OB/GYN Division of Research
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is dedicated to pioneering innovative, evidence-based solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing knowledge, and preparing the next generation of academic researchers and physician-scientists.
All of our clinical divisions engage in research. Our portfolio spans basic science, translational, and clinical investigation, as well as studies on the social and behavioral determinants of reproductive health. This work addresses critical areas such as optimizing maternal outcomes, expanding access to quality health care, supporting women’s health across the lifespan, and enhancing medical education. Our clinical and research programs are closely interconnected, creating rich opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and laying the foundation for a comprehensive vision of excellence in women’s health.
Our research team supports faculty by helping secure funding, developing proposals, navigating regulatory processes, managing and analyzing data, ensuring compliance, and disseminating discoveries. We also provide educational opportunities and mentorship to foster career development.
Research is also an integral part of our teaching mission. Students, residents, and fellows gain hands-on experience by partnering with seasoned mentors and exploring a wide range of research opportunities within the department. In this way, we not only train future leaders in women’s health but also ensure that new knowledge is rapidly translated into proven clinical practices that improve lives.
The Physical Activity and Metabolism (PAM) Laboratory at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine in Knoxville, led by Dr. Jill M. Maples, focuses on improving the health of women and infants through research on whole-body human metabolism. Opened in 2022 within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the lab studies how physical activity influences metabolic health in key clinical populations, including pregnant patients and those with gynecologic cancers. Equipped for clinical and translational physiological research, the PAM Lab aims to translate findings into better outcomes for women’s health across the lifespan.