercoalition.org/

11/12/2025

Recognizing the work of Carolyn Chlebek, PhD, Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Rosen Lab, on her role as first author in a recent publication in the journal, Bone.

Her research explores how certain cellular processes influence bone strength and structure, offering insights that could improve understanding of skeletal health and guide future treatments for bone-related conditions.

We’re proud to see Dr. Chlebek’s contributions recognized in this impactful study. Read the full article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S8756328225003023

11/11/2025

Honoring all who served – thank you for your courage, your commitment, and the reminder of the power of service.

11/10/2025

Faculty Scientist Michaela Reagan, PhD, is one of the featured researchers in this article from Blood Cancers Today, a leading news source for clinicians and researchers in blood cancer care. The article explores emerging research suggesting that medications like Ozempic, originally used to treat diabetes and obesity, may also help reduce the risk of certain blood cancers.

By lowering BMI, popular weight loss drugs such as Ozempic may offer a new pathway for reducing the risk or improving survival for blood cancers among patients with obesity.

11/06/2025

We were pleased to host Dr. Matthew Kulke, Chief of Oncology at MaineHealth, during his recent visit to the research institute. Since joining in September, Dr. Kulke has been engaging with teams across the MaineHealth system. During his visit, he explored our oncology research efforts—from clinical trials to biomedical sciences.

Dr. Kulke (second from L) met with Dr. Jessica Chertow, VP of Research (R); Dr. Kneka Smith, VP of Academic Affairs (L); and Gabe Garcia (far R), Oncology Clinical Trials Manager, to discuss opportunities to advance clinical trials. He also visited the laboratory of Dr. Michaela Reagan, whose research focuses on multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow.

We’re excited about the collaboration ahead in advancing cancer care and research!

11/05/2025

Proud to see MaineHealth’s 2025 Annual Report! It features a range of impactful stories including a spotlight on the work from our Vector-borne Disease Lab and a clinical trial on post-treatment Lyme disease. https://annualreport.mainehealth.org/home/stories/understanding-the-complex-recovery-from-tick-borne-illness/

11/04/2025

On Friday, MHIR’s Student & Postdoctoral Association (SPA) brought Halloween spirit to the institute with costume contests, pumpkin decorating, and plenty of camaraderie among trainees and staff.

A big thank-you to the SPA for fostering community and connection across our research programs—and for reminding us that science can be spirited fun, too!

11/03/2025

Last week, MaineHealth staff joined community partners in the Cabinet Room to witness Governor Janet Mills sign a proclamation declaring the last week of October and the first week of November 2025 as Pink and Pearl Awareness Weeks in Maine.

This statewide recognition highlights the importance of early detection through breast and lung cancer screenings. The signing brought together a range of voices from healthcare, public health, and advocacy —all committed to supporting individuals in support of early detection and access to care.

View the official proclamation: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/proclamations/2025-10-pink-and-pearl-awareness-weeks-last-week-october-and-first

10/30/2025

Curious about clinical trials? MaineHealth is leading studies that could improve diagnosis and treatment across a range of conditions.

See what we're working on – check out the clinical trials listing: https://mhir.org/clinical-trials-office-2/current-clinical-trials-at-mainehealth/