Name:	Pamela A. Moalli, M.D., Ph.D.
Affiliation:	Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh
Title:	Assistant Investigator, Magee-Womens Research Institute Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Division of Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Magee-Womens Hospital

Dr. Moalli's research is in the general area of pelvic floor dysfunction. Specifically, she is interested in determining the biological basis for the increased incidence of pelvic organ prolapse following menopause. She has focused on differences in connective tissue remodeling between pre- and postmenopausal women. Dr. Moalli's data support an upregulation of the connective tissue degrading matrix metalloproteinases and a decrease in collagen in postmenopausal women relative to premenopausal women. She has developed primary fibroblast cultures from directed biopsies of the pelvic floor connective tissue. Her studies show that matrix metalloproteinase expression can be regulated by estrogen. In addition, she is currently investigating differences in estrogen regulation of connective tissue remodeling directed biopsies of the pelvic floor in three groups of women: premenopausal women, postmenopausal women and postmenopausal women on hormone replacement. Finally, Dr. Moalli is developing a model to test the structural properties of the supportive connective tissue of the vagina. The goal of the lab is to design therapies that strengthen pelvic floor support and decrease the incidence of pelvic organ prolapse.

B.A. (Biology), Brown University, Providence, RI, 1985

M.D., Ph.D. (Molecular & Cellular Biology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL, 1994

Residency (Obstetrics & Gynecology), Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, 1998

Fellowship (Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery), Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 1999

Pamela Moalli, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Division of Urogenycology
Magee-Womens Research Institute
204 Craft Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
pmoalli@mail.magee.edu
www.mwri.magee.edu

• Mechanism of pelvic floor failure in women with pelvic organ prolapse
• Effect of sex steroid hormones on connective tissue remodeling in the pelvic floor

Franks ME, Zyczynski HM, Moalli PA, Sagan ER, Smith CP, Cannon T and Chancellor MB. Clinical Outcome and Cost Comparison with the Pubovaginal Sling Procedure Using Autologous Fascia Versus Cadaveric Dermal Patch. J Pelvic Surg 8: 19-22, 2002.

Moalli PA, Klingensmith WL and Meyn LA. Increased Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinses in the Uterine Cervix of Postmenopausal Women. J Lower Genet Tr Dis 7: 36-43, 2003.

Moalli PA, Klingensmith WL, Meyn LA and Zyczynski HM. Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression by Estrogen in Fibroblasts that are Derived from the Female Pelvic Floor. Am J Obstet & Gynecol, 2002; 187: 72-79.

Moalli PA, Jones Ivy S, Meyn LA and Zyczynski HM. Risk Factors Associated with Pelvic Floor Disorders in Women Undergoing Surgical Repair. Obstet & Gynecol 2003; 101:869-74.

Moalli PA, Talarico LC, Sung VW, Klingensmith WL, Shand SH, Meyn LA and Watkins SC. Impact of Menopause on Collagen Subtypes in the Arcus Tendineous Fasciae Pelvis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2004; 190: 620-7.