Research

  • About The Study

    WORKING ON PAIN.

    The Women’s Outcomes Research and Knowledge (WORK) Study:

    • is from Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine.
    • explores women’s experiences with pelvic pain (pain in the lower part of the tummy or abdomen) and the medical care they receive.

    Study Background:

    • Many women experience pelvic pain, but it can often take years to find the cause of the pain and properly treat it.
    • For this study, we are learning about the different types of pain women have and the many ways it is addressed, such as taking medications or visiting health care providers.
    • The information we collect will help us understand how factors like family history or where a woman lives could impact the health care she receives.

    The Purpose of the Study is to:

    • Assess how long women have pelvic pain and how it affects their lives.
    • Compare different treatments and types of care provided to women with pelvic pain.
    • Look for characteristics associated with types of pain and response to treatment.
    • Identify factors influencing the journey to successful care.
    icon of woman

    WE HOPE THE INFORMATION COLLECTED FOR THIS STUDY WILL HELP WOMEN WITH PELVIC PAIN.

    Questions?

    Call (616) 234-2858 or email the W.O.R.K. Study team: LetsWork@msu.edu

  • OBGYN abstract title "ARID1A Loss Results in Non‐Receptive Endometrium with FOXA2 Deficiency in Endometriosis‐Related Infertility" by Ryan M. Marquadt has been selected for the SRI President’s Plenary Award. This award will be presented at our 66th Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held in Paris, France, March 12 – 16, 2019.

    The President’s Plenary Awards recognize the four highest ranked abstracts chosen for presentation at the President’s New Investigator Plenary Session. The Society has always sought a means by which to encourage young investigators to present their research at our meeting. The award encourages many young investigators to submit high‐quality abstracts.

  • (Updated April 15th 2024)

