CIRWH Directory
Expertise in Women's Health

CIRWH Leadership

Abbey Berenson MD, PhD
Director, CIRWH
Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Dr. Berenson is a senior clinical researcher, gynecologist, and mentor, with an international reputation for her studies of health issues among reproductive-aged women. Her current research centers around cancer prevention in women, with an emphasis on human papillomavirus-related cancers. Over the past 29 years, she has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers and has been continuously funded through sponsors including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Defense (DoD), Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), and several private foundations. As the Director of CIRWH, Dr. Berenson realizes the center’s mission to promote, stimulate, and support interdisciplinary research related to the health of women across the life span. As part of this role, she serves as Principal Investigator for the K12 junior faculty training program, Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH). To date, the BIRCWH program has trained 27 BIRCWH Scholars and is in its 19th year of funding.

Ramkumar Menon, PhD
Director of Education, CIRWH
Division Director, Obstetrics and Gynecology Basic Science & Translational Research
Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Dr. Menon has worked for over 27 years in the areas of reproductive health, perinatal/reproductive immunology, and genetic epidemiology, with an emphasis on spontaneous preterm birth and preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes. His laboratory is currently investigating the mechanisms of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions leading to epithelial mesenchymal transition in response to oxidative stress and infection/inflammation in vitro, a major factor in the preterm birth pathway. This multidisciplinary project employs cutting-edge organ-on-chip devices to model fetal amniochorion membranes to understand the mechanisms of amnion membrane remodeling. As the Director of Education for CIRWH, Dr. Menon serves as a mentor to numerous CIRWH Fellows and helps organize the annual CIRWH Spring Lecture Series.

CIRWH Fellows Directory

This list of faculty personnel summarizes the breadth of work being conducted in women's health at UTMB Health. If you are interested in becoming a CIRWH fellow and would like to request a listing in this directory, please contact Abbey Berenson, MD, PhD.

Click on the (+) below for a short summary of each investigator's area of research interest and expertise:

CIRWH Fellows A-C

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- Victor Adekanmbi, MD, PhD
  
  Victor Adekanmbi, MD, PhD
  Assistant Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  BIRCWH Scholar
  Research Interests: HPV related cancers, other gynecological cancers and prediction research and mixed effects modeling.
  RESEARCH
- Mahmoud S. Ahmed, PhD
  
  Mahmoud S. Ahmed, PhD
  Professor Emeritus, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  Research Interests: Fetal exposure to medications used during pregnancy in two therapeutic domains namely, opiate agonists used for treatment of the opiate addict; hypoglycemic drugs used in treatment of gestational diabetes; and developing new drugs for the treatment of HIV infections and antibodies for treatment of nicotine addiction during pregnancy.
- Jack Alperin, MD
  
  Jack Alperin, MD
  Professor Emeritus, Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology
  Research Interests: Disorders of blood clotting and transfusion medicine.
- Soham Al Snih, MD, PhD
  
  Soham Al Snih, MD, PhD
  Assistant Dean for Academic Programs
  Professor, Population Health and Health Disparities
  Professor, Nutrition, Metabolism and Rehabilitation Sciences
  Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine
  Research Interests: Obesity, muscle strength, health outcomes, and disability among older Mexican Americans
  RESEARCH
- Beth A. Auslander, PhD
  
  Beth A. Auslander, PhD, MS
  Professor, Pediatrics
  Research Interests: Adolescent sexual health issues and eating disorders.
  RESEARCH
- Rovnat Babazade, MD
  
  Rovnat Babazade, MD
  Head of Obstetric Anesthesia Research
  Associate Professor, Anesthesiology
  Research Interests: Labor analgesia, opioid use disorder, acute postoperative pain management.
  RESEARCH
- Alan Barrett, MD
  
  Alan Barrett, MD
  Director, Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences
  Professor, Pathology
  Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
  Professor, Pediatric Vaccinology Research
  Research Interests: The molecular basis of pathogenesis and vaccine development focusing on tick-borne encephalitis, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, and yellow fever.
  RESEARCH
- Abbey B. Berenson, MD, PhD
  
