Program Leadership
Principal Investigator
Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professor, by Courtesy, Department of Urology
Leslee Subak, MD is the Katharine Dexter McCormick and Stanley McCormick Memorial Professor and Chair of the Stanford OB/GYN Department and, by courtesy, of Urology, and Director of the Stanford Women’s Health Program and LGBTQ+ Health Program. She provides urogynecology and gynecology clinical care at Stanford Medicine. Dr. Subak was one of the first UCSF WRHR K12 Scholars (2000-2003), was Research Co-Director for the UCSF WRHR (2006-2017), Senior Mentor for the UCSF BIRCWH, KURE, and CTSA KL2 and K12 programs, and received an NIDDK Mid-Career Investigator Award in Patient Oriented Research award (K24) and renewal to support mentoring (2008-2020). Dr. Subak runs a thriving research program and has helped develop trainees and scholars interested in epidemiology, clinical research, clinical trials, economic, and translational research. She was Director for the UCSF Women’s Health Clinical Research Center (2014-2017), Director of the UCSF/SFVAMC Women’s Health Clinical Research Fellowship, and was on the team that developed the CTSI-sponsored UCSF Mentor Development Program for Mid-level Faculty. She has mentored more than 75 students, fellows, administrators, and faculty including 32 postdoctoral fellows and faculty.
Recruitment and Research Director
Virginia D. Winn, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of OB/GYN, is a physician-scientist with deep expertise in placental biology. She is Director of Perinatal Biology at Stanford with an extensive research background in biochemistry, molecular biology, prostaglandin regulation, trophoblast biology, gene expression profiling, preeclampsia, and human placental development. Dr. Winn was recruited to Stanford University to build the Perinatal Biology Research Program in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. Part of the mission of this position is to establish collaborations with the wider Stanford University community to capitalize on the tremendous scientific environment to accelerate advances in maternal and neonatal health. Our WRHR program is an extension of this transdisciplinary initiative. Dr. Winn was both a Research Scientist Development Program (RSDP 2001-2006) and WRHR (2007-2010) K12 scholar. She has mentored both BIRCWH and RSDP scholars who are now on faculty at University of Colorado. She has mentored 5 junior faculty, 4 graduate students, 3 postdoctoral fellows, 6 MFM fellows as well as numerous medical, undergraduate, and high school students in research. Dr. Winn has had continuous funding from foundations and NIH since 2001 and is currently the multi-PI on a large NIH grant examining the link between preeclampsia and subsequent cardiovascular disease (midlife and older). She leads this effort with Mark Hlatky, MD, which is a collaboration between 8 departments, including 5 WRHR mentors and advisors (Drs. Quake, Shaw, Snyder, Stefanick, and Stevenson). As a physician-scientist running a basic and translational research program while still continuing to practice Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Dr. Winn provides career development guidance for our basic science physician-scientist WRHRS Scholars.
Advisory Committee
The internal Advisory Committee members are:
The external Advisory Committee members are:
Faculty Mentors by Focus Area
Maternal-Child Health & Epidemiology
Stanford’s Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics has an outstanding record of scientific investigation with a particular strength in perinatal epidemiology. The Division leverages unique large-scale databases, including linked data from all California births and nationwide commercial claims data, to generate evidence that informs the care of pregnant and postpartum individuals and their infants. Stanford investigators mentor junior investigators in leading research using these data resources with ample epidemiologic and biostatistical support. The division also leads clinical trials that include multidisciplinary teams and provide experience in trial methodology as well as availability of primary data.
Reproductive Biology
The Division of Reproductive, Stem Cell and Perinatal Biology is the home for basic and translational science within the Department of OB/GYN that complements the robust clinical care and research in the Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Obstetrics. Current faculty study germ cells, ovarian hormonal regulation, pluripotent stem cells, pre-implantation development, placental development, reproductive (recurrent pregnancy loss) and obstetrical (preterm birth, preeclampsia, placenta accreta) complications, and translational work in immunology and genetics in reproductive biology.
Gynecologic Health Across the Lifespan
Gynecologic health across the lifespan is supported by many focus areas in the Division of Gynecology: pediatric and adolescent gynecology, academic generalist OB/GYN, family planning, minimally invasive surgery, female pelvic medicine and reproductive surgery, and menopause and healthy aging. The Division of Gynecology participates in several national clinical trials involving new hormonal therapies for contraception and menopausal replacement as well as studies on vaginal infections. Clinical research focuses on studying pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence and LUTS, genitourinary syndrome of menopause and overactive bladder. We are involved in large, multi-center trials throughout the U.S. as well as physician-initiated trials. Family Planning Services and Research is actively engaged in research relating both to development of new contraceptive methods and innovations in contraceptive programs that will improve access and patient-level success. Research ranges from basic science assessments of reproductive biology to programmatic and population-level assessments of contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and practices.
Gynecologic Oncology
The Gynecologic Oncology division offers a comprehensive program of basic science, clinical, and translational research in gynecologic cancer, education and outstanding patient care. Laboratory research focuses primarily on ovarian cancer while the clinical and translational research includes the use of new drugs and innovative new therapies, including vaccines and immunotherapy. Collaborative research is ongoing in stem cell biology, new imaging techniques for screening and monitoring disease, and studies of new biomarkers to determine prognosis.
Innovative Technology
Stanford Medicine is dedicated to the advancement of precision health through application of innovative discovery. Stanford fosters a “can do” environment that fosters creativity and out of the box thinking. Mentors in this focus area bring cutting edge innovation and greatly enhance the WRHR Program.
Social Medicine and Health Equity
The Social Medicine and Health Equity specialty area aims to integrate health equity throughout all facets of research, education, and care delivery, addressing social determinants of health and fostering community partnerships. Mentors in this specialty area are experts in community-engaged research and developing equity-centered patient care models.
