Research Interests:
Dr. Kacena's overall research goal is to improve the understanding of the interaction of the bone and hematopoietic systems, thereby potentially improving the treatment of metabolic bone disease and fracture healing.

Education:
Postdoctoral: Yale University School of Medicine
Graduate: University of Colorado Boulder in collaboration with Harvard School of Medicine, Boston and NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field
Undergraduate: University of Colorado Boulder

Academic Appointments:
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery   Assistant Professor, Tenure Track 2007 – present

Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology Adjunct Assistant Professor 2007 - present

Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven
Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation    Assistant Professor
2005-2007

Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Associate Research Scientist (Research Faculty) 2002-2005

Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, Department of Mathematics 
Adjunct Faculty 
2000

Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Postdoctoral Research Associate 1999-2002
Harvard Medical School, Boston
Department of Orthopedics, Children’s Hospital Graduate Research Assistant 1996-1999

University of Colorado, Boulder
Department of Aerospace Engineering and BioServe Space Technologies  Graduate Research Assistant 1994-2000

University of Colorado, Boulder
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research Undergraduate Research Assistant 1993-1994

Honors, Awards and Recognitions:
IUPUI Student Supervisor of the Year Award Nominee Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) 2010
Diamond Cover Award National Society for Histotechnology 2004
Feature Article and Cover  Journal of Histotechnology, volume 27 2004

Research:
Nominee for V Foundation Scholar Award
 IU Simon Cancer Center 2009
Selected as Associate Member IU Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine
 2008
Featured Investigator, Cell Core Yale Core Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, Yale
 2006
Featured Investigator, Physiology Core Yale Core Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, Yale
 2005
Young Investigators Initiative US Bone and Joint Decade 2005
Alice L. Jee Memorial Young Investigator Award Sun Valley Workshop on Skeletal Tissue Biology
 2004
Young Investigator Award Advances in Skeletal Anabolic Agents for the Treatment of Osteoporosis/American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)
 2004
John Haddad Young Investigator Award
 Advances in Mineral Metabolism/ASBMR 2003
Marshall Urist Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Award, Investigator
 Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation 2003
Young Investigator Award ASBMR 2000
American Association of University Women Grant American Association of University Women
 1998
Woodrow Wilson-Johnson & Johnson Dissertation Grant in Women’s Health
 Johnson & Johnson 1998
1st Place Student Presentation Award  American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology
 1997
Donald K. “Deke” Slayton Memorial Fellowship
 American Astronautical Society 1996
Amelia Earhart Fellowship Zonta International Foundation 1995-1997
NASA Graduate Research Grant (GSRP Fellowship, NGT-51421)
 NASA 1995-1998
Full tuition scholarship and research stipend Master’s and Ph.D work
 University of Colorado, Boulder 1994-1999
Silver and Gold Outstanding Graduating Engineer Award (top graduating undergraduate from the entire School of Engineering)
 Colorado Engineering Council 1994
Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Scholarship Achievement Rewards for College Scientists
 1993-1997
Top Undergraduate in Aerospace Engineering and Sciences
 University Colorado, Boulder 1993-1994
Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Gamma Tau, B.S. (Aerospace Engineering) with Honors.  Mortar Board, Golden Key National Honor Society Order of Omega (Greek Honor Society) 1991-1994
 
Service:
Outstanding IUPUI Woman Leader
(Women’s History Month Leadership Award)
 IUPUI 2012
Outstanding IUPUI Women Leader Nominee (Women’s History Month Leadership Award)
 IUPUI 2010
Women in Medicine and Leadership Development Award AAMC to the Women’s Advisory Council 2009
  
Overall/Other:
AAMC Professional Development Conference  Nominated by the Dean’s Office and Women’s Advisory Council at Indiana University School of Medicine, Competitive Selection by AAMC for attendees
 2008
Leadership in Academic Medicine Program (LAMP) selection  Indiana University School of Medicine 2007

