Presenting Author
Mississippi Center of Excellence in Perinatal Research, Women’s Health Research Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center
In my current position as an assistant professor, my research focuses on studying sex differences in the cardiorenal complications (including hypertension (HT)) in adult offspring born to hyperandrogenemic females (Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat model). PCOS women give birth to intrauterine growth-restricted offspring, a fact that could increase their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) chronically. We have been working with a rat model of PCOS that mimics most of the characteristics of the syndrome and our results indicate that male offspring are at increased risk of developing CVD as adults, while females are protected. To me, research is more than a career. I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of women. PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder affecting 5% to 12% (as many as 5 million) of US women diagnosed during reproductive ages. This lifelong health condition continues far beyond the childbearing years. Furthermore, women with PCOS struggle to get pregnant, and the cardiovascular health of their offspring is an area that still needs a lot of research.