2026 Department Research Day Agenda
Nita Ahuja, MD, MBA
Dean, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Updates on Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy – CHAP Trial
Alan Thevenet N. Tita, MD, PhD
Mary Heersink Chair of Global Health and Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Senior Associate Dean, Global and Women’s Health, Heersink School of Medicine University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Dr. Tita is Professor of OBGYN and the Mary Heersink Endowed Chair of Global Health, and Director of the Mary Heersink Institute of Global Health. He is the Heersink School of Medicine Senior Associate Dean for Global and Women’s Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Dr. Tita served as Director of the university-wide Center for Women’s Reproductive Health from 2016 until February of this year, and his background is in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Perinatal Epidemiology and Global Health. Dr. Tita is dedicated to improving maternal and infant health outcomes and equity. He leads collaborative multi- and single-site obstetric clinical trials and observational studies that influence practice and policy globally. He co-leads the Cameroon Health Initiative, a multidisciplinary collaboration by UAB and Cameroon partners to improve health. Dr. Tita has served as consultant for the World Health Organization, NIH (including serving NICHD National Advisory Council), CDC and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has co-authored over 400 publications and was elected into the National Academies of Medicine and to the Association of American Physicians.
An Estrogen Receptor Pathway Activity Score to Predict Response to Hormonal Treatment in Endometrial Cancer
Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, MS
Gynecologic Oncology Fellow
Dr. Rachel Mojdehbakhsh completed her undergraduate degree at New York University and then went on to complete a master's at Boston University School of Medicine before starting medical school at Drexel University. She then matched into the OBGYN residency program at UW and loved it here so much she matched into Gyn Onc fellowship at UW. She is now completing her last year of fellowship and will be staring as faculty at Beth Israel in Boston this fall.
Severe Maternal Morbidity in Wisconsin During Major Public Health Events
Jackie Powell, MD
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellow
Dr. Jackie Powell is the current third year Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellow. She completed her medical school at Medical College of Wisconsin and residency training at Oregon Health & Science University. Her fellowship thesis examined rates of severe maternal morbidity across Wisconsin during major public health events. She has also been a member of the maternal mortality review committee and appreciates being a part of the work to improve the health of birthing people across Wisconsin. She is thrilled to stay on after fellowship as a faculty member and continue this work.
Depression and Trauma Symptoms after Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury
Kelley Stewart, MD
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Fellow
Dr. Kelley Stewart completed a combined BA/MD program from the University of New Mexico. She completed OB/GYN Residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch. She is now completing her final third year of urogynecology fellowship at the University of Wisconsin. She is likely returning to the Southwest after completing fellowship
An Autologous Cell-Based Therapeutic Vaccine Expressing IL6/1 Fusokine Drives Robust Anti-Tumor Response Against Ovarian Cancer
Sejal Sharma, MS, PhD
UW Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology program
Sejal Sharma recently obtained her Ph.D. in Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With over five years of experience spanning drug development, immune oncology, and cell therapy, Sejal has established herself with research focusing on to advance therapeutic responses in ovarian cancer. She has published articles in J Cheminform and two first author publications are with journals. Beyond the bench, she is an active mentor to undergraduate students and has participated in the Morgridge Entrepreneurship Bootcamp to bridge the gap between academic innovation and real-world application.
Perceptions of Pregnancy Risk and Self-Protective Health Decision Making Among Black Women: “We Can Protect Ourselves From the System, Right?”
Tiwaladeoluwa Adekunle, PhD, MA
Assistant Professor
Division of Reproductive and Population Health
Tiwaladeoluwa Adekunle is a recipient of the Anna J Cooper fellowship for incoming faculty in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research integrates insights from Communication Studies, Public Health and Disability Studies to design and execute community-driven projects aimed at identifying multi-level barriers to perinatal wellbeing, improving the quality of obstetric care, and enhancing birth outcomes. She earned a PhD in health communication at Purdue University and completed her postdoctoral training at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.
Advancing Resident Competence and Confidence in Gender-Affirming Care Through a Multimodal Transgender Health Curriculum
Laura Hanks, MD
Assistant Professor (CHS)
Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn
Dr. Laura Hanks is an assistant professor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Hanks earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Mary Washington and her MD from UW-Madison. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rochester.
Her research interests are rooted in gender-inclusive ob-gyn practice and improving access to and education about gender-affirming care. She recently opened the first Gender Affirming Care clinic within the ASOG division providing HRT therapy to young transgender adults. She is also passionate about global health and currently sits on the Global Surgery Center planning committee at UW.
Dr. Hanks is the legislative chair representing Wisconsin for District VI of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and is an active member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
Kara Hoppe, DO, PhD
Vice Chair of Research
Professor (CHS)
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine