Research Labs

Discover basic science & translational laboratories and clinical research in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences. Explore cutting edge clinical studies by our faculty.

Basic Science & Translational Laboratories

Basic Science and Translational Laboratories

Alperin Lab – Dr. Alperin's laboratory uses a multi-prong approach to study the impact of pregnancy, birth injury, and aging on the structure, function, plasticity , and regenerative potential of the female pelvic soft tissues. Ultimately, we hope that this research will help reduce the epidemic of pelvic floor disorders and improve the lives of millions of women.
Breen Church Lab – Our lab focuses on: 1) Neuroendocrine mechanisms controlling reproduction and fertility; 2) Mechanisms underlying stress and stress–associated disease states on fertility; and 3) Early life programming of delayed or deficient fertility.
Burnett Lab – Dr. Burnett's lab applies expertise in cellular and molecular biology to the understanding of how metabolism impacts pelvic floor disorders including pelvic organ prolapse, recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary and fecal incontinence.
Cook-Andersen Lab – The Cook-Anderson Lab is interested in: post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression; transcriptional silencing in the oocyte and oocyte maturation; early embryo development and embryonic genome activation, nuclear reprogramming, the molecular basis of ovarian aging.
Fisch Lab – Our group focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying pregnancy disorders and exposures to improve maternal and child health throughout the lifespan.
Kauffman Lab – We use a variety of molecular, cellular, physiological and neuroanatomical techniques to study how the brain and hormones interact to control reproduction in mammals. More specifically, we assess how neural circuits stimulate or inhibit Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, thereby regulating the neuroendocrine reproductive axis.
Laurent Lab – Our lab applies our expertise in human pluripotent stem cell research and genomics to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal human development, in order to improve the health of mothers and babies.
Lawson Lab – The main focus of the Lawson Laboratory is on understanding how the brain and pituitary interpret and respond to the various signals that control reproductive hormone synthesis and secretion.
Mellon Lab – We are interested in how the brain controls reproduction through the neuroendocrine system with emphases on development, hormone signaling, gene expression, circadian rhythm, and mouse models of human disease.
Pantham Lab – The Pantham Laboratory applies a combination of high-throughput, computational and physiological approaches to decipher the molecular mechanisms of placental function in pregnancy, with the aim of improving the diagnosis and management of pregnancy disorders in which the placenta plays a primary role.
Schlaepfer Lab – My lab is in The Moores Cancer Center Division of Gynecologic Oncology and our research focus is on understanding the molecular changes driving ovarian cancer anchorage-independent cell survival and treatment resistance. We are developing new mouse tumor models to study ovarian cancer and we incorporate new technologies such as CRISPR knockouts, multiplex immunohistochemistry, RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics in our research. Visit schlaepferlab.org to learn more.
Stupack Lab – Our lab has the following projects active: Tumor Cell Survival, Genomic Analysis of Tumors, and Repurposing Proteins by Cancer Cells
Thackray Lab – The focus of our research is to understand the etiology and pathophysiology of PCOS using relevant mouse and tissue culture models. We are currently studying the influence of genetic variation on gonadotropin hormone production and fertility. We are also investigating interactions among metabolism, the gut microbiome and the reproductive axis in PCOS.
Wilkinson Lab – Our studies are centered on the impact of gene regulatory circuits in normal development and disease.

Clinical Research

Agarwal
Alvarado – Dr. Jorge L. Alvarado's research focuses on graduate medical education and care of transgender and gender diverse people. He is actively involved in developing surgical and transgender curriculum for resident physicians.
Averbach – We design and evaluate interventions that address barriers to equitable access to family planning care, including abortion and contraception. Our work aims to address the implementation gap that has resulted in evidence-based family planning methods failing to reach the people who need and want them to prevent pregnancy and improve their reproductive agency. The three main strategies that we evaluate are to i) simplify the requirements for when family planning care can be provided, ii) expand the types of facilities where family planning care can be provided, and iii) broaden the provider base, demonstrating who can safely provide family planning care.
Ballas
Burnett
Cormano – Dr. Cormano's work focuses on medical education research, with projects ranging from medical student assessment to use of virtual reality for obstetric simulation training.
Duleba
Emeruwa
Eskander – Dr. Eskander’s interests include clinical and translational research, encompassing the development and conduct of clinical trials exploring novel therapeutics, immunotherapeutic combinations, as well as alternate targeted agents.
Gyamfi-Bannerman
Harvey
Jacobs – Dr. Jacobs is interested in lifecourse epidemiology for reproductive health and the use of easily obtained clinical measures for prediction of poor pregnancy outcomes.
Klein
Lamale-Smith
Lukacz – Dr. Lukacz is a urogynecoloist and professor focusing on research which includes evaluating surgical procedures for incontinence and prolapse as well as studying causes and prevention of pelvic floor disorders.
McHale – We conduct innovative research addressing multiple unmet needs in gynecologic oncology. This includes strategies for early detection of ovarian cancer, novel imaging modalities to assess for metastatic disease and clinical trials exploring novel therapeutics for gynecologic malignancies.
Meadows
Mody
Ramos
Ries
Saenz
Su Lab – We conduct innovative patient-oriented research studies on ovarian function, reproductive health, and reproductive care delivery, focused on adolescents and your adults with cancer.
Tarsa – Dr. Tarsa's research interests are screening for cardiovascular disease in pregnancy and postpartum.
Teal – We utilize community-engaged implementation science research and practice to improve equity in obstetric outcomes.
Varon – I am currently measuring ovarian function in premenopausal women undergoing abdominal myomectomy. I am testing AMH before surgery and 12 weeks after abdominal myomectomy during which a tourniquet is used around the uterine and ovarian vessels to decrease operative blood loss.