    Title/DescriptionSponsorPIAmountStart DateEnd Date
    Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program T32 Training Grant NIH Keith Latham, PhD
    Asgi Fazleabas, PhD    		 $1,485,595 6/1/16 4/30/27
    Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program T32 Training Grant NIH Keith Latham, PhD
    Asgi Fazleabas, PhD    		 $1,485,595 6/1/16 4/30/27
    Women's Outcomes Research and Knowledge (WORK) AbbVie Stacey Missmer, ScD $2,956,535 4/1/18 12/31/24
    What is Endometriosis (WisE)? Deep phenotyping to advance diagnosis and treatment NIH Stacey Missmer, ScD 3,868,014 9/1/18 5/31/25
    Strong Beginnings (Healthy Start Initiative – Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Disparities) HRSA - Spectrum Health System LeeAnne Roman, PhD $472,085 4/1/19 4/30/24
    Infertility History and Chronic Disease Profile NIH Stacey Missmer, ScD $3,276,321 5/15/19 4/30/25
    In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes After Cancer NIH Barbara Luke, ScD $370,550 8/5/19 7/31/24
    Innate Immune Mechanisms at the Maternal-Fetal Interface in Normal and Superovulatory Pregnancy NIH - Rutgers University Ripla Arora, PhD $54,509 8/21/19 7/31/24
    Patient-specific targeting of uterine fibroids NIH - NICHD Jose Teixeira, PhD $2,441,496 8/28/19 4/30/25
    Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Community Care Initiative (AIM CCI) HRSA - Spectrum Health System Cristian Meghea, PhD $106,920 4/1/20 9/30/24
    Myometrial stem cells NIH Jose Teixeira, PhD $430,375 6/1/20 5/31/24
    A Smartphone Intervention for Pregnancy Smoking Cessation with Peer Support NIH Cristian Meghea, PhD $751,923 8/6/20 8/31/24
    Single-molecule Analysis of the DNA Damage Response in Living Cells NIH Jens Schmidt, PhD $2,137,302 9/30/20 5/31/25
    State Opioid Relief for Use Disorders MDHHS Cara Poland, MD $3,909,839 10/1/20 9/30/24
    Regulation of Endometriotic Lesion Development by NOTCH1 NIH Asgerally Fazleabas, PhD $2,757,437 4/1/21 2/28/26
    Meeting women where they are: Multilevel intervention addressing racial disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality - Administrative Supplement NIH Jennifer Johnson, PhD & Cristian Meghea, PhD $219,090 5/1/21 4/30/25
    Menstrual health during the Covid-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study among young people with and without endometriosis NIH Stacey Missmer, ScD $274,576 5/1/21 4/30/25
    Covid-19 Vaccination and Menstrual Health NIH Stacey Missmer, ScD $200,003 5/1/21 4/30/25
    Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities in endometriosis NIH Ronald Chandler, PhD $1,682,375 8/15/21 6/30/26
    Defining the role of TCAB1 and its phase separation in telomerase assembly NIH Jens Schmidt, PhD $919,740 9/1/21 7/31/25
    Hospital Engagement Addiction Resources Team (HEART) Michigan Health Endowment Fund Board of Directors Cara Poland, MD $500,000 12/1/21 5/31/24
    Marriott Fund for Clinical Innovation in Endometriosis J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Stacey Missmer, ScD $91,331 1/1/22 12/31/25
    Regulation of Endometriotic Lesion Development by E-proteins Society of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders Yong Song, PhD $23,528 1/1/22 12/31/24
    S-Flt siRNA Therapy for Pre-eclampsia Comanche BioPharma Asgerally Fazleabas, PhD $367,068 3/1/22 8/31/24
    Endometriosis, Pelvic Pain, and Covid-19 Immunologic Response Boston Center for Endometriosis Stacey Missmer, ScD $300,959 8/1/22 7/31/24
    Increasing Minority Physician and APRN Clinician-scientist Research Training To Equalize Addiction Medicine (IMPACT TEAM) NIH Cara Poland, MD $1,337,280 8/15/22 6/30/27
    A Smartphone Intervention for Pregnancy Smoking Cessation with Peer Support NIH Cristian Meghea, PhD $567,744 9/1/22 8/31/25
    Signaling Mechanisms that Modulate Uterine 3D Structure for Pregnancy Success NIH Ripla Arora, PhD $1,984,108 9/1/22 5/31/27
    Molecular mechanisms of endometrial progesterone resistance Univ of Missouri - NIH Ripla Arora, PhD $146,071 9/1/22 4/30/25
    The role of cholesterol biosynthesis in metastatic and recurrent endometrial cancer Univ of Missouri - NIH Ripla Arora, PhD $204,209 9/23/22 1/31/27
    Addressing Disparities in Maternal Mortality and Severe Morbidity for Medicaid-insured Pregnant/Postpartum Individuals of Color: A Multilevel, Community-Clinical Intervention for Hypertension Disorder Michigan Health Endowment Fund   Lee Anne Roman, PhD $367,190 1/1/23 12/31/24
    Developing a clinically-relevant genetically engineered mouse model for Nut
    carcinoma    		 NIH - NCI Bin Gu, PhD $2,145,235 1/5/23 12/31/27
    Novel biomarkers and pathways of persistent endometriosis-associated pain across the life course Univ of Michigan - NIH Stacey Missmer, ScD $213,846 3/23/23 2/29/28
    Strong Beginnings Program – Familias Fuertes y Saludables Corewell Health Lee Anne Roman, PhD $55,000 4/1/24 3/31/25
    A baboon model for uterine fibroids Oregon Health & Science University Jose Teixeira, PhD $46,000 5/1/23 10/31/24
    Transcriptomic Analysis of Uterine Fibroids for Drug Discovery Society for Reproductive Investigation Emmanuel Paul, PhD $20,000 7/1/23 12/31/24
    Role of Cellular Senescence in Development of Endometriosis Society for Reproductive Investigation Yong Song, PhD $20,000 7/1/23 6/30/24
    Maternal Health Multilevel Intervention/s for Racial Equity (MIRACLE) Center NIH - NICHD Cristian Meghea, PhD
    Jennifer Johnson, PhD    		 $18,494,512 8/17/23 7/31/30
    All of Us Research Program Trans-America Consortium of the HCSRN NIH Christine, Johnson, PhD
    Henry Ford Health    		 $18,393,034 9/1/23 8/31/24
    Pilot for Treatment of Post-partum Women MDHHS Cara Poland, MD $24,128 10/1/23 9/30/24
    State Opioid Response (MI-CARES) MDHHS Cara Poland, MD $1,087,575 10/1/23 9/30/24
    Strong Beginnings: Reaching Black and Hispanic Women at Greatest Risk to Improve Outcomes MDHHS Lee Anne Roman, PhD $699,786 10/1/23 9/30/24
    Providing Technical Assistance To Michigan Communities for the State’s Opioid Settlement Funds Michigan Public Health Institute Cara Poland, MD $200,000 10/1/23 9/30/24
    A Longitudinal Study of the Epidemiology of Endometriosis Department of Defense Madhavi Kulkarni, PhD $312,998 8/15/24 8/14/26

