The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science is dedicated to patient-oriented research. We combine scholarship with new clinical treatments to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients. From new approaches in cancer prevention and diagnosis to clinical trials, our research is designed to dramatically improve the lives of our patients and women worldwide.
Residents are required to complete an original research project during their third year of training. All our fellowships include dedicated research time in the curriculum as outlined by accreditation agencies.
Scientific Highlights
Since our inception in 1877, our Department has been expanding women’s health care through innovative research and clinical care. Our departmental highlights include:
- Introducing platinum chemotherapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer
- Trial assessing the safe use of antiretroviral treatments for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV 1 transmission
- Determining that the efficiency of in vitro fertilization (IVF) could be greatly increased if the sperm were assisted in reaching the surface of the egg
- Recognizing the link between estrogen replacement therapy and endometrial cancer
- Developing chorionic villus sampling as a routine genetic screening test
- Demonstrating fetal-fibronectin as a marker for premature delivery
- Advancing minimally invasive techniques for the surgical management of gynecologic disease
Current Research Initiatives
Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science trainees work alongside our physician-researchers to supplement their training. Research is one of the cornerstones of this department, and our investigators are closely linked with faculty across the institution, including: the Women’s Health Research Institute, the Department of Population Health Science and Policy, the Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, the Tisch Cancer Institute, and the Department of Pediatrics. We aim to advance science in the field of obstetrics and gynecology and to improve health and wellness of women in our community and beyond. Some of our research initiatives include:
- The Blavatnik Family Women's Health Research Institute to optimize quality of care for women across the life span and to narrow gaps in treatment and outcomes for underserved populations
- A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation study to improve postpartum women’s health
- NIH funded study to improve maternal outcomes in NYC hospitals
- NIH funded study to decrease ethnic and racial disparities in infant mortality rates
- The Gynecologic Cancer Biobank with more than 700 patient derived cancer cell lines
- Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of embryos to evaluate reproductive competence
- Studies focused on improving clinical effectiveness, safety, and quality of contraception care
- Resident Wellness Initiatives to reduce burnout and stress
- Randomized clinical trials for women with endometrial, ovarian, cervical, and fallopian tube cancer
- Global health studies aimed at evaluating programs, examining barriers to contraception, HPV vaccine implementation, and cervical cancer screening practices