The John B. Pierce Laboratory

Medical student Faith Okifo presents “Polycystic ovary syndrome and Black race are associated with increased blood pressure” at 2022’s Experimental Biology meeting

In collaboration with Nina Stachenfeld, PhD and Lubna Pal, MBBS, medical student Faith Okifo (pictured) presented her work this month at 2022’s Experimental Biology meeting in Philadelphia, PA. Titled Polycystic ovary syndrome and Black race are associated with increased blood pressure, Ms. Okifo’s study describes the contribution of both Black race and BMI to blood pressure increases in women with PCOS.  Ms. Okifo analyzed EPIC data to demonstrate that blood pressure is elevated in obese women with PCOS (aged 36±3 yr) and systolic blood pressure is higher in Black versus white women in this cohort. These data show that in older reproductive-age women with obesity, PCOS and Black race are independent predictors of worsening BP indices. Notably, Ms. Okifo received a highly competitive Diversity award from the American Physiological Society to attend this conference.

Regarding the presentation, Nina Stachenfeld, PhD stated, “These data from a large clinical population confirm our earlier findings of increased pressure in our smaller, laboratory-based studies in women with PCOS. Risks for cardiovascular disease are greater in Black versus white women with PCOS, and especially in those with high body weight.” She added, “We are particularly excited that Ms. Okifo was chosen by the conference organizers to present her findings in a Symposium as well as poster format.  She also received the competitive Diversity Award from the American Physiological Society for this important work.”

Further, Hugh S. Taylor, MD and Valerie Flores, MD presented at this conference in a Symposium organized by Lacy Alexander, PhD and Nina Stachenfeld, PhD, titled: Systemic inflammatory mechanisms associated with endometriosis: from genes to environment. 

 

From the Experimental Biology website,

“Experimental Biology (EB) is the annual meeting of five societies that explores the latest research in anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biology, investigative pathology, pharmacology, and physiology. Participants represent scientists from academic institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and industry.”

“The meeting features plenary lectures, workshops, symposia, posters presentations, on-site career services and exhibits spotlighting products and services integral to this professional community.”

Learn more: https://www.experimentalbiology.org/