1.) Kacena MA, Todd P. Growth Characteristics of E. coli  and  B. subtilis cultured on an agar substrate in microgravity.  Microgravity Sci Tech. 10: 58-62, 1997.
2.) Kacena MA, Leonard PE, Todd P, Luttges MW. Low gravity and inertial effects on the growth of E. coli and B. subtilis in semi-solid media. Aviat Space Environ Med. 68: 1104-1108, 1997.
3.) Kacena MA, Todd P. Gentamicin:  effect on E. coli in space. Microgravity Sci Tech, 12: 135-137, 1999.
4.) Kacena MA, Manfredi B, Todd P. Effects of space flight and mixing on bacterial growth in low volume cultures. Microgravity Sci Tech, 12: 74-77, 1999.
5.) Kacena MA, Smith E, Todd P. Autolysis of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis cells in low gravity. Appl Microbiol Biotech, 52: 437-439, 1999.
6.) Kacena MA, Merrell GA, Manfredi B, Smith E, Klaus D, Todd P. Bacterial growth in space flight:  logistic growth curve parameters for Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Appl Microbiol Biotech, 51: 229-234, 1999.
7.) Kacena MA, Todd P, Gerstenfeld LC, Landis WJ. Experiments with osteoblasts cultured under varying orientations with respect to the gravity vector. Cytotech, 39: 147-154, 2002.
8.) Kacena MA, Troiano NW, Coady CE, Horowitz MC.  Decalcification of mounted bone sections enhances immunohistochemical staining. J Histotech, 26: 105-109, 2003.
9.) Merrell GA, Wolfe SW, Kacena WJ, Gao Y, Cholewicki J, Kacena MA. The effect of increased peripheral suture purchase on the strength of flexor tendon repairs. J Hand Surg, 28: 464-468, 2003.
10.) Kacena MA, Todd P, Landis WJ.  Osteoblasts subjected to spaceflight and simulated space shuttle launch conditions. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol-Animal, 39: 454-459, 2003
11.) Kacena MA, Todd P, Gerstenfeld LC, Landis WJ. Experiments with osteoblasts cultured under hypergravity conditions. Microgravity Sci Tech, 15: 28-34, 2004.
12.) Kacena MA, Troiano NW, Coady CE, Horowitz MC.  Effects of ethanol post-fixation on the histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical analysis of murine bone specimens. J Histotech, 27: 15-20, 2004.
FEATURE ARTICLE & COVER
EXERPT in:  Health and Medicine Week, May 31, 2004, p. 326
Biotech Law Weekly, June 4, 2004, p. 211
Medical Devices and Surgical Technology Week, June 6, 2004, p. 67
Drug Week, June 4, 2004
Obesity, Fitness, and Wellness Week, May 31, 2004
13.) Kacena MA, Shivdasani RA, Wilson K, Xi Y, Troiano N, Nazarian A, Gundberg CM, Bouxsein ML, Lorenzo JA, Horowitz MC.  Megakaryocyte-osteoblast interaction revealed in mice deficient in transcription factors GATA-1 and NF-E2. J Bone Miner Res, 19: 652-660, 2004.
14.) Kacena MA, Troiano NW, Wilson KM, Coady CE, Horowitz MC.  Evaluation of two different methylmethacrylate processing, infiltration, and embedding techniques on the histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical analysis of murine bone specimens. J Histotech, 27: 119-130, 2004.  DIAMOND COVER AWARD
15.) Kacena MA, Troiano NW, Coady CE, Horowitz MC.  HistoChoice as an alternative to formalin fixation of undecalcified bone specimens. Biotechnic & Histochemistry, 79: 185-190, 2004. COVER
16.) Kacena MA, Gundberg CM, Nelson T, Horowitz MC.  Loss of transcription factor p45 NF-E2 results in a developmental arrest of megakaryocyte differentiation and the onset of a high bone mass phenotype. Bone, 36: 215-223, 2005.
17.) Merrell GA, Troiano NW, Coady CE, Kacena MA. Effects of long-term fixation on the histological quality of undecalcified murine bones embedded in methylmethacrylate. Biotechnic & Histochemistry, 80: 139-146, 2005.
18.) Roh JD, Kacena MA, Lopez-Soler RI, Coady CE, Troiano NW, Breuer CK.  Glycolmethacrylate is superior to methylmethacrylate for histologic evaluation of biodegradable polymer scaffolds used for vascular tissue engineering, J Histotech, 29: 245-250, 2006.
