Annoucement:  Request for Application

Due:                  TBA

Awarded Proposals 

Estelle (Sunghee) Park

2025 

Estelle (Sunghee) Park, PhD

Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Project title: “Engineering liver organoid models to identify age-related mechanisms of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in women”

This project aims to engineer liver organoid models to investigate age-related mechanisms underlying metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), specifically in postmenopausal women. Despite the growing prevalence of MAFLD, the sex-specific mechanisms driving disease progression remain unclear. Emerging evidence suggests that estrogen plays a protective role in premenopausal women, whereas its decline postmenopause is associated with increased hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. By leveraging liver organoid models derived from pre- and post-menopausal female patient hepatocyte progenitor cells, this study aims to systematically identify these mechanisms and determine key metabolic and inflammatory pathways contributing to disease progression. By identifying key metabolic pathways and molecular targets involved in age-specific MAFLD progression in women, this research will strengthen proposals aimed at developing sex- and age-specific interventions for liver disease treatment. Additionally, it will support research in regenerative medicine by exploring hormone-based and regenerative strategies to mitigate age-related liver dysfunction.

(This project is funded with the partnerships of the Purdue Engineering Initiative in Engineering Medicine) 

Craig Goergen

Craig Goergen, PhD

Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Director of Clinical Programs
Adjunct Professor of Surgery, IUSM

Project title: “Effects of Pregnancy and Aging on Maternal Cardiovascular Health”

The maternal mortality rate in the United States, at 20.1 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019, is more than double that of other developed countries. Compounded with cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of maternal death, this alarming trend is particularly concerning as the average age of first-time mothers has increased in recent years. The aging process is a non-modifiable risk factor that leads to physiological changes, such as arterial stiffening, which contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. However, it is unclear whether mechanobiological remodeling of arteries is affected by age and whether such changes are completely reversible postpartum. Careful identification these dynamics can help improve maternal health outcomes by addressing both immediate and long-term cardiovascular risks associated with pregnancy. A critical gap in achieving such goals is the lack of longitudinal studies examining pregnancy and postpartum arterial adaptations. To bridge this gap, we propose a comprehensive murine model of arterial geometry, biomechanics and morphology using ultrasound and histology analysis methods. The proposed research will enhance our baseline understanding of arterial remodeling through the lens of age, pregnancy, and postpartum. Outcomes from this work will bolster future studies from our group and contribute to improved wellness outcomes for expecting patients by informing better cardiovascular risk assessment and management strategies.

(This project is funded with the partnerships of the Purdue Engineering Initiative in Engineering Medicine) 

Ulrike Dydak

Ulrike Dydak, PhD

Professor of Health Sciences
Director of Purdue Life Science MRI Facility
Associate Director of Women's Global Health Institute
Purdue Faculty Scholar

Project title: “Investigating the Role of the GABAergic System in Menopause Symptoms”

A woman’s transition into menopause, called perimenopause, is defined by fluctuations in ovarian hormone production which directly impact the central nervous system. Perimenopausal symptoms include mood disturbances, cognitive difficulties, and vasomotor instability, significantly impacting the quality of life of affected women. Why one woman will have hot flashes while another suffers from depression or memory difficulties, or what affects the severity of symptoms is not understood. The underlying hormonal fluctuations are known to modulate the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system, a key inhibitory neurotransmitter system in the brain associated with mood and cognition. Furthermore, iron deficiency, a possible side effects of perimenopause, is also known to be associated with altered GABA metabolism. This study will use advanced, edited Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) in several brain regions implicated with these symptoms to examine associations between GABA brain levels, executive function, depression symptoms and quality of life, as tested with validated surveys and computerized tests.

