Contact Information
2001 S. Lincoln Ave.
Urbana IL 61802
Research Interests
-Circadian Rhythms
-Anxiety
-Estrogen Signaling
-Toxicology
-Menopause
Research Description
My innovative research brings together the fields of chronobiology, reproductive biology, and neurotoxicology. Biological rhythms are essential for life as they underlie a myriad of physiological processes from the sleep-wake cycle, metabolism, and immune function, to reproductive cyclicity and hormone secretion. I examine the influence of estradiol, estrogen receptor agonists, botanicals, and endocrine disrupting chemicals on daily sleep-wake activity patterns, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, the behavioral and neural responses to light signals, and rhythms in protein and mRNA levels. My research is important as it addresses basic scientific questions such as:
- When and how do changes in hormone signals program the adult timekeeping or behavioral systems?
- How are sex differences in circadian rhythms regulated by circulating hormones?
- How do endocrine disrupting chemicals impact the brain and behavior?
My lab has been the first to characterize when and how estrogen signaling mechanisms regulate the expression on behavioral and neural circadian rhythms. My work brings a new perspective to understanding how sex differences and hormones regulate biological rhythms in humans and other species.
Education
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Ph.D. Dual degrees in Zoology and Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior (EEBB) Michigan State University |
2003 |
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Bachelor of Arts in Biology Bates College (1993-1995) |
1995 |
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Smith College (1991-1993) Biology Major |
Grants
Carle Illinois Collaborative Research Seed Funding Program.
Impact of hormonal changes and environmental chemicals on sleep disruptions in a population of menopausal women.
Companion Animal Research Grant Program, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
The association of urinary phthalate metabolites with feline hyperthyroidism
NIH
Gender and sex differences in phthalate-induced toxicity in the reproductive system
Center for Social and Behavioral Science Small Grant Program, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
The influence of depression and modifiable lifestyle factors on sleep in menopausal women
Additional Campus Affiliations
Associate Professor, Comparative Biosciences
Director of Graduate Programs, Comparative Biosciences
Associate Professor, Psychology
Associate Professor, Nutritional Sciences
Affiliate, Center for Social & Behavioral Science
External Links
Recent Publications
Dias, G. R. M., Giusti, F. C. V., de Novais, C. O., de Oliveira, M. A. L., Paiva, A. G., Kalil-Cutti, B., Mahoney, M. M., & Graceli, J. B. (2025). Intergenerational and transgenerational effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the offspring brain development and behavior. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 16, Article 1571689. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2025.1571689
Mourikes, V. E., Lee, C., Oladosu, J. I., Deviney, A., Stubblefield, W., Laws, M. J., Mahoney, M., & Flaws, J. A. (2025). The effects of imidacloprid exposure on the mouse ovary in vivo. Reproductive Toxicology, 137, Article 109045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2025.109045
Maxon, J. R., & Mahoney, M. M. (2024). Rodent reproductive behavior among males and females after exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Reproduction, 168(6), Article e240145. https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-24-0145
Hatcher, K. M., Smith, R. L., Chiang, C., Flaws, J. A., & Mahoney, M. M. (2023). Nocturnal Hot Flashes, but Not Serum Hormone Concentrations, as a Predictor of Insomnia in Menopausal Women: Results from the Midlife Women's Health Study. Journal of Women's Health, 32(1), 94-101. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2021.0502
Hatcher, K. M., Smith, R. L., Li, Z., Flaws, J. A., Davies, C. R., & Mahoney, M. M. (2022). Preliminary findings reveal that phthalate exposure is associated with both subjective and objective measures of sleep in a small population of midlife women. Maturitas, 157, 62-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.11.004