Biography

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Mala Mahendroo, Ph.D. is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and member of the Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences. She is trained in the areas of reproductive biology, molecular biology and biochemistry.  Her research is focused on understanding how the cervix is remodeled through pregnancy to allow term birth and to identify misregulation that leads to premature birth.

This research requires the application of a broad range of techniques to uncover aspects of hormone signaling, immunology, gene regulation, extracellular matrix and tissue mechanics, computational genomics and epithelial barrier function that regulate this dynamic process.

In addition, Dr. Mahendroo collaborates with mechanical and biomedical engineers to develop translational imaging tools that may allow for assessment of premature cervical remodeling as well as to understand how changes in mechanical signals impact cellular function to achieve cervical remodeling.

Dr. Mahendroo did her graduate research on the gene regulation of estrogen synthesis in human adipose in the laboratory of Dr. Evan Simpson at UT Southwestern and completed her PhD in 1992.  She carried out her postdoctoral project entitled, "Targeted disruption of steroid 5alpha-reductases in mice," in David. W. Russell's laboratory in the Department of Molecular Genetics. Her postdoctoral work was supported by fellowships from the National Institutes of Health, The Lalor Foundation, and a Career Award from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. She joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as an Assistant Professor in 2000.

Dr. Mahendroo has been supported by a Career Award in the Biomedical Sciences/Reproductive Biology from the Burroughs Welcome Fund, as well as grants from the National Institutes of Health, March of Dimes, Burroughs Welcome Preterm Birth Initiatives, and The Hartwell Foundation.

Education

Undergraduate
Texas A & M University (1986), Biochemistry
Graduate School
UT Southwestern Medical Center (1992), Biochemistry

Research Interest

  • Extracellular matrix and tissue mechanics
  • Gene regulation
  • Hormone signaling
  • Imaging tools to assess cervical function
  • Molecular mechanisms of cervical remodeling
  • Molecular physiology of reproduction
  • Pregnancy and preterm birth

Publications

Featured Publications LegendFeatured Publications

Cervical hyaluronan biology in pregnancy, parturition and preterm birth.
Mahendroo M Matrix Biol. 2018 Mar
The mechanical response of the mouse cervix to cyclic tensile test with advancing gestation in normal and preterm pregnancy
Jayyosi C, Lee N, Willcockson A, Nallasamy S, Mahendroo M, Myers K Acta Biomaterialia 2018 78 15 Sep 2018 308-319
Transcriptome signature identifies distinct cervical pathways induced in LPS-mediated preterm birth.
Willcockson AR, Nandu T, Liu CL, Nallasamy S, Kraus WL, Mahendroo M Biol. Reprod. 2017 Dec
Distinct reorganization of collagen architecture in lipopolysaccharide - mediated premature cervical remodeling.
Nallasamy S, Akins M, Tetreault B, Luby-Phelps K, Mahendroo M Biol. Reprod. 2017 Nov
Steroid hormones are key modulators of tissue mechanical function via regulation of collagen and elastic fibers.
Nallasamy S, Yoshida K, Akins M, Myers K, Iozzo R, Mahendroo M Endocrinology 2017 Feb

Honors & Awards

  • Initiative Award
    Burroughs Wellcome Preterm Birth Initiative Award (2019)
  • Initiative Award
    Burroughs Wellcome Preterm Birth Initiative Award (2011)
  • Scholar Award
    Hartwell Foundation Scholar (2010)
  • Career Award
    Burroughs Wellcome Career Award (1997-2003)
  • Lalor Fellowship Award
    Lalor Foundation (1996-1997)
  • Research Fellowship Award
    NIH National Research Service Award (1993-1996)

Professional Associations/Affiliations

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Endocrine Society
  • Perinatal Research Society
  • Society for Gynecologic Investigation
  • Society for the Study of Reproduction