Beth A. Plunkett , MD

• Undergraduate: Amherst College, MA (1991)
• Medical School: University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (1997)
• Post Graduate: Northwestern University, Chicago, IL (2004)
• Internship: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (1998)
• Residency: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (2001)
• Fellowship: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (2004)

• Obstetrics and Gynecology (since 2006)
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine (since 2007)

My primary research interest is maternal metabolic health and its impact on obstetric and fetal outcomes. I am also interested in cost-effectiveness analysis as a means to inform health-care decisions. I am also the Primary Investigator for the NorthShore site of the Northwestern University center of the NICHD-sponsored Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network. This network performs multi-center studies of pregnant women and their newborns. 

Academic and Administrative Appointments

• 2004-2008: Assistant Professor, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
• 2008-2014: Clinical Assistant Professor, NorthShore University HealthSystem, University of Chicago Affiliate, Evanston, IL
• 2009-2016: Site Director, Graduate Medical Education, NorthShore University HealthSystem, University of Chicago Affiliate, Evanston, IL
• 2014-present: Clinical Associate Professor, NorthShore University HealthSystem, University of Chicago Affiliate, Evanston, IL
• 2016-present: Director of Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL

• 1994 - Alpha Omega Alpha Student Research Fellowship
• 1996 - Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
• 1996 - Fentress Research Award
• 1997 - The American Medical Women’s Association Award
• 1997 - The Gate Pharmaceuticals Award for Excellence in Obstetrics and Gynecology
• 2000 - Michael Newton Award for Compassionate Care
• 2001 - Chicago Gynecological Society Resident Paper Award (Second Place)
• 2001 - Northwestern University Resident Teacher Award
• 2004 - Northwestern University Masters in Public Health Prize for Excellence in Culminating Experience Paper (First Place)
• 2004 - Searle Fellow, Northwestern University Searle Center for Teaching Excellence
• 2005-2008 - Excellence in Teaching Award
• 2006-2010 - NIH Clinical Loan Repayment Program Recipient
• 2007 - Third Prize for Basic Science Research, 3rd Annual Lewis Landsberg Research Day, Northwestern University
• 2014 - Annual Meeting for the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, First Prize for a Podium Presentation in the Fetal Oral Concurrent Session
• 2016 - AOA Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award
• 2016 - Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award
• 2016 - Fellow of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Academy of Distinguished Medical Educators

• 2001-2003: NIH/AHCPR National Research Service Award (NRSA) Fellow, Institute for Health Services Research and Policy Studies, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
• 2005-2008: NIH/NICHD Women’s Reproductive Health Research Scholar, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
• 2006: Ad hoc Reviewer NIH/NICHD Challenge Grant
• 2013-Present: Board Examiner, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Selected Invited Presentations (since 2009)

• State of Illinois Obstetric Hemorrhage Project, Co-Chair Training Session, Skokie, IL (2009)
• State of Illinois Obstetric Hemorrhage Project, Co-Chair Training Session, Vista Medical Center, Waukegan, IL (2009)
• State of Illinois Obstetric Hemorrhage Project, Grand Rounds, Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem (2009)
• State of Illinois Obstetric Hemorrhage Project, Grand Rounds Anesthesiology, NorthShore University Health System (2009)
• Prevention of Perinatal HIV Transmission, Perinatal Conference, NorthShore University HealthSystem (2009)
• Prevention of Perinatal HIV Transmission, Grand Rounds Pediatrics, NorthShore University HealthSystem (2010)
• Obesity in Pregnancy, Grand Rounds Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem (2009)
• Magnesium and the Prevention of Cerebral Palsy, Perinatal Conference, NorthShore University Health System (2010)
• Normal Labor, Grand Rounds, Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem (2011)
• Obesity in Pregnancy, Grand Rounds, Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem (2012)
• Graduate Medical Education, Grand Rounds, Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore HealthSystem (2012)
• Obesity in Pregnancy, NUH-MOMS Program (2013)
• Obesity in Pregnancy, NorthShore University HealthSystem Neonatology Fellows Conference (2014)
• Obesity in Pregnancy, March of Dimes Perinatal Nursing Conference, March (2014)
• PROSPECT Trial, Grand Rounds, Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem (2016)
• State of Illinois Obstetric Hemorrhage Project, Co-Chair Training Session, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL (2016)
• Barriers Facing Physicians in Diagnosing and Treating Obesity, Perinatal Conference, NorthShore University HealthSystem (2016)
• Narcotic Dependence: An Update, Perinatal Conference, NorthShore University HealthSystem (2016)