  Abbey Berenson MD, PhD
  Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health
  Director, OB/GYN Population and Preventive Health Division
  Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  Professor, Pediatrics
  Professor, Otolaryngology
  Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology
  Research Interests: Women's health; human papillomavirus (HPV), birth control efficacy and side effects; and physiology and sexual abuse.
  RESEARCH
- Paul Boor, MD
  
  Paul Boor, MD
  Clinical Professor, Pathology
  Research Interests: Oxidative stress in early atherosclerosis; fetal basis of dissecting aortic aneurysm; and the role of the connective tissue enzyme, SSAO, in human burn wound healing.
- Nigel Bourne, PhD
  
  Nigel Bourne, PhD
  Professor, Pediatric Vaccinology Research
  Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
  Senior Scientist, Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences
  Research Interests: Herpes simplex; and vaccine and other preventive measures against genital infection.
  RESEARCH
- Tonya Callender, DNP, FNP
  
  Tonya Callender, DNP, FNP
  Women's Healthcare Specialist, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  Research Interests: The impact of routine HbA1c testing on patients with a BMI of 30 or greater or early recognition of diabetes or pre-diabetes.
- Phillip Cantu, PhD
  
  Phillip Cantu, PhD
  Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine
  BIRCWH Scholar
  Research Interests: Dementia caregiving, Mexican Americans, and informant measures of cognitive decline.
  RESEARCH
- Shannon Clark, MD, MMS
  
  Shannon Clark, MD, MMS
  Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  Associate Program Director, Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program
  Research Interests: Medical complication of pregnancy and morning sickness.
  RESEARCH
- Peter Cram, MD, MBA
  
  Peter Cram, MD, MBA
  Professor and Chair, Internal Medicine-Administration
  Professor, Population Health and Health Disparities
  Research Interests: Dr. Cram's primary research focus involves comparing cost, quality, and outcomes for patients with circumscribed illnesses treated in different high-income countries as co-founder, with Bruce Landon, of the International Health Systems Research Collaborative (IHSRC). He also has conducted significant research around issues including hospital prices, price transparency, and patient safety.
  RESEARCH
- Sharon Croisant, MS, PhD
  
  Sharon Croisant, MS, PhD
  Professor, Epidemiology
  Director, Community Outreach and Engagement Core
  Research Interests: Translational or integrative research, i.e., building interfaces between and among environmental research, education, and community health.
  RESEARCH
- Kathryn Cunningham, PhD
  
  Kathryn Cunningham, PhD
  Director, Center for Addiction Sciences and Therapeutics
  Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology
  Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  Adjunct Professor, Population Health and Health Disparities
  Research Interests: Neural mechanisms underlying the effects of abused drugs; serotonin; etiology of psychotic (e.g., schizophrenia) and affective disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression); behavioral neuropharmacology of cocaine and MDMA ("ecstasy"); and modulation of stimulant-induced behaviors by female sex hormones.
  RESEARCH
CIRWH Fellows D-K

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- Jianli Dong, MD, PhD, MMS
  
  Jianli Dong, MD, PhD, MMS
  Director, Molecular Diagnostics Division, Pathology
  Professor, Pathology
  Adjunct Professor, Clinical Laboratory Sciences
  Research Interests: Research and development of molecular assays as diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic markers for various diseases.
  RESEARCH
- Crystal Clark Douglas, PhD, RDN, LD
  
  Crystal Clark Douglas, PhD, RDN, LD
  Associate Professor, Nutrition, Metabolism & Rehabilitation Sciences
  Research Interests: Obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, maternal health and breastfeeding, and nutrition education.
  RESEARCH
- Lisa A. Elferink, PhD
  
  Lisa A. Elferink, PhD
  Professor, Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy
  Assistant Dean, Educational Affairs, School of Medicine
  Research Interests: Biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, genomic analyses, and mechanisms of disease.
  RESEARCH
- Miriam Falzon, PhD
  
  Miriam Falzon, PhD
  Associate Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology
  Research Interests: Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP); human cancers, including breast, prostate, lung, and renal carcinomas; and Vitamin D.
  RESEARCH
- Roberto Garofalo, MD
  
