Four OBGYN Student Research Assistants awarded Mary Gates Research Scholarships

This year, FOUR of our OBGYN Research Student Assistants were selected for to be Mary Gates Research Scholars! Learn more about these students' exciting projects below.

Tima Ali, MFM Labs

What work will this scholarship support?
"This scholarship will support my independent research project examining placental lipid content across different trimesters of pregnancy to better understand lipid alterations associated with preeclampsia. The project is conducted in the MFM research lab and involves lipid staining and quantitative analysis of placental tissue samples under the mentorship of Dr. Stephen McCartney."

Why did you choose to pursue this work?
"I chose to pursue this work because of my interest in maternal health and pregnancy complications, particularly preeclampsia. Through my research experience in the MFM lab, I became interested in how placental biology contributes to disease development. Lipids play an important role in placental function, yet trimester-specific lipid changes in preeclampsia remain understudied. This project allows me to investigate a focused biological question while developing the skills necessary to translate placental biology into meaningful insights for maternal health research."

What do you see as the potential impact of this scholarship?
"The Mary Gates Research Scholarship will allow me to dedicate focused time to this project and grow as an independent researcher. By supporting hands-on training in placental lipid analysis, this work may contribute to a better understanding of lipid changes associated with preeclampsia and support future research in maternal–fetal health. This scholarship will also play an important role in my academic and professional development as I prepare for a career in medicine and research centered on improving pregnancy outcomes."

Lila Stephens, MFM Labs

What work will this scholarship support?
"Developing a Noninvasive Diagnostic Approach for Endometriosis"

What do you see as the potential impact of this scholarship?
"Endometriosis has deeply shaped my life and the lives of hundreds of millions of women. I aim to support the advancement of a noninvasive diagnostic approach so that our pain is recognized, validated, and met with real medical solutions."

Katherine Lai, Gynecologic Oncology Labs

What work will this scholarship support?
"Development & Validation of a Quantitative MLH1 Promoter Methylation ddPCR Assay"

Why did you choose to pursue this work?
"I love how the genetic research I do connects specific genes to cancers and culminates into accessible genetic testing and care. I get to explore my curiosities in genetic pathways and contribute to the greater picture of clinical care."

What do you see as the potential impact of this scholarship?
"With the help of the Mary Gate's Scholarship, I will be able to run more plates in the lab for significant additions to my research and prepare me better as a physician-scientist. With the funds towards my tuition, I also have more time to pursue a second minor in anthropology that will help broaden my perspectives towards my interests in policy impact."

Megan Le, MFM Labs

What work will this scholarship support?
"Metabolic Profiling of Immune Cells at the Maternal Fetal Interface"

Why did you choose to pursue this work?
"I chose to pursue this work because pregnancy is a uniquely complex immune state, yet many pregnancy complications remain poorly understood. Through my research, I aim to better understand how immune cells adapt their metabolism across pregnancy and how disruptions to these processes may contribute to adverse outcomes. This work is meaningful to me because improving our understanding of pregnancy biology is a critical step toward developing better diagnostics and treatments that support healthier pregnancies for both mothers and babies."

What do you see as the potential impact of this scholarship?
"This scholarship will allow me to dedicate more time and resources to my research, accelerating our understanding of how immune cell metabolism changes throughout pregnancy. By supporting this work, the scholarship contributes to foundational knowledge that may inform future strategies to identify, prevent, or treat pregnancy complications. On a personal level, it also empowers me to continue developing as a researcher committed to advancing maternal and fetal health."