Teaching Experience

• OB/GYN Lecturer Medical Student Clerkship, Northwestern Univ. Feinberg School of Medicine (2001-2008)
• OB/GYN Lecturer Resident Didactic Series, Northwestern Univ. Feinberg School of Medicine (2001-2004)
• Medical Decision Making Course Lecturer, Northwestern Univ., Feinberg School of Medicine (2001-2007)
• Medical Decision Analysis Course Mentor, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2004-2008)
• Maternal Mortality Summer Course Director, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2005)
• Instructor OB/GYN Residency Curriculum, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (2010-present)
• Instructor for OB/GYN Residency Simulation Program (2010-present)
• Lecturer for St. Francis Hospital Residency Program Didactic Series (2010-present)

Peer-Reviewed Publications

1. Plunkett BA, Fishman DM. Ovarian cancer presenting as breast mass. In: Clare, SE. Unusual breast cases. The Tumor Board. 2000 Aug 4:39-57.
2. Plunkett BA, Milad MP. How a woman selects her gynecologic surgeon and obstetrician and which factors are important to her. J Gynecol Surg 2000;16:107-11.
3. Plunkett BA, Kohli P, Milad MP. The importance of physician gender in the selection of an obstetrician or a gynecologist. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:926-8. PMID: 12015516
4. Plunkett BA, Lin A, Wong CA, Grobman WA, Peaceman AM. Management of the second stage of labor in nulliparas with continuous epidural analgesia. Obstet and Gynecol 2003;102:109-14. PMID: 12850615
5. Plunkett BA, Grobman WA. Elective cesarean delivery to prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis C virus: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2004;191:998-1003. PMID: 15467579
6. Plunkett BA, Grobman WA. Routine hepatitis C virus screening in pregnancy: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2005; 92:1153-61. PMID: 15846195
7. Cho RN, Plunkett BA, Wolf MS, Simon CE, Grobman WA. Health literacy and patient understanding of screening tests for aneuploidy and neural tube defects. Prenatal Diagnosis 2007;27:463-7. PMID: 17345585
8. Mersereau JE, Plunkett BA, Cedars MI. Preimplantation screening in older women: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Fertil Steril 2008;90:592-8. PMID: 18001724
9. Plunkett BA, Fitchev P, Doll JA, Gerber SE, Cornwell M, Greenstein EP, Crawford SE. Decreased expression of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), an inhibitor of angiogenesis, in placenta of unexplained stillbirth. Reproductive Biol 2008;8:107-20. PMID: 18677399
10. Mavroudis CE, Fitchev P, Plunkett BA, Crawford SE. Shepherd’s hook anomaly of ductus arteriosus with sudden intrapartum fetal demise: 2 case reports. World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery 2010;1:37-9. PMID: 23804735
11. Bernardi L, Plunkett BA, Stephenson M. Is chromosome testing of the second miscarriage cost- saving: A decision analysis of selective vs. universal recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) evaluation. Fertil and Steril 2012;98:156-61. PMID: 2251651
