Women’s Health Research Collaborative

Vision:

Our vision is to be a leader in Women’s Health research and research education to improve women’s lives in the communities we serve.

Mission:

To become a leader in Women’s health research by contributing and advancing research education and research that impact and empower women’s lives in our communities we directly serve.

Goals:

Provide a nexus for research incubation and idea synergy promoting Women’s Health research at the University of Toledo.
Implement a structure for medical student, OBGYN resident, and University of Toledo faculty for initial grant funding of basic, clinical, translational, social, and societal Women’s Health research.
Develop and provide an avenue for student, OBGYN resident, and faculty Women’s Health research funding, facilitating production and publication of meaningful projects addressing the unmet research questions pertaining to the health and well-being of women.
Provide research and scientific mentorship opportunities for College of Medicine and Life Sciences learners and OBGYN residents.
A long-term goal of the Women’s Health Research Collaborative is to facilitate the attraction of external grant funding for the program itself and/or for individual research teams by the demonstration of a research community and structure at our institution that fosters and advances Women’s Health research.

Program Summary

The Women’s Health Research Collaborative (WHRC) provides an open forum and virtual community to connect researchers on our University of Toledo campus in a manner which allows for idea sharing and research collaboration, with the hoped-for goal of advancing Women’s Health Research at our institution. Research focus of the WHRC is on the scientific advancement of both female gender at birth as well as female identified gender based scientific advancement.

Currently, College of Medicine Women’s Health research is performed in isolation. Additionally, synergy between other University of Toledo Colleges and Institutes with the College of Medicine and Life Sciences are general at best, happenstance. High quality Women’s Health research occurs at the University of Toledo. However, a community of research collaboration currently is lacking.

Another unmet need the WHRC will help address involves provision of resources for undergraduate and graduate learners. Small research initiation grants, utilizing the Rita T. Sheely College of Medicine endowment function as “pump priming” support for Women’s Health research. WHRC supports, oversees, and manages competitive small grant funding or new or underfunded existing Women’s Health research.

Funding submissions undergo review via an expedited scoring system. In summary, the WHRC works on the premise that “we are stronger when we work together.”

Donate to the Rita T. Sheely fund

Membership (Structure for Women’s Health Research)

Structure:

Membership Eligibility:

Membership in WHRC open to University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science and School of Nursing faculty, graduate students, medical students, OBGYN residents, and PA students actively involved in Women’s Health research.

Membership Requirements:

Submit to the collaborative (For electronic list-serve) active Women’s health research, IRB submitted research, presented research, and published research.
Agree for identification as a member of the Collaborative on the Collaborative website (Embedded within the University of Toledo OBGYN departmental website).
Agree to participate in yearly research symposium as requested (Present recently published and/or already presented research; Mentor students who wish to present projects and results)

Current Members:

Coming Soon

Funding Opportunities/Process:

Intent:

WHRC funding opportunity provides one-time seed and bridge grant support for student, OBGYN resident, COMLS department graduate student and early career COMLS faculty with innovative, scientifically sound, research proposals which foster the improved scientific understanding of health issues impacting women. Funding provided through the Rita T. Sheely OBGYN Departmental endowment. Funding intent for facilitation of pilot studies or as bridge opportunity for viable ongoing, high-quality investigations which have high likelihood for extramural support. Funded investigators agree to become members of the WHRC.

