Faculty & Fellow Research

NameResearch InterestsCurrent ProjectsProject Ideas
Alexandria AlasAlexandriah Alas, MDUrogynecology, minimally invasive surgery, systematic reviews1. SGS systematic review group
2. IUGA systematic review projects
3. Outcomes of suburethral slings in non-obese vs obese
1. IC proteomics
2. Ppx estrogen (estring) to prevent UTI post operatively
Silvia Botros BreySylvia Botros-Brey, MDUrogynecology, Professionalism, Communication, Education1. Systematic review – barriers to care in urogyn procedures
2. Dept med education department – professionalism and communication- forum theater project on resident mistreatment
1. Why patients do or don’t want 3rd line therapies for overactive bladder
2. Communication simulations on delivering bad news.
3. Neurogenic vs retention are there difference in predictors for kidney damage
4. Technique for establishing initial interstim needle placement anatomic vs fluoro.
5. Patient satisfaction pre and post COVID
6. Interstim rate study paper (Dr. Kraus/Dr. Hurtado at Cleveland Clinic).
Angela BoydAngela Boyd M.D., Ph.D.Maternal obesity and gestational diabetes, infections in pregnancy1. GDC – lab study/Thesis study – samples stored for future use (visceral and sq adipose tissues. Ultimately model in vitro and in vivo – obesity factors effect on metabolism
2. Antibiotic stewardship in OB patients. Accepted for presentation at ACOG annual district meeting 2020 and SMFM 2021
3. Neonatal consequences a/w GDM
John ByrneJohn Byrne, MDCardiac disease in pregnancy, liver disease in pregnancy, health care outcomes1. ECMO for COVID-19 in Pregnancy Registry
2. Lead exposure in pregnancy
1. The July effect on severe maternal morbidity in teaching vs non-teaching hospitals.
Dr. Arthur ChangTiencheng Arthur Chang Ph.D., HCLD, ELD, CCAssisted Reproductive Techniques, Optimizing Use of Fertility Labs1. ART Laboratory Quality Management: in vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete and embryo development, cryopreservation, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), embryo implantation, andrology, Photos of embryos sperm
2. Optimizing quality control and outcomes with ART
3. Cryopreservation
4. Collaboration with Univ South Carolina
5. IVF Lab: We have time-lapse microscopy for clinical/quality research on embryo and sperm.
6. Mouse embryos, SART database, internal data, discarded human embryos (low number)
Rochelle M. David, MDRochelle David, MDGeneral OBGYN
Stephanie Elliott, DNPStephanie Elliot, DNP, APRN, FNP-CQI in PCOS and obesity
Elizabeth EvansElizabeth Evans, MDUrogynecology, clinical outcomes and medicine access1. National systematic review group
2. Completing systemic review with the urogyn fellow
1. Evaluating women with AUB and thickened endometrial stripe – case series looking at outcomes among women with insufficient biopsy
2. Can we predict who will need more pain medications following urogyn surgery
3. RCT bowel diet – randomizing people to normal instruction or specific foods to eat/avoid list and f/u with CRADI-8 scale.
4. PTNS (outcomes) – when do sxs start to resolve? And looking at delays in between tx – likely need to be multi-site
5. Sensation vs actual PVR in new visit population. Retrospective review.
6. Multicenter project: POP system out of proportion.
Chris FrankaJ. Franka, MDGeneral OBGYN
Julie HorstingJulie Horsting MR, MS, LCGCOptimizing patient care and education related to genetics – engagement, empowerment; broader picture – outreach, recurrent pregnancy loss, patient education, and informed consent.
Jessica HughesJessica Hughes, MD, MPHGeneral GYN, medical education, assessments1. Outcomes of surgically managed tubo-ovarian abscesses
Edward KostEdward Kost, MDTranslational research, gynecologic oncology, resident/fellow education1. Tumor bank – Kost is PI; Cervical, ovarian, endometrial interests
2. Cell cultures from specimens so someone could work with cultures cancer cells
3. Health care disparities in women with endometrial cancer – microarray for Hispanic women
4. Health care disparities – demographic studies using Texas cancer registry
5. Robotic surgery vs straight stick laparoscopy
1. Intratumor environment – Immunohistochemistry data available to analyze or publish from the data
Ariana Lewis, MDAriana Lewis, MD1. Retrospective chart review to determine if pts with PCN allergy are at greater risk for surgical site infection after Cesarean.
2. Retrospective chart review to determine if pts with PCN allergy are at greater risk for surgical site infection after hysterectomy for benign indications.
