About the Program

A Legacy of Innovation, A Future of Discovery

Under the leadership of Chair Michael A. Thomas, MD, a nationally recognized leader in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, the research program of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is a dynamic, comprehensive, and globally impactful enterprise built upon the bedrock of a premier R1 research university. The University of Cincinnati is a nationally recognized leader in discovery, achieving a record $740 million in research funding in fiscal year 2023 and ranking 34th among all public universities in the U.S. for research expenditures. This environment of excellence provides our investigators with the resources, stability, and collaborative potential to conduct science that transforms women's health.

Our mission is to improve the lives and health of all women through excellence, leadership, collaboration, and innovation in scientific discovery, education, and advocacy.

A Comprehensive Research Enterprise

One of our greatest strategic assets is our structure. The department is one of only a handful in the United States that contains all recognized OB/GYN subspecialties within a single, coordinated academic group. This integrated model fosters a unique "life course" approach to women's health research, allowing scientific inquiry to seamlessly span from adolescence through the reproductive years to post-menopause. This commitment to research is reflected in the department's national standing; in 2024, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology was ranked 55th in the nation for NIH funding by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.

Our research portfolio demonstrates a sophisticated balance between high-technology, molecular-level investigation and high-touch, community-level population health science. This "bench to bedside to community" capability is the hallmark of a mature and impactful academic program. Our seven divisions are all actively engaged in research:

Gynecologic Oncology & Advanced Pelvic Surgery: Pursuing a multi-pronged research agenda against reproductive tract cancers through advanced surgery, innovative therapies, and deep integration with the UC Cancer Center.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Focusing on the most complex conditions of pregnancy, including diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and preterm birth prevention.

Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility: Investigating complex fertility issues with the support of a dedicated laboratory and an active clinical trials program.

Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology: Researching how early-life conditions impact long-term reproductive health and future fertility.

Community Women's Health: Tackling critical public health challenges by examining the social determinants of health to reduce infant mortality and improve outcomes.

Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery: This division includes research on conditions such as obstetric anal sphincter injuries, led by investigators like Dr. Haley Barnes.

General Obstetrics & Gynecology: Leading studies in contraceptive research and initiatives aimed at improving perinatal outcomes.

This vibrant research environment is the result of a long-term, strategic commitment to building scientific capacity. In 1988, the department established the Reproductive Medicine Research Unit to serve the research needs for the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, laying the groundwork for the comprehensive infrastructure that supports all divisions today.

Pioneering Research on a Global Stage

Our department is a leader in addressing the most pressing challenges in women's health on both a local and global scale.

The Center for Global Cancer Control, established in 2023, is our spearhead in the fight against global health inequities. The Center's mission is to advance health worldwide through research, education, and service, with a particular focus on gynecologic cancers in low- and middle-income countries.

At the heart of this work is the Pinder Lab Group, which is at the forefront of the global effort to eliminate cervical cancer. This high-impact research has earned national recognition at the highest levels. Lab director Dr. Leeya Pinder was named one of the inaugural Cancer Moonshot Scholars by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to fund an innovative clinical trial in Zambia aimed at finding new, scalable solutions to prevent cervical cancer.

This commitment to health equity extends from the global stage to our local community. Through the LEAP and IMPACT-513 studies, our researchers are partnering with community health programs and a mobile health unit to bring HPV self-screening and vaccination services directly to medically underserved populations in Cincinnati. This "global-to-local" approach creates a strategic feedback loop where insights from one setting can inform interventions in another.

A Connected Ecosystem for Discovery

The success of our research is amplified by a rich ecosystem of collaboration. Our deep alliance with Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), a top-ranked pediatric hospital, creates a unique research continuum that bridges obstetrics and pediatrics. The flagship Fetal Care Program combines our Maternal-Fetal Medicine expertise with elite pediatric teams to provide world-renowned care and create a powerful translational research platform for studying fetal development and disease.

Our investigators are core members of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, a comprehensive center that unifies all cancer research, education, and clinical care across the university. The Cancer Center is the only institution in Cincinnati chosen as a primary member site by NRG Oncology, the NCI's principal organization for research in gynecologic cancers, positioning our department as the undisputed regional leader for gynecologic cancer clinical trials.

This work is empowered by an unparalleled infrastructure of discovery, including the Proton Therapy Center, which houses the world's only proton gantry fully dedicated to clinical research, allowing our investigators to pioneer studies that cannot be conducted anywhere else.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is not merely participating in the advancement of science; we are actively leading the discoveries that will define the future of women's healthcare.