Classification:

Medical student- One (1) $5,000.00 per project opportunities
OBGYN resident- One (1) $5,000.00 per project opportunities
Faculty, any UT student, any UT resident, any UT graduate student- One $15,000.00 per project opportunity

Submission:

Submission deadline- Nov. 1 (Yearly)
Submission Application- Grant Application (PDF)
Notes:
1. Submissions must meet all applicable University of Toledo and affiliates research requirements. Requirements include but are not limited to Institutional Review Board approval/oversight for applicable human subject research, Institutional Animal Care and Oversight Committee approval/oversight for applicable animal research, and/or Institutional Biosafety Committee approval/oversight for submissions applicable to IBC oversight.
2. Medical student, resident, or graduate student projects must include faculty PI endorsement.
3. Awarded projects require yearly update submission to WHRC (Nov. 1 due date)
Application Process:
1. Submission due date- Nov. 1 each year
2. Selection completed and funding awarded – Dec. 15 each year
WHRC Review Committee:
1. Chair- Vice Chair for Research, COMLS Department of OBGYN
2. UTCOMLS Department OBGYN Chair
3. Other faculty, and/or community member (TBD by OBGYN department chair and Vice Chair for research)
4. OBGYN Residency Program Director (ALTERNATE- OBGYN Clerkship Director)
5. Elected representative from OBGYN Medical Student Special Interest Club- changes yearly.

(ALTERNATE- Designated for review designated by chair if committee member research submission under review)

How to Apply

Grant Application (PDF)

Send all completed applications to Courtney Wiskochil via email: courtney.wiskochil@utoledo.edu.

Current Projects and Publications

Rita T Sheely Endowment Direct and Grant Supported Presentations and Publications:

2026

Publications

Simon J, Van Hook J, Azeem N, Allen M, Moussa H. Cross-sectional survey of obstetrical providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and use of noninvasive prenatal testing for 22q11.2 deletion. Am J Perinatol Rep. 2026;16:e117-e122.

Nelson J, Cox H, Hamilton I, Khurshid N, Docheva N. Pregnancy and poikiloderma with neutropenia. AJP Rep. 2026;16:e27-e29. PMID: 41583705.

Polavarapu M, Singh S. From vaccine misinformation: a multilevel analysis of how women navigate information in maternal vaccine decision-making. Submitted to: Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2026.

Polavarapu M, Arsene C, Bratton C, Bon S, Azeem SS, Mukundan D, Van Hook J, Singh S. What makes the maternal RSV vaccine different? Qualitative insights to inform digital storytelling. Submitted to: Journal of Health Communication. 2026.

Abstracts/ Presentations

Vedapudi V, Edgington A, Azeem S, Van Hook J. When hoofbeats suggest horses but reveal a zebra: irritable bowel syndrome–like presentation of ovarian cancer and associated secondary health outcomes in a national propensity-matched study. Accepted for presentation at: Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 93rd Annual Meeting; October 21-24, 2026; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Bratton C, Polavarapu M, Singh S, Azeem S, Arsene C, Bon S, Van Hook J, Mukundan D. Maternal RSV vaccines knowledge, attitudes, mistrust, and decision-making: a national survey. Accepted for presentation at: Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 93rd Annual Meeting; October 21-24, 2026; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Azeem SS, Polavarapu M, Singh S, Arsene C, Bhatt A, Hu WS, Bratton C, Bon S, Van Hook J, Mukundan D. Maternal RSV vaccine decisions: psychosocial factors influencing hesitancy and receptiveness. Accepted for presentation at: American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition; October 2-6, 2026; San Diego, CA.

Hu WS, Bhatt A, Azeem SS, Polavarapu M, Singh S. Maternal RSV vaccine knowledge, attitudes, and decision-making in a clinical population. Presented at: University of Toledo Undergraduate Research Symposium; 2026; Toledo, OH.

Bhatt A, Hu WS, Polavarapu M, Azeem SS, Singh S. Maternal RSV vaccination attitudes: the role of mistrust beyond environmental barriers. Presented at: University of Toledo Undergraduate Research Symposium; 2026; Toledo, OH.

Bon S, Polavarapu M, Singh S, Azeem S, Bratton C, Arsene C, Van Hook J, Mukundan D. Knowledge and 5 person-level determinants (5Cs) of maternal RSV vaccine decisions. Accepted for presentation at: IDWeek 2026; October 21-24, 2026; Washington, DC.