  Roberto Garofalo, MD
  Director, Clinical and Experimental Immunology and Infectious Diseases (CEIID)
  Vice Chair for Research, Pediatrics
  Professor, Pediatrics
  Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
  Research Interests: Dr. Garofalo’s lab is generally focused on the macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1a), a chemokine produced by virally infected lungs. MIP-1a has potent activities on natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) that may function as a bridge between innate and adaptive immune responses to RSV infection. His lab seeks to 1) understand the contribution of MIP-1a in RSV-induced lung infection, 2) the role of MIP-1a in the migration and activation of NK cell-driven CTL responses in RSV infection, 3) to identify candidate proteins associated with the virus-induced airway pathology controlled by MIP-1, and 4) to determine with the use of high resolution proteomics whether and how mucosal protein patterns discriminate infants with different forms of illness.
  RESEARCH
- Cara Geary, MD, PhD
  
  Cara Geary, MD, PhD
  Professor, Pediatric Neonatology
  Chief Wellness Officer
  Research Interests: Investigating the role of gentle ventilation on neonatal outcomes; updating current Neonatology Clinical Database with an interface to the upcoming electronic medical record; and investigating approaches to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
- Maria Giraldo Giraldo, BSc, MSc, PhD
  
  Maria Giraldo Giraldo, BSc, MSc, PhD
  Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
  Research Interests: Immunity to virus infection; pattern recognition receptor signaling; mechanisms of viral infection and replication; role of Ubiquitin and E3- ubiquitin ligases replication of different viruses (ZIKV, DENV, WNV, Influenza, SARS-CoV-2); role of ubiquitination of ZIKV on reproductive biology (reproductive tissues tropism).
  RESEARCH
- Bin Gong, MD, PhD
  
  Bin Gong, MD, PhD
  Associate Professor, Pathology
  Research Interests: Fetal basis of dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm; hyperthermia-induced upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor in cardiac tissue; and cardiac preconditioning with infrared laser irradiation heating.
  RESEARCH
- James Goodwin, MD
  
  James Goodwin, MD
  Senior Associate Director, Sealy Center on Aging
  Professor, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics
  Professor, Population Health and Health Disparities
  Adjunct Professor, School of Nursing PhD Program
  Adjunct Professor, Nutrition, Metabolism and Rehabilitation Sciences
  Research Interests: Patterns of cancer care in the elderly; barriers to health care delivery in the elderly; and predictors of physical functioning and health in older populations.
  RESEARCH
- Fangjian Guo, MD, PhD
  
  Fangjian Guo, MD, PhD
  Assistant Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  Research Interests: Cancer screening, cancer prevention, HPV epidemiology, HPV vaccination, nutrition, obesity and related comorbidities, and racial and socioeconomic health disparities.
  RESEARCH
- Gabriela E. Halder, MD, MPH
  
  Gabriela E. Halder, MD, MPH
  Assistant Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  Division of Urogynecology and Pelvic Health
  BIRCWH Scholar
  Research Interests: Women’s health, patient centered care, and preoperative preparedness.
  RESEARCH
- Christine D. Hsu, PharmD, PhD
  
  Christine D. Hsu, PharmD, PhD
  Instructor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  Research Interests: My research interests are in cancer prevention and cancer outcomes, pharmacoepidemiology, and health disparities. My current projects center around the prevention, care, and management of HPV-related cancers in immunosuppressed populations.
  RESEARCH
- Adrian Juarez, PhD, RN
  
  Adrian Juarez, PhD, RN
  Assistant Professor, School of Nursing
  Research Interests: Transgender health, HIV health disparities, Texas-Mexico border health, philosophy of nursing science, and applied phenomenology.
  RESEARCH
- Ananth Kumar Kammala, MPharm, PhD
  
  Ananth Kumar Kammala, MPharm, PhD
  Assistant Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  Research Interests: My research focuses on application of pharmaceutical sciences to women's health research. I utilize the organ on chip devices and artificial intelligence to predict pharmacokinetics of chemical drugs during pregnancy. Also, I am exploring the drug transport mechanism at maternal and fetal interface considering fetal membrane as alternate route of transport mechanism other than placenta. Additionally, investigating the role of fetal microchimerism in progression of maternal allergic disorders.
  RESEARCH
- Rakez Kayed, PhD
  