(This project is funded with the partnerships of the Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience and the College of Health and Human Sciences) 

Patricia Wolf

Patricia Wolf, PhD

Project title: “The Influence of Diet Intake on the Brain-Gut-Bile Acid Access as Contributors to Colorectal Cancer Disparities in Black Women”

American women who identify as Black have colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality rates 31% higher than non-hispanic Whites, yet mechanisms driving these inequities have yet to be fully defined. We hypothesize that increased colonic exposure to taurine conjugated bile acids due to chronic psychosocial stressors provides a niche for bacteria that produce genotoxic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from taurine metabolism thereby increasing CRC risk in Black individuals. This hypothesis is based on preliminary data demonstrating that participants with high hair cortisol levels (a marker of chronic stress) were more likely to self-identify as Black women, and live in neighborhoods that were food insecure, had higher CRC mortality, and higher rates of poverty and homicide. Participants with high hair cortisol also had higher fecal taurine conjugated and primary bile acids as well as increased abundance of taxa known to have genes for taurine metabolism. It is currently unknown whether bile acid composition in participants with high hair cortisol is due to increased dietary taurine or can be mitigated by lifestyle intervention. Thus, we will leverage samples and data from completed studies to 1). Determine whether dietary taurine is associated with hair cortisol concentrations and fecal taurine conjugated bile acids and 2) Investigate whether fecal and circulating cortisol is impacted by a Mediterranean diet intervention and associated with changes in fecal bile acid abundance and composition. 

(This project is funded with the partnerships of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research) 

Matthew Olson

Matthew Olson, PhD

Project title: “Granzyme A is Critical for Maintaining Uterine/Ovarian Homeostasis and Fertility”

Reproductive tract (RT) inflammation has a profound impact on women's health and can lead to chronic pain, psychological distress, impaired fertility, poorer pregnancy outcomes and even cancer. The immune system plays an important role in RT health by suppressing unwanted inflammation at this site. However, when these suppressive mechanisms fail, this can lead to RT inflammation and disease. Therefore, it is critical that we understand how RT immune suppression occurs so this can be bolstered to prevent disease. In our preliminary work, we have discovered that mice lacking the immune-derived protease granzyme A (GrA) develop spontaneous ovarian and uterine inflammation, fail to synchronize estrous cycles and exhibit prolonged time between pregnancies. These data implicate GrA as a critical immune factor that suppresses RT inflammation and supports normal RT function. In this proposal, we will; 1) identify the cellular sources of GrA that are critical for RT homeostasis and 2) identify the influence of GrA on ovarian hormone production that likely leads to inability to sync estrous cycling and delayed fertility phenotypes. These data are exciting as they would implicate a dual role for GrA as a factor that both suppresses RT inflammation and alters local, or systemic, hormones involved with fertility. In the next phase of this work, we will utilize our expertise and unique tools to generate a detailed understanding of how GrA contributes to RT homeostasis. 

(This project is funded with the partnerships of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute and the College of Health and Human Sciences) 

Viju Vijayan Pillai

Viju Vijayan Pillai, PhD

Project title: “Protease Inhibitors in Early Pregnancy: Regulation of lmplantation and Maternal-Fetal Interaction by TKDPs”

This proposal aims to elucidate the critical regulatory roles of a class of protease inhibitors during early pregnancy, specifically their contributions to implantation and maternal-fetal interactions. Protease inhibitors are pivotal in maintaining the delicate balance between the proteolytic activity necessary for extracellular matrix remodeling and trophoblast invasion, and the preservation of uterine structural integrity essential for pregnancy establishment, with dysregulation of this balance linked to disorders such as recurrent implantation failure and preeclampsia. By leveraging cutting-edge techniques including CRISPR based knockouts, the project will dissect the mechanisms by which Trophoblast Kunitz domain protein, a specialized class of protease inhibitors modulate trophoblast behavior and uterine receptivity. This project will also provide data to address revisions requested by reviewers of a USDA-NIFA proposal on maternal-fetal communication, previously rated as "Outstanding." These refinements will strengthen the USDA resubmission and enhance its funding potential. Moreover, the data generated will serve as critical preliminary evidence for a future NIH R01 application to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), focusing on conserved mechanisms of protease inhibitor activity and their relevance to human pregnancy disorders. By addressing reviewer comments and producing robust, publishable data, this project will establish a strong foundation for further studies on the regulation of protease activity during pregnancy and its translational applications in women’s reproductive health, ultimately bridging critical knowledge gaps in protease inhibitor biology, informing therapeutic strategies for implantation disorders, and improving pregnancy outcomes.