Bratton C, Rector D, Van Hook J. Rates and predictors of oophorectomy at the time of cystectomy: a retrospective institutional review. Accepted for presentation at: CAOG Annual Meeting; 2026.

Kret Z, Wolfe M, Singh S, Polavarapu M. Examining the relationship of prediabetes on adverse health outcomes among pregnant women. Accepted for presentation at: 2026 Women’s Health Conference; September 30-October 2, 2026; Boston, MA.

Gangji SN, Martins J, Aboukhater D, Vishna M, Kawakita T, Abuhamad A. Variability in obstetric ultrasound time: influence of exam type, BMI, and sonographer experience. Presented at: Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine; 2026.

Aboukhater D, Nelson J, Schott M, Ibaraki M, Van Hook J, Zarudskaya O. Role of vaginal probiotics in assisted-reproductive technology: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Poster presented at: Midwest Reproductive Symposium International; July 26-29, 2026; Chicago, IL.

Marly A, Nelson J, Connole S, Docheva N, Khurshid N, Hamilton I, Simmonds L, Zarudskaya O. Hydrocolpos: a rare prenatal diagnosis. A case report. Accepted for poster presentation at ISUOG 2026 World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. September 2026, London, UK

Nelson J, Bratton C, Azzi M, Mohammadione D, Seo-Patel S, Docheva N, Khurshid N, Hamilton I, Simmonds L, Zarudskaya, O. Large prolapsing cervical myoma in pregnancy: A case report. Accepted for poster presentation at ISUOG 2026 World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. September 2026, London, UK

Nelson J, Bratton C, Khurshid N, Docheva N, Zarudskaya O, Hamilton, I. Diagnostic challenges of Mullerian abnormalities in pregnancy: Case report. Midwest Reproductive Symposium International, Chicago, Illinois, July 2026.

Bratton, C, Nelson J, Craig M, Docheva N, Hamilton I. “Beyond the Ordinary: Diagnostic and Surgical Challenges in a Rare Mullerian Anomaly.” Poster Presentation, Midwest Reproductive Symposium international, July 25-29, 2026.

2025

Publications

Moussa H, Rector D, Gherman W, Shuffle E, Fresche R, Reid T. Aggressive chemotherapy and antepartum management of small-cell carcinoma of the ovary of hypercalcemic type: a novel case report with ethical and medical decision-making consideration. AJP Rep. 2025;15:e175-e180. PMID: 41472702.

Moussa HN, Rector D, Gherman W, Shuffle E, Fresch R, Reid T. Aggressive chemotherapy and antepartum management of small-cell carcinoma of the ovary of hypercalcemic type: a novel case report with ethical and medical decision-making consideration. AJP Rep. 2025;15:e175-e180.

Ibaraki M, Zhao Q, Van Hook J, Moussa H. Reevaluating the association between chorioamnionitis and cerebellar hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pregnancy. 2025;1:e70080.

Cox H, Wong M, Preszler J, Docheva N, Khurshid N. Thyroid storm triggered by partial hydatidiform mole: a rare and life-threatening complication. AJP Rep. 2025;15(2):e94-e97. doi:10.1055/a-2626-9145.

Abstracts/ Presentations

Rector D, Shuffle E, Lutz M. A low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm masquerading as a hydrosalpinx in a menopausal woman: a case report. Presented at: Minimally Invasive Surgery Week; 2025.

Vu T, Vu N. Vulvar carcinoma arising in hidradenitis suppurativa: a review of the malignant transformation. Presented at: Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances; 2025.

Aboukhater D, Nelson J, Schott M, Ibaraki M, Van Hook J, Zarudskaya O. Role of vaginal probiotics in assisted-reproductive technology: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Poster submitted.

Nelson J, Owda S, Vergis J, Imami AS, Ryan WG, McCullumsmith R. Transcriptomic reanalysis and drug repurposing for endometroid endometrial cancer. Presented at: Toledo Cancer Research Symposium; 2025.