12. Straub HL, Antoniewicz LW, Riggs JW, Plunkett BA, Hollier LM. Cost-effectiveness analysis of rubella screening strategies using electronic medical records. Am J Perinatol 2013;30:759-64. PMID: 23322389
13. Straub HL, Morgan G, Ochoa P, Grable I, Wang E, Kharasch M, Plunkett BA. Targeted obstetric haemorrhage programme improves Incoming resident confidence and knowledge. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2013;33(8):798-801. PMID: 24219716
14. Fitchev P, Chung C, Plunkett BA, Brendler CB, Crawford SE. Pedf & stem cells: niche vs. nurture. Current Drug Deliv 2014;11:552-60. PMID: 23517628
15. Venkatasubraminian, PN, CB Brendler, BA Plunkett, SE Crawford, PS Fitchev, G Morgan, ML Cornwell, MS McGuire, AM Wyrwicz and JA Doll. Periprostatic Adipose Tissue from Obese Prostate Cancer Patients Promotes Tumor and Endothelial Cell Proliferation: a Functional and MR Imaging Pilot Study. The Prostate, 2014;74:326-335, 2014. PMID: 24571013
16. Wymer KM, Shih T, Plunkett BA. The Cost-Effectiveness of A Trial of Labor Accrues with Multiple Subsequent Vaginal Deliveries. American J Obstet Gynecol 2014;211:56e1-e12. PMID: 24487008
17. Gonzalez AB, Young L, Doll JA, Morgan GM, Crawford SE, Plunkett BA. Elevated neonatal insulin-like growth factor I is associated with fetal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in diabetic women. Am Journal Obstet Gynecol 2014;211:290 e1-7. PMID: 24813596
18. Endres LK, Straub H, McKinney C, Plunkett B, Minkovitz CS, Schetter CD, Ramey S, Wang C, Hobel C, Raju T, Shalowitz MU, CCHN. Postpartum weight retention risk factors and relationship to obesity at 1 year. Obstet and Gynecol 2015; 125:144-52. PMID: 25560116
19. Wymer KM, Plunkett BA, Park S. Urolithiasis in Pregnancy: A cost-effectiveness analysis of ureteroscopic management versus ureteral stenting. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 2015; 213:691e.1-8. PMID: 26215329
20. Plunkett B, Delayed hospital admission until active labour may help prevent unnecessary cesarean delivery. Evid Based Med 2015; 20:6. PMID 26419252
21. Bello JK, Bauer V, Plunkett BA, Poston L, Solomonides A, Endres L. Pregnancy weight gain, postpartum weight retention, and obesity. Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports 2016; 10:1-2.
22. Straub H, Simon C, Plunkett BA, Endres L, Adam EK, McKinney C, Hobel CJ, Thorp JM, Raju T, Shalowitz M; Community Child Health Network of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Evidence for a Complex Relationship Among Weight Retention, Cortisol and Breastfeeding in Postpartum Women. Maternal Child Health Journal. 2016. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID 26968183
23. Yared E, Dinsmoor MJ, Endres LK, Vandenberg MJ, Maier Hoell C, Lapin B, Plunkett BA. Obesity Increases the Risk of Failure of Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening Regardless of Gestational Age. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 2016. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID 26996988

