EVATAR was a collaboration between a large group of researchers that spanned multiple departments and multiple institutions. Learn more about each of the teams below.
Team Ovary
Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D
Vice Chair for Research, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University.
Dr. Woodruff conceived of EVATAR and was the Principal Investigator (PI) of the the project. She also served as the PI of Team Ovary.
Learn more about Dr. Woodruff and the research in her lab. Follow the Woodruff lab on Facebook.
Shou Xiao, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina
Dr. Xiao led the follicle/ovary team, and integration of the multiple tissue culture in Quintet-MFP.
Learn more about Dr. Xiao.
Lu Bai, M.S.
Former M.S. Biotechnology Student, Northwestern University
Assisted Dr. Xiao in follicle/ovary experiments.
Catherine Nguyen, M.S.
Former M.S. Biotechnology Student, Northwestern University
Assisted Dr. Xiao in follicle/ovary experiments.
Jiyang Zhang, M.S.
Ph.D. Student, Northwestern University
Assisted Dr. Xiao in follicle/ovary experiments.
Team Uterus
Susan Olalekan, Ph.D.
Post-doctoral fellow, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University.
Dr. Olalekan executed the endometrium experiments, collected data and interpreted results.
Follow Dr. Olalekan of LinkedIn.
Team Fallopian Tube
Joanna Burdette, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Associate Dean of Research, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Illinois at Chicago.
Dr. Burdette served as the PI of Team Fallopian Tube.
Learn more about the Burdette lab.
Jie Zhu, M.D.
Research Assistant Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University.
Dr. Zhu executed the fallopian tube experiments, collected data and interpreted results.
Team Cervix
Spiro Getsios, Ph.D.
Director of Skin Biology, Discovery and Preclinical Development, GlaxoSmithKline
Dr. Getsios served as the PI of Team Cervix.
Follow Dr. Getsios on LinkedIn.
Kelly E. McKinnon
Ph.D. Candidate, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University
Kelly executed the cervix experiments, collected data and interpreted results.
Learn more about Kelly McKinnon or follow her on Facebook.
Northwestern Microfluidics Engineering and Maintenance Team
Hunter Rogers, M.S.
Ph.D. Candidate, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Northwestern University
Hunter employed and managed the microfluidic technology, and led the engineering team at NU.
Follow Hunter on LinkedIn.
Danijela Dokic, M.D.
Research Technician, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University
Dr. Dokic set up and managed the microfluidic platform, collected samples, and performed assays.
Follow Dr. Dokic on LinkedIn.
Alex Rashedi
Research Technician, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University.
Alex set up and managed the microfluidic platform, collected samples, and performed assays.
Follow Alex on LinkedIn.
Kuanwei Chen, M.S.
Research Technician, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University.
Kuanwei set up and managed the microfluidic platform, collected samples, and performed assays.
Mingyang Jiang, M.S.
Research Technician, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University.
Mingyang set up and managed the microfluidic platform, collected samples, and performed assays.
Northwestern Gynecological Tissue Core
Mary Ellen Pavone, M.D.
Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University
Dr. Pavone led the gynecological tissue core team.
Saurabh Malpani, M.S.
Research Technician, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University
Saurabh consented patients, coordinated tissue collection with pathologists and researchers, and maintained tissue library.
Chanel Arnold-Murray
Research Technician, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University.
Chanel embedded, sectioned, and archived patient tissue, and helped maintain tissue library.
Northwestern Subject-matter Experts
Immunoassays
Daniel Haisenleder, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Cardiac Medicine, University of Virginia
Project Manager
Elizabeth Sefton, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies, MS Reproductive Science and Medicine, Northwestern University
Draper Laboratory Engineering Team
The microphysiologic system used for this project was developed by the Draper Laboratory.
Jeffrey Borenstein, Ph.D.
Jonathon Coppeta, Ph.D.
Brett Isenberg, Ph.D.