Professional Profile

image for Flaws, Jodi A

Flaws, Jodi A

Professor, Comparative Biosciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
2001 South Lincoln Avenue
3223 Vet Med Basic Sciences Bldg.
M/C 002
Urbana, IL  61802

Education

  • PhD, University of Arizona
  • MS, Loyola University of Chicago
  • BS, St. Xavier University

show listAcademic Positions

  • Assistant Head, 2018-current
    Department of Comparative Biosciences, Urbana, Illinois

  • Interim Head, 2017-2018
    Department of Comparative Biosciences, Urbana, Illinois

  • Professor, 2006-current
    University of Illinois, Department of Comparative Biosciences, Urbana, Illinois
    Department of Animal Sciences (cross-appointment)
    Microbiome Metabolic Engineering (MME) Research Theme in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (cross-appointment)
    Family Resiliency Center (affiliate)
    Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology (affiliate)
    Division of Nutritional Sciences (zero-time appointment)
    Theme Co-leader, Environmental Impact on Reproductive Health (EIHR) in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology

  • Division Head, 2001-2006
    Division of Gender-Based Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland

  • Associate Professor, 2001-2006
    University of Maryland, Program in Toxicology, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Assistant Professor, 1997-2001
    University of Maryland, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine,
    Baltimore, Maryland

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 1995-1997
    University of Maryland, Women’s Health Research Group and Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 1994-1995
    Johns Hopkins University, Population Dynamics, Division of Reproductive Biology, Baltimore, Maryland

Research Interests

The main focus of my laboratory is to determine the environmental factors that affect the female reproductive system. Specifically, the research in my laboratory is designed to address the following major questions: (1) Which genes and hormones regulate the normal development and function of the ovary? (2) What are the effects of environmental toxicants on the development and function of the ovary? (3) What are the mechanisms that underlie the effects of reproductive toxicants on the ovary? (4) Are environmental exposures associated with reproductive abnormalities in women?

Links

show listCourses Taught

  • Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology
  • Systems Toxicology
  • VM602

show listGrants

  • Research Grant Support

    • Phthalate Exposure and Hot Flashes in Midlife Women, 5/1/17-4/30/21
      National Institutes of Health
      Principal Investigator: Jodi Flaws

    • A Collaborative Study between Brazilian and US Scientists: The Effects of Environmental Chemical Exposures on Reproduction, 4/1/18-3/31/21
      FAPESP
      Principal Investigator: Jodi Flaws

    • Water Disinfection By-Products and Female Fertility
      National Institutes of Health, 7/15/18-5/31/20
      Principal Investigator: Jodi Flaws; Co-Principal Investigator: Michael Plewa
      Co-Investigators: Indrani Bagchi and Lori Raetzman

    • Phthalates and Ovarian Toxicity, 9/1/18-8/31/23
      National Institutes of Health
      Principal Investigator: Jodi Flaws

    • Phthalates in female reproduction –impact of mixture composition on hazard characterization, 4/1/19-5/31/23
      FORMAS
      Principal Investigator: Pauliina Damdimopoulou
      Co-investigator: Jodi Flaws

    • Functional and Epigenetic Effects of Preconception PCB Exposure on the Female HPG axis
      National Institutes of Health, 4/1/19-3/31/24
      Principle Investigator: Andrea Gore
      Subcontract Principal Investigator: Jodi Flaws; co-PI: Lori Raetzman

    • Effects of phthalate exposure on the gut microbiome and female reproduction, 10/1/19-9/30/20
      DNS-Vision 20/20
      Principle Investigator: Jodi Flaws

    • Effects of phthalate exposure on the gut microbiome and female reproduction, 12/31/19-12/30/20
      College of Veterinary Medicine
      Principle Investigator: Jodi Flaws