  • Biography

    Dr. Bossick received his PhD in Health Services Research from the University of Washington-Seattle in 2021. Dr. Bossick completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Henry Ford Health in the Department of Public Health Sciences. He joined the Department of Public Health Sciences at Henry Ford Health as an Assistant Scientist in 2023 and has been an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology at Michigan State University in the College of Human Medicine since 2022.

    Research

    Dr. Bossick’s research broadly focuses on racialized disparities in women’s health, particularly during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the postpartum periods, as well as in the development and treatment of fibroids, and hysterectomy. He is interested in using big data to develop and validate medical record algorithms to identify those most at risk of adverse outcomes in women’s health. Currently, he is a Co-Investigator on a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute funded project to validate a meaningful patient-engagement in research survey in diverse populations.

    NCBI Publications

  • The number of opioid-related deaths in Michigan has hit an all-time high, requiring the resources of the state’s three major research universities and one of its largest health systems to tackle the problem.

    Read Full Article on MSUToday

  • fazleabas v2

    BIOGRAPHY

    Asgi Fazleabas, Ph.D. received his BS degree from California State University, Fresno and His PhD in Reproductive Physiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana - Campaign. Following his post - doctoral training in Reproductive Biology/Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Florida in Gainesville he joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he held the rank of Professor and Director of Women's Health and Reproduction until October 2009. He is currently Professor and Associate Chair of Research in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology and Director of the Center for Women's Health Research and Co-Director of the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program at Michigan State University.

    RESEARCH

    Understanding the critical cellular events that define synchrony between the developing embryo and the maternal uterus in a species that is phylogenetically related to humans will be paramount in improving the success of assisted reproductive therapies. Ongoing studies in the Fazleabas' laboratory are at the leading edge of this type of research endeavor. His laboratory was the first to conclusively demonstrate that signals from the primate embryo, like those of other species, induce cell specific changes in uterine gene expression. These changes are thought to play critical roles in establishing a synchrony between the maternal environment and the developing embryo that is a pre requisite for a successful pregnancy. These studies have clearly elucidated the mechanisms by which apoptosis is inhibited within the uterus in the presence of a conceptus, the fundamental hormonal and cellular requirements associated with the process of decidualization and potential functions of uterine proteins in the establishment of pregnancy. The current focus of the work is on the mechanisms by which Notch signaling mediates uterine function during the establishment of pregnancy. A hallmark of all the studies from his laboratory is the ability to confirm all their in vitro findings in vivo as a fundamental application of true physiology in the appropriate tissue context. In addition, his laboratory has established a baboon model for endometriosis. The focus of these studies are to understand the etiology and pathophysiology of Endometriosis, a poorly understood, enigmatic disease that affects five to fifteen percent of all women of reproductive age and has an estimated economic impact of approximately 22 billion dollars in the US. It is reported to be the leading cause of infertility in women. The unique nature of the primate model that he has developed to study endometriosis and the strong multidisciplinary group that he has established has led to important and fundamental findings regarding the causative effects of endometriosis on aberrant gene expression in the eutopic endometrium that may contribute to infertility. Currently the focus is on the role of miRNA’s in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis and the molecular mechanisms that contribute to progesterone resistance. In addition, the laboratory is also focusing on epigenetic modifications in both endometrial and endometriotic tissues and novel nanoparticle driven therapies to control the disease. Furthermore, studies from the. Fazleabas' laboratory has also identified the genes that may be involved with the process of angiogenesis and cell adhesion during the establishment of lesions in the peritoneal environment.

