Obstetrics & Gynecology

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Fellowship Programs

Research Experience

Research

All fellows are required to spend 12 months gaining practical experience with clinical and translational research methodology. This experience aims to lay the groundwork necessary for future academic productivity and success. Each fellow assumes responsibility for a focused investigation executed under the direct supervision of an experienced mentor. Typically, incoming fellows elect to work with program faculty with laboratory-based research programs. During their orientation, fellows will spend a week in each of the research mentor’s labs to help in deciding which lab to conduct their research and thesis development.

Research Faculty

  • Umit Kayisli, MSc, PhD Umit Kayisli, MSc, PhD
    Umit Kayisli, MSc, PhD
    Research interests: Endometriosis, the endometrium and early implantation, preterm birth
  • Meera Nanjundan, PhD Meera Nanjundan, PhD
    Meera Nanjundan, PhD
    Research interests: ovarian cancer and iron homeostasis
  • Matthew Anderson, MD, PhD Matthew Anderson, MD, PhD
    Matthew Anderson, MD, PhD
    Research interests: Uterine fibroids and proteomics, gynecologic oncology
  • Ronald Magness, PhD Ronald Magness, PhD
    Ronald Magness, PhD
    Research interests: endothelium and angiogenesis in pregnancy

Research opportunities are available across a wide spectrum. Additional options can also be considered depending on trainees’ specific interests and/or experience. Incoming fellows will perform research during their entire first year and will meet with program leadership early in their training to discuss available options, so that a plan for their research time will be finalized within the first month of fellowship. 

It is anticipated that each fellow will have completed at least a rough draft of a manuscript suitable for subsequent use as their thesis by the conclusion of the first year. Clinical and call responsibilities are kept to a minimum to support this goal. Academic progress will be monitored during the bi-monthly department research meetings.

The department is very academically productive, and you are encouraged to present your research at both national and international conferences.

Conference Presentations

  • ASRM Congress

    Annual Scientific Congress usually in October (Abstract submission deadline is usually end of April)

    Oral presentation: “Improving the REI Fellowship interview experience: a survey”

    • Erika P New, Papri Sarkar, Rubin Alvero, & Anthony Imudia

    Poster presentation: “Propranolol inhibits catecholestrogen-induced human endometrial stromal cell survival mediated by p38 MAPK signaling: potential therapy for endometriosis” 

    • Rachel G Sprague, Joung W Kim, Asli Ozmen, Xiaofeng Guo, Anthony N Imudia, Charles J Lockwood, Ronald R Magness, Umit A Kayisli

    Poster Presentation: “α1D-adrenergic receptor expression in human endometrial stromal cells contributes to catecholestradiol-induced cell survival: implications for endometriosis”

    • Rachel G Sprague, Joung W Kim, Esma Kirimlioglu Konuk, Anthony N Imudia, Charles J Lockwood, Ronald R Magness, Umit A Kayisli

    Poster presentation: “GATA binding protein 2 expression at implantation window diminishes in women with adenomyosis: implications for impaired endometrial receptivity” 

    • Joung W Kim, Chih-Feng Yen, Rachel G Sprague, Asli Ozmen, Nihan Semerci, Charles J Lockwood, Anthony N Imudia, Umit A Kayisli

  • Annual Meeting usually in March (Abstract submission deadline is usually mid-October)

    Poster Presentation: “Beta-2 Adrenergic Receptor Expression in Human Endometrial Stromal Cells Potentially Mediates Catecholestradiol-Induced Proliferation: Implications for Endometriosis.”

    • Rachel G Sprague, Joung W Kim, Esma Kirimlioglu Konuk, Ronald R Magness, Anthony N Imudia, Charles J Lockwood,Umit A Kayisli.

    Poster Presentation: “Synergistic Upregulation of IP-10 and ITAC Expressions by LPS + IFN-gamma in Human First Trimester Decidual Cells May Presage Preeclampsia. “ 

    • Bradley H. Sipe, Rachel G. Sprague, Ozlem Guzeloglu-Kayisli, Lynn Buchwalder, Frederick Schatz, Umit A Kayisli, Charles J Lockwood.

  • Annual Meeting in Indian Wells, California, usually in March

    PCRS Scholarship Recipient

    Awarded the Excellence in Training Award for: 

    Poster Presentation: “Beta-2-Adrenergic Receptor Expression in Human Endometrial Endothelial Cells Potentially Mediates 2-Hydroxyestradiol-induced Microvascular Stabilization: Implications for Endometriotic Angiogenesis.

