SCORE People

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/