    Areas of Research:

    Publications

    Asgi Faleabas, PhD Lab Personnel

    GRANTS (Principal Investigator) :


    NICHD RO1 HD 042280 ‚ “Modulation of the Receptive Endometrium by Notch 1” – The overall focus in to understand the cellular and molecular role of Notch1 in the regulation of decidualization and the consequences of its altered expression on fertility as a consequence of gynecological pathologies and reproductive disorders.

    NICHD R21 HD 082453 ‚ “Role of MicroRNA 451 in the Pathophysiology of Endometriosis” – The overall focus is to determine if targeting miRNA 451 in endometriotic lesions could be a useful therapeutic approach for the treatment of endometriosis.

    NICHD RO1 HD 083273 “Role of MicroRNA in the Pathophysiology of Endometriosis” – The overall focus is to understand how specific miRNA’s that are dysregulated in endometriosis and their target genes contribute to altered proliferation, progesterone resistance and fibrosis that could contribute to the development of endometriosis.

    NICHD T32 HD 087166 “Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Training Program” (Co-Director) – This is a comprehensive training program in the reproductive sciences for pre-and post-doctoral fellows at Michigan State University.

  • Bin Gu PhD

    Biography

    Bin Gu, Ph.D. received his BS degree in Bio-technology and his Ph.D. degree in Cell Biology from Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China. He completed postdoctoral training at the Hospital for Sick Children in Canada from 2013 to 2020 in the Program of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology. He is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology within the College of Human Medicine.

    Research

    The focus of my research is investigating the molecular mechanisms regulating early embryo development, infertility and genetic disease. My Lab develop new genome engineering technology to generate mouse models for complex mutations to model human diseases. We study them use cutting-edge technologies, such as live imaging and in-vivo genetic engineering, to understand the mechanism and develop new treatments for human diseases.

    Areas of expertise

    • Early embryo development
    • Live imaging
    • Genome engineering
    • Mouse models of human genetic diseases

    NCBI Publications 

    Gu Lab

  • Cristian Meghea PhD

    ABOUT

    Cristian Meghea, Ph.D. is an NIH-funded Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Michigan State University. He is the Director and Co-Founder of the Maternal Health Equity Lab. His expertise is in maternal and child health, global health, health services research, health policy, and women’s health. His research focuses on the prenatal and perinatal period as a window of opportunity to improve the long-term health of mothers and their children. Trained as an Economist, he brings evaluation and data analysis expertise to his field of research.

    RESEARCH

    Dr. Meghea’s research focuses on improving women’s health in low resource settings with a collaborative, community-engaged, multidisciplinary, and global approach. The broad goal of this research is to use the prenatal and perinatal period as a window of opportunity to improve the long-term health of women and their families and to reduce health disparities. Dr. Meghea accomplishes this goal by leading clinical and policy relevant health research to improve the care and health of the Medicaid population of pregnant women and by leading interventions focused on tobacco control during and around pregnancy. His research agenda was supported by over $21 million awarded by National Institutes of Health (NIH), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Romanian Government, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and other sources. He is the primary author or co-author of 55 academic articles (over 700 citations) published in journals including JAMA Open Network, JAMA Pediatrics, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Pediatrics, American Journal of Public Health, and European Journal of Public Health.

    Dr. Meghea is leading a 5-year NIH-funded R01 project to develop, implement, and test in a randomized trial a multilevel intervention to address disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality among Medicaid-insured women. Other current work focused on improving the health of Medicaid-

    insured women and infants includes the evaluation of a Michigan Healthy Start home visiting program in a Pay For Success public-private partnership, with partners including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Spectrum Health, one of five top large health systems in the US. Dr. Meghea is also leading the evaluation of a Michigan Healthy Start program implementing prenatal and postnatal patient safety bundles, in a partnership led by the National Healthy Start Association

    Previously, Dr. Meghea led a research program using quasi-experimental methods that established the Medicaid enhanced prenatal services program in Michigan (MIHP) as an evidence-based program. The analyses relied on multiple complete statewide Medicaid birth cohorts with linked data sources including birth and death records, Medicaid claims, and MIHP program data. The work showed that MIHP participation improves the healthcare utilization of mothers and infants and reduces the risk of adverse birth outcomes and infant mortality. MIHP is now one of the programs that meets the Department of Health and Human Services criteria for an evidence-based home visiting program.

