Division of Reproductive Sciences Faculty
Thomas Jansson, MD, PhD
Florence Crozier Cobb Endowed Professor
Chief, Division of Reproductive Sciences
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Research interests: Cellular and molecular mechanisms of regulation of placental nutrient transporters and the role of placental function in determining fetal growth and long-term health.
Kian Behbakht, MD
Professor and Emily McClintock Addlesperger Endowed Chair in Ovarian Cancer
Vice-Chair for Clinical Affairs, Quality and Improvement
Divisions of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Sciences
Research interests: Clinical, translational, and basic science approaches to finding novel treatments for ovarian cancer.
Kathleen A. Connell, MD
Professor and Division Chief
Divisions of Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery & Reproductive Sciences
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Research interests: Molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the remodeling of the connective tissue and smooth muscle of the pelvic floor support structures.
Natalie Davidson, PhD
Assistant Professor
Division of Reproductive Sciences
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Research interests: My lab utilizes cutting-edge machine learning techniques to disentangle the molecular and clinical features of ovarian cancer and to identify drivers of tumor progression and treatment response.
K. Joseph Hurt, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Director, Preterm Labor Research Laboratory
Divisions of Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Reproductive Sciences
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Research interests: Molecular mechanisms of pregnancy and parturition, Obesity and parturition, Gasotransmitters in repro physiology, and Regulation of Nitric Oxide Synthase.
Joshua Johnson, PhD
Associate Professor
Divisions of Reproductive Sciences & Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Research interests: Dr. Johnson's research program focuses on the control of oocyte number inside the ovary, primarily in mammals, but also in the fruit fly model organism.
T. Rajendra Kumar, PhD
Professor and Edgar L., Patricia M. Makowski and Family Endowed Chair
Associate Vice Chair of Research
Divisions of Reproductive Sciences & Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Research interests: All aspects of gonadotropin biology, including gonadotrope development and tumorigenesis, mechanisms of pituitary gonadotropin subunit gene expression and post-transcriptional regulation, gonadotropin biosynthesis with a focus on age-dependent glycosylation, gonadotropin secretion and action with one focus on somatic cell development and regulation in the gonads and the other on osteoclasts in the bone.
Alex J. Polotsky, MD, MS
Professor and Division Chief
Fellowship Director
Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility & Reproductive Sciences
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Research interests: Defining essential characteristics of FSH-ovarian interactions using a multi-disciplinary approach.
Nanette F. Santoro, MD
Professor and E. Stewart Taylor Chair
Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility & Reproductive Sciences
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Research interests: Examining the role of hormone therapy and alternative treatments in menopausal women's health, how obesity in women interferes with fertility and reproductive hormone production, examining how girls develop regular menstrual cycles as they go through puberty, and premature ovarian failure.
