Members of the Center for Neurobiology of Stress fall into one or more of the following categories: (1) investigators at UCLA, VAGLAHS, Ohio State University, University of Pittsburgh, or other campus who are principal or co-principal investigators with peer-reviewed, competitive funding for research in neurovisceral sciences, gastrointestinal disorders, urological disorders, and stress neurobiology, and stress-immune system interactions, particularly related to sex-based differences and whose research directly impacts the goals of the Center; (2) division chiefs in gastroenterology, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry; (3) directors or co-directors of programs or cores, or individuals who have relevant roles within the Center and (4) clinicians who have made significant contributions to the main subject matters of the Center.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Million Mulugeta, DVM, PhD at mmuluget@ucla.edu.
Members are listed in alphabetical order.
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Andrea Rapkin, MD
Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA; Director, UCLA Pelvic Pain Clinic
I am a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Pelvic Pain Clinic and the Vulvodynia research program and the PMDD research program at the University of California, Los Angeles. As an internationally recognized leader in the study of chronic pelvic and vulvar pain and hormonally mediated mood disorders I have authored or co-authored over a 120 articles, chapters, books, and reviews in this area. I have investigated peripheral and central mechanisms underlying pain and mood related to the reproductive system.
I am thoroughly versed in the literature and have very substantial clinical experience and a well-defined track record in the research and treatment of vulvodynia, pelvic pain, menstrually related mood disorders and menopause. I initiated one of the first multidisciplinary pelvic and vulvar pain clinics in the country. My goals were to offer comprehensive and innovative clinical care and access to current research studies for women suffering from complex chronic pelvic and vulvar pain disorders. Our UCLA site is also one of five research centers participating in the National Vulvodynia Patient Outcomes Registry thus far resulting in 4 publications with 1 under review.
I have collaborated with the investigators at the G Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience at UCLA for many years. If this proposal is funded, I will assist Drs. Chang and Gupta and their co- investigators with the conceptual and methodical aspects of the protocol concerning hormonal assessment and interpretation of menstrual cycle phase and post menopausal status and hormonal effects on GI symptoms, brain-gut microbiome, and gut transit. I will participate in the analysis and interpretation of all data and preparation and presentation of abstracts, manuscripts and reports. Given my clinical investigative experience working with this field, I believe I am well-equipped to be a significant contributor of the proposed research.
Publications
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/1r534_s8lyeQb/bibliography/40455311/public/
Shlomo Raz, MD
Professor, Department of Surgery Division of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
Shlomo Raz, M.D. joined UCLA in 1975 and oversees the Division of Female Urology, Reconstructive Surgery and Urodynamics. Dr. Raz has been a recognized leader in developing new treatments for female urology conditions for over 28 years. Dr. Raz pioneered many of the innovations that today are the standards of care worldwide for such conditions as vaginal and uterine prolapse, urinary incontinence, pelvic floor disorders, voiding dysfunction, and surgical reconstruction after cancer for urethral abnormalities.
During the past 28 years at UCLA, Dr. Raz has been committed to the highest standard of care of patients with urologic conditions affecting the lower urinary tract. He is a definite authority and one of the most prominent physicians in the field of female urology and urologic reconstructive surgery. With his numerous surgical innovations, as well as his involvement in the development of new pharmacological and surgical treatments of urologic conditions, Dr. Raz has helped define the field of female urology and reconstruction for the past two decades. He is author of more than 170 peer reviewed publications, and is author and chief editor of some of the most important texts and surgical atlases used throughout the world to train physicians in female urology and reconstructive surgery.
Sang Hoon Rhee, PhD
Adjunct Associate Professor, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Dr. Rhee’s research focuses on studying roles of host-microbial interaction in the gastrointestinal tract. Specifically, the lab has been investigating the function of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) which is a family of pattern recognition receptor recognizing microbial products to elicit inflammatory and innate immune responses. Recently, Dr. Rhee demonstrated that TLR5 is associated with the development and progress of inflammatory bowel diseases. Moreover, Dr. Rhee’s studies also showed that TLR5 plays an important role to elicit innate immunity to regulate anti-tumor activity. Studies to be presented will include a role of TLR5 in regulating colon cancer and a potential mechanism to modulate anti-tumor activity against colonic tumor. This research program has a record of continuous support from the NIH/NIDDK, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute at both UCLA and Harvard Medical School.
Larissa Rodriguez, MD
Professor of Urology; Director, USC Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive; Surgery, Beverly Hills; Vice Chair, Academics; Director, FPMRS Fellowship at USC
Dr. Rodríguez is an established surgeon-scientist with extensive expertise in the field of female pelvic and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) in urology. Dr. Rodríguez is nationally and internationally recognized for her work in the field of stem cell research and tissue engineering.
An awarded researcher, Dr. Rodríguez has developed patented techniques and innovative surgical strategies to provide treatment in areas such as stress incontinence and reconstruction of the bladder and lower urinary tract. Another focus of her research has been the study of the etiology and treatment of urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse, in which she is active in clinical research and outcomes research as they relate to treatment in these areas.
Michael Ross, MD, MPH
Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Public Health; Vice Chair, Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCLA
Dr. Michael Ross, M.D., MPH is a Founder of Cervilenz, Inc. in 2008, and serves as its Medical Director. Dr. Ross serves as the Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California. He has been Member of Clinical Advisory Board for MERIDIAN(TM) Line of Non-Invasive Fetal Heart Rate Monitors at MindChild Medical, Inc. since February 2012. Dr. Ross serves as Vice Chair of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at