Division of Reproductive Sciences

We are often asked, “Why conduct and invest in basic research in a clinical department?” An investment in basic research at the cellular and molecular level provides us with the tools needed to understand diseases that do not yet have a clinical treatment. Where therapies are known and have complications, basic science research is essential to understanding their side effects and how to avoid them.

A significant focus of our basic research program is in seeking to understand the cellular and molecular interactions and functions that are needed to establish a healthy pregnancy to full gestation in both animal and human models. A healthy pregnancy has the greatest benefit to mother, child and society; however, understanding the causes of pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and potential pre-term labor and delivery that result from this condition is essential to developing safe, effective treatments for mother and child.

Our Mission

As an academic institution, our mission is to educate future scientists and physicians in the new world of interdisciplinary and collaborative biomedical research. In particular, for NIH’s (National Institutes of Health) initiative to build interdisciplinary teams to be achieved we must have basic researchers working in clinical departments in order to understand what the clinical problem is at a mechanistic level. Likewise for doctors who are practicing clinical medicine to know what is possible they need to see and understand cutting edge research being done in their own department. We must not overlook the pre- and post-doctoral scholars within our department who are essential to advancing the research mission not only to support work conducted by the faculty Principal Investigator, but also to develop their own career paths through guided mentorship and training. For these reasons, conducting basic research in a clinical department is essential to a healthy and bright future for all women, infants and children.

Ong receives Igniting interdisciplinary Innovation grant

Congratulations to Irene Ong, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, who received an Igniting interdisciplinary Innovation (I3) award from the University of Wisconsin–Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research! Ong received the $250,000 grant for the project From AI Innovation to Clinical ... more

Graduation Spotlight: Logan Keding graduates from ERP Program

Congratulations to Logan Keding, PhD, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology program! Keding’s PhD thesis focused on Placental Insufficiency in the Macaque Model; his mentor was Aleks Stanic-Kostic, MD, PhD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Scienc... more

Congratulations, 2026 UW Department of Ob-Gyn award winners!

On June 18, 2026, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn held its annual awards ceremony, recognizing educational, research and administrative accomplishments throughout the year.Years of ServiceFive Years:Jasmin Barthel, Physician AssistantMichael Beninati, Assistant Professor (CHS)Emma Blazel, Medical Program AssistantCheryl Casey’Gra... more

Graduation Spotlight: Sejal Sharma graduates from ERP program

Congratulations to Sejal Sharma, who graduates from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology program this year! Sharma's PhD thesis focused on developing a combination therapy of OXPHOS inhibitors with cancer vaccines for treatment of ovarian cancer; her mentor was Manish Patankar, PhD, pr... more

Willging, former Abbott Lab mentee, receives Endocrine Society Outstanding Abstract Award

The Endocrine Society hosted ENDO 2026 in Chicago June 13-26, 2026. Molly Willging, PhD, former mentee in the lab of David Abbott, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, earned an Outstanding Abstract Award at the conference.Willging, who is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of North... more