  Rakez Kayed, PhD
  Professor, Neurology
  Professor, Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy
  Research Interests: Neurodegenerative disease pathology and mechanisms [Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and other tauopathies); mechanisms of protein folding and aggregation; molecular mechanisms behind tau oligomer toxicity, propagation, and role in neurodegeneration; immunotherapeutic approaches targeting amyloid and tau oligomers; diagnostics and biomarkers using CSF and other biological samples; amyloid oligomers in amyloidosis, cancer, and diabetes; and tau aggregation in traumatic brain injury (TBI).
  RESEARCH
- M. Firoze Khan, M.Phil., PhD
  
  M. Firoze Khan, M.Phil., PhD
  Professor, Pathology
  Research Interests: Environmental agents and autoimmune diseases; mechanistic approaches in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus/autoimmune hepatitis; role of gut microbiome in inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
  RESEARCH
- Gokhan Kilic, MD, FACOG, FACS
  
  Gokhan Kilic, MD, FACOG, FACS
  Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  Director, Urogynecology and MIGS
  Research Interests: Combined effects of LUTS, age, and comorbid burden on fall risk among women seeking treatment for urogynecologic conditions; and compliance with the initial treatment of overactive bladder.
  RESEARCH
- Yong-Fang Kuo, PhD
  
  Yong-Fang Kuo, PhD
  Director, Office of Biostatistics
  Professor and Chair, Biostatistics and Data Science
  Professor, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics
  Adjunct Professor, School of Nursing
  Research Interests: Cancer surveillance and screening with Medicare claims data; ethnic differences in use of health care; patterns and outcomes of hospitalist care; and effectiveness of nurse practitioner care.
  RESEARCH
CIRWH Fellows L-O

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- Emily Lantz, PhD
  
  Emily Lantz, PhD
  Assistant Professor, Nutrition, Metabolism and Rehabilitation Science
  Research Interests: The sex-specific change in skeletal muscle in response to disuse and rehabilitation that may occur as well as addressing specific nutritional needs of women as they age.
  RESEARCH
- Ruth Levine, MD
  
  Ruth Levine, MD
  Associate Dean, Student Affairs and Admission, School of Medicine
  Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  Research Interests: Identification and management of anxiety disorders and major depression; prevalence of major depressive symptoms in medical students; anxiety disorders in women who are pregnant and postpartum; efficacy of various medications in patients with panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and dysthymia; educational program evaluation; and methods of assessment and remediation in psychiatry clerkships.
  RESEARCH
- Elizabeth Lorenzo, PhD, RN
  
  Elizabeth Lorenzo, PhD, RN
  Assistant Professor, School of Nursing
  Research Interests: Hispanic women, physical activity, behavior change, cardiovascular risk factors, and perimenopause.
  RESEARCH
- Leejane Lu, PhD
  
  LeeJane Lu, PhD
  Professor, Population Health and Health Disparities
  Adjunct Professor, Nutrition, Metabolism and Rehabilitation Sciences
  Research Interests: Phytoestrogens, estrogen receptors, and breast cancer.
  RESEARCH
- Elizabeth Lyons, PhD
  
  Elizabeth Lyons, PhD, MPH
  Associate Professor and Chair, Nutrition, Metabolism and Rehabilitation Sciences
  Assistant Professor, Population Health and Health Disparities
  Research Interests: Physical activity interventions, cancer survivorship, technology, video games, mobile devices.
  RESEARCH
- Kyriakos Markides, PhD
  
  Kyriakos Markides, PhD
  Professor, Population Health and Health Disparities
  Professor, Internal Medicine, Administration
  Adjunct Professor, Nutrition, Metabolism and Rehabilitation Sciences
  Research Interests: Longitudinal studies of Mexican-American elderly health care; depression; aging; social epidemiology; medical sociology; behavioral/social factors; demography; and Hispanics.
  RESEARCH
- Ramkumar Menon, PhD
  
