Obstetrics & Gynecology

News and Events

Programs and providers of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine are often the focus of news stories and features appearing in major national media. We invite you to review some stories that typify the breakthrough accomplishments of our remarkable team and highlight the impact our care has had on patient’s lives.

Awards & Honors: January

Three trophies

Dr. Lawrence Casalino, professor of population health sciences, was an honoree at the 2024 Medicare Rights Center Annual Awards. He was recognized for his extensive research in health care policy and population health with a focus on socioeconomic and racial disparities.

Dr. Rebecca Craig-Schapiro, associate professor of surgery, was awarded a fellowship research award from the American Surgical Association Foundation, with funding to start July 1. This fellowship helps support and encourage gifted young surgeons with careers in investigation and academic surgery.

Dr. Kira Minkis, associate professor of clinical dermatology, was awarded the 2024 President’s Service Award from the Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology. This award recognizes outstanding volunteer service to the association and its members.

Findings May Lead to Blood Test to Predict Risk of Postpartum Depression

postpartum depression

Women who go on to develop postpartum depression (PPD) may have characteristic levels of neuroactive steroids, molecules derived from the hormone progesterone, in their blood during the third trimester of pregnancy, according to a new study by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and the University of Virginia School of Medicine. These molecules influence the brain’s stress response and emotional regulation.

The findings, published Jan. 30 in Neuropsychopharmacology, suggest that this may provide a way to identify women at risk of PPD before symptoms start, allowing doctors to intervene earlier. Postpartum depression, severe depression that happens after giving birth, affects 10-15% of new mothers, causing emotional struggles that can impact both the parent and child for years. Symptoms include difficulty bonding with the baby, feelings of hopelessness and sadness, fatigue, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, to name a few.

Advanced Brain Circuit-Mapping Technique Reveals New Anxiety Drug Target

Fluorescence image showing the basolateral amygdala with projections from the insular cortex and prefrontal cortex stained red and green

Weill Cornell Medicine investigators have identified in a preclinical model a specific brain circuit whose inhibition appears to reduce anxiety without side effects. Their work suggests a new target for treating anxiety disorders and related conditions and demonstrates a general strategy, based on a method called photopharmacology, for mapping drug effects on the brain.

In their study, published Jan. 28 in Neuron, the researchers examined the effects of experimental drug compounds that activate a type of brain-cell receptor called the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2). While these receptors are found on neurons within many brain circuits, the team showed that activating them in a specific circuit terminating in an emotion-related brain region called the amygdala reduces signs of anxiety without apparent adverse side effects. Current treatments for anxiety disorders, panic disorder and associated conditions can have unwanted side effects including cognitive impairments.

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