Dr. Michael Reger is an Associate Professor of the Practice in the Eck Institute for Global Health. His background is in chronic disease epidemiology, focusing on the discovery of associations between understudied nutritional factors and the development of specific types of cancer, working towards the goal of increased primary prevention.

Dr. Reger's current projects involve the study of breast cancer, both in the U.S. and internationally. In the U.S., he is currently working to determine the association between phytoestrogens and the risk of total and advanced breast cancer. The consumption of phytoestrogens, which are structurally similar to 17-β estradiol, results in competitive binding to estrogen receptors and can have vastly different outcomes depending on the type of cancer. For example, Reger’s studies determined that increased consumption of phytoestrogens in men leads to an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer through the enhancement of tumorigenic activity and metastasis, as well as a decrease in apoptotic cancer cells. Future studies will investigate the link of phytoestrogens with other types of cancer, particularly those which might be sensitive to fluctuations in hormonal activity. Internationally, he is interested in determining the incidence of breast cancer cases in both Kenya and Mexico, particularly among young women who appear to present with late-stage cancer at much younger ages.

Dr. Reger feels very strongly about teaching and integrating undergraduate and graduate students into the research process to enhance their learning.