Research Team

The OM Study was funded by the Reproductive Scientist Training Program, RSDP K12, an RSDP Seed Grant, and an Ellison Foundation Grant.

Shruthi Mahalingaiah, MD MS

Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah is a physician-epidemiologist and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine and board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She designed and implemented the Ovulation and Menstruation Health Study during her time at Boston University School of Medicine. Her research group at focuses on identifying environmental exposures and modifiable risk factors in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Her current research focuses on environmental exposures, diet, and lifestyle and PCOS disease across the lifespan with the goal of designing interventions to cure and reduce risk for women with PCOS and their children.

Kevin Lane, PhD, MA

Dr. Kevin Lane’s is the Principal Investigator of the Boston University Ovulation and Menstruation Health Study. His research focus are in the field of air pollution, built environment, urbanization and impacts of climate change on health in local, national and international settings. His expertise in big-data and spatial research has led to the development of novel methods that integrate geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing data and time-activity algorithms to improve exposure assessment and epidemiology. Currently, Dr. Lane Principal Investigator for the Federal Aviation Administration ASCENT Project 18 Community Measurements of Aviation Emissions Contribution to Ambient Air Quality. Additionally, he examines air pollution and built environment effects on cardio-metabolic health with the Population study of Urban, Rural and Semi-urban Endovascular Disease and Holistic Intervention Study (PURSE-HIS), and is a designated NIEHS health disparities career development researcher with the Center for Research on Environmental and Social Stressors in Housing across the life course (CRESSH) to examine the interactions between PM2.5, NO2 and social stressors on the associations with preterm and low birth weight. Prior to this position Dr. Lane also was awarded a Yale Climate and Energy Institute postdoctoral fellowship to examine the relationship between the built environment, urban heat island health impacts where he collaborated with researchers to examine these associations in the United States, South Korea and India. Dr. Lane also conducts research with the Community Assessment of Freeway Exposure and Health Study at Tufts University to examine health impacts from traffic-related ultrafine particulate matter.

Ann Aschengrau, ScD

Dr. Ann Aschengrau has conducted epidemiologic research on environmental pollution and the risk of disease for nearly 30 years. In particular, she has led investigations on the relationship between drinking water contaminants and abnormal pregnancy outcomes, neurological disorders, and cancer, and on the impact of lead hazard reduction measures among inner-city children. She is currently the principal investigator of a case-control study examining the risk of birth defects and stillbirths following prenatal exposure to  tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water. In 2003, Dr. Aschengrau published her first book, Essentials of Epidemiology in Public Health, with coauthor George R. Seage III, Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health. Now in its third edition, the best-selling book has been used in more than 100 schools across the United States. Dr. Aschengrau has served as a member of the Institute of Medicine Committee on Gulf War and Health, as a consultant to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry, and as a jury member for the annual John Heinz Memorial Award honoring an individual whose work has made a significant impact on the environment. She is currently an associate editor of the journal Environmental Health.

Michael Winter

Mr. Michael Winter is the associate director of the Data Coordinating Center (DCC). His team develops the online implementation of the surveys and hosts the survey responses securely.