Marla Lujan received her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology from Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario). She conducted her postdoctoral studies in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan prior to joining the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell. The focus of her research relates to the interplay of nutrition and metabolic status with women’s reproductive health. Specific interests include understanding mechanisms whereby diet, glucoregulatory status and adiposity impact ovulation and lead to loss of regular menstrual cycles (amenorrhea) in women. Her group uses high-resolution ovarian ultrasonography to characterize follicle development during natural cycles, with the goal of corroborating the utility of ovarian morphology to inform distinct causes of anovulation - such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovulatory responses to diet intervention, degree of cardiometabolic disturbance and risk of PCOS in adolescents. Her work also includes cross-disciplinary assessments aimed at understanding unique challenges faced by women with endocrine disruptions including usual dietary intake and physical activity, health-related knowledge and beliefs as well as experiences with healthcare providers.
Education
2005, PhD, Physiology, Queen's University
2001, MSc, Physiology, Queen's University
1998, BScH, Life Sciences, Queen's University
Recent Research
Sonographic evaluation of ovarian morphology; Diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); Dietary intake and physical activity in women with PCOS; Nutritional regulation of folliculogenesis; Ovulatory response to weight loss intervention; Morphological markers of the adolescent reproductive transition.
Awards & Honors
Best Scientific Paper Southern Ontario Reproductive Biology Workshop
Courses Taught
NS 3420: Laboratory Studies for Human Anatomy & Physiology
Jarrett BY, Vantman N, Mergler RJ, Brooks ED, Pierson RA, Chizen DR, Lujan ME. Dysglycemia, not altered sex steroid hormones, affects cognitive function in polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of the Endocrine Society 2019, 3(10):1858-1868.
Jarrett BY, Vanden Brink H, Brooks ED, Hoeger KM, Spandorfer SD, Pierson RA, Chizen DR, Lujan ME. Impact of intra-individual variation on the ultrasonographic diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertility and Sterility. 2019, 112(5):939-946.
Kazemi M, Pierson RA, Lujan ME, Chilibeck PD, McBreairty LE, Gordon JJ, Serrao SB, Zello GA, Chizen DR. Comprehensive evaluation of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk profiles in reproductive-age women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a large Canadian cohort. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 2019, 41(10):1453-1460.
Jarrett BY, Lin AW, Lujan ME. A commentary on the new evidence-based lifestyle recommendations for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and potential barriers to their implementation in the United States. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2019, 119(2):205-210.
Paprocki E, Barral RL, Vanden Brink H, Lujan ME, Burgert TS. GnRH agonist improves hyperandrogenism in an adolescent female with a novel insulin receptor gene mutation. Journal of Adolescent Health 2018, 62(3):288-293.
Teede HJ, Misso ML, Costello MF, Dokras A, Laven J, Moran L, Piltonen T, Norman RJ; International PCOS Network. Recommendations from the international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertility and Sterility 2018, 110(3):364-379. Also in; Human Reproduction 2018, 33(9):1602-1618 and Clinical Endocrinology (Oxf) 2018; 89(3):251-268.
Lin AW, Bergomi EJ, Dollahite JS, Sobal J, Hoeger KM, Lujan ME. Trust in physicians and medical experience beliefs differ between women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of The Endocrine Society 2018, 2(9):1001-1009.
Rackow BW, Vanden Brink H, Hammers L, Flannery CA, Lujan ME, Burgert TS. Ovarian morphology by transabdominal ultrasound correlates with reproductive and metabolic disturbance in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of Adolescent Health 2018, 62(3):288-293.
Lin AW, Dollahite JS, Sobal J, Lujan ME. Health-related knowledge, beliefs and self-efficacy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Human Reproduction 2018, 33(1):91-100.
Member, Cornell Graduate Field of Nutrition
Member, Cornell Graduate Field of Biomedical and Biological Sciences (BBS)
Member, The Endocrine Society
Member, Androgen Excess and PCOS (AE-PCOS) Society
Member, American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
The funding will support preliminary disease-related research, in the latest in a series of efforts to create new opportunities for interdisciplinary research.
