Melissa Kacena, PhD, MS, Vice Chair for Research and Edward H. and Yvonne J. Boseker Professor of Orthopaedics, has been named a 2024 IUPUI Chancellor’s Professor. This is the most distinguished appointment an IUPUI faculty member can attain. Kacena was bestowed this honor in recognition of her career-long record of high-level achievement in teaching, research and service; demonstrated commitment to the university mission; and concrete, demonstrable contributions to developing IUPUI as an academic community. This prestigious award recognizes her significant contributions to the department, school and research community.
Research by the numbers
Kacena’s educational background in aerospace engineering and commitment to problem-solving have made her a collaborative, creative researcher. Kacena has an impressive record of securing more than $21 million in grant funding. She is one of only 12 Indiana University School of Medicine faculty with three or more R01s, highlighting her research excellence. Additionally, she has more than 160 peer-reviewed publications and holds a patent with several pending patent applications. These accolades and awards capture the extent of her prolific research.
Breakthroughs and discoveries
Kacena and her team are responsible for several breakthrough discoveries regarding thrombopoietin and thrombopoietic agents. She has also conducted research as a member of the IU Simon and Bren Melvin Comprehensive Cancer Center. There, her research goals include understanding the role of osteoblasts in the hematopoietic stem cell niche and studying the role of MDM2 and megakaryocytes in regulating tumor progression and metastasis in osteosarcoma. Additionally, she has worked with two spaceflight missions to examine bone healing in microgravity and is currently engaged in studies to develop novel fracture-targeting drugs to improve bone healing while reducing pain. She has also expanded her bone healing studies into Alzheimer’s disease because of the important connection between it and fractures.
Excellence in mentorship
In addition to discovering extraordinary breakthroughs, Kacena advises other researchers and scholars. She relies on her expansive collaborative network to exchange ideas and concepts, making her mentees’ ideas a reality. Kacena's comprehensive understanding of connecting scientists and clinicians fosters discovery and innovation from bench to bedside. Her unwavering commitment to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians is inspiring to others in her department and the field at-large.Daniel Wurtz, MD, Chair, wrote in his nomination:
"Melissa is uniquely talented as an investigator, teacher and leader. I consistently rely on her to offer perceptive solutions or an alternative approach for departmental research issues as well as strategic direction. She stands at the top of her field and has a tremendous record of achieving meaningful and successful outcomes, which then radiates to her collaborators, colleagues, department, school and university. Dr. Kacena embodies and merits the recognition of a Chancellor’s Professor appointment, and I have full confidence that her light will continue to shine for this university."
Kacena is one of only three faculty members named a 2024 Chancellor’s Professor. Kacena will maintain her excellence in research, teaching and service while enjoying a consultative relationship with the IUPUI chancellor. As Chancellor’s Professor, she will serve as a mentor for colleagues and a resource for faculty development, student learning and professional research and service.
Learn more about Kacena’s research and lab.
