Overview
We 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 Training and Technical Support
- Ronit Katz, PhD, Director of Biostatistics
- Catherine Albright, Director of Resident Research
Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow Research
The UW MFM Fellowship has particular strengths in interdisciplinary clinical and translational research, biostatistics and epidemiology training, and global health. Five Maternal-Fetal Medicine faculty have NIH-funded research projects. Basic and clinical research projects under the supervision of Maternal-Fetal Medicine faculty have repeatedly resulted in SMFM oral and poster presentations by current and past fellows. This program provides UW MFM fellows with unique learning opportunities that enhance their ability to conduct meaningful research, interpret clinical studies and practice evidence-based medicine.
Complex Family Planning Fellow Research
Fellows will choose from a broad range of topics in contraception and abortion to design and complete a research project of their choice during their fellowship under the mentorship of senior colleagues. The project may be completed in collaboration with faculty in the School of Medicine, the School of Public Health, or an established UW research program.
Gynecologic Oncology Fellow Research
The program has been developed to train gynecologic oncologists who will be leaders in patient care, research, surgical expertise, innovative cancer therapies, and education. While the surgical and clinical experience is exceptional, this program also provides an excellent opportunity for epidemiologic or basic science research. FHCRC has developed a gynecologic cancer research program (GCRP) that brings together researchers with common interests in gynecologic malignancies, provides infrastructure for data collection, tissue banking, and funds for pilot projects. FHCRC, in collaboration with UW and SMC currently has an NIH ovarian cancer SPORE grant, one of only five in the U.S., and is actively conducting research projects in early detection, biomarker development, chemoresistance, and modeling for prediction of cancer. UW is one of the lead sites for HPV vaccine research and cancer genetics. FHCRC actively studies the epidemiology of gynecologic malignancies. For fellows with interests in any of these areas, we have identified mentors who have agreed to participate in the research training.
Resident Research
All residents are required to complete a scholarly project. They identify research mentors and present their proposed abstracts in the fall of their second year. Residents' final research presentations are held in the fall of their fourth year. Throughout the year, there are structured journal clubs and research didactic sessions teaching the principles of clinical research, study design, and statistical analysis.
Resident Research Schedule
R1 Year
- Decide area of research
- Identify research mentors
R2 Year
- Research proposal presentation (December)
- IRB submission
- Data collection and analysis
R3 Year
- Data collection and analysis
R4 Year
- Research abstract due (August)
- Husky Day Presentation (September)
- Manuscipts due (May)
Resident Research Team
Catherine Albright, MD MS - Dr. Albright is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the Resident Research Director. She completed her OB/Gyn residency, MFM fellowship, and Masters in Clinical and Translational Research at Brown University. Her clinical and research interests are related to critical care, cardiac disease, and hypertension in pregnancy. She directs the resident research lecture series as well as the resident journal club. She loves epidemiology and statistics and is always excited to share that knowledge.
Erica Lokken, PhD - Dr. Lokken is a PhD epidemiologist who works closely with the Department of OB/Gyn and has a strong interest in women's health. Her primary research sits at the intersection of sexually transmitted infections and reproductive and perinatal outcomes. She co-directs the resident research lecture series and journal club with Drs. Albright and Callegari.
Ronit Katz, PhD - Dr. Katz is a PhD biostatistician and Research Associate Professor of OB/Gyn. Her primary research uses statistical methods in renal and cardiovascular disease, focusing on novel biomarkers that can improve diagnosis of early disease onset, screen at-risk populations, and provide prognostic information for those with the disease. She has significant experience working with trainees of all levels providing statistical expertise, mentoring, and guidance.
Lisa Callegari, MD MPH - Dr. Callegari is an Associate Professor of OB/Gyn and a health services researcher who works primarily at the VA. Her research focuses on identifying reproductive health needs and health disparities in marginalized populations as well as designing and testing interventions to increase patient-centered and equitable care. She co-directs the resident research lecture series with Drs. Albright and Lokken. She previously ran the resident journal club and now happily participates.