Additional Publications and Published Abstracts

1. Webber HS, Lawlor EF, Plunkett BA. Health care in Chicago: Problems and opportunities. Center for Health Administration Studies, Working Paper Series, Working Paper #4, 1993.
2. Bieber EJ, Haaj SN, Plunkett BA. Vaginal myomectomy. In: Bieber EJ, Maclin VM, editors. Myomectomy. Oxford: Blackwell Science; 1998;147-161.
3. Plunkett BA, Lin A, Wong C, Grobman WA, Peaceman A. A randomized trial of the management of the second stage of labor in nulliparous patients with continuous epidural analgesia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001 184:S119.
4. Plunkett BA, Grobman WA. Elective cesarean delivery to prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis C virus: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003:189:S97.
5. Plunkett BA, Gerber SE, Fitchev P, Crawford SE. Neoangiogenesis and placental vasculopathy in placentas of stillborn infants. J Soc Gynecol Invest 2005;12:S331A.
6. Cho RN, Plunkett BA, Wolf MS, Simon CE, Grobman WA. Health literacy and patient understanding of screening tests for aneuploidy and neural tube defects. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2005;193:S108.
7. Plunkett BA, Gerber SE, Cornwell M, Fitchev P, Crawford SE. Increased vascular permeability and abnormal angiogenesis correlate with vasculopathy in placentas of stillborn infants. J Soc Gynecol Invest 2006:13:209A.
8. Plunkett BA, Maurice M, Doll JA, Cornwell M, Crawford SE. An imbalance of adipocyte-derived angiogenic mediators, VEGF and PEDF, promotes pro-angiogenic phenotype. J Soc Gynecol Invest 2007;14:173A.
9. Plunkett BA, Doll JA, Lawler J, Cornwell M, Fitchev P, Crawford SE. Atypical ductal hyperplasia and high stromal angiogenesis in murine breast tissue lacking anti-angiogenic thrombospondin-1. J Soc Gynecol Invest 2007;14:175A.
10. Plunkett BA, Doll JA, Su EJ, Bulun SE, Cornwell M, Crawford SE. Trophoblast adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) expression is upregulated in preeclampsia. J Soc Gynecol Invest 2008;15:281A.
11. Plunkett BA, Ofori E, Grobman W, Srinivas S, Elovitz M. Fetal growth is associated with an imbalance of angiogenic mediators pigment epithelium-derived factor and placental growth factor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008;199:S170.
12. Su EJ, Lin Z-H, Zeine R, Reierstad S, Innes J, Plunkett BA, Yin P, Bulun S. The role of estrogen receptor B (ESR2) on fetoplacental vascular function. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008;199:S7.
13. Plunkett BA, Doll JA, Wcislak S, Wecker J, Cornwell M, Fitchev P, Crawford SE. Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) regulates fetal growth. Reprod Sciences 2009:16:S334A.
14. Plunkett BA, Kaushal KM, Ducsay CA, Hanson K, Myers DA. Long term hypoxia (LTH) in sheep promotes adaptive changes in placental expression of key angiogenic mediators. Reprod Sciences 2010: 17:S323A.
15. Plunkett BA, Morgan GM, Doll JA, Chung C, Wecker J, Cornwell M, Crawford SE. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) regulates lipolysis and migration in microvascular endothelial cells. Reprod Sciences 2010: 17:S250A
16. Plunkett BA, Morgan GM, Doll JA, Fitchev P, Crawford SE. Maternal adiposity reduces fetal growth in a leptin-deficient murine model. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2011;204:S88.
17. Plunkett BA, Morgan GM, Silver RK, Crawford SE. Maternal obesity and evidence of fetal programming of lipid metabolism. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2012;206:S94.
18. Endres L, Straub H, Plunkett B, Clark-Kaufman E, Wagenaar K, Zhou Y, Ramey S, Shalowitz M for the Community Child Health Network. Postpartum weight retention: risk factors and relationship to obesity at one year. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013;208:S174.
19. Gonzalez A, Young L, Morgan G, Crawford S, Plunkett B. High incidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and cardiac dysfunction in fetuses of diabetic mothers. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013;208:S246.
20. Thomas M, Morgan G, Fitchev P, Cornwell M, Plunkett B, Crawford S. Gestational diabetes induces fetal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a rat model. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013;208:S280.
21. Smid M, Victorson D, Plunkett B. The role of depression and anxiety on weight gain among obese pregnant women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013;208:S556.
22. Endres L, Straub H, Plunkett B, Clark-Kaufman E, Wagenaar K, Zhou Y, Ramey S, Shalowitz M for the Community Child Health Network. Postpartum depression signals ongoing health risks. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013;208:S673.
23. H Straub, Simon C, Adam E, Plunkett BA, Endres L, McKinney C, Shalowitz M for the Community Child Health Network. Flattened diurnal cortisol slope correlates with postpartum weight retention. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2014;210:S388.
24. Gonzalez A, Young L, Doll J, Morgan G, Crawford S, Plunkett B. Elevated neonatal IGF-I is associated with fetal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2014;210(1):S53.
25. Gonzalez A, Doll J, Morgan G, Young L, Dinsmoor M, Crawford S, Plunkett B. Elevated neonatal leptin is associated with fetal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but not cardiac dysfunction. Reprod Sciences 2014; 21: S045A.
26. Dinsmoor M, Endres L, VandenBerg M, Maier C, Yared E, Lapin B, Plunkett B. Obesity increases the risk for failure of non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS), regardless of gestational age. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015; 212(1):S402.