3. Outcomes for both studies: A. Would our pt population benefit from pre-op PCN skin testing, B. Would this help us to reduce readmission/ EC visits for surgical site infection
4. QI Project with nursing calls/visits at 3wks postpartum to increase rates of follow up and be compliant with ACOG recs
5. OB Antibiogram
1. Evaluating PCN allergies in pts who are GBS positive. Would they qualify for PCN skin testing, in hopes of reducing NICU admission and 48hr sepsis obs in the nursery
Alejandro Lozano Alejandro Lozano Zaldivar, MDGYN surgery, procedures1. LEEPs in clinic vs OR
Dr. Yasmin Lyons profileYasmin Lyons, DOTranslational research and clinical research 1. Chemotherapy regimens for cervical cancer
2. Endometrial cancer with lower uterine segment involvement
Winifred Mak, MDWinifred Mak, MDDiagnosis and management of recurrent pregnancy loss. Perinatal outcomes of infants conceived by assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF.1. Genomic Predictors of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (GPRPL) study
2. The genome integrity and epigenome of sperm from men with recurrent pregnancy loss (SPERMRPL) study
3. Investigating the perinatal outcomes of infants born to couples who have recurrent pregnancy loss and underwent in-vitro fertilization (IVF)
4. Investigating the perinatal outcomes of infants conceived by intravaginal culture
5. Investigating the role of social media videos in educating graduate students about fertility.
1.Investigating the use of microfluidic devices to improve sperm DNA fragmentation
2. Randomized control trial using microfluidic sorting to improve live birth rate in ovulation induction intrauterine insemination cycles.
Caitlin MartinCaitlin Martin, MDGynecology, Minimially invasive surgery1. Bacterial colonizations in women with TOA.
2. Nexplanon efficacy in obese women.
3. Outcomes for women with COVID in pregnancy
MCCANNGeorgia McCann, MDGynecologic oncology1. Clinical trial research- Ovarian cancer trials
2. HPV vaccination rates – barriers
3. Creating a protocol for same-day discharge of patients (cancer and benign) undergoing MIS surgery
1. Simulation in accreta cases
2. Clear cell ovarian cancers – endometriosis origin vs other
Erin NelsonErin Nelson, MDcervical dysplasia, medical student education, HPV, cervical dysplasia, medical education1. HPV vaccination rates and barriers
2. QI Project: Implementation of Postpartum Rounds curriculum in OBG clerkship
1. Exploring Health Disparities in Hispanic women and Cervical Cancer (Texas Cancer Registry)
Newton Luke Newton, MDOpiate use disorder1. MOMMIES program/protocols for pain control and cesarean delivery
2. San Antonio POPs Project
3. Bupenorphine training
Sarah Page RamseySarah Page-Ramsey, MDMedical Education, Simulation, pregnancy loss 1. Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery
2. Multidisciplinary Code OB Simulation – response times, time to resuscitative hysterotomy in maternal cardiac arrest.
3. Optimal frequency of shoulder dystocia simulation training among OBGYN residents
James PaineJ. Paine, MDGeneral OBGYN1. Comparison of outcomes after endometrial ablation in patients receiving DMPA vs not.
Kristen PlastinoKristen Plastino, MDAdolescent sexual health, contraception, innovatove hospital/home health ideas, QI for efficiency and patient safety1. Adolescent sexual health education and research – optimal health/contraception.
2. Systems-involved youth (closing health disparities)
3. Community partnerships (capacity building, training and technical assistance, measuring outcomes)
4. Youth Leadership Council – working directly with youth to gather feedback for continuous quality improvement
5. Mentors in Medicine program – mentoring HS students on their journey to medical school
6. Strengthening parent/caregiver and youth communication
7. Citywide project to promote online behavioral health intervention
8. Adolescent mental health evaluation tool with youth input
9. Nurse standing orders and impact on contraception access and compliance
10. Social media impact on teen contraception preferences
1. Immediate postpartum LARC
2. Teen clinic downtown – opportunities to explore interventions to improve contraceptive use in adolescent males and females
3. Family planning at multiple clinics – options of population health.
4. Behavioral health
Dr. Anne PorterAnne Porter, MD, MPHSimulation, medical education, gynecologic surgery1. Same-day discharge – evaluating the impact of a protocol for same-day discharge to home after major gynecologic surgery on post-operative course
2. Suture stimulation – comparison of in-person suture simulation session vs independent learning on competency and satisfaction
3. Adenomyosis systematic review – assessing the data for uterine-sparing surgical management options for adenomyosis
Egle PrewitEgle Prewit M.D., Ph.D.1. Investigation into statins as prevention and treatment of inflammation in pregnancy
2. Lactation, oxytocin and maternal cardiovascular function later in life
3. Human tissue repository
4. Fetal programming of metabolic syndrome - Long-term effect of lactation on maternal health

Patrick RamseyPatrick Ramsey M.D., MSPHPreterm birth prevention, severe maternal morbidity, infectious disease

