Mala Mahendroo

Mala Mahendroo, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a member of the Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences. She leads an active research laboratory focused on understanding the biological and mechanical processes underlying cervical remodeling during pregnancy and preterm birth.

Her research interests are centered on reproductive biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry, with a specific focus on cervical remodeling. Using techniques such as single-cell genomics, tissue biomechanics, imaging, and mouse models, her lab investigates hormone signaling, immunology, gene regulation, extracellular matrix dynamics, and epithelial barrier function. She collaborates with mechanical and biomedical engineers to develop translational imaging tools for assessing cervical changes.

The analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on hyaluronan, collagen, glycosaminoglycans, immune cell dynamics, and mechanical properties of cervical tissue. Her work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to translational applications, particularly in predicting and preventing preterm birth. Imaging technologies like second harmonic generation are emerging as key tools in her research.

• Career Award in the Biomedical Sciences/Reproductive Biology from the Burroughs Welcome Fund
• National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Fellowship from The Lalor Foundation
• Career Award from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund

Dr. Mahendroo has been continuously supported by major grants from the National Institutes of Health, March of Dimes, Burroughs Welcome Preterm Birth Initiatives, and The Hartwell Foundation. She mentors graduate students and postdoctoral fellows through the Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB) and Biomedical Engineering (BME) programs. Her lab actively recruits motivated researchers interested in women’s health and reproductive biology.

She leads the Mahendroo Laboratory at UT Southwestern, which integrates genomic, engineering, and cell biology approaches to study cervical function during pregnancy. The lab fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in reproductive health research.