    Dr. Meghea’s ongoing tobacco control work builds on a program of research in the US and in Romania and includes completed trials of a phone counseling tobacco cessation intervention and of an app-based mHealth tobacco cessation intervention (the SFT 1.0 app), both focused on pregnant couples, and co-designed with patient, clinical, governmental, non-governmental, and community partners. Both interventions show evidence of feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy. He uses mixed methods, including advanced research design and evaluation methods in his projects. The mHealth trial uses a factorial design to test main and interaction effects of the intervention components.

    Dr. Meghea recently secured NIH funding for an up to 5-year project to further develop and test in a hybrid effectiveness/implementation trial the SFT 2.0 tobacco cessation app which incorporates an AI algorithm (reinforcement learning) to continuously optimize the content, flow, and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Dr. Meghea is actively involved in the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT), and currently serves as the Public Health Research Director of SRNT-University.

    FUNDING AGENCIES

    National Institutes of Health (NIH), Agency for Health Care Quality (AHRQ), W.K. Kellogg Foundation)

    Publications

    Curriculum Vitae

  • Top researchers speak about the latest scientific research into endometriosis - the challenges, the opportunities, and what discoveries they are hoping to make.

    stacey thumb

    View Full Article

  • Michigan State University researchers, in collaboration with the Van Andel Institute, have identified a combination of two gene mutations that is linked to endometrial cancer.

    Read Full Article on MSUToday

  • 965 Wilson Road, A631B

  •  Hailemariam Debena.Maji

    Biography

    Maji Hailemariam Debena is an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology in the College of Human Medicine. Her research interests include health disparities, mental health, underserved communities including women and justice-involved individuals. Her completed and ongoing research engagements focus on low-resource settings including those low-resource settings within a high-income country context.

    Dr. Hailemariam holds a PhD in mental health epidemiology and a masters degree in social work from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. Before joining the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Dr. Hailemariam completed a postdoctoral program at MSU-Flint, Division of Public Health.

    Research Groups

    Johnson’s research group

    Research Area

    Mental health peer navigation for justice-involved

    Flint Women’s Study

     

  • December 14, 2018

    The Michigan State University Board of Trustees today authorized MSU administration to enter into a Public Private Partnership (P3) for the continued development of the Grand Rapids Research Center (GRRC) site. 

    In July 2018, JLL issued a P3 Request for Proposal (RFP) on behalf of MSU for developer procurement. A lead developer candidate, Health Innovation Partners, a joint venture between MB Real Estate, Walsh Construction/Walsh Investors and Rockford Construction & Development, has been identified and today’s authorization allows MSU administration to proceed with negotiations on the ground lease and developer agreement.

    Read Full Article

  • CLIMBING IN RANKING FOR NIH FUNDING

     

Michigan State University’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology in the College of Human Medicine has grown in prestige in the number of top researchers it has attracted, as well as garnering more federal grant funding.

  • Ripla Arora PhD

    BIOGRAPHY

    Ripla Arora received her Bachelors and Masters degree in Biochemistry from the University of Delhi, India. She went on to receive her PhD degree in Genetics and Development from Columbia University, New York where she studied the role of T-box transcription factors in vascular morphogenesis of the allantois (umbilical precursor) and epithelial branching in the lung. She completed her postdoctoral work in the Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at University of California, San Francisco where she developed novel 3D imaging and quantitative modeling of the murine uterus during preimplantation stages and the cycling human endometrium. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology within the College of Human Medicine and a member of the Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering at Michigan State University.

     

    RESEARCH

     

    Abnormalities during the establishment of pregnancy can have impacts far downstream, including miscarriage, placental insufficiency, intra-uterine growth restriction, preeclampsia and preterm birth. Early events of mammalian pregnancy, although crucial for normal development, are poorly understood. Owing to the small size and transparent nature of the early embryo, development from fertilization to blastocyst stages has been extensively documented by imaging. On the other hand deeper understanding of the 3D architecture of the embryo’s uterine environment and the uterine glands has lagged behind. Combining the strengths of developmental genetics, 3D imaging, computational image analysis and gene expression analysis, my laboratory will establish how hormones influence the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium to modulate receptivity and implantation.

