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Collaborations

The University’s Family Planning Research Group (FPRG) is multi-disciplinary and heavily focuses on collaboration. The FPRG includes members from the University of Utah’s:

There are many opportunities to blend different perspectives to find answers to important questions in the field. This group has been extremely productive in engaging quantitative and qualitative techniques to address important issues in family planning.

Research Programs

The state of Utah and the university have several established programs that facilitate family planning research.

Utah Population Database

The Utah Population Database (UPD) is a statewide resource that contains health outcomes for several generations and detailed content on recent health events of all Utah residents.

The UPD gives Utah researchers a distinctive advantage in conducting epidemiologic research.

Division in Maternal-Fetal Medicine

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division in the OB/GYN department has a number of projects looking at pregnancy loss and determinants of future pregnancy success. This formidable resource combined with UPD resources creates outstanding opportunities to study pregnancy spacing and gestational success and failures.

This MFM group offers additional collaborations through its pioneering work in the fields of proteomics and genomics as well as a joint effort with the FPRG to utilize highly effective contraception to reduce preterm births. 

Pharmacology Outcomes Research Center

The University’s College of Pharmacy is home to the Pharmacology Outcomes Research Center (PORC). The center is a valuable resource for investigating prescription contraceptive use and clinical endpoints.

Faculty Research Projects

University family planning faculty are involved at the national level in the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals’ educational efforts and include ARHP former Board Chair, Dr. Kirtly Jones, current Board member, Dr. Patricia Murphy, and current Education Committee co-Chair, Dr. David Turok. Dr. Murphy is also a Board Member of the Alan Guttmacher Institute.

Finally, the program is actively involved with several other family planning research sites nationwide including:

  • The University of Colorado
  • The University of New Mexico
  • Washington University St. Louis
  • University of California San Francisco.

Dr. Turok initiated and directs the first prospective meta-analysis in the field of family planning, which is registered with the Cochrane Collaboration.

 

Mentorship

Fellows will work closely with the fellowship directors. First-year fellows work directly with Dr. Turok every Wednesday.

Fellows also form important research relationships with key faculty Lori Gawron, Ryan Program Director, and Jessica Sanders, the family planning research director. 

In all cases, fellows will pursue a mentored relationship with another university faculty researcher with experience in their area of focus.

NIH-Sponsored Researchers

A tremendous array of research resources exist within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the most important of which is a large group of easily accessible NIH-sponsored researchers. This group of potential mentors can provide advice on study design and execution but also on local and national research resources, funding, and career development. 

Program Information

For information about the director and faculty, please contact Nichole Gerard, Project Manager, 415-476-6208.

Contact Us

Phone: 801-581-7647
Fax: 801-585-5146

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Family Planning Program

Salt Lake City, UT 84132