  Ramkumar Menon, PhD
  Division Director, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Basic and Clinical Translational Research
  Education Director, CIRWH
  Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatal Research
  Research Interests: Preterm birth.
  RESEARCH
- Maria Micci, PhD
  
  Maria Micci, PhD
  Professor, Anesthesiology
  Research Interests: Development of stem cell therapy for the treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by loss or malfunction of enteric neurons.
  RESEARCH
- Terumi Midoro-Horiuti, MD, PhD
  
  Terumi Midoro-Horiuti, MD, PhD
  Associate Professor, Pediatrics
  Research Interests: Structural basis for allergenicity and environmental induction of plant allergens.
  RESEARCH
- Sadaf Milani, PhD, MPH, CPH
  
  Sadaf Milani, PhD, MPH, CPH
  Assistant Professor, Epidemiology
  Research Interests: Epidemiology of aging; cognition and dementia; health disparities, minority health, and gender disparities; pain and prescription opioid use.
  RESEARCH
- Melissa Morrow, PhD
  
  Melissa Morrow, PhD
  Professor, Nutrition, Metabolism and Rehabilitation Sciences
  Adjunct Professor, Population Health and Health Disparities
  Research Interests: Dr. Morrow is a biomechanist and rehabilitation scientist with an interest in understanding and improving physical function during daily life. She utilizes technology (wearable sensors, mHealth, motion capture, imaging, etc.), survey-based, and qualitative methods to better understand how disability impacts the lived experience.
  RESEARCH
- Tatiana Nanovskaya, DDS, PhD
  
  Tatiana Nanovskaya, DDS, PhD
  Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Pharmacology and Biodevelopment Laboratories
  Research Interests: Pharmacokinetics of medications during pregnancy; identification and characterization of placental metabolizing enzymes and transporters; development of an animal model to study drug disposition during pregnancy; development of an in vitro model of trophoblast cultures to study the barrier and protective functions of human placenta; and development of LC-MS methods for separation and extraction of drugs from biological fluids and tissue.
  RESEARCH
- Gayle Olson, MD
  
  Gayle Olson, MD
  Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship
  Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  Research Interests: Maternal fetal medicine.
  RESEARCH
CIRWH Fellows P-R2

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- Luis Pacheco, MD
  
  Luis Pacheco, MD
  Division Chief, Maternal Fetal Medicine
  Director, Obstetrical Critical Care
  Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine
  Professor, Anesthesiology
  Research Interests: Maternal-fetal medicine, maternal hypo/hypertension, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus.
  RESEARCH
- M. Kristen Peek, PhD
  
  M. Kristen Peek, PhD
  Senior Vice President and Dean, School of Public and Population Health
  Chair ad interim, Population Health and Health Disparities
  Professor, Population Health and Health Disparities
  Adjunct Professor, Nutrition, Metabolism and Rehabilitation Sciences
  Research Interests: Aging and health disparities; mental and physical health in late life; and marriage and health in late life.
  RESEARCH
- Richard Pyles, PhD
  
  Richard Pyles, PhD
  Professor, Pediatric Vaccinology Research
  Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
  Scientist, Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences
  Research Interests: Evaluation of toll-like receptor responses against sexually-transmitted diseases and utilization of TLR agonists as potential microbicides to protect against STDs. For this work my lab focuses on study of the interaction of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and 2) and Chlamydia trachomatis with the genital tract of the human host.
  RESEARCH
- Enkhtuya Radnaa, MS, PhD
  
  Enkhtuya Radnaa, MS, PhD
  Volunteer, Basic Science and Translational Research
  Research Interests: My research primarily focuses on extracellular vesicles (EVs) role on feto-maternal communications associated with maintenance of pregnancy and parturition. I utilize cellular and animal models to study the fetal and maternal responses to various endogenous and exogenous factors. I study mechanisms feto-maternal cell signaling using gene-manipulated cells and organ-on-chip technology. In addition, I study intercellular communication of EVs to understand the pathobiology of preterm birth.
- Mukaila Raji, MD, FACP
  
