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Presence Current · Arkansas
Last published 2026
Sources OpenAlex · ORCID
Refreshed 2026-10-08
Melanie C MacNicol profile photo

Melanie C MacNicol

High Impact

Associate Professor

Also affiliated: Arkansas Children's Hospital (2002); University of California, San Francisco (1995); University of Chicago (1995–2000); Stanford Medicine (1990–1992); Arkansas Children's Research Institute (2025); Stanford University (1990–1992)

Neurobiology & Developmental Science, College of Medicine

24 h-index 79 pubs 1,682 cited

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Mice
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Humans
  • Signal Transduction
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Pituitary Gland
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Male
  • Oocytes
  • Cell Cycle
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • Leptin

Biography and Research Information

OverviewAI-generated summary

Melanie C MacNicol's research investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying pituitary gland plasticity and function, with a particular focus on regulated mRNA translation and its role in cell communication. She has received significant federal funding for this work, including NIH grants totaling over $1.7 million.

Her recent publications explore critical physiological processes, such as the role of leptin in reproduction and its influence on gonadotrope function, and the regulation of gene expression by RNA-binding proteins like Musashi. MacNicol also studies age-related alterations in signaling pathways, including TGF-beta in muscle progenitors. Her work utilizes mouse models, such as mutant Profilin1 transgenic mice that recapitulate features of motor neuron disease.

MacNicol's scholarship metrics include an h-index of 24, with over 1,600 citations across 79 publications. She collaborates extensively with colleagues at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, including Angus M. MacNicol, Gwen V. Childs, Angela K. Odle, and Alex Lagasse.

Metrics

  • h-index: 24
  • Publications: 79
  • Citations: 1,682

Positions

  • Associate Professor publications 2002–2026
    University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Neurobiology & Developmental Science, College of Medicine Institutional directory
  • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences publications 2002–2026
    ORCID

Selected Publications

  • ELAVL1 and ELAVL4 Are Required for Musashi-Dependent Translational Activation (2026)
    Biomolecules DOI OpenAlex
  • ELAVL1 and ELAVL4 are required for Musashi-dependent translational activation (2026)
    bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) DOI OpenAlex
  • Gonadotrope remodeling in sustained low estrogen states: single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals gonadotrope subtypes and activation of stem cell populations (2026)
    Biology of Reproduction 1 citation DOI OpenAlex
  • Secretogranin II–derived peptide secretoneurin differentially stimulates luteinizing hormone secretion by age and sex in ex vivo murine pituitaries (2026)
    Biology of Reproduction DOI OpenAlex
  • OR13-08 Secretoneurin Modulates Gonadotrope Function Cyclically to Regulate LH Secretion (2025)
    Journal of the Endocrine Society DOI OpenAlex
  • SAT-001 Impact of VCD-induced Menopause on Gonadotrope Transcriptomics Reveals Estrogen-dependent Genes in the GnRH Signaling Pathway (2025)
    Journal of the Endocrine Society DOI OpenAlex
  • SAT-016 Musashi Contributes to the Specification and Maintenance of Distinct Pituitary Cell Lineages. (2025)
    Journal of the Endocrine Society DOI OpenAlex
  • Evaluation of the Activity of Monensin and Its Analogs for Modulation of Stem-like Cell Functionality in 2D and 3D Breast Cancer Models (2025)
    ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science 1 citation DOI OpenAlex
  • High fat diet-induced loss of pituitary plasticity in aging female mice with ablated leptin signaling in somatotropes (2025)
    Frontiers in Endocrinology 2 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Monensin and Its Analogs Exhibit Activity Against Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells in an Organoid Model (2025)
    bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) DOI OpenAlex
  • Musashi-dependent mRNA translational activation is mediated through association with the Scd6/Like-sm family member, LSM14B (2025)
    Scientific Reports 5 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Ablation of Leptin Receptor Signaling Alters Somatotrope Transcriptome Maturation in Female Mice (2025)
    Endocrinology 5 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • 8572 A 30% Maternal Caloric Restriction Alters Expression of Musashi Targets in the Neonatal and Adult Pituitary Proteomes of FVB Mice (2024)
    Journal of the Endocrine Society DOI OpenAlex
  • 8649 Ablation of Leptin Receptors in Somatotropes Impacts Transcriptomic Plasticity in the Pou1f1 Lineage of Female Pituitary Cells (2024)
    Journal of the Endocrine Society DOI OpenAlex
  • The Musashi RNA binding proteins direct the translational activation of key pituitary mRNAs (2024)
    Scientific Reports 9 citations DOI OpenAlex

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Federal Grants 3 $1,783,459 total

NIH Co-PI Sep 2024 - May 2029

Molecular mechanisms of pituitary plasticity

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases $632,231 R01
NIH Co-PI Jul 2021 - Jun 2026

The Impact of Obesity on Somatotrope Function

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases $549,786 R01
NIH Co-PI Sep 2018 - Jun 2025

Control of pituitary cell plasticity through regulated mRNA translation

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development $601,442 R01

Grants & Funding

As listed on this researcher's institutional profile. Federal awards with verified records are shown above.

  • Center for Translational Neuroscience NIH Co-Investigator
  • Maternal gene regulation in early vertebrate development NIH Co-Investigator
  • TEST OF THE RECEPTOR DOMAIN OF CAM KINASE IN VIVO NIH/NIGMS Principal Investigator
  • Tropic Roles for Leptin in the Maturation of Somatotropes NIH Co-Principal Investigator
  • Post-transcriptional Pathways that Signal Leptin Regulation of Gonadotropes NIH Co-Investigator

Collaboration Network

108 Collaborators 29 Institutions 7 Countries

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