Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health Research
The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health Division of Research is committed to advancing women's health through excellence, innovation and collaboration.
Driving Discovery in Women's Health
The Division of Research builds on the broad range of research interests and activities across the department, University, partner hospitals and community. Researchers aim to advance research that bridges the gap between community-based initiatives, clinical practice and quality improvement, with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes.
Because the department provides general and subspeciality care to a growing and diverse patient population, researchers give specific focus to the health and wellness of women from diverse social and economic backgrounds.
The division also heads a research seed grant program.
OB-GYN Research
Key Research Areas
- Maternal hypertension, diabetes and obesity
- Obstructive sleep apnea in pregnancy
- Fetal overgrowth in pregnancy
- Substance use disorders in pregnancy
- Racial disparities in severe maternal morbidity
- Reproductive planning for women with high-risk pregnancies
- Mindfulness practice for patients with endometrial and cervical cancers
- Effects of fetal congenital heart disease
- Accuracy of VBAC calculator in high-risk groups
Peer Reviewed Publications 2024-2025
- Kernizan NJ, Yancey AM, Forinash AB, Chavan NR, Mathews KJ. Prescribing Patterns for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Clin Med. 2025 Feb 28;14(5):1638. doi: 10.3390/jcm14051638. PMID: 40095612; PMCID: PMC11900082.
- Keller JM, Al-Hammadi N, Bass S, Chavan NR. Substance use disorder and severe maternal morbidity: is there a differential impact? Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2025 Jan;7(1):101544. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101544. Epub 2024 Nov 4. PMID: 39505203.
- Tian F, Wang Y, Qian ZM, Ran S, Zhang Z, Wang C, McMillin SE, Chavan NR, Lin H. Plasma metabolomic signature of healthy lifestyle, structural brain reserve and risk of dementia. Brain. 2025 Jan 7;148(1):143-153. doi: 10.1093/brain/awae257. PMID: 39324695.
- Kernizan N, Forinash A, Yancey A, Kruger S, Chavan NR, Mathews K. Mood stabilizers for treatment of bipolar disorder in pregnancy and impact on neonatal outcomes. Bipolar Disord. 2024 Dec;26(8):779-784. doi: 10.1111/bdi.13481. Epub 2024 Aug 22. PMID: 39175136.
- Keller JM, Al-Hammadi N, Bass S, Chavan NR. Substance use disorder and severe maternal morbidity: is there a differential impact? Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2025 Jan;7(1):101544. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101544. Epub 2024 Nov 4. PMID: 39505203.
- Ricciuti J, Liu Q, Khan ANMNH, Joseph JM, Veuskens B, Giridharan T, Suzuki S, Emmons T, Yaffe M, Kuijpers TW, Jongerius I, Brouwer M, Pouw RB, Odunsi K, Frederick P, Mager KL, Lele S, Gaulin N, Hakim C, Edwards RP, Olawaiye AB, Sukamanovich P, Taylor S, Elishaev E, Zsiros E, Modugno F, Moysich K, Segal B. Prognostic significance of serum complement activation, neutrophil extracellular traps and extracellular DNA in newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol. 2025 Feb;193:49-57. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.12.006. Epub 2025 Jan 6. PMID: 39764857; PMCID: PMC11871990.
- Cromack SC, Yu L, Milad MP. Prostaglandin Injection for Myoma Expulsion (PRIME): Case Series of a Novel Approach to Hysteroscopic Resection of FIGO Type 2 Myomas. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2024 Jul;31(7):613-619. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2024.03.011. Epub 2024 Apr 10. PMID: 38604533.
- Yu L, Huang R, Okuagu C, Bardawil E, Balls-Berry J, Ross WT. Surgical Management of Fibroids: A Changing Landscape. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2024 Nov;33(11):1528-1535. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2024.0131. Epub 2024 Oct 7. PMID: 39375044.
For more on research interests and publications, view individual faculty profiles.
Resident Research
PGY-4 Projects
- “Maternal Anemia and Severe Maternal Morbidity: Is there an Association?”
Presenter: Anna Blackshare, M.D.
Faculty advisors: Jennifer Bickhaus, M.D., Mary McLennan, M.D., and Niraj Chavan, M.D. - “Fetal Urinary Tract Dilation and Factors Predictive of Clinical Outcomes”
Presenter: Anna Hwang, M.D.
Faculty advisors/collaborators: Tucker Doiron, M.D., and Chris Buchanan, M.D. - “Implementation and Evaluation of a Structured Reading Curriculum in Residency”
Presenter: Ayooluwa Kerrigan, D.O.
Faculty advisor: Amy Bilyeu, M.D. - “Impact on Perioperative Pain Management Practices: An Extended Study After Implementation
of an Obstetric Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol”
Presenter: Jessica Lawton, M.D.
Faculty advisor: Niraj Chavan, M.D.
Other collaborators: Niki Peramsetty, M.D., Mira Mohsen, M.P.H., Jennifer Powel, M.D., Katherine Childress, M.D. - “Impact of Supplemental Educational Modality on Patient Understanding of Iron Deficiency
Anemia in Pregnancy”
Presenter: Karly Meyer, M.D.
Faculty advisors/collaborators: Dorothea Mostello, M.D. and Zach Stanley, M.D. - “Prophylactic TXA Prior to Skin Incision in High-Risk Cesarean Deliveries: Does it
Make a Difference?”
Presenter: Olivia Wilson, M.D.
Faculty advisor: Niraj Chavan, M.D.
Contributors: Emily Zantow, M.D., Shohreh Jamalabadi-Majidi, D.M.D., Michelle Krach, M.D., Samantha Harrington, Emma Davine, Natalia Alston, Ariana Azimi, Katherine Chen, M.D., Andrew Storm, M.D.
PGY-3 Case Reports
- “Congenital Ichthyosiform Erythroderma: Diffuse Ultrasound Findings with Increased
Risk of Genetic Syndrome”
Presenter: Sarah Birkholz, M.D.
Faculty advisors/collaborators: Chris Buchanan, M.D. and Andrew Storm, M.D. - “Methylene-blue Induced Chemical Cystitis Following Tampon-Dye Test”
Presenter: Miranda Corona, M.D.
Faculty advisor: Deborah Levy, M.D. - “Torsion of a Malignant Ovarian Teratoma”
Presenter: Raneem Issawi, M.D.
Faculty advisor: Jason Ricciuti, M.D. - “A Case of Peripartum HSV Hepatitis”
Presenter: Kirby Mateja, M.D.
Faculty advisor: Andrew Storm, M.D. - “Encrusted Cystitis in an Immunosuppressed Patient”
Presenter: James Redmond, M.D.
Faculty advisor: Andrew Steele, M.D. - “Diploid Complete Molar Pregnancy”
Presenter: Yelena Mishkov, M.D.
Faculty advisor: Amy Bilyeu, M.D.