Research Experience

Research is a key part of the FPM/RS fellowship, with approximately 20% of first-year time and 80% of second-year time devoted to research activities. Under faculty mentorship, fellows select a clinical, epidemiological or translational research topic in a subspecialty of FPM/RS, including urodynamic testing, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, female voiding dysfunction and urinary tract infections. During the first year, fellows are expected to be involved in at least three clinical research projects that will result in presentation at national or international meetings and publication in peer-reviewed journals. In the second year, fellows are expected to conduct and complete either a large outcomes research project or a basic science project.

The Female Pelvic Medicine faculty are actively involved in clinical research and have published on urodynamics, female voiding dysfunction, bladder outlet obstruction in women, stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, neurogenic bladder and pelvic organ prolapse. In addition, the Department has conducted clinical trials on overactive bladder pharmacological agents and urethral bulking agents.

The basic science research program, headed by Dr. Xue-Ru Wu, provides opportunities in translational research related to female urologic problems. Members of Dr. Wu’s laboratory have performed pioneering research on the urothelium, and projects related to urinary tract infections and interstitial cystitis would be of particular interest to fellows.

Fellows have the opportunity to attend, and are encouraged to submit abstracts to, annual meetings of the Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology, the American Urological Association, the International Continence Society and the American Urogynecologic Association.