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.

Division of Reproductive Sciences brings research to SRI 2026 annual meeting

The Society for Reproductive Investigation hosted the 73rd annual scientific meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico March 24-28, 2026. Faculty and researchers from the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences shared their work at the conference. Just some of their exciting accomplishments: Oral Abstracts: Placenta ... more

Ellinore Letts, undergrad in Virumbrales-Muñoz Lab, receives Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship

Congratulations to Ellinore Letts, an undergraduate student in the Virumbrales-Muñoz Lab, who was selected for a Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship! Ellinore is currently a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering. The Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship supports undergraduates to complete an ... more

Bhagavath, Patankar discuss endometriosis with Badger Herald

Bala Bhagavath, MD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and Manish Patankar, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, spoke with the Badger Herald about endometriosis in honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month. In “During endometriosis awareness month, experts d... more

Virumbrales-Muñoz receives Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research Fall Research Competition award

Congratulations to María Virumbrales-Muñoz, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences! Virumbrales-Muñoz received a Fall Research Competition award from the UW–Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research! The $66,000 award will support the project Immune-endothelial interactions in preeclampsia-... more

Virumbrales-Muñoz selected for BIRCWH program

Congratulations to María Virumbrales-Muñoz, PhD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, who is one of just three scholars selected for the 2025-27 cohort of the UW Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) program! Virumbrales-Muñoz began the two-year appointment on Nove... more