Research Presentations

1. Plunkett BA, Milad MP. How a woman selects her obstetrician and gynecologic surgeon. Poster presentation at the 48th Annual Clinical Meeting of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Mar 2000, San Francisco, CA.
2. Plunkett BA, Lin A, Wong C, Grobman WA, Peaceman AM. A randomized trial of the management of the second stage of labor in nulliparous patients with continuous epidural analgesia. Poster presentation at the 21st Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM), Feb 2001, Reno, NV.
3. Kohli P, Plunkett BA, Milad MP. Important factors in physician selection. Poster presentation at the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Oct 2001, San Diego, CA. (Accepted prior to meeting cancellation).
4. Plunkett BA, Grobman WA. Universal screening of pregnant women for hepatitis C virus: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Podium presentation at the 2002 NRSA Trainees Research Conference, Jun 2002, Washington, DC.
5. Plunkett BA, Grobman WA. Elective cesarean delivery to prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis C virus: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Poster Presentation at the 24th Annual Meeting of SMFM, Feb 2004, New Orleans, LA.
6. Plunkett BA, Grobman WA. Hepatitis C screening in pregnancy: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Poster presentation at the 132nd Annual Meeting American Public Health Association, Nov 2004, Washington D.C.
7. Plunkett BA, Gerber SE, Fitchev P, Crawford SE. Neoangiogenesis and placental vasculopathy in placentas of stillborn infants. Poster presentation at the 52nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation (SGI), Mar 2005, Los Angeles, CA.
8. Cho RN, Plunkett BA, Wolf MS, Simon CE, Grobman WA. Health literacy and patient understanding of screening tests for aneuploidy and neural tube defects. Poster presentation at the 25th Annual Meeting of SMFM, Feb 2006; Miami, FL.
9. Plunkett BA, Gerber SE, Cornwell M, Fitchev P, Crawford SE. Increased vascular permeability and abnormal angiogenesis correlate with vasculopathy in placentas of stillborn infants. Poster presentation at the 53rd Annual Scientific Meeting of SGI, Mar 2006, Toronto, Ontario.
10. Plunkett BA, Garcia PM, Milad MP. High-fidelity simulator modules vs. traditional lectures in an OB/GYN clerkship: A randomized controlled trial. Podium presentation at the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Annual Meeting, Mar 2006, Orlando, FL.
11. Plunkett BA, Garcia PM, Milad MP. The feasibility and acceptability of incorporating patient simulator-based education into an OB/GYN clerkship. Poster presentation at APGO Annual Meeting, Mar 2006, Orlando, FL.
12. Plunkett BA, Maurice M, Doll JA, Cornwell M, Crawford SE. An imbalance of adipocyte-derived angiogenic mediators, VEGF and PEDF, promotes pro-angiogenic phenotype. Poster presentation at the 54th Annual Scientific Meeting of SGI, Mar 2007, Reno, NV.
13. Plunkett BA, Doll JA, Lawler J, Cornwell M, Fitchev P, Crawford SE. Atypical ductal hyperplasia and high stromal angiogenesis in murine breast tissue lacking anti-angiogenic thrombospondin-1. Poster presentation at the 54th Annual Scientific Meeting of SGI, Mar 2007, Reno, NV.
14. Plunkett BA, Doll JA, Su EJ, Bulun SE, Cornwell M, Crawford SE. Trophoblast adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) expression is upregulated in preeclampsia. Poster presentation at the 55th Annual Meeting of SGI, March 2008, San Diego, CA.
15. Plunkett BA, Ofori E, Grobman W, Srinivas S, Elovitz M. Fetal growth is associated with an imbalance of mediators pigment epithelium-derived factor and placental growth factor (abstract). Poster presentation at the 29th Annual Meeting of SMFM, Jan 2009, San Diego, CA.
16. Su EJ, Lin Z-H, Zeine R, Reierstad S, Innes J, Plunkett BA, Yin P, Bulun S. The role of estrogen receptor B (ESR2) on fetoplacental vascular function. Podium presentation at the 29th Annual Meeting of SMFM, San Diego, January 2009.
17. Plunkett BA, Doll JA, Wcislak S, Wecker J, Cornwell M, Fitchev P, Crawford SE. Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) regulates fetal growth. Poster presentation at the 56th Annual Meeting of SGI, Glasgow, Scotland, March 2009.
18. Plunkett BA, Doll JA, Wcislak S, Wecker J, Cornwell M, Fitchev P, Crawford SE. Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) regulates fetal growth. Poster presentation at the NorthShore Research Institute Scientific Poster Research Reception, Apr 2009, Evanston, IL.
