The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Newborn Care at the University of Ottawa is an academic department with a remarkable diversity and breadth of research focused on reproductive health and biology, including but not limited to basic science research, translational research, clinical trials, technology development and assessment, quality assessment, population health research, and health services research.
We have a strong team of internationally respected basic scientists who have brought international recognition to our department through their publications, awards, mentoring of international students, and other ground-breaking work. Our biomedical research laboratories are located in the Moses and Rose Loeb Research of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) at the Civic Campus and General Campus and the University of Ottawa Health Sciences Centre. These laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art core facilities and support services. Positions with our basic scientists in their labs are highly sought after by graduate students.
Population health and health services research is carried out within the Clinical Epidemiology Program of the OHRI. Our Obstetrics & Maternal Newborn Investigations (OMNI) Research Group has conducted high impact work and continues to advance research in the area of Perinatal Epidemiology and Maternal Health. Recent CIHR-funded research aimed at decreasing the incidence of pre-eclampsia in women deemed to be at risk of pre-eclampsia as well as determining optimal management of obesity in pregnancy has garnered international recognition.
From a divisional perspective, our Gynecology Oncology group participates in a number of national and international clinical trials and there is ongoing local work in lab-based translational research in addition to collaboration with the OHRI Phase 1 trials group. Our Minimally Invasive Surgery Group and Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Group conduct funded research that has significant implications for the care that we provide to our patients and the way in which it is provided. The Division of Urogynecology conducts funded research, including research looking at factors affecting patient decision-making, and the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine presents nationally and internationally and publishes in high impact journals. The Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) continues to benefit from strong collaborations between our basic scientists and our clinicians. Lastly, our Medical Education and Simulation Group is recognized nationally and internationally for their innovative training programs and medical education research. Members of our department have also been instrumental in knowledge translation with their roles in the publication of several national guidelines and through work with the Cochrane Group.
The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Newborn Care offers an outstanding environment for research training at the graduate, post-graduate, resident and undergraduate levels. All residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology must undertake a research project with a faculty member during their residency training. Postdoctoral fellowship positions are available for post-PhD and post-MD candidates wishing to receive excellent research training in reproductive health and biology. Graduate studies in reproductive health and biology towards the PhD or MSc degree are a strong component of the department. Furthermore, all residents and Fellows within the department undertake a mandatory research project with our faculty during their residency.
Within our department, there are currently 4 Clinical Research Chairs. We are committed to success as our department continues to strive towards academic excellence and the dissemination of new knowledge. Our objective is to maintain a collaborative infrastructure that continues to support research in our department and ensures that our researchers receive the necessary support and mentorship that they require in order to thrive.