(This project is funded with the partnerships of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, the Purdue College Veterinary Medicine, and the Department of Comparative Pathobiology)

Andrea Pires dos Santos

2024 

Andrea Pires dos Santos, DVM, MSc, PhD, DACVP (Clinical)

Associate Professor of Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Director of the Cytology Resource Center
Department of Comparative Pathobiology

Co-PIs:

Guiherme Barreto Campos, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Federal University of Bahia in Brazil

Lucas Miranda Marques, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
Federal University of Bahia in Brazil 

Project title: “Evaluation of the Contribution of Genital Ureaplasmas in the Etiopathogenesis of Miscarriage in Brazilian Women”

Miscarriage is a public health problem with multiple causes, including infections. Among the infectious agents associated with miscarriage, bacteria of the vaginal microbiota have been associated with abortion, but their specific role requires further elucidation. In previous data from our research group, the presence of U. parvum in placental tissue increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. It negatively regulated cytokine expression in the immune response against pathogens in spontaneous abortion. Therefore, the present study aims to use different "omics" strategies to comprehend the relationship between the microbial community associated with U. parvum colonization and the regulation of genes and microRNAs associated with the etiopathogenesis of infectious miscarriage. We will use the same samples (endocervical swabs and placental tissue) from our previous study collected at a maternal and child referral center in Vitória da Conquista Bahia, Brazil. The cervical and placental samples will be subjected to DNA extraction and sequencing for microbiome analysis. In addition, placental tissue samples will undergo RNA extraction for transcriptome and small RNA analysis. These results may serve as a basis for future grant-seeking for a robust and comprehensive study involving a consortium of samples from multiple institutions. This robust study can provide valuable insights to guide prevention and treatment strategies. We expect that this study to pave the way for future research to guide and improve maternal health by helping to reduce the incidence of spontaneous abortions and improving medical monitoring during pregnancy.

(This project is funded with the partnerships of the Purdue College Veterinary Medicine, the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, and the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute) 

Susan South

Susan South, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychological Sciences
Department of Psychological Sciences 

Project title: “Sex Differences in Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease: Daily Measures of Mood, Cognition, and Social Engagement”

Approximately 60-80% of all late life dementias are accounted for by Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias (ADRD). There is a sex difference in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, with approximately 2/3 of those affected being women. Research suggests that lack of social engagement and subjective feelings of loneliness are associated with cognitive decline and dementia. Women report higher mean levels of loneliness and are more physiologically affected by interpersonal conflict. Thus, it may be that women may be more at risk from loneliness and adverse interpersonal experiences as a precursor to AD. Of note, there is also a well-established 2:1 sex difference in the incidence and lifetime prevalence of depression, which is a known risk factor for ADRD. Lifetime history of depression or current depression may exacerbate the effect of interpersonal experiences on cognitive functioning, particularly for women. The goal of the current proposed pilot project is to investigate the daily interplay between adverse interpersonal experiences and fluctuations in daily cognitive ability and determine if depressive symptomatology magnifies the association. Participants will include those self-report subjective cognitive decline within the past year; they will complete baseline measures of demographics, cognitive ability, and a structured interview for current and past depression history. A subsequent two-week experience sampling assessment (i.e., daily diary protocol) will be used to identify the daily impact of interpersonal experiences on cognitive ability; analyses will examine if this association is moderated by current or past depressive symptomatology. The pilot data obtained from this project will be used to submit a large, longitudinal study to the National Institute on Aging to examine sex differences in the effect of depression and social engagement/ interpersonal experiences on the transition from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. 

(This project is funded with the partnership of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute)

Wendy Koss

Wendy Koss, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Professor
Director of Purdue Animal Behavior Core
Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience

Co-PIs:

Ranjie Xue, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Basic Medical Sciences

Jean-Christophe Rochet, Ph.D.
Professor 
Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology

Project title: “Sex differences in the Timing and Severity of Cognitve Deficits and Pathology Using the 3xTg Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease”