  Mukaila Raji, MD, FACP
  Director, Geriatrics and Palliative Care Medicine, Internal Medicine
  Professor, Internal Medicine
  Professor, Population Health and Health Disparities
  Adjunct Professor, School of Nursing
  Research Interests: Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and health outcomes; racial/ethnic and gender disparity in cognitive aging and functional outcomes; and geriatric pharmacology and therapeutics.
  RESEARCH
- Ricardo Rajsbaum, PhD
  
  Ricardo Rajsbaum, PhD
  Adjunct Associate Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
  Research Interests: Host-pathogen interactions and innate immune responses to viruses, with a focus on the host ubiquitin system; Zika-related pregnancy issues, specifically the role of the host ubiquitin system in Zika virus tissue tropism and how it manipulates the host ubiquitin system to preferentially target placenta and reproductive tissues.
- Blake Rasmussen, PhD
  
  Blake Rasmussen, PhD
  Adjunct Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  Research Interests: Muscle biology, exercise physiology, nutrition, sarcopenia, amino acid, and protein metabolism.
- Vincente Resto, MD, PhD, FACS
  
  Vicente Resto, MD, PhD, FACS
  Chief Physician Executive, Faculty Group Practice
  Senior Vice President, Health System Ambulatory Operations and Surgical Services
  Professor and Chair, Otolaryngology
  Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  Research Interests: Facial plastics, reconstructive surgery, skull base surgery, and molecular mechanisms important for lymphatic metastasis and tumor tolerance.
  RESEARCH
- Gwyn Richardson, MD
  
  Gwyn Richardson, MD
  Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  Research Interests: Gynecologic oncology.
- Lauren Richardson, PhD
  
  Lauren Richardson, PhD
  Assistant Professor, Basic Science and Translational Research, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  BIRCWH Scholar
  Research Interests: My research focuses on bridging the gap between bench-to-bedside research by merging advanced engineering and biology concepts. The goal of my research is twofold. One, to utilize microfluidic devices to collect underutilized biological fluids for biomarker screening, and two, to develop novel organ-on-chip devices that physiologically recreate in utero organs and organ systems. These devices are primed to replace traditional research approaches, limit animal models for research, and speed up preclinical experiments to get the drugs to clinical trials at a much faster pace.
  RESEARCH
- Richard Rupp, MD
  
  Richard Rupp, MD
  Professor, Pediatrics
  Director, Adolescent Medicine
  Director, Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences Clinical Trials Program
  Research Interests: Adolescent medicine and mental health, improving immunization rates, and vaccine clinical trials.
  RESEARCH
- Erik Rytting, PhD
  
  Erik Rytting, PhD
  Associate Professor, Maternal-Fetal Pharmacology and Biodevelopment Laboratories
  Associate Professor, Pharmacology
  Research Interests: Maternal-fetal pharmacology, placental drug transport and permeation, and nanoparticle surface modifications to improve drug targeting.
  RESEARCH
CIRWH Fellows S-Z

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- Stacy Sell, PhD
  
  Stacy Sell, PhD
  Research Scientist, Neurology
  Research Interests: Ovarian hormone actions in the brain, specifically their interactions with the molecular, cellular and behavioral responses to psychoactive drugs; and developing and employing animal models to study the role of steroid hormones and the reproductive cycle in the etiology of addiction and affective disorders such as anxiety and depression.
- Myrna Katalina Serna, MD
  
  Myrna Katalina Serna, MD
  Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine
  Research Interests: Serious illness conversations, advance care planning, prognosis, end-of-life care, and inpatient setting.
  RESEARCH
- Victor Sierpina, MD
  
  Victor Sierpina, MD
  Professor, Family Medicine
  Adjunct Professor, Nutrition and Metabolism
  Adjunct Professor, Physical Therapy
  Research Interests: Procedures training; acupuncture; mind-body medicine; herbal therapies; dietary supplements and nutritional therapies; the therapeutic relationship; and spirituality in healthcare.
- Juquan Song, MD
  