19.) Kacena MA, Halfon JK, Coady CE, Nelson T, Troiano NW. Optimization of methylmethacrylate infiltration duration in undecalcified murine bone specimens. J Histotech, 29: 21-27, 2006.
20.) Kacena MA, Nelson T, Clough ME, Lee S-K, Lorenzo JA, Gundberg CM, Horowitz MC. Megakaryocyte mediated inhibition of osteoclast development, Bone, 39: 991-999, 2006.
21.) Garimella R, Kacena MA, Tague SE, Wang J, Horowitz MC, Anderson HC. Expression of bone morphogenetic proteins and their receptors in the bone marrow megakaryocytes of GATA-1low mice: A possible role in osteosclerosis, J Histochem Cytochem, 55:745-52, 2007.
22.) Chen X-S, Troiano NW, Kacena MA. Beta-galactosidase detection as an indicator of endogenous PTHrP in cartilage. Biotech Histochem, 83:89-96, 2008.
23.) Troiano NW, Goldberg CG, Schlachter PB, Kacena MA.  Forensic paint chip analysis: Lessons learned from metal bone implants.  J Histotech, 31:25-27, 2008.
24.) Dann P, Hens JR, Troiano NW, Wysolmerski J, Kacena MA. Preservation of ?-galactosidase in decalcified murine bone specimens embedded in paraffin, J Histotech, 31:61-64, 2008.
25.) Oetgen ME, Merrell GA, Troiano NW, Horowitz MC, Kacena MA.  Development of a femoral nonunion model in the mouse, Injury, 39:1119-126, 2008.
26.) Cosby CN, Troiano NW, Kacena MA.  The effects of storage conditions on the preservation of enzymatic activity in bone, J Histotech,31:169-173, 2008. [NIHMSID#150965] COVER
27.) Troiano NW, Ciovacco WA, Kacena MA.  The effects of fixation and dehydration on the histological quality of undecalcified murine bone specimens embedded in methylmethacrylate.  J Histotech, 32:27-31, 2009. [NIHMSID#150967]
28.) Ciovacco WA, Goldberg CG, Taylor AF, Lemieux J, Horowitz MC, Donahue HJ, Kacena MA.  Megakaryocyte induced osteoblast proliferation is inhibited by gap junction intercellular communication. Bone, 44:80-86, 2009.  [NIHMSID#91633]
29.) Ciovacco WA, Cheng Y-H, Horowitz MC, Kacena MA.  Immature and mature megakaryocytes enhance osteoblast proliferation and inhibit osteoclast formation. J Cell Biochem, 109:774-781, 2010. [NIHMSID#292727]
30.) Lemieux JM, Horowitz MC, Kacena MA. Involvement of integrins ???? ?and ?????and glycoprotein IIb in megakaryocyte-induced osteoblast proliferation. J Cell Biochem, 109:927-932, 2010. [NIHMSID#271773]
31.) Chitteti BR, Cheng Y-H, Poteat B, Rodriguez-Rodriquez S, Goebel S, Carlesso N, Kacena MA, Srour EF. Impact of interactions of cellular components of the bone marrow microenvironment on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell function. Blood, 115:3239-3248, 2010. [PMCID: PMC2858485]
32.) Chitteti BR, Cheng Y-H, Streicher DA, Rodriguez-Rodriquez S, Carlesso N, Srour EF, Kacena MA. Osteoblast lineage cells expressing high levels of Runx2 enhance hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation and function. J Cell Biochem, 111:284-294, 2010. [NIHMSID#271774]
33.) Cheng Y-H, Chitteti BR, Streicher DA, Morgan JA, Rodriguez-Rodriquez S, Carlesso N, Srour EF, Kacena MA.  Impact of Osteoblast Maturational Status on their Ability to Enhance the Hematopoietic Function of Stem and Progenitor Cells. J Bone Miner Res, 26: 1111-1121, 2011.
34.) Lemieux JM, Wu G, Morgan JA, Kacena MA. DMSO regulates osteoclast development in vitro. In Vitro Cellular Developmental Biology - Animal, 47: 260-267, 2011. [NIHMSID#291280]
35.) Childress P, Philp BK, Robling AG, Bruzzaniti A, Kacena MA, Bivi N, Plotkin LI, Heller A, Bidwell JP. Nmp4/CIZ suppresses the response of bone to anabolic parathyroid hormone by regulating both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Calc Tiss Int, 89: 74-89, 2011.
36.) Kacena MA, Eleniste PP, Cheng Y-H, Huang Su, Shivanna M, Meijome TE, Mayo LD, Bruzzaniti A. Megakaryocytes regulate the expression of Pyk2 isoforms and the caspase-mediated cleavage of actin in osteoblasts. J Biol Chem, in press

