Biography
Dr Michael Lehman is a neuroscientist whose research focuses on the neural control of reproduction and circadian rhythms. Over nearly four decades, his work has led to fundamental discoveries in neuroendocrinology, most notably the identification and characterization of KNDy (kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin) neurons and their central role in regulating reproductive function in animals and humans. His research has been continuously supported by the National Institutes of Health since his first R01 award in 1986 and has contributed to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for a range of reproductive disorders. He has authored more than 190 peer-reviewed publications, including articles in leading journals such as Science, Nature, and PNAS, and has been named among the top 2% of the world’s most-cited scientists (Stanford/Elsevier).
In addition to leading a highly productive research program, Dr Lehman has been deeply committed to training and mentorship, guiding numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to successful careers in academia, medicine, and industry. He has also held major academic leadership roles across several institutions, including serving as Chair of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Western Ontario and Chair of the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He previously served as Co-Director of the Reproductive Sciences Program at the University of Michigan and as the founding Director of the Brain Health Research Institute at Kent State University, where he led efforts to build interdisciplinary research programs and expand institutional research capacity.
Dr Lehman is an active leader in the broader scientific community. He currently serves as President of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, President-Elect of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), and Editor-in-Chief of the Fundamental and Mechanistic strand of the Journal of Neuroendocrinology. In January 2026, he joined New Mexico Tech as Regents Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Biology, where he is leading initiatives to expand research, strengthen graduate training, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations across the sciences and engineering.
