University of Maryland School of Medicine
Institute for Genome Sciences
801 West Baltimore Street
#633
Baltimore,
MD
USA
21201
rbrotman@som.umaryland.edu
Biographical Sketch:
2008-present Assistant Professor
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
Institute for Genome Sciences
17 papers on vaginal microbiome and STI-related outcomes
5 grants on vaginal microbiome and STI topics
My research interests span a broad range of topics in Reproductive and Infectious Diseases Epidemiology. I am currently developing a research program in the epidemiology of bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is a disruption of the vaginal microbiota which is associated with adverse obstetric and gynecologic outcomes. National surveys indicate the prevalence of BV among U.S. women is 29%, and yet, despite considerable effort, the etiology of BV remains unknown. We recently completed a study which suggested that vaginal douching cessation may reduce the risk for BV. Specimens collected in the study also revealed surprising observations on the fluctuation of BV and are now the focus of my current research. Future work will involve studies of the pathophysiology of BV, including the various behavioral and biological factors associated with the acquisition, remission and recurrence of BV.