Monica Ailawadi Mainigi

Description of Research Expertise

My laboratory in the Center for Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on examining the interactions between peri-implantation exposures, such as ART, and early placentation utilizing animal models, in vitro culture systems, and human tissues. Studying early implantation in humans is challenging. Therefore, to address these challenges, my laboratory has partnered with bioengineers and developed an organ-on-a-chip model to study early placentation. Using this 'implantation-on-a-chip' device and primary human cells, we have found that uterine immune cells play a critical role in regulating early trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling and that patients at risk for abnormal placentation may have changes in these immune cell populations. We are currently using this model to further understand the different cells and factors that play a critical role in normal and abnormal placentation.

Description of Clinical Expertise

Clincally I see patients with infertilty as well as gynecologic issues including endometriosis and polycystic ovary disease. Additionally I have focused a portion of my clinical practice on adolescent gynecology, focusing on surgical treatment of structural disorders of the reproductive tract and endocrine disorders of puberty and menstruation. I see adolescent patients both at my office at 3701 Market Street as well as during office hours at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Over the past 14 years I have established myself as an expert in the field of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology and am referred patients from throughout the mid-Atlantic.