  Juquan Song, MD
  Assistant Professor, Surgery
  Research Interests: The impact of burn injury on post-menopausal women and the effect of estrogen treatment in burn survivals; pathophysiological changes and hypermetabolic responses after severe burn; the mechanisms of post-burn muscle wasting and related therapeutic approaches.
  RESEARCH
- Lawrence Sowers, PhD
  
  Lawrence Sowers, PhD
  Professor and Chair, Pharmacology and Toxicology
  Director, Cancer Center Research Programs
  Professor, Internal Medicine
  Research Interests: The chemistry and biology of aberrant DNA; the role of DNA damage in human disease; and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of breast cancer.
  RESEARCH
- Brandie DePaoli Taylor, PhD, MPH
  
  Brandie DePaoli Taylor, PhD, MPH
  Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  Associate Professor, Basic Science and Translational Research
  Research Interests: Perinatal epidemiology, sexually transmitted infections, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and maternal immunology.
  RESEARCH
- Randall Urban, MD
  
  Randall Urban, MD
  Vice President and Chief Research Officer, Provost Administration
  Vice Dean, Clinical Research, School of Medicine
  Professor, Internal Medicine
  Director, Institute for Translational Sciences
  Research Interests: Effects of growth factors on steroidogenesis; the physiological and molecular benefits of androgen therapy in older men and women; effects of thiazolidinediones on reproductive function and growth of cancer cells; neuroendocrine dysfunction in people after closed-head injury; reproductive endocrinology; diabetes; and thyroid disease.
  RESEARCH
- Kathleen Vincent, MD
  
  Kathleen Vincent, MD
  Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  Research Interests: Applying biomedical technologies to women’s health research; medications to prevent HIV and STD; and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics studies of vaginally applied drugs.
  RESEARCH
- Elena Volpi, MD, PhD
  
  Elena Volpi, MD, PhD
  Clinical Professor, Internal Medicine-Geriatrics
  Research Interests: Physical functioning and sarcopenia in older adults; protein metabolism; muscle metabolism in type 2 diabetes; exercise and nutritional regulation of muscle growth; sex/gender disparities in metabolism; and ethnic/racial disparities in metabolism.
- Karen Wagner, MD, PhD
  
  Karen Wagner, MD, PhD
  Professor and Chair, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  Professor, Pediatrics
  Research Interests: Child and adolescent psychiatric disorders, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology.
  RESEARCH
- Tian "Tina" Wang, PhD
  
  Tian "Tina" Wang, PhD
  Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
  Professor, Pathology
  Research Interests: My laboratory research has mainly focused on vaccine development and understanding of the disease mechanisms of emerging and re-emerging RNA viruses, such as West Nile virus, Zika virus, Powassan virus, Chikungunya virus, and Sars-COV-2.
  RESEARCH
- Scott Weaver, PhD, MS
  
  Scott Weaver, PhD, MS
  Professor and Chair, Microbiology and Immunology
  Director, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity
  Scientific Director, Galveston National Laboratory, Institute for Human Infections
  Professor, Pathology
  Adjunct Professor, Global Health and Emerging Diseases
  Research Interests: Genetics, ecology, evolution, and pathogenesis of arboviruses, virus-mosquito interactions, and vaccine development.
  RESEARCH
- Susan Weller, PhD
  
  Susan Weller, PhD
  Professor, Population Health and Preventive Medicine
  Professor, Family Medicine
  Research Interests: Cross-cultural health service research; and cognition and methodology.
  RESEARCH
- Rebeca Wong, PhD
  
  Rebeca Wong, PhD
  Professor and Vice Chair, Population Health and Health Disparities
  Director ad interim , Sealy Center on Aging
  Professor, Internal Medicine
  Research Interests: Health and lifestyle transitions; use of preventive and curative health care; and migration and old age well-being, including wealth, disability, and health behaviors.
  RESEARCH
- Xiaoying Yu, MD, PhD
  
  Xiaoying Yu, MD, PhD
  Associate Professor, Biostatistics and Data Science
  Research Interests: Longitudinal data analysis; epidemiology studies and outcome research; HIV.
  RESEARCH
- Subo Yuan, MD, PhD
  
