Research

Dr. Kristina Adams Waldorf researching Zika Virus and birth defects

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology received $20 million in research funding in 2022-2023. Our infrastructure provides a supportive environment for faculty and trainees to conduct high-quality research.

Contact research
This is unpublished
Research data showing millions of dollers in fundning

Vision

Fast facts

30 research faculty, 16 fellows

10,000+ square feet of research laboratory space

Our faculty envision a world where optimal reproductive health is achieved - guided by principles of discovery, collaboration, significance and innovation. We seek to motivate a research environment dedicated to creativity and advancing collaborations within the university, nationwide,  and across the world.

Mission

Contact

General Research Inquiries: obgynresearch@uw.edu
Grant or Contract-related Inquiries: obgrants@uw.edu

Engage in scientific inquiries ranging from the cellular level to the level of health systems to promote excellence in reproductive healthcare.

Harness basic science, applied science, clinical, health services, and epidemiologic research to answer pressing questions about reproductive health. 

partnerships

In the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, we work closely with investigators at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Seattle Children’s Hospital, as well as the Departments of Immunology, Genome Sciences, Pharmacology, Population Health, Public Health, Infectious Disease and Global Health.

Our faculty engage in multidisciplinary collaborations throughout the world  to address emerging reproductive threats like corona, HIV, HPV, cancer and lack of access to family planning; and throughout the rural west to solve long-standing barriers to pregnancy care access using telemedicine. 

Training

Close up of hands working with lab equipmentWe offer numerous opportunities for residents and fellows to engage in research. In addition to our Global Health research, we are proud of our Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Career Development Program which has trained numerous young OB/GYNs to be successful clinician scientists. 

Research Division

In 2018, we established a Research division which facilitates high-quality research by providing technical and operational support to OB/GYN faculty and trainees. While faculty throughout the department engage in clinical research, the Research division is separate from the 11 clinical divisions of our department and has its own operating structure. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is also home to the Center for Reproductive Sciences.

Research Division Leadership

  • Barbara Norquist, MD, Associate Chair of Research
  • Florian Hladik, MD, PhD, Director of Reproductive Sciences, Division Chief of Research
  • Elizabeth Swisher, MD, Director of GynOnc Research & WRHR RD
  • Kathryn Gray, MD, PhD, Director of MFM Research

Research Training and Technical Support

  • Ronit Katz, PhD, Director of Biostatistics
  • Mindy Pike, PhD, Analyst
  • Erin Dwyer, MPH, Analyst
  • Catherine Albright, Director of Resident Research

Research Operations

  • Kelly Gilmore, MPH, Associate Director of Research Operations
  • Emiko Oshima, MPH, Research Program Manager
  • Molly Ruben, MPH, Research Program Manager
  • Faith Beers, MS, Research Program Manager
  • Jeffrey Numrych, Research Division Administrator
  • Tyler Gaffney, Grants Manager
  • Anne Russell, Grants Manager

Research inquiries can be sent to obgynresearch@uw.edu.

Research News

February 23, 2024
This Week in Review: February 19-23, 2024
October 11, 2023
Understanding Fetal Neurodevelopment During Pregnancy Seeking Participants
September 25, 2023
Fall 2023 Letter from Chair of OB/GYN, Dr. Barbara Goff