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Department of Biomedical Sciences
251 SMed
1035 University Drive
Duluth, MN 55812
Sarah E. Lacher, Ph.D. (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Lacher’s research focuses on characterizing cell-type specific patterns of gene regulation following exposure to inducers of oxidative stress. This work builds on studies defining antioxidant and stress-response pathways, including the regulation of the HIF1α axis and cross-talk between the glucocorticoid receptor and NRF2 signaling, which together shape cellular resilience to oxidative injury. Recent efforts extend these mechanistic insights to wildfire smoke exposures to identify pathways that may be targeted to reduce smoke-induced lung damage and long-term respiratory dysfunction.
In addition to her commitment to research, Dr. Lacher is also a dedicated educator. She has lead Pharmacology Thread in the new tri-campus curriculum build. She was awarded the Best Instructor Spring Award and Most Supportive Faculty Award, Gateways to Medicine and Research (2025); Basic Science Teacher of the Year Award, Year One Medical Students, University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth Campus (2022) and Medical Educational Innovation Award (2024).
Dr. Lacher has served as chair of her department's Belonging and Engagement committee since 2021, and she received the Impact Award for Promoting Excellence through the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2025); Dr. Lacher is also involved in STEM outreach activities through the University of Minnesota's Innovators of the Future, Bois Forte Community Based Science and QueerScience Programs.
Dr. Lacher received her BS in Biology with an emphasis in Secondary Education from University of Northern Colorado (2006). She then taught Secondary Science in Colorado before attending graduate school. Dr. Lacher earned a PhD in Toxicology from the University of Montana (2013), and was a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Minnesota Medical School (2013–2018).
Dr. Lacher is a member of the Society of Toxicology and is a Founding Executive Board Member of the newly established Special Interest Group, Out Toxicologists and Allies (OTA). She is also a member of Women in Toxicology (WIT), Hispanic Organization of Toxicologists (HOT) and the Northland Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology.
BS, University of Northern Colorado
Major: Biology
Minor: Emphasis in Secondary Education
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the byproducts of oxygen metabolism and are necessary molecules for cell signaling, homeostasis, and development. However, the balance between cellular oxygen and damaging ROS levels needs to be finely tuned; disruption in redox homeostasis often leads to cytotoxicity and can ultimately result in irregularities in development and pathology. Fortunately, cells have evolved mechanisms that allow them to directly combat disruptions in oxygen homeostasis and keep ROS levels tightly balanced to mitigate such effects. Cells rely heavily on the activity of transcription factors (TFs) in order to execute global gene expression changes. When it comes to oxygen sensing, one of the most important TFs is NRF2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2). Recently, we have come to better understand the ancient mechanism of global gene regulation by NRF2 in response to oxidative stress; in addition, we have also recently identified and functionally validated a number of novel NRF2 target genes. However, our current understanding of NRF2's capability at selectively controlling antioxidant genes needs to be greatly extended in order to understand its global control of a multitude of mechanisms central to the cell's response to oxidative stress.
Outstanding Faculty Pride Award, University of Minnesota Duluth, ODI, 2026
Impact Award for Promoting Excellence, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 2025
Best Instructor Spring Award, Gateways to Medicine and Research, 2025
Most Supportive Faculty Award, Gateways to Medicine and Research 2025
Basic Science Teacher of the Year Award, Honorable Mention, Year One Medical Students, University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth Campus, 2024
Dean's Tribute to Excellence in Education, Year 1 & 2 Educational Innovative Award, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2024
Basic Science Teacher of the Year, First Year Medical Students, UMN Medical School, Duluth Campus, 2022
Postdoctoral Fellow Research Award, Molecular and Systems Biology Specialty Section of the Society of Toxicology, 2017
Postdoctoral Travel Award to Attend the Society of Toxicology 55nd Annual Meeting, Northland Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology, 2016
Best Presentation, Northland Chapter of the Society of Toxicology Regional Meeting, 2015
Best Presentation, 12th Annual Graduate and Faculty Symposium, University of Montana, 2013
Student Travel Award to Attend the Society of Toxicology 52nd Annual Meeting, Academic Enrichment Funding, University of Montana, 2013
Student Travel Award, International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics 18th North American Regional Meeting, 2012
Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education, 2012
Student Travel Award to Attend the Society of Toxicology 50th Annual Meeting, Academic Enrichment Funding, University of Montana, 2011
American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences Education Initiative, 2011
Program Scholar, School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, 2006
Departmental Scholar, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, 2005
Northwoods Women in Science
Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine
Society of Toxicology