1. COVID vaccination in pregnancy and hesitancy
2. Impact of virtual interviews on fellow applications
3. Pharma sponsored: Maternal RSV Vaccination/Volixibat for treatment of ICP
4. Working with neonatology for bio bank for covid-19
5. Maternal Transfusion Reduction Initiative
6. Postpartum pre-eclampsia readmissions
7. Impact of flight/transport on fetal monitoring and OB outcome
1. Can help with RCT metaanalyses, cost effectiveness research development/execution.
2. Recently on editorial board for green journal. Can help get people on board to be reviewers.
3. Murine typhus in pregnancy
4. Obesity research in pregnancy
Randal D RobinsonRandal Robinson MD, MBAEndometriosis, PCOS, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss1. Microbiome of vagina/rectum/endometrium in IVF patients and how this correlates with implantation and success rates
2. RCT Misoprostol vs placebo prior to Myomectomy to assess for EBL
3. Cervical and C/S scar ectopics case series
4. Survey Pre and Post IVF class.
5. Gut Microbiome Effect on Susceptibility to Infection by Chlamydia muridarum
6. Endometriosis: Clinical: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial assessing the efficacy, safety and dose-response of quinagolide extended-release vaginal rings administered sequentially for 4 menstrual cycles in women with moderate to severe endometriosis-related pain
7. Endometriosis: Collaboration with Dr. Bruce Nicholson, Biochemistry, Evaluating the effects of gap junctions in the development of endometriosis
8. Reproductive Medicine Network
Gangadhara SareddyGangadhara Sareddy, Ph.D.Ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, brain tumors, cancer stem cells, epigenetics

1. Identifying new therapeutic targets in gynecologic cancers and brain tumors
2. Discovering new combination therapies for ovarian and endometrial cancers
3. Studying the epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to hypoxic stress, therapy resistance and cancer stem cells
Rajeshwar TekmalRajeshwar Tekmal, Ph.D.1. Endometriosis
2. Hormone/receptor mediated actions in normal, and benign malignant gynecological diseases
3. Tumor biology/molecular oncology and therapeutics for breast, cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers
4. Development and testing novel progestin related compounds for fertility control
Ratna Vadlamudi Ratna Vadlamudi Ph.D.1. Discovering oncogenic mechanisms that contribute to breast and ovarian cancer progression
2. Developing transgenic and knock-out mouse models for studying estrogen signaling in cancer and neuronal diseases
3. Development of small molecule inhibitors targeting oncogenes for treating advanced breast and ovarian cancers.
Surya ViswanadhapalliSuryavathi Viswanadhapalli, Ph.D.1. Development of small molecule inhibitors targeting LIF/LIFR for treating endometrial and ovarian cancer
2. Developing novel combination therapy for endometrial and ovarian cancer using existing FDA approved therapeutics
3. Testing the utility of new drugs using preclinical models of cancer progression including xenografts, patient derived explants (PDeX), and patient derived xenografts (PDX)
Cristina M. Wallace Huff, MDCristina Wallace Huff, MDGynecology, contraception, medical education, QI projects1. Postpartum LARC satisfaction
BLANKENSHIPLogan Blankenship, MDGYN Oncology1. Endometrial cancer database
2. Tumor registry
3. Frozen tissue samples
1. Demographics/retrospective studies with tumor and tissue banks
Kathryn GoldrickKathryn Goldrick, MDMale infertility1. Sperm epigenetics (UTSA)
2. PCOS database
3. Cesarean scar ectopic pregnancies
4. Fertility preservation
5. Letrozole with ovulation induction
JESSIAN L MUNOZJessian Muñoz, M.D., Ph.D.Placenta Accreta, Maternal morbidity, Fetal therapy, Health Policy1. Placenta Accreta database
2. Placenta Previa database
3. Maternal morbidity associated with insurance ‘churning’. Currently evaluating insurance latency periods and maternal outcomes.
4. COVID in pregnancy registry/ database
5. 2nd trimester approach to accreta
6. Neonatal outcomes from accreta
1. Fetal renal doppler parameters for pre-eclampsia evaluation
2. Development of TAPS scoring system and fetal outcomes.
3. Systemic meta-analysis of selective fetal reduction outcomes
NEUHOFFBarbara Neuhoff, MDMaternal Fetal Medicine1. Chagas disease screening/mngmt in pregnancy
1. PPROM
2. Inpatient dx/mngmt pyelo
3. Ultrasound projects
4. NICU sepsis calculator
5. 3rd trimester bleeding impact on maternal/neonatal outcomes
6. Biomarkers for pyelonephritis
Srinidhi Reddy Srinidhi Reddy, MDReproductive Endocrinology and Infertility1. Microbiome of vagina/rectum/endometrium in IVF patients and how this correlates with implantation and success rates