Current Projects

Reproductive Ecology of Bangladeshi Women. A prospective study examining fecundability, fetal loss, pregnancy-sickness, reproductive aging, and breastfeeding on rural Bangladeshi women (funded by National Institutes on Child Health and Development and the National Science Foundation).

Biodemographic Models of Reproductive Aging (BIMORA). A large prospective study examining the endocrinology and biology of the transition to menopause in US women (funded by the National Institutes on Aging). For more information on the"Biodemographic Models of Reproductive Aging" project, please see the BIMORA link. Collaborators: Georgetown University, Pennsylvania State University.

Reproductive Aging in the Baboon. Endocrine aspects of reproductive aging in the baboon, and their links to immunologic, metabolic and genetic markers of aging (funding applied for from the National Institutes on Aging). Collaborators: Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, Brown University, University of Texas, University of Michigan.

Effects of Stress on the Ovarian Cycle in the Baboon. A pilot study examining how stress introduced at different stages of the menstrual cycle affects the timing and type of subsequent menstrual cycle disruption. Collaborators: Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, Brown University.

The Menopausal Transition: The Effects of Primordial Follicle Depletion. A pilot study examining the underlying follicular dynamics associated with the altered hormonal dynamics that occur with reproductive aging. Collaborators: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington. Principal Investigator: Kathleen O'Connor.

Cultural Degrees of Separation: Stress and Coping in Passamaquody Children and Adolescents. This dissertation project is a biocultural examination of the relationships between ethnic identity, stress reactivity, and decision making in the Passamaquoddy tribe of Northeastern Maine. Principal Investigator: Deborah Schechter, graduate student in anthropology, University of Washington.

An evolutionary perspective on mother-offspring vitamin A transfer. The goal of this study is to investigate the relationships and trade-offs between maternal hepatic stores of vitamin A, breastmilk vitamin A, and maternal reproductive status in varying ecological contexts of northern Kenya. Principal investigator: Masako Fujita, graduate student in anthropology, University of Washington.

Hormonal coordination in pair-bonded couples: A biological model for the human pair-bond. The goal of this study is to determine if pair-bonded couples exhibit hormonal coordination. Links between coordinated hormone levels and possible fitness benefits will be the basis for a biologically based model for the evolution and maintenance of the human pair-bond. Principal investigator: Anthony Tessandori, graduate student in anthropology, University of Washington.

Current Consultations

Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study. A long term study of the transition to menopause in a cohort of Seattle women. University of Washington College of Nursing, Principal Investigators: Ellen Mitchell and Nancy Woods.

Bioenergetics of Exercise-Induced Menstrual Disturbances. A prospective study of the effects of strenuous exercise on the menstrual cycle in college age women. Pennsylvania State University, Department of Kinesiology, Principal Investigator: Nancy Williams.