Overview
Fellows are required to
complete one thesis project that will be submitted to ABOG.
Fellows have the opportunity to engage in meaningful research with members of the MFM faculty as well as with faculty throughout the
University of Washington on topics including basic science and translational research, prospective and retrospective clinical studies, large database analysis, epidemiologic studies, quality improvement, and education research.
A strength of UW MFM research is in its collaborative nature and breadth of research. The current research portfolio at UWMC includes
- 22 active studies representing 7 different departments
- 19 include OB/GYN faculty/fellows as co-investigators
- 18 that require biologic samples
UW MFM research is multidisciplinary and collaborative in nature. The collaborative efforts in 2021 involved:
- 18 University of Washington Departments
- > 50 National or International Universities
- World Health Organization
- Centers for Disease Control
- Private Foundations
Recent Fellow Thesis Projects
"Uterine Fibroids Associated with Lower Fetal Fraction and Indeterminate NIPS Results in Non-Obese Subjects" - Dr. Teodora Kolarova (2023)
"Reconsidering Race Adjustment in Prenatal Alpha-Fetoprotein Screening" - Dr. Nicholas Burns (2023)
“Impact of Maternal Autoimmune Disease on Cell-Free DNA Test Characteristics” - Dr. Hayley MacKinnon (2022)
“Association of Maternal Diabetes with Offspring Childhood Hypothalamic Gliosis” - Dr. Kelsey Olerich (2022)
“Gastroschisis nomograms, anomaly-specific definition of Fetal Growth Restriction” - Dr. Rebecca Simon (2021)
“Fetal Michrochimerism in Immune and Stem Cell Subsets in Preeclampsia Cases and Controls” - Dr. Steve McCartney (2020)
“Associations Between Phthalate Exposure and Gestational Age at Delivery in a Diverse Pregnancy Cohort” - Dr. Laura Sienas (2020)
“Pharmacokinetics of Buproprion During Pregnancy and Delivery” - Dr. Emily Fay (2019)
“Determinants of Postpartum Opioid Prescriptions” - Dr. Jennifer Katz-Eriksen (2019)
Research Training
Fellows have the opportunity to engage in coursework through the University of Washington School of Public Health, including biostatistics and epidemiology. Additionally, the program is supportive of obtaining a master's degree tailored to their interests.
Since 1999, the UW's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has been one of 20 OB/GYN sites chosen nationwide and funded by the National Institutes of Health to be a Women's Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Career Development Program. The department can support a maximum of three scholars, so opportunities exist for continued research development after completion of a three-year fellowship for selected applicants.
Highlight on Recent Fellow Research Presentations
Our fellows are encouraged to submit and present their research at national conferences, including SMFM, SRI, APGO/CREOG, among others.
Recent and upcoming abstracts which include a fellow (fellow name in bold):
2024 SMFM Annual Meeting:
Savitsky LM, Budker R, Ghareeb A, Mitra A, Pike M, Delaney S, Albright CM. High school diploma rate is associated with neonatal glucose instability and macrosomia among non-diabetic patients.
Ghareeb A, Cheu LA, Savitsky LM, Pike M, Delaney S, Albright CM. Distressed Community Index and the Association with Preterm Birth.
2024 SRI Annual Meeting:
Martinez-King LC, Sosa M, Pike M, Barton B, Stolarczuk J, Weis R, Nguyen V, Stephenson-Famy A, MacKinnon H, Kachikis A. Impact of obesity on neonatal outcomes among individuals with cervical cerclage during pregnancy.
2023 APGO-CREOG Annual Meeting:
Burns RN, Cai F, Southworth EA, Santiago SA, Wang E, Fay EE, Stephenson-Famy A. Filling Potholes: Student Attitudes Towards Individualized Learning Plans at Graduation.
Burns RN, Cai F, Southworth EA, Santiago SA, Wang E, Fay EE, Stephenson-Famy A. The Value of Scenic Detours: Away Rotations for MS4ss
Burns RN, Cai F, Southworth EA, Santiago SA, Wang E, Fay EE, Stephenson-Famy A. Unpaved Road Ahead: Intent Towards Abortion Provision Amongst Matched 4th Year Medical Students
Burns RN, Cai F, Southworth EA, Santiago SA, Wang E, Fay EE, Stephenson-Famy A. Taking the Express Lane? Student Attitude Toward Tracking in OB/GYN Residency”