Caroline Mitchell

Caroline Mitchell, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School and a faculty member in the Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital. She serves as the Director of the Vulvovaginal Disorders Program at MGH, where she sees patients with complex vulvovaginal disorders and recurrent vaginal infections. Dr. Mitchell's research focuses on the vaginal microbiome's role in women's reproductive health.

Dr. Mitchell earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard College with a concentration in Women's Studies, followed by two years in the Peace Corps in Southern Africa as a high school science teacher. She completed medical school at Harvard Medical School and her OB/GYN residency training along with an MPH at the University of Washington in Seattle. After seven years on faculty at the University of Washington, she returned to Boston and Massachusetts General Hospital in 2014.

Dr. Mitchell's research centers on understanding how vaginal microbes influence reproductive health and disease. Her lab conducts clinical studies, translational analyses, and bench experiments to identify key pathways in host-microbe interactions. The lab's work includes multiple ongoing clinical trials such as MOTIF (Modifying Organisms Transvaginally in Females), VIBRANT, THRIVE, and RituxiVag, focusing on vaginal microbiome transplants, HPV persistence, and the relationship between vaginal immunity and microbiome.

Analysis of Dr. Mitchell's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the vaginal microbiome's role in women's health across different life stages. Her work spans basic science investigations of host-microbe interactions, clinical trials of microbiome-based therapies, and epidemiological studies of vaginal health conditions. Key themes include bacterial vaginosis, menopausal vaginal health, HPV persistence, and the development of novel microbiome-based interventions.

Dr. Mitchell has received significant research funding from prestigious organizations including the NIH, Doris Duke Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, American Association of Obstetricians & Gynecologists Fund, and the MGH Claflin Award. She is an active member of the Vaginal Microbiome Research Consortium.

Dr. Mitchell leads the Mitchell Lab, which includes several researchers working on various aspects of vaginal microbiome research. Her lab maintains close collaborations with the Kwon Lab at the Ragon Institute and participates in the MsFlash menopause research network. The lab's work bridges basic science, clinical research, and patient care to develop novel interventions for improving women's reproductive health.