Connell Lab
Understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
Connell Lab
Understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
Dr. Kathleen Connell was a scholar in the Women’s Reproductive Health Research Career Development Program at Yale. Her translational research has focused on regulation of the extracellular matrix and smooth muscle in the uterosacral ligaments (USLs) in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Dr. Connell has also used a mouse model to determine cause and effect relationships of aging, menopause, vaginal delivery on the expression profiles, inflammatory pathways (inflammaging) and biomechanical properties of the USLs. Dr. Connell has also demonstrated contractile properties in the USLs via oxytocin receptors, and is collaborating with Dr. Raj Kumar to establish an animal model which they will correlate with their findings in human USLs to better understand the smooth muscle physiology in these ligaments. She currently holds an R21 award determining the epigenetic signature in USLs in women with POP, using epigenome wide approaches. She also received an award from the University of Colorado’s RNA Biosciences group that will enable her to perform RNAseq on her human USLs. DNA methylation profiles will be correlated with RNA expression comparing women with and without POP. The overarching goal of these projects are to understand the effects of clinical risk factors on the molecular expression, physiology and biomechanical properties of the pelvic support ligaments and to identify unique epigenetic marks, and link them to environmental exposures and genetic variants that may also affect the USLs. Understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of POP will lead to more effective, targeted approaches to disease prevention and treatment.
Best Basic Science Abstract Award, American Urogynecologic Society and International Urogynecology Association Joint Scientific Meeting, Nashville, TN (2019)
Recognition as Top Doctor in Denver’s 5280 Magazine (2018)
Award for Dedication and Commitment for Promoting Excellence in Resident Education, University of Colorado OB-GYN Residency (2016)
William Aiken Fellow Society Award (Mentor for Alex Hennessey), College of Charleston, NC (2010)
Thomas Benson Award in Neuromodulation, American Urogynecology Society Foundation (Mentor for Heidi Chen, MD) (2009)
American Urogynecological Society Foundation/Astellas Basic Science Research Award (2008)
The Wyeth President’s Presenter Award, Society for Gynecologic Investigation, Toronto, Canada (2006)
Biology New Investigator Award, International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, Lisbon, Portugal (2006)
First Prize Award for Best Paper on Female Sexual Dysfunction, 10th World Congress International Society for Sexual and Impotence Research, Montreal, Canada (2003)
Schuyler Kohl Award for Best Teaching by a Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY (2000)
Leon Chesley Award for Outstanding Research by a Resident (2000)
James Prochaska, M.D. Memorial Award for Distinguished Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY (1998)
Doctor’s Day Award for Dedication, King’s County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY (1998)
CREOG/APGO Essay Award, “Aspirations for an Academic Career”, Residency Education Conference, Orlando, FL (1998)
Third World Externship Award, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY (1996)