    AREAS OF EXPERTISE

    • Uterine Biology -  Maternal Fetal interactions
    • Developmental Genetics
    • Early embryo development

    Publications

    Aroralab.com

    Reproductive and Developmental Sciences

  • Center for Simulation

    Center for Simulation, Education and Research- Henry Ford Hospital

    Creating an environment that fosters innovation and places emphasis on continuous learning benefits everyone: staff, patients and their families.

    The 12,000-square-foot Center for Simulation, Education and Research at Henry Ford Hospital gives our professionals the ability to practice new approaches to health care and refine their clinical skills using state-of-the-art simulations in a risk-free environment.

    Read More
    Society for Simulation in Healthcare

    Society for Simulation in Healthcare: SIM Center Directory

    Simulation education is a bridge between classroom learning and real-life clinical experience. Novices – and patients - may learn how to do injections by practicing on an orange with a real needle and syringe. Much more complex simulation exercises – similar to aviation curricula that provided the basis for healthcare – may rely on computerized mannequins that perform dozens of human functions realistically in a healthcare setting such as an operating room or critical care unit that is indistinguishable from the real thing. Whether training in a “full mission environment” or working with a desk top virtual reality machine that copies the features of a risky procedure, training simulations do not put actual patients at risk. Healthcare workers are subject to unique risks in real settings too, from such things as infected needles, knife blades and other sharps as well as electrical equipment, and they are also protected during simulations that allow them to perfect their craft.

    Read More
    Society for Simulation in Healthcare

    Center for the Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology (CIMIT)

    CIMIT is a network of world-class academic and medical institutions partnering with industry and government. Our mission is to foster collaboration among clinicians, technologists, and entrepreneurs to accelerate innovation and catalyze the discovery, development, and implementation of innovative healthcare technologies.

    Read More
    MSU- Learning Assessment Center- LAC

    MSU- Learning Assessment Center- LAC

    The Learning and Assessment Center (LAC) at Michigan State University (MSU) is a collaborative simulation center with partner colleges including Nursing, Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.

    Read More
    University of Michigan- Clinical Simulation Center

    University of Michigan- Clinical Simulation Center

    The University of Michigan Medical School Department of Learning Health Sciences (DLHS) is a first-in-the-nation basic science department focused on the sciences related to learning across multiple levels of scale (i.e. individual, group, organization, region, nation). DLHS works to improve health in systemic ways by advancing the sciences that make learning effective, routine, and efficient.

    Read More
    World Simulation Centre Database

    World Simulation Centre Database

    The UHBW Simulation Centre is the home of University Hospitals Bristol and Weston Trust (UHBW)’s Simulation Services team.

    The UHBW Simulation Centre is a unique facility delivering expert multidisciplinary healthcare training. We use a range of simulation based education methods to give all healthcare staff the opportunity to learn, rehearse and perfect patient care and teamworking, from the simple to the highly complex.

    Read More

  • Missmer small

    BIOGRAPHY

    Stacey Missmer, ScD. received her Bachelors degree in Biology from Lehigh University and her Master and Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degrees in Epidemiology from Harvard School of Public Health. She joined the faculty of Harvard University as an Instructor in 2003 and was promoted to Assistant Professor in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School and of Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health in 2006 and to Associate Professor in 2012. From 2012 until August 2016, Dr. Missmer was the faculty lead for the Reproductive, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology (RPPE) concentration in the Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Also during these years, she was the Director of Epidemiologic Research and the Fellowship Research Director for the Division of Reproductive Medicine and also the Director of the Growing Up Today Study in the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. In 2016, Dr. Missmer was the first faculty member to be endowed through Michigan State University’s Global Impact Initiative and is currently Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology in the College of Human Medicine.