  • Training Program Support 
    • Reproductive, Endocrine Toxicology Training Grant, 7/1/15-6/30/25
      National Institutes of Health
      Director: Jodi Flaws
      Co- Director: Susan Schantz
    • Summer Research Training Program, 9/25/15-7/31/20
      National Institutes of Health
      Co-Director: Jodi Flaws
      Co-Director: Lois Hoyer
    • Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Toxicology (SURE Tox), 2/1/16-1/31/21
      National Institutes of Health
      Principal Investigator: Jodi Flaws
      Co-Principal Investigator: Romana Nowak

show listAcademic Interests

  • Endocrine, Development and Reproductive Toxicology Training Program
  • Program in Embryology, Endocrinology, and Reproduction (PEER)

show listHonors and Awards

  • University Scholar, 2009-2012
  • Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence, 2009
  • Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences, 2013-current
  • Dr. Gordon and Mrs. Helen Kruger All-Around Excellence Award
  • Women in Toxicology Mentoring Award, Society of Toxicology
  • Society for the Study of Reproduction Trainee Mentor Award

show listSelected Publications

Selected from 170 manuscripts

  • Ziv-Gal, A., Gallicchio, L., Miller, S.R., Zacur, H.A., Flaws, J.A. (2012) Genetic polymorphisms in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway as potential risk factors for menopausal hot flashes. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 207:202. PMID:22840970

  • Wang, W., Craig, Z.R., Basavarajappa, M.S., Gupta, R., Flaws, J.A. (2012) Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate inhibits growth of ovarian antral follicles through an oxidative stress pathway. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 258:288-295. PMID: 22155089

  • Wang, W., Craig, Z.R., Basavarajappa, M.S., Hafner, K.S., Flaws, J.A. (2012)       Mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate induces oxidative stress and inhibits growth of mouse ovarian antral follicles.       Biology of Reproduction 87(6).PMID:23077170

  • Peretz, J., Flaws, J.A. (2013) Bisphenol A down-regulates rate-limiting Cyp11a1 to acutely inhibit steroidogenesis in cultured mouse antral follicles. Toxicology Applied Pharmacology 27:249-56. PMID: 23707772

  • Craig, Z.R., Hannon, P., Flaws, J.A. (2013) Pregnenolone co-treatment partially restores steroidogenesis, but does not prevent growth inhibition and increased atresia in mouse ovarian antral follicles treated with mono-hydroxy methoxychlor. Toxicology Applied Pharmacology (Epub ahead of print). PMID: 23948739

  • Ziv-Gal, A., Craig, Z.R., Wang, W., Flaws, J.A. (2013) Bisphenol A inhibits cultured mouse ovarian follicle growth partially via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway. Reproductive Toxicology42C:58-67. PMID: 23928317

  • Craig, Z.R., Hannon, P., Wang, W., Ziv-Gal, A., Flaws, J.A.       (2013) Di-n-butyl phthalate disrupts the expression of genes involved in cell cycle and apoptotic pathways in mouse ovarian antral follicles.   Biology of Reproduction 81(1).       PMID:23242528

  • Wang W., Hafner K., Flaws J.A. (2014) In utero bisphenol A exposure disrupts germ cell nest breakdown and reduces fertility with age in the mouse. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 276:157-64. PMID: 24576723

  • Peretz, J., Vrooman, L., Ricke, W.A., Hunt, P.A., Ehrlich, S., Hauser, R., Padmanabhan, V., Taylor, H., Swan, S.H., VandeVoort, C., Flaws, J.A.       (2014) Bisphenol A and Reproductive Health: Update of Experimental and Human Evidence. Environmental Health Perspectives 122:775-86. PMID: 24896072.

  • Hannon P.R., Peretz J.R., Flaws, J.A. (2014) Daily exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate alters estrous cyclicity and accelerates primordial follicle recruitment potentially via dysregulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway in adult mice. Biology of Reproduction 90:136. PMID: 24804967.

show listProfessional Affiliations

  • Society for the Study of Reproduction
  • Society of Toxicology
  • Endocrine Society