The OB-GYN Research Division’s mission is to identify emerging scientific areas and ensure that we are poised to lead in those areas, to develop and maintain infrastructures required for conducting cutting edge research, to promote continuing education for the research team, to identify the needs of the research community and to align our services to meet those needs. The division will direct research efforts to tackle significant disease related problems, especially in the areas necessary to transfer new discoveries towards drug production for treatments.
Our goal is to support the research and educational missions of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; to generate knowledge that will advance understanding and the treatment of disease that affect women and their reproduction. Due to the expansion of knowledge in genomics, proteomics, metabolism and stem cell biology the division will seek involvement in translating these advances into solutions to improve human health and well being.
Division of Research Goals and Responsibilities
- To provide education to all department staff in the conduct of research
- To assist all staff in the development and conduct of research
- To act as a research related resource for all department staff
- To disseminate research opportunities, funding opportunities, and research findings to all department staff
- To review all research projects to be conducted by department staff
- To act as a gatekeeper of all research conducted in the OB/GYN department
Research Programs
Gynecological Issues
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Menopause
- Contraception
Perceived and Real Barriers to Accessing Long-Acting Reversible Methods of Contraception
Principal Investigator: Saifuddin Mama
Co-Investigators: Amanda Malik, Lauren Finch, Isabella Gloria Silvestre, Bianca Hall, Dominique McKeever, Hilary McGrath, Neel Iyer, Samantha So, Tieg Beazer, Alexander Santangelo
Obstetric Issues and Disorders
- Hypertension
- Preterm labor
- Genetic anomalies
- Thrombophilia in pregnancy
- Fetal cardiac anomalies
- Cancer and pregnancy
- Gastroschisis
- OB/GYN postoperative care
- HIV and pregnancy
- Diabetes and pregnancy
- Postpartum depression
The Need for Presurgical Evaluation for Placenta Accreta Spectrum. Am J Perinatol.
Einerson BD, Shamshirsaz AA, Stephenson ML, Khandelwal M, Holt R, Duzyj CM, Shrivastava VK. 2023;40(9):996-1001. Epub 2023/06/20. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1761639. PubMed PMID: 37336217.
Imaging the Uterus in Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder. Am J Perinatol.
Khandelwal M, Shipp TD, Zelop CM, Abuhamad AZ, Afshar Y, Einerson BD, Fox KA, Huisman T, Lyell DJ, Perni U, Platt LD, Shainker SA. 2023;40(9):1013-25. Epub 2023/06/20. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1761914. PubMed PMID: 37336220.
Surgical Techniques for the Management of Placenta Accreta Spectrum. Am J Perinatol.
Khoury-Collado F, Newton JM, Brook OR, Carusi DA, Shrivastava VK, Crosland BA, Fox KA, Khandelwal M, Karam AK, Bennett KA, Sandlin AT, Shainker SA, Einerson BD, Belfort MA. 2023;40(9):970-9. Epub 2023/06/20. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1761636. PubMed PMID: 37336214.
Cooper University Health Care is a member of the Perinatal Research Consortium.
Cooper was granted 2 small research Grants from the Perinatal Research Consortium:
- Variation in Charge to Average Cost Ratio for Uncomplicated Births in the United States. Avery Gulion, BA, MS2; Krystal Hunter, Ph.D., M.B.A.; Meena Khandelwal, M.D. using NIS database - $2500
- Effects of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy on left ventricular Myocardial strain and central aortic stiffness - A Prospective Pilot Study. Bhaven Murji, M.B.B.S., Msci; Meena KHandelwal, M.D.; Lawrence Mulligan, Ph.D. FHA; Kunal Deolankar, M3; Ludmil Mitrev, M.D.; Michele Mele, M.D.; Robert A. Hirsh, M.D. - $10,000
Cancer in Pregnancy Registry – Dr. Elyce Cardonick
- Incidence of Neonatal Neutropenia and Leukopenia After In Utero Exposure to Chemotherapy for Maternal Cancer.
La Nasa M, Gaughan J, Cardonick E. Am J Clin Oncol. 2019 Nov;42(11):884.
- Obstetric and maternal outcomes in patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma during pregnancy: a multicentre, retrospective, cohort study.
Maggen C, Dierickx D, Lugtenburg P, Laenen A, Cardonick E, Shmakov RG, Bellido M, Cabrera-Garcia A, Gziri MM, Halaska MJ, Ottevanger PB, Van Calsteren K, O'Laughlin A, Polushkina E, Van Dam L, Avivi I, Vandenberghe P, Woei-A-Jin FJSH, Amant F; International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy. Lancet Haematol. 2019 Nov;6(11):e551-e561. doi:
- Gastric cancer during pregnancy: A report on 13 cases and review of the literature with focus on chemotherapy during pregnancy.