2024

Publications

Lauren Fang, Richard Simman, Lauren Workman, Samar Ayoub, Camille Bratton (2024). “Malignant wound aetiology, diagnosis and management: a case series and literature review.” J Wound Care, 2024 Feb 2;33(2):102-117

Dani Zoorob, Mark English, Camille Bratton, Lauren Leiby, Catherine Vanhook, Anita Tamirisa (2023). “Integration of Health Informatics in Undergraduate Medical Education Curricula.” EC Gynaecology, 2024 July 12.8 (2023): 01-13

Dani Zoorob, Camille Bratton, Lauren Leiby, Catherine Vanhook, Anita Tamirisa (2023). The Current State of Medical Informatics Curricula in Undergraduate Medical Education: A National Survey.” EC Gynaecology, 2024 June 12.7 (2024): 31-45

Abstracts/ Presentations

Camille Bratton, M.D., Danielle Saucier, M.D., Kelsey Suffel, BSN, RN, Savanna Anderson-Wilson BSN, RN, Hind Moussa, M.D., and David Harper, M.D. “The Effect of an Antepartum Wellness Program on Maternal Mental Health During Prolonged Hospitalization.” Poster Presentation, The Central Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, October 15-18, 2024.

2023

Publications

Zoorob D, Tsolakian I, Shuffle E, Perring P, Maxwell R. Addition of transversus abdominis plane block to conventional pain regimens in robotic sacrocolpopexy procedures: a pilot randomized controlled trial (SACROTAP). Urogynecology (Phila). 2023;29(2):139-143. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000001287.

2022

Publications

Craig M, Tamirisa A, Madhavan R, Jochum E, Cohen A, Zoorob D. Vaping in pregnancy: a geographically focused assessment of OBGYN provider knowledge regarding the safety and usage of electronic nicotine delivery systems. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2022;49(2):31. doi:10.31083/j.ceog4902031.

Abstracts/ Presentations

Anita Tamirisa, Mark English, Camille Bratton, Dani Zoorob. “Integration of Health Informatics in Undergraduate Medical Educational Curricula: A Systematic Review.” Poster Presentation, CREOG-APGO Conference, March 11, 2022

2021

Publications

Murphy C, Zarudskaya O, Kakish C, Zoorob D, Seo-Patel S. Uterine fibroid in a 16-year-old adolescent managed with a fertility-sparing approach: a case report and review of the literature. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2021;34(2):260-263.

2020

Publications

Zoorob D, Frenn R, Moffitt M, et al. Multi-institutional validation of a vaginal hysterectomy simulation model for resident training. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2020;27(7):S1553-4650(20)31173-0.

Zarudskaya O, Subash M, Tamirisa A, Docheva N, Reddy B, Zoorob D. Management of a splenic artery aneurysm in the third trimester of pregnancy. Case Rep Obstet Gynecol. 2020.

Center for Drug Design and Development Rita T. Sheely Foundation Ongoing Support Publications

Nguyen JH, Curtis MA, Imami AS, Ryan WG, Alganem K, Neifer KL, et al. Developmental pyrethroid exposure disrupts molecular pathways for MAP kinase and circadian rhythms in mouse brain. Physiol Genomics. 2025;57(4):240-253.
Nguyen JH, Zhang X, Eby HM, Alganem K, Ryan WG, Imami AS, et al. Multi-omic analysis of glutamate excitotoxicity in primary neuronal cultures. J Neurochem. 2025;169(6):e70110.
Wood JF, Vergis JM, Imami AS, Ryan WG, Sin JJ, Kim BJ, et al. Identification of drug repurposing candidates for Coxsackievirus B3 infection in iPSC-derived brain-like endothelial cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;26(15):7041.
Rami Reddy MVSR, Wood JF, Norris J, Becker K, Murphy SC, Doddi S, et al. Integrative transcriptomic and perturbagen analyses reveal sex-specific molecular signatures across glioma subtypes. 2025;18(1).

Obstetrics & Gynecology