There is a tremendous need for more sex-specific studies in AD research, especially when different drug treatments have lower efficacy in one sex/gender. Specifically, women make up two-thirds of all AD patients in the US and Europe. However, many preclinical and clinical studies tend to ignore sex/gender and do not stratify data by sex/gender, making it impossible to determine if sex differences do exist. The completion of the experiments in this proposal aims to specifically explore sex differences in AD. With this preliminary data, we intend to build a foundation for a research program dedicated to exploring the underlying mechanisms causing sex differences in AD. Using the 3xTg mouse model, we will correlate the timing and severity of cognitive deficits with biochemical changes in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex regions of the brain. We predict that the timing, severity, and possibly the cause for cognitive deficits will be different between the sexes. It is known that cognitive deficits appear earlier in females than males in this AD mouse model. This creates a window to explore the underlying biological mechanisms that may cause sex differences seen in behavior. This work's overall aim is to reveal sex preclinical differences in AD that may translate to humans which will promote sex-specific data analysis in drug discovery and provide a rationale that AD may be a disease that requires sex-specific treatments.

(This project is funded with the partnerships of Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience and the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute)

Laura Murray-Kolb

Laura Murray-Kolb, Ph.D.

Professor and Head
Department of Nutrition Science

Project title: “Rough Journey to Menopause: How Does Perimenopausal Menorrhagia Affect  Women's Quality of Life and Cognitive Function?”

The goal of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to understand the effects of iron status and supplementation on perimenopausal women’s cognitive performance, family relationships, and overall quality of life. Perimenopause, or the menopause transition, is associated with significant hormonal and reproductive changes in women. Evidence documents interindividual differences in the symptoms associated with perimenopause. One of the most common is perimenopausal menorrhagia (PM), defined as abnormally heavy bleeding, which may place a woman at risk for iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Women with PM frequently complain of fatigue and impaired work performance, among other symptoms. While these symptoms, along with changes in cognitive performance and affect, have been shown to occur with ID and IDA in women of reproductive age, their underlying cause in perimenopausal women remains ill-defined. Here, we propose to measure specific biomarkers of iron status and to assess women’s cognitive performance and quality of family relationships as well as life during perimenopause. Women will be categorized based on iron status and groups will be compared within timepoint to assess the relationship between varying levels of iron status and the outcome variables and across time points to assess the effects of supplementation. This study will be the first to examine the effects of iron status on these outcomes during this important life transition and the data will be instrumental when competing for future funding to better determine the dose and duration of iron supplementation needed for optimal improvement in these women. Findings from this study will begin to fill critical gaps in our knowledge and serve to inform policy relating to the surveillance and treatment of iron deficiency in women during perimenopause. 

(This project is funded with the partnership of the College of Health and Human Sciences) 

Kathryn J. LaRoche

2023

Kathryn J. LaRoche, Ph.D.

Project title: “Exploring Patient Experiences with Miscarriage Care in Indiana in the Midst of a Shifting Regulatory Environment”    

Miscarriage is an extremely common reproductive health experience; approximately 20% of pregnancies in the United States end in miscarriage each year. Indiana has recently introduced legislation (SB1) to restrict access to abortion and experts have expressed concern that this policy will also negatively impact access to essential miscarriage care. Abortion and miscarriage use the same medications and procedures as a part of routine care. However, the effects of SB1 on patients and providers are not well understood and not been rigorously investigated. This study is designed to help us begin to understand the impact of SB1 on the provision of miscarriage care across the state of Indiana and to fill a much-needed gap in the literature by centering women’s voices in research about miscarriage in the United States. Miscarriage remains an understudied topic and current legislative changes in the state and across the country mean that studying this issue is both timely and critical. 

(This project is funded with the partnerships of the Purdue College of Health and Human Sciences and the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute)

(Left to right) Faria Chaudhry and Sonak Pastakia

Multi-PI:

Faria Chaudhry, PharmD, BCPS

Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Department of Pharmacy Practice

Sonak Pastakia, PharmD, MPH, Ph.D., BCPS, FCCP

Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Department of Pharmacy Practice

Project title: “Evaluating the Impact of a Community Health Worker for Diabetes Management in Self-Employed Women in India”    

The Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) is the largest trade union of women in the world advocating for the rights of low-income female laborers in Southeast Asia. Through a nearly 10-year-long collaboration with Purdue faculty and Abbott laboratories, SEWA has tried to expand SEWA’s mandate to respond to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. With the growing number of people in India with diabetes, India has the unfortunate designation of having one of the world’s highest burdens. While there are numerous barriers to managing the clinical aspects of diabetes, these barriers are further complicated by the social determinant of health barriers that the women of SEWA disproportionately face. Many of these women battle economic distress and family needs while trying to navigate the complex healthcare system of India. SEWA has tried to address these barriers for women and their families by hiring and training their union members to become community health workers (CHWs) who provide a comprehensive set of health-promoting services. This includes health education, socio-behavioral support and counseling, socioeconomic assistance, and direct provision of clinical services such as glucose screening. While SEWA has been offering this comprehensive package of services for over 5 years, a formal evaluation documenting the impact of SEWA’s unique CHW model has not been completed. The objective of this proposal is to provide detailed tracking and evaluate the process and clinical outcomes for community members participating in SEWA’s non-communicable disease (NCD) activities. We hypothesize that the SEWA CHW-supported model will result in higher linkage and retention in care and a lower HbA1c compared to the standard model of care.

(This project is funded with the partnerships of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, 
the Purdue College of Pharmacy and the Department of Pharmacy Practice)

(Left to right) Russel Main and Marxa L. Figueiredo

Multi-PI:

Russel Main, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Basic Medical Sciences
Department of Basic Medical Sciences

Marxa L. Figueiredo, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Basic Medical Sciences
Department of Basic Medical Sciences

Project title: “Maximizing Peak Bone Mass: Interactions among Genetics and Mechanical Loading”    
Preventing osteoporosis requires maximizing peak bone mass attainment in childhood and adolescence. Peak bone mass (PBM) is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, like diet and exercise. We propose in vitro -based studies to identify how these factors interact to affect peak bone mass. The objective of this proposal is to determine how genetics interacts with two important bone-building environmental factors: bone cell loading and Ca levels. Our central hypothesis is that genetic variation, the anabolic effects of mechanobiology, and calcium are interdependent factors that impact PBM and that it is necessary to identify genes important for maximizing skeletal accrual under different environments. Our rationale is that these studies are needed to provide a scientific foundation for precision medicine directed towards optimizing bone health. Our findings may serve as a foundation for personalized recommendations for lifestyle interventions that maximize bone mass accrual during growth.

(This project is funded with the partnerships of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Basic Medical Sciences) 

Bridgette (Tonnsen) Kelleher

2022

Bridgette (Tonnsen) Kelleher, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience
Department of Psychological Sciences 

co-PI:

Project title: “The influence of Health Behaviors and Social Support on Mental Health Treatment Uptake among High-Risk Caregivers during COVID-19”

Caregivers of individuals with disabilities have been profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To identify which treatments are most effective in reducing the mental health impact of the pandemic, we started to design and pilot telemental health treatment protocols, which are being deployed by graduate student clinicians in Purdue’s clinical psychology PhD program. To understand the individual factors that might influence treatment uptake and success, we are also collecting smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment data before, during, and after treatment. The broader goal is to identify the key needs of treatment-seeking caregivers of individuals with severe neurogenetic disorders during COVID-19, and to determine which telehealth-based treatments might be most feasible, acceptable, and effective in addressing these needs. In this project, we will examine how health behaviors and social support – two factors that we can monitor via ecological assessment and are particularly malleable – moderate mental health and treatment success. 

(This project is funded with the partnership of the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease) 

(Left to right) Jennifer L. Freeman, Douglas Samuel, Ulrike Dydak

Multi-PI:

Jennifer L. Freeman, Ph.D.

Professor of Toxicology
School of Health Sciences 

Douglas Samuel, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology
Department of Psychological Sciences

Ulrike Dydak, Ph.D.

Professor of Health Sciences
School of Health Sciences

Project title: “Sex Differences in Neurological Outcomes Associated with Agrichemical Exposure in Rural Populations: A Feasibility Study”    

Atrazine is the second most common agricultural herbicide used in the Midwestern US and the leading agricultural contaminant of drinking water. Evidence is growing that atrazine, a recognized endocrine disrupting chemical, also distinctively targets a number of neurotransmitter systems that appears to be sexually dimorphic. The majority of atrazine neurotoxicity studies are in male rodents and primarily report locomotor behavioral alterations. Alternatively, the limited studies that have assessed females indicate nonlocomotor behavioral changes related to anxiety and stress. Recent studies in the Freeman laboratory also confirm sexual dimorphic behavior alterations in zebrafish exposed to atrazine. Families living in rural Midwestern US are at most risk of exposure based on living in close proximity to agricultural fields where atrazine is applied. The goal of this study is to determine sex differences in neurological outcomes associated with agrichemical exposure in rural populations. 