    RESEARCH

    Stacey Missmer joined the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) Research Group at Harvard University in 1998 initially as a member of Dr. Susan Hankinson’s hormonal markers of breast cancer discovery team. Since then she has been the senior endometriosis investigator with the NHS Research Group. In 2007, Dr. Missmer joined the International Endogene Consortium as the US Principal Investigator - combining resources for GWAS discovery of endometriosis with Australia PI, Dr. Grant Montgomery and UK PI, Dr. Krina Zondervan. In 2012, Dr. Missmer co-founded the Boston Center for Endometriosis with Dr. Marc Laufer, and serves as the Scientific Director where she designed and leads the Women’s Health Study: from Adolescence to Adulthood (A2A) - a multi-hospital and population-based cohort with longitudinal data and biologic sample collection. In 2014 as a member of the World Endometriosis Research Foundation (WERF) Board of Directors, she conceived of and became Co-Principal Investigator with Dr. Zondervan of the Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonization Project (EPHect). Dr. Missmer is currently the Chair-elect of the Endometriosis Special Interest Group and also Chair of the Nutrition Special Interest Group for the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Formerly an Associate Editor, she is a member of the Statistical Advisory Board for Human Reproduction and currently serves on the Data Safety and Monitoring Board of the NIH Reproductive Medicine Network (RMN). Author of more than 200 peer reviewed publications, reviews, and book chapters, her research has focused on causes, consequences, and discovery of modifiable factors related to reproductive health.

    Much of Dr. Missmer’s research has focused on identifying factors that affect the risk of endometriosis – particularly among young women and girls. Her research team has confirmed or identified variation in the population-based incidence of endometriosis associated with in utero exposures and early life body size, exercise, and dietary intake. Dr. Missmer’s team has been critical in considering validity of study design and analytic approaches, since we are hindered by a potentially large pool of undiagnosed and underserved women and girls given the diagnostic difficulties for endometriosis. In addition, her research suggests that girls and women with endometriosis may be a “high risk” group for autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, and specific cancer types – reinforcing the importance of longitudinal discovery. Critical to this discovery is defining and validating endometriosis heterogeneity by applying precision medicine methods that have successfully revolutionized our understanding risk, treatment, and prognosis among cancer subtypes.

    This lifecourse and subgroup-centric approach also applies to Dr. Missmer’s second area of research – predictors of infertility, access and response to infertility treatment, and the longterm health of women with infertility. In 1998 she joined Dr. Dan Cramer’s multi-site study of predictors of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes, assuming the role of Principal Investigator in 2006. Within this cohort of nearly 3000 couples undergoing IVF, this team has explored the relations between diet, physical activity, cigarette smoking and caffeine and alcohol consumption on successful conception and livebirth. She has also led the design and analyses for clinical studies of IVF outcomes with Drs. Catherine Racowsky and Elizabeth Ginsburg of the Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Within the Nurses’ Health Study II, her team has evaluated demographic and lifestyle characteristics influencing infertility treatment seeking and exposure patterns.

  • The national Stepping Up Initiative is helping hundreds of counties nationwide reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails. A Michigan State University professor and her colleague have been awarded a grant to study how the program works and determine what techniques can be adopted to improve treatment for individuals with mental illnesses and keep them out of jail.

    “Our primary goal is to learn more about how county agencies can work together to reduce the number of mentally ill people in county jails,” said Jennifer Johnson, a C.S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health at MSU College of Human Medicine. “It’s a chance to learn what works and how we can help counties address these problems.”

    Read Full Article on MSUToday

  • Teresa Woodruff, PhD

    ABOUT

    Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., is the MSU Research Foundation Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology and Biomedical Engineering. She is an MSU Foundation Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

    As a leading research scientist, Woodruff was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mentoring by President Obama in an oval office ceremony in 2011. Most recently, Woodruff was a recipient of the Endocrine Society’s 2021 Laureate Award, a top honor that recognizes the highest achievements in the field of endocrinology. She holds 13 U.S. Patents and is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2020), the National Academy of Medicine (2018), the National Academy of Inventors (2018), the American Institute for Medical and Biomedical Engineers (2017), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2006).

    Woodruff earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology from Northwestern University and holds a B.S. in Zoology and Chemistry from Olivet Nazarene University.

    RESEARCH

    Dr. Woodruff is an internationally recognized expert in ovarian biology and reproductive science. In 2006, she coined the term “oncofertility” to describe the merging of two fields: oncology and fertility. In addition, she championed the new National Institutes of Health (NIH) policy mandating the use of females in fundamental research.

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