    • Rachel G Sprague, Nihan Semerci, Esma Kirimlioglu-Konuk, Anthony N. Imudia, Umit A. Kayisli

  • Annual Meeting usually in March (Abstract submission deadline is usually mid-October)

    Poster Presentation: “Increased FK506-Binding Protein (FKBP51) expression may contribute to dysregulation of steroid receptor signaling in uterine fibroids”  

    • Erika P New, Joung W Kim , Asli Ozmen A, Xiaofeng Guo, Ozlem Guzeloglu-Kayisli, Anthony N Imudia, Charles J Lockwood, Umit A Kayisli.
  • Pacific Coast Reproductive Society

    Annual Meeting in Indian Wells, California, usually in March

    PCRS Scholarship Recipient

    Poster Presentation: “Comparative analysis of FK506-Binding Protein (FKBP51) and 52 (FKBP52) in uterine fibroids compared to normal myometrium”

    • Erika P New, Joung W Kim , Asli Ozmen A, Xiaofeng Guo, Ozlem Guzeloglu-Kayisli, Anthony N Imudia, Charles J Lockwood, Umit A Kayisli.

Publications

  • Hariton E, Pavlovic Z, Fanton M, Jiang VS. Applications of artificial intelligence in ovarian stimulation: a tool for improving efficiency and outcomes. Fertil Steril. 2023 Jul;120(1):8-16. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.05.148. Epub 2023 May 19. PMID: 37211063
  • Sarkar P, New EP, Sprague RG, Stillman R, Widra E, Jahandideh S, Devine K, Imudia AN. Live birth per embryo transfer with next generation sequencing preimplantation genetic testing: an analysis of 26,107 cycles. Syst Biol Reprod Med. 2023 Jun 2:1-8. doi: 10.1080/19396368.2023.2208253. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37267227.
  • Sarkar P, New EP, Jindal S, Tanner JP, Imudia AN. The effect of trophectoderm biopsy for preimplantation genetic testing on fetal birth weight and preterm delivery. Minerva Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Jan 16. doi: 10.23736/S2724-606X.22.05196-X. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36645423
  • Vaginal evisceration subsequent to hysterectomy at a major cancer center. Oriana Fermin, Arlin Delgado, Papri Sarkar, Jing-Yi Chern, Robert Wenham, Mitchel S Hoffman; Journal of Gynecologic Surgery, 1/2/2023, Volume 39, Issue 1, page 49-52
  • Zoran Jason Pavlovic, Adriana N. Vest, and Anthony N. Imudia.Where Does the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Subspecialist Fit in the Spectrum of Gynecologic Surgeries? Journal of Gynecologic Surgery. Dec 2022.387-389. http://doi.org/10.1089/gyn.2022.0006
  • Mikhail E, Pavlovic ZJ, Al Jumaily M, Kheil MH, Moawad GN, Soares T. Robot-Assisted Surgery for Endometriosis Current and Future Perspectives. Surg Technol Int. 2022 May 19;40:197-202. doi: 10.52198/22.STI.40.GY1562. PMID: 35415833.
  • New EP, Sarkar P, Alvero RJ, Imudia AN. Virtual fellowship interviews during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Fertility and Sterility Dialog on COVID-19 March 30, 2020. Available here.
  • Imudia AI & New EP. Endometrial polyps in-office management: practical tips on what to look for to spot these common growths on ultrasound and how to remove them. Contemporary OB/GYN April 2019; 64 (4): 18-22.
  • Grimstad FW, Fowler KG, New EP, et al. Uterine pathology in transmasculine persons on testosterone: a retrospective multicenter case series. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019 Mar; 220(3):257.e1-257.e7. PMID: 30579875
  • Imudia, AN and Sprague, RG. Adenomyosis and its impact on fertility. Contemporary OB/GYN. 2018; 64(11): 28-31
  • New EP, Mallen AR, Mancuso AC, Van Voorhis BJ. Adnexal torsion in a patient with Müllerian agenesis undergoing ovarian stimulation: a case report. Proc Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Sep 12; 8(2):Article 3 [6 p.] DOI 10.17077/2154-4751.1392
  • Niederberger C, Pellicer A, Cohen J, Gardner D, Palermo GD, O’Neill CL, Chow S, Rosenwaks Z, Cobo A, Swain JE, Schoolcraft WB, Frydman R, Bishop L, Aharon D, Gordon C, New E, Decherney A et al. Forty years of IVF. Fertility and Sterility, volume 110, Issue 2, 15-324e5. July 15, 2018. PMID: 30053940
  • New, EP, Sarkar, P, Sappenfield, E, Mikhail, E, Plosker, S, & Imudia, AN. “Comparison of patients’ reported pain following office hysteroscopy with and without endometrial