19. Plunkett BA, Morgan GM, Sue EJ, Wecker J, Cornwell M, Doll JA, Chung C, Crawford SE. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) regulates lipolysis in microvascular endothelial cells. Poster presentation at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and NorthShore University HealthSystem Joint Scientific Poster Research Reception, Nov 2009, Chicago, IL.
20. Plunkett BA, Kaushal KM, Ducsay CA, Hanson K, Myers DA. Long term hypoxia (LTH) in sheep promotes adaptive changes in placental expression of key angiogenic mediators. Poster presentation at the 60th Annual Meeting of SGI, Orlando, Florida, March 2010.
21. Plunkett BA, Morgan GM, Doll JA, Chung C, Wecker J, Cornwell M, Crawford SE. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) regulates lipolysis and migration in microvascular endothelial cells. Poster presentation at the 60th SGI Annual Meeting, Mar 2010, Orlando, FL.
22. Grable IA, Morgan GM, Plunkett BA. High fidelity simulation program increases resident confidence level. Poster presentation at University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Medical Education Day, Oct 2010, Chicago, IL.
23. Plunkett BA, Morgan GM, Doll JA, Fitchev P, Cornwell M, Crawford SE. Maternal adiposity reduces fetal growth in a leptin-deficient murine model. Poster presentation at the NorthShore Research Institute Scientific Poster Research Reception, Oct 2010, Evanston, IL.
24. Plunkett BA, Morgan GM, Doll JA, Fitchev P, Cornwell M, Crawford SE. Fetal consequences of maternal adiposity in the leptin-deficient murine model. No Name Society, Oct 2010, Quartz, OK
25. Plunkett BA, Morgan GM, Doll JA, Fitchev P, Crawford SE. Maternal adiposity reduces fetal growth in a leptin-deficient murine model. Poster presentation at the 31st Annual Meeting of SMFM, Feb 2011, San Francisco, CA.
26. Ernst LM, Huang M, Plunkett BA, Machut K, Lossia A, DeRegnier R. Major and minor placental pathology contribute to reduced 6 month cognitive scores in growth restricted infants. Platform presentation at the Society for Pediatric Pathology Annual Meeting, Feb 2011, San Antonio, TX.
27. Grable I, Morgan GM, Plunkett BA. Obstetric hemorrhage simulation program improves resident confidence. Poster presentation at the APGO Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, March 2011.
28. Venkatasubramanian, PN, Fitchev PS, Brendler CB, Plunkett BA, Morgan GM, Cornwell ML, O’Leary J, Pruitt J, Stadnik A, Burright M, McGuire MS, Wyrwicz AM, Doll JA. Metabolic and functional analysis of periprostatic adipose tissue from prostate cancer patients. Presented at the Prostate Cancer Foundation Annual Retreat, September 2011.
29. Bernardi LA, Plunkett BA, Stephenson MD. Cost analysis of chromosome testing of the second miscarriage versus evaluation for recurrent early pregnancy loss. Poster presentation at ASRM 67th Annual Meeting, Oct 2011.
30. Plunkett BA, Morgan GM, Silver RK, Crawford SE. Maternal obesity and evidence of fetal programming of lipid metabolism. Poster presentation at SMFM 32nd Annual Meeting Dallas, TX. Feb, 2012.
31. Novakovic K, Fitchev P, Brendler C, Plunkett BA, Dangle P, McGuire M, Shevrin D, Cornwell M, Quinn M, Kaul K, Crawford SE. Active Triacylglycerol metabolism and increased infiltrating adipocyte density in high grade prostate cancer. Moderated poster presentation at AUA Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA. May 2012.
32. Morgan GM, Brendler C, Doll J, Fitchev M, Cornwell M, Crawford SE, Plunkett BA. A lipid-enriched microenvironment in prostate cancer is a potent stimulator of angiogenesis. Moderated poster presentation at AUA Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA. May 2012.
33. Straub H, Ochoa P, Grable I, Wang E, Kharasch M, Plunkett BA. Does high-fidelity hemorrhage simulation improve intern knowledge and confidence? Poster presentation at 13th International Meeting on Simulation in healthcare (IMSH), Orlando, FL. Jan 2013.
34. Endres L, Straub H, Plunkett B, Clark-Kauffman E, Wagenaar K, Zhou Y, Ramey S, Shalowitz M for the Community Child Health Network. Postpartum weight retention: risk factors and relationship to obesity at one year. Poster presentation at SMFM 33rd Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. Feb 2013.
35. Gonzalez A, Young L, Morgan G, Crawford S, Plunkett B. High incidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and cardiac dysfunction in fetuses of diabetic mothers. Poster presentation at SMFM 33rd Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. Feb 2013.
36. Thomas M, Morgan G, Fitchev P, Cornwell M, Plunkett B, Crawford S. Gestational diabetes induces fetal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a rat model. Poster presentation at SMFM 33rd Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. Feb 2013.
