- Amy D. Dobberfuhl, MD, MS (Principal Investigator)
Dr. Amy Dobberfuhl, received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2004 and her M.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine in 2010. She completed her residency training in Urology at Albany Medical College in New York in 2015. She then completed an ACGME fellowship in FPMRS (Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery) with a special emphasis on Neurourology & Voiding Dysfunction, in the Department of Urology at Stanford University in 2017. Dr. Dobberfuhl was also awarded the KL2 component of the Stanford Clinical and Translation Science Award to Spectrum (NIH 5KL2TR001083) and completed an M.S. in Epidemiology and Clinical Research from Stanford University in 2018. Following fellowship in 2017 Dr. Dobberfuhl joined the Department of Urology and her practice includes both a clinical and laboratory research focus.
Dr. Dobberfuhl's clinical practice includes: Pelvic Reconstruction, Neurourology, and Voiding Dysfunction. Dr. Dobberfuhl’s clinical research focus includes: Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS), Nocturia, Urinary tract infection (UTI), Sex differences in lower urinary tract dysfunction, Radiation cystitis, and Overactive (OAB).
Dr. Dobberfuhl’s laboratory basic science and translational research focus includes: IC/BPS, Nocturia, Pelvic floor ischemia, Effect of estrogen on lower urinary tract, Animal models of voiding dysfunction, Urinary biomarkers and molecular mechanisms implicated in lower urinary tract dysfunction (WHSDM LUTS Cohort).Apart from work Dr. Dobberfuhl enjoys classical music, cooking and flying kites.
Current Dobberfuhl Lab Members
Ashu Mohammad, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow)
Ashu is a molecular biologist with a PhD from Shoolini University in India. His research focuses on understanding the relationship between circadian rhythms and nocturia, the condition of frequent urination at night. Ashu's interest in nocturia began during his post doctoral studies, where he became fascinated with themolecular mechanisms that regulate the bladder's function and how it can go wrong. His research will help to understand the connection between the circadian rhythm and nocturia and how to improve the sleep quality of patients who suffer from this condition.
In addition to his research, Ashu is an avid outdoors enthusiast who enjoys hiking and cooking. He is also enjoys playing badminton, Volleyball, Cricket etc
Sean Berquist, MD, MS (Resident Physician)
Sean Berquist grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area before attending UCLA to earn his undergraduate degree. Having an interest in physiology and research, he studied hearing and vocalization using echolocating bats as an animal model as part of his Masters in Physiology at UCLA. He attended UC San Diego School of Medicine, whereupon he found early his passion for the many aspects of urology science, medicine, and surgery. He previously conducted clinical outcomes research in renal cell carcinoma. He is now interested in conducting clinical trials in problems of the lower urinary tract including overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Furthermore, he has an active interest in gender affirmation surgery and LGBTQ populations in Urology. Outside of work, he loves the SF Giants, craft Belgian beers, team-based marathon relays, and his family.
Shada S. Sinclair, 4th year Medical Student (Stanford University)
Shada is a Jamaican MD candidate at Stanford Medicine. She received her B.A from Wesleyan University in 2016 and spent four years after graduation pursuing diverse interests. At Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Shada conducted independent research on topical HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis drugs for women. She then ventured to the Dominican Republic to serve as a volunteer at the Elizabeth Seton Center. At Stanford, Shada developed a deeper interest for working with women and vulnerable populations. She has volunteered on trips to Tijuana, Mexico helping to provide services such as HPV testing and colposcopy to women at the border. Shada plans to combine these interests into a future career as a urogynecologist.
Outside of medicine, you can find Shada indulging in the arts. She is an avid oil painter and enjoys creating colorful culinary delights.
Bernardita Ljubetic, MD (Visiting Scholar)
Bernardita grew up in Chile, where she completed her undergraduate studies. She obtained her medical degree from Universidad de los Andes in 2022. She is interested in urinary tract infections and lower urinary tract dysfunction. Her current research involves the impact of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI).
Apart from work she likes reading and going on long hikes.
Lab Alumni
Abdellrahman Sherif Abdalla, MD
M.D., Minia University (Egypt) in 2021.
Dobberfuhl lab member from 2021-2022
Stefanie van Uem, MD
M.D., Radboud University (Netherlands) in 2020
Dobberfuhl lab member from 2020-2022
Chen Shenhar, MD
M.D., Tel-Aviv University (Israel) in 2013
Dobberfuhl lab member from 2019-2020