Our Research Areas and Labs

Explore Gynecology and Obstetrics Research

Find information on current research and clinical trials on our lab websites. Visit our research landing for information on additional specialty research projects and studies.

Borahay Lab: Gynecologic and Fibroids Research

Dr. Borahay's lab focuses on understanding pathobiology, developing novel treatments, and carrying out high quality clinical trials for common gynecologic problems with a special focus on uterine fibroids. Our lab also investigates the causes and novel treatments for menstrual disorders such as heavy and irregular periods. In addition, Dr. Borahay’s team explores innovative approaches to minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, focusing on outpatient procedures with less pain and faster recovery times.

Cardio-Obstetrics Research

Under the division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, our Cardio-Obstetric research efforts seek to advance the field of gynecology through medical care and innovation. With a focus on the effect of heart conditions on pregnancy and the ways in which pregnancy can put stress on your heart and circulatory system, our goal in this multi-disciplinary research is that our findings may lead to the development of new treatments or preventative therapies for patients and their babies to better manage a heart condition during pregnancy.

The Coleman Research Group for Sexual and Reproductive Health

A clinical research group working to advance the field of gynecology through medical innovation, by increasing quality of medical care, and by closing gaps in access to sexual and reproductive healthcare and education. Our team has a number of ongoing and completed projects in the sexual and reproductive health field related to the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, menstrual disorders, and adolescent sexual and reproductive healthcare.

The Howard and Georgeanna Seegar Jones Reproductive Endocrinology Lab

Research in the Howard and Georgeanna Seegar Jones Reproductive Endocrinology Lab supports a broad interest in reproductive conditions, but has a particular focus on endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and genes causing infertility. PCOS and uterine fibroids are among the most prevalent conditions leading to infertility and diseases in women, but both remain poorly understood. Studying these areas may lead to the development of new treatments or preventative therapies.
Lab Website

Principal Investigator

James Segars, MD

Department

Gynecology and Obstetrics

Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy Research

Johns Hopkins experts have been at the forefront of research into the benefits and proven outcomes of the most advanced prenatal surgery techniques to treat a range of conditions including congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), spina bifida and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

Johns Hopkins Fertility Center Research

Research with the Johns Hopkins Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) has recently focused on perimenopause and menopause and risks for hot flashes, fertility preservation and on making advances in improving success rates for assisted reproductive technologies. Past research efforts focused on hormonal contraception, prolactin disorders and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

The Kelly Gynecologic Oncology Research Program

Our research results in effective and quality care which has led to the development of new therapies, medications and vaccines, including the HPV vaccine — the first vaccine to prevent gynecologic cancer. Our patient satisfaction scores are among the highest in the nation, due to our commitment to safety and quality.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research

The Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine is engaged in clinical, basic bench and epidemiological research as one of its primary missions. Our strength lies in the expertise and diverse interests of our faculty, as well as in the collaborations with multiple other disciplines and departments throughout the School of Medicine, The Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the School of Biomedical Engineering. The strong research infrastructure of the Johns Hopkins University forms a solid foundation for the success of our integrated research program for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Research on Reproductive Health Care for Incarcerated People

The Advocacy and Research on Reproductive Wellness of Incarcerated People (ARRWIP) group was founded in 2017 by Dr. Carolyn Sufrin of Johns Hopkins Complex Family Planning Serivces. The goal of our research is to create opportunities to improve reproductive wellbeing for people affected by the criminal legal system – including making full-scope, compassionate reproductive health care accessible for people experiencing incarceration and advocating for alternatives to incarceration.

Richard W. TeLinde Endowed Gynecologic Pathology Lab

Our scientists pursue out-of-the-box approaches at the very edge of knowledge to: 1) Elucidate the molecular/cellular/physiological landscapes of ovarian and uterine cancers. 2) Understand the earliest events in their development and mechanisms of tumor evolution/dormancy and drug resistance. 3) Deliver promises for better prevention, detection and treatment to women who have diseases or are at an increased risk to have these cancers.
Lab Website

Principal Investigator

Ie Ming Shih, MD PhD

Department

Gynecology and Obstetrics

Molecular Genetics Laboratory of Female Reproductive Cancer

The long-term objectives of our research team are: a. to understand the molecular etiology in the development of human cancer, and b. to identify and characterize cancer molecules for cancer detection, diagnosis, and therapy. We use ovarian carcinoma as a disease model because it is one of the most aggressive neoplastic diseases in women. For the first research direction, we aim to identify and characterize the molecular alterations during initiation and progression of ovarian carcinomas.
Lab Website

Principal Investigator

Tian-Li Wang, PhD

Department

Pathology