37. Smid M, Victorson D, Plunkett B. The role of depression and anxiety on weight gain among obese pregnant women. Poster presentation at SMFM 33rd Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. Feb 2013.
38. Endres L, Straub H, Plunkett B, Clark-Kaufman E, Wagenaar K, Zhou Y, Ramey S, Shalowitz M for the Community Child Health Network. Postpartum depression signals ongoing health risks. Poster presentation at SMFM 33rd Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. Feb 2013.
39. Straub H, Smid M, Ochoa P, Grable I, Blanchard A, Plunkett BA. High-fidelity forceps simulation influences resident choice of operative vaginal delivery method. Podium presentation at APGO/CREOG Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ. Feb 2013.
40. Novakovic, K, Quinn M, Fitchev P, Cornwell M, Brendler C, McGuire M, Helfand B, Pruitt J, Rabbit S, Plunkett B, Doll J, Lee C, Crawford S. Shared lipid energy: Prostate cancer cells stimulate adipocyte migration in vitro and in vivo. Moderated poster at AUA Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA. May 2013.
41. Straub H, Simon C, Adam E, Plunkett BA, Endres L, McKinney C, Shalowitz M for the Community Child Health Network. Flattened diurnal cortisol slope correlates with postpartum weight retention. Poster presentation at SMFM 34th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA. Feb 2014.
42. Gonzalez A, Young L, Doll J, Morgan G, Crawford S, Plunkett BA.  Elevated neonatal IGF-I is associated with fetal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.  Podium presentation at SMFM 34th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA. Feb 2014.  Received first prize for oral presentation in concurrent session.
43. Gonzalez A, Doll J, Morgan G, Young L, Dinsmoor M, Crawford S, Plunkett B. Elevated neonatal leptin is associated with fetal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but not cardiac dysfunction. Poster presentation at 61st Annual Meeting of SGI, Florence, Italy. Mar 2014.
44. Kordik A, Adams M, Plunkett BA. Obesity is Underdiagnosed and Under-Treated Among Reproductive Age Women.  Poster presentation at Annual Clinical Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Chicago, IL. April, 2014
45. Wymer K, Shih T, Plunkett BA. Cost-Effectiveness of a Trial of Labor After Cesarean for Successive Deliveries. Poster presentation at Annual Clinical Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Chicago, IL. April, 2014
46. Wcislak, S, A Chawla, BA Plunkett, CB Brendler and JA Doll. Novel Lipid-regulatory Function for Thrombospondin-1 in Prostate Cancer. Moderated poster presentation at American Urologic Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL. May, 2014
47. Venkatasubramanian, PN, M Mafi, CB Brendler, BA Plunkett and JA Doll. Mouse Periprostatic Adipose (PPA) Tissue Mimics Human PPA Activity on Prostate Cancer Cells: A Model System to Study PPA – Prostate Cancer Interactions. Moderated poster presentation at American Urologic Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL. May, 2014
48. Dinsmoor M, Endres L, VandenBerg M, Maier C, Yared E, Lapin B, Plunkett B. Obesity increases the risk for failure of non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS), regardless of gestational age. Poster presentation at Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine 35 th Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA. Feb 2015.
49. Wymer K, Plunkett BA, Park S. Urolithiasis in pregnancy: a cost-effectiveness analysis of ureteroscopic management vs ureteral stenting. Moderated poster presentation at American Urologic Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, May 2015.
50. Wymer K, Plunkett BA, Park S. Urolithiasis in pregnancy: a cost-effectiveness analysis of ureteroscopic management vs ureteral stenting. Moderated poster presentation at World Congress of Endorulogy Annual Meeting, London, October 2015.

Research Support

Ongoing

2016-2021: NICHD 2UG1HD040512-17
Maternal Fetal Medicine Units Network
PI: William Grobman, MD, MBA
Site PI: Beth A. Plunkett, MD, MPH
Project Titles: An observational study of Hepatitis C virus in pregnancy (HCV) 
Induction in nulliparous women at 39 weeks to prevent adverse outcomes: A randomized controlled trial of induction versus expectant management (ARRIVE)
A trial of pessary and progesterone for preterm prevention in twin gestation with a short cervix (PROSPECT).

Completed

2012-2013 University of Chicago Pilot Project Translation and Clinical Studies Award for $5000
PI: Anna Gonzalez, MD
Mentor: Beth A. Plunkett, MD, MPH
Project Title: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in fetuses of diabetic mothers.