  Subo Yuan, MD, PhD
  Assistant Professor, Neurobiology
  Research Interests: Nociceptors are receptors distributed within the epidermis that detect potentially damaging stimuli, including noxious mechanical, chemical and thermal stimuli. Nociceptor activation causes acute pain, warning us of tissue injury and leading to protective behavior. Despite these essential protective functions, heightened sensitivity/maladaptation of nociceptor function can lead to debilitating chronic neuropathic pain. Our lab is investigating the pathogenesis of neuropathy caused by diseases and neuronal injury. The site of neuropathy intermingled nociceptors, immunocytes and keratinocyte cells and the interaction outcomes of neuropathy. Our recently NIH funded R01 grant focuses on the pathogenesis of HIV-1 gp120 viral protein and retroviral therapy induced nociceptor pathological changes in HIV-1 associated neuropathy and chronic pain. In the future, we will expand our research to nociceptor maladaptation induced by spinal cord injury, neuronal and tissue damage.
  RESEARCH

Contact Us

Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health
John Sealy Annex, Suite 3.108
University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, TX 77555-0587
Office: (409) 772-2417
Email: Abbey Berenson

CIRWH DirectoryExpertise in Women's Health

CIRWH Leadership

CIRWH Fellows Directory

A - C

D - K

L - O

P - R

S - Z

Victor Adekanmbi, MD, PhD

Mahmoud S. Ahmed, PhD

Jack Alperin, MD

Soham Al Snih, MD, PhD

Beth A. Auslander, PhD, MS

Rovnat Babazade, MD

Alan Barrett, MD

Abbey Berenson MD, PhD

Paul Boor, MD

Nigel Bourne, PhD

Tonya Callender, DNP, FNP

Phillip Cantu, PhD

Shannon Clark, MD, MMS

Peter Cram, MD, MBA

Sharon Croisant, MS, PhD

Kathryn Cunningham, PhD

Jianli Dong, MD, PhD, MMS

Crystal Clark Douglas, PhD, RDN, LD

Lisa A. Elferink, PhD

Miriam Falzon, PhD

Roberto Garofalo, MD

Cara Geary, MD, PhD

Maria Giraldo Giraldo, BSc, MSc, PhD

Bin Gong, MD, PhD

James Goodwin, MD

Fangjian Guo, MD, PhD

Gabriela E. Halder, MD, MPH

Christine D. Hsu, PharmD, PhD

Adrian Juarez, PhD, RN

Ananth Kumar Kammala, MPharm, PhD

Rakez Kayed, PhD

M. Firoze Khan, M.Phil., PhD

Gokhan Kilic, MD, FACOG, FACS

Yong-Fang Kuo, PhD

Emily Lantz, PhD

Ruth Levine, MD

Elizabeth Lorenzo, PhD, RN

LeeJane Lu, PhD

Elizabeth Lyons, PhD, MPH

Kyriakos Markides, PhD

Ramkumar Menon, PhD

Maria Micci, PhD

Terumi Midoro-Horiuti, MD, PhD

Sadaf Milani, PhD, MPH, CPH

Melissa Morrow, PhD

Tatiana Nanovskaya, DDS, PhD

Gayle Olson, MD

Luis Pacheco, MD

M. Kristen Peek, PhD

Richard Pyles, PhD

Enkhtuya Radnaa, MS, PhD

Mukaila Raji, MD, FACP

Ricardo Rajsbaum, PhD

Blake Rasmussen, PhD

Vicente Resto, MD, PhD, FACS

Gwyn Richardson, MD

Lauren Richardson, PhD

Richard Rupp, MD

Erik Rytting, PhD

Stacy Sell, PhD

Myrna Katalina Serna, MD

Victor Sierpina, MD

Juquan Song, MD

Lawrence Sowers, PhD

Brandie DePaoli Taylor, PhD, MPH

Randall Urban, MD

Kathleen Vincent, MD

Elena Volpi, MD, PhD

Karen Wagner, MD, PhD

Tian "Tina" Wang, PhD

Scott Weaver, PhD, MS

Susan Weller, PhD

CIRWH Directory
Expertise in Women's Health