Maggen C, Lok CA, Cardonick E, van Gerwen M, Ottevanger PB, Boere IA, Koskas M, Halaska MJ, Fruscio R, Gziri MM, Witteveen PO, Van Calsteren K, Amant F; International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP). Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2020 Jan;99(1):79-88. doi: 10.1111/aogs.13731. Epub 2019 Oct 16.
- Preliminary results of identification and quantification of paclitaxel and its metabolites in human meconium from newborns with gestational chemotherapeutic exposure.
Cardonick E, Broadrup R, Xu P, Doan MT, Jiang H, Snyder NW. PLoS One. 2019 Feb20;14(2):e0211821
Pelvic Medicine
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Interstitial cystitis
- Efficacy of various “bladder sling” products
- Botox in the urogynecologic population
- Long term success of female pelvic reconstructive surgery
Dr. Saifuddin Mama
Dr. Mama served as an international invited lecturer and panelist on PELVIC NEUROANATOMY at the 1st Annual Conference of Female Pelvic Pain Association & SAFUG (South Asian Federation of Urogynecology) & Urogynecology Committee AOGD (Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Delhi)
Dr. Lioudmila Lipetskaia
“Improving quality of life for gynecologic cancer survivors through introducing early screening and intervention for pelvic floor dysfunction”
Funded by Rowan University Grants
1. “Urinary incontinence and quality of life in endometrial cancer patients after robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy with lymph node dissection”. Lipetskaia L, Sharma S, Johnson MS, Ostergard DR, Francis S. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2019 Oct;39(7):986-990.
2. “Do anxiety traits predict subjective short-term outcomes following prolapse repair surgery?” Collins AF, Doyle PJ, Duecy EE, Lipetskaia LV, Lee TG, Buchsbaum GM
Gynecological Oncology
- Malignant disease in OB/GYN population
- Cervical cancer
- Dysplasia in pregnancy
A Case of Painful Growing Abdominal Wall Mass During Pregnancy Requiring Resection in the Second Trimester.
Stemmer SM, Gomes C, Cardonick, EH. Case Rep Obstet Gynecol. 2024;2024:5881260. Epub 20240108. doi: 10.1155/2024/5881260. PubMed PMID: 38229587; PMCID: PMC10789513.
Reproduction, Endocrinology, and Infertility
- Infertility treatment
- In vitro fertilization
- Embryo transfer
- Miscarriage
- Cancer and Pregnancy National registry
Infectious Disease
- Vulvovaginitis
- HPV
Health research
Resident Research
- Gyn postoperative care
- Preterm labor and preterm birth
- Infertility
- Sexual function in women with gyn cancers
- Urinalysis and the urogynecology population
- Type of pelvis and clinical pelvimetry
“Fourth-Year Student Educators: Improving the OB/GYN Clerkship Experience”
Principal Investigator: Caroline MacGillivray, MD
Faculty Advisor: Kristina Williams, MD
“Obstructed Hemivagina and Ipsilateral Renal Anomaly Syndrome Presenting as Abdominal Pain: A Case Report”
Principal Investigator: Lexie Quinonez, DO
Faculty Advisor: Saifuddin Mama, MD
“Social Work and Behavioral Medicine Consult Policy for Pregnant and Postpartum Patients”
Principal Investigator: Anna White, DO
Faculty Advisor: Lori Adriance, DO
“Understanding the Current State of Socially Determinant Health Disparities in Obstetrics & Gynecology Morbidity and Mortality Conferences”
Principal Investigator: Amelle Williams, MD
Faculty Advisor: Natali Franzblau, MD
2023-2024 Resident QI/PI Projects:
“Strategies to Increasing Postpartum Follow-up Attendance”
Hailey Hutcheson, MD; Kyle Le, MD; Blaire Nasstrom, DO; Danielle Schenkler, MD
Faculty Mentor: Amanda Malik, MD
“Postpartum Contraception Counseling”
Alexa Corso, DO; Emily Hahm, MD; Alyssa Brown, MD; Karissa Rajagopal, DO
Faculty Mentor: Amanda Malik, MD
“Meds to Beds: A Pilot Study”
Bianca Aibuedefe, MD; T Dickinson, MD; Olivia Homer, MD; Savina Reid-Herrera, MD; Edgar Soto, MD
Faculty Mentor: Rori Dajao, MD
Fellowship Research
Urogynecology
“Long-Term Outcomes of Sacral Nerve Stimulation on the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence: A Systemic Review”
Principal Investigator: Erica Eggers, MD
Faculty Advisor: Lioudmila Lipetskaia, MD
Gynecological Oncology
“The Effects of Natural Epigenetic Therapies in 3-D Ovarian Cancer & Patient-Driven Tumor Explants: New Avenues in Regulating the Cancer Secretome”
Principal Investigator: Rebeca Kelly, MD
Faculty Advisor: Lauren Krill, MD