Department: Obstetrics & Gynecology

primary ovarian insufficiency, premature ovarian failure, health policy, infertilty, assisted reproductive technology, ovulation induction, hormone therapy

Development of improved embryo culture conditions in vitro. Blastocyst cultures. Embryo metabolism in vitro. Embryo maternal dialogue. Clinical application and integration of extended embryo culture systems. Monozygotic twinning. Prevention of multiple pregnancy. Sperm motility enhancers. Fluorescent and non-fluorescent markers of sperm morphology and viablility. Oocyte cryopreservation. Fertility preservation. Improving IVF outcome.

Neonatology, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, infant ventilation, neonatal clinical protocols/clinical pathways.

prenatal diagnosis, genetics, clinical obstetrics

Improving Access to Family Planning Services in Low Resource Settings: Through a collaboration with Population Services International, the Stanford Program for International Reproductive Education and Services (SPIRES) provides technical direction in a program designed to improve access to and uptake of family planning, particularly Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) such as IUDs and implants, in 14 developing countries globally. The first year saw insertion of over 280,000 IUDs.

Special interest in women with vulvodynia and other genital pain disorders.

Dr. Chen’s research examines the molecular causes of urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction. Recognizing that urinary incontinence linked to demise of smooth muscle sphincter function, she is investigating the potential use of stem cell regeneration to restore muscle capacity.

Rh disease, other red call isoimmunization, e.g. Kell, etc. I.T.P. and alloimmune thrombocytopenia Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.) and associated problems and procedures Ultrasound referrals -- complicated and routine Procedures --cordocentesis, intrauterine transfusion; selective termination or reduction in multiple pregnancy.

Using various animal models of bladder outlet obstruction as a representation of human prostatic disease, I am investigating how intervening with pharmacotherapy, neuromodulation, and other novel therapies may help to reverse the adverse changes in the bladder due to the obstruction. I also am investigating new, minimally invasive treatments for post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. I am also investigating the role of neruomodulation in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain and IC.

Special interest in Ob simulation as a teaching and training tool.

Antepartum and intrapartum fetal monitoring Prenatal diagnosis Medical complications of pregnancy, particularly: SLE, hypertension, diabetes, malignancy A.

High Risk Obstetrics: preterm labor, preeclampsia, medical and surgical complications of pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis and therapy

Gynecologic and obstetric infections.

During the last five years, we have identified several small molecules that kill VHL deficient renal cancer cells through a synthetic lethal screening approach. Another major interest of my laboratory is in identifying hypoxia-induced genes involved in invasion and metastases. We are also investigating how hypoxia regulates gene expression epigenetically.

1. use of mannequin- and virtual reality-based simulation to improve human performance in dynamic domains such as the delivery room 2. use of mannequin- and virtual reality-based simulation to enhance patient safety 3. evaluation and optimization of debriefing 4. evaluation and optimization of scenario design 5. patient simulator design 6. device simulator design

Distributed learning of anatomy and laparoscopic surgery; surgical simulation; team-training in virtual environments;telemedicine for acute & chronic disease management in virtual environments

1) Early childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes, mortality and morbidities of ELBW, extremely premature, and high-risk infants; predictive clinical factors, evidence-based interventions 2) Use of advanced neuroimaging techniques in the premature and term infant; diagnostic findings, and predictors of neurodevelopmental outcomes 3) Advanced therapeutic modalities: HFOV, iNO, ECMO - implementation, indications, outcomes 4) Natural history and outcomes of complex fetal anomalies

Hormonal regulation of ovarian function; gonadotropin receptors and related genes, bioinformatic ananlyses of polypeptide hormones and receptors, follicle recruitment and GDF-9; analysis of oocyte and ovarian-expressed genes.

I am interested in prenatal genetic screening and diagnosis.

Recurrent miscarriage, genetic and other causes of miscarriage, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, effects of fertility treatments on androgen levels in early pregnancy and how fertility diagnosis and treatments affect pregnancy outcomes.

Preterm labor prevention and management, preeclampsia prevention and treatment, short and long-term impact of surgical techniques at cesarean, depression during pregnancy, fetal heart rate monitoring and long-term neurologic outcome, randomized clinical trials.

Infertility Assisted Reproductive Technologies Microsurgery and Endoscopic Surgery.

Research interest in the role of the central nervous system in female hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

Research in my laboratory is focused on understanding the mechanisms of endometrial angiogenesis and vascular remodeling during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. We are particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms of spiral artery growth and remodeling in the primate uterus. These arteries are unique to the primate endometrium. They develop from the radial arteries of the myometrium and course through the endometrium, where they develop their coiled structure and vascularize primar..

Obstetric Fistula Projects: 1. Preoperative ultrasound evaluation to detect ureteric involvement in vesicovaginal fistulas 2. Patient narrative study to identify key medical, social and economic factors that lead to fistula formation 3. Study of urinary continence after fistula repair Pelvic pain: investigation into role of pelvic floor in chronic pelvic pain

Dr. Polan's research has centered around ovarian function during both the follicular and luteal phases. Studies of steroidogenesis, LH receptor synthesis, and the involvement of the plasminogen activator system in ovarian events have been performed.

Dr. Rasgon has been involved in longitudinal placebo-controlled neuroendocrine studies for nearly two decades, and she has been involved in neuroendocrine and brain imaging studies of estrogen effects on depressed menopausal women for the last eight years. It should be noted that in addition to her duties as a Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Dr. Rasgon is also the Director of the Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Program and of the Women's Wellness Program.

The Reijo Pera Laboratory is focused on pluripotent stem cells and regenerative medicine with an emphasis on understanding key cell fate decisions in early human development. In particular, we examine early events such as the generation of pluripotent stem cells, somatic and germ cell lineages and pathologies that arise in development.