(This project is funded with the partnerships of The Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience and The College of Health and Human Sciences)

Aaron Bowman

Aaron Bowman, Ph.D.

Professor and Head
School of Health Sciences 

co-PI:

Project title: “Sex Differences in Neuropathology and Excitotoxicity in a Stem Cell Model of Alzheimer’s Disease”    

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder and is the most common cause of dementia. There is a pronounced disproportionality in the incidence of AD, where women comprise two-thirds of all AD cases, many with sharper decline in cognitive function following diagnosis, preventing the opportunity for intervention. However the biological underpinnings responsible for this clinicopathological variability is unknown, hence, there is a critical need to investigate the potential contributions of genetic sex in AD phenotypic variability. Using cortical neurons/astrocytes generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) of neurotypical male and female subjects, this study investigates sex-dependent differences in susceptibility to tau prion-like transmission and glutamate excitotoxicity, as well as sex-based differential capacity in resilience in response to ameliorating effects of estrogen. Findings from this project will increase our understanding of the role that genetic sex plays as a critical variable in disease progression.  

(This project is funded with the partnership of The Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute)

Adam Kimbrough

2021

Adam Kimbrough, Ph.D.

Project title: “Exploring Sex Differences in How the Brain Responds to Oxycodone Use”    

There is evidence of significant sex differences in the way humans abuse oxycodone. Although males are more likely to overdose from opioids, females are more likely to abuse opioids and to use them to cope with negative affective states. This project will explore sex differences in how the brain responds to oxycodone use and identify key brain regions that may be responsible for the motivation for excessive drug use. These studies will help to design specialized treatment profiles for opioid use disorder in the future.

Andrea DeMaria

Andrea DeMaria, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Department of Public Health

co-PI:

Monica Kasting, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor at the Department of Public Health

Project title: “Improving Overall Quality of Life for Uterine Fibroid Patients”    

Uterine fibroids affect 26 million US reproductive-aged women, making it among the most common and costly reproductive health conditions. Although most women are asymptomatic, 25-30% experience symptoms that significantly reduce quality of life, including heavy menstrual bleeding, infertility, and limitations in work/school attendance. There is a significant gap in understanding how uterine fibroids education and care prioritizes the multidimensional aspects of health embedded in a larger socio-ecologic framework that considers individual, relational, communal, and societal factors influencing patient experiences. The goal of the proposed study is to examine the healthcare experiences of uterine fibroids patients across the continuum of care to imporve best practices for a holistic patient-centered approach to uterine fibroids care.

Jacqueline Linnes

2020

Jacqueline Linnes, Ph.D.

Marta E. Gross Assistant Professor
Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering

co-PI:

Sulman Mohammed, Ph.D.

Professor of Cancer Biology, Department of Comparative Pathobiology

Project title: “Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Sensitive and Specific Cervical Cancer Detection”    

Cervical cancer incidence and mortality are five times higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) than in high-income countries. This wide disparity is attributed to both higher HPV infection rates and a lack of accessible screening and treatment. This project aims to create an integrated point-of-care test that can be used by healthcare providers in under-resourced settings to obtain relevant clinical insights, including cervical cancer risk stratification, and enable same-visit treatment of high risk cervical lesions.

Tzu-Wen Cross

Tzu-Wen L. Cross, PhD., RD 

Assistant Professor
Department of Nutrition Science

Project title: “Gut Microbiome and Estrogen Receptor Signaling: Potential Implication on Gastrointestinal-Related Disease”     

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is significantly more prevalent in women than in men. Gut microbial community significantly differs between IBD patients and non-IBD controls, with IBD patients having lower gut microbial biodiversity and greater pro-inflammatory bacterial taxa. This project describes the use of a translational approach to determine the causal relationship between gut microbial metabolism and estrogen receptor signaling that may pertain to the sex bias in IBD.