Invited Reviews (still underwent peer-review):

1.) Kacena MA, Gundberg CM, Horowitz MC.  A reciprocal regulatory interaction between megakaryocytes, bone cells, and hematopoietic stem cells, Invited Review, Bone, 39: 978-984, 2006.
2.) Ciovacco WA, Raskind WH, Kacena MA.  Human Phenotypes Associated with GATA-1 Mutations. Invited Review, Gene, 427:1-6, 2008.  [NIHMSID#80104]
3.) Bethel M, Srour EF, Kacena MA.  Hematopoietic cell regulation of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. Current Osteoporosis Reports, 9:96-102, 2011. [NIHMSID#291297]
4.) Troiano NW, Kacena MA. Bone implants:  processing, embedding, cutting, and histopathology. Invited Review, J Histotech, 29: 253-264, 2006. Editor's Choice: 10 articles of interest cherry-picked from the extensive journal archive (March 2011).
5.) Kacena MA, Kirk J, Chou ST, Weiss MJ, Raskind WH. GATA1-Related X-linked Cytopenia. GeneReviews at GeneTests:  Medical Genetics Information Resource [database online].  Copyright, University of Washington, Seattle, 1997-2006.  Available at http://www.genetests.org. November 2006. Revised March 2011
Invited Reviews Non-refereed:
1.) Todd P, Klaus DM, Stodieck LS, Smith JD, Staehelin LA, Kacena M, Manfredi B, Bukhari A. Cellular responses to gravity: extracellular, intracellular and in-between. Invited Review, Adv Space Res. 21: 1263-1268, 1998
2.) Horowitz MC, Xi Y, Wilson K, Kacena MA. Control of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption by members of the TNF family of receptors and ligands. Invited Review, Cytokine Growth Factor Rev, 12: 9-18, 2001.
3.) Kacena MA, Merrell GA, Konda SR, Wilson KM, Xi Y, Horowitz MC. Inflammation and bony changes at the TMJ.  Invited Review, Cells Tissues Organs, 169: 257-264, 2001.
4.) Kacena MA, Horowitz MC. The role of megakaryocytes in skeletal homeostasis and rheumatoid arthritis, Invited Review, Current Opinion in Rheumatology, 18: 405-410, 2006.
5.) Bethel M, Kacena MA.  Megakaryocytes: A novel treatment for osteoporosis? Indiana Orthopaedics Journal, 2009, 3:25-27, 2009.
6.) Ciovacco WA, Kacena MA. Megakaryocyte-Bone Cell Interactions. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Osteoimmunology. 658: 31-41, 2010.
7.) Millikan PD, Balamohan SM, Raskind WH, Kacena MA.  Inherited thrombocytopenia due to GATA-1 mutations. Semin Thromb Hemost, 37: 682-689, 2011.

Non- Refereed Book Chapters:
1.) Horowitz MC, Kacena MA, Lorenzo JA. 6. Genetics and mutations affecting osteoclast development and function. In Bone Resorption, eds. MC Farach-Carson, J Rubin, F Bronner. Springer-Verlag London Ltd., pp. 91-107, 2005.
2.) Chitteti BR, Kacena MA, Srour EF. Chapter 3. Phenotypic Characterization of Hematopoietic Stem Cells. In Cord Blood: Biology, Transplantation, Banking, and Regulation, ed. HE Broxmeyer. AABB Press, Bethesda MD, pp. 75-86, 2011.

3.) Bethel M, Mruzzaniti A, Kacena MA. Osteoclast formation and function and its role in skeletal bone disease. In Osteoclasts: Morphology, Functions, and Clinical Implications, ed. Brown AJ, Walker JS. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Hauppauge, NY, 2012. Available at https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=29928. February 21, 2012.