People

Current Members:

Marianna Alperin, MD MS
Principal Investigator

Marianna Alperin, MD MS. Professor and Vice Chair for Translational Research in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Professor of Urology at the University of California, San Diego; and a Faculty member of Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA. The mission of the Alperin lab is to discover scientifically rational treatment and prevention strategies for women’s health, with special focus on the disorders of pelvic floor and lower urinary tract. As a practicing urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery specialist, Dr. Alperin applies her clinical and surgical understanding to help guide the directions of her discovery science and translational studies to answer the most relevant clinical questions. Her NIH- and CIRM-funded laboratory uses a multi-pronged approach, including in vitro and in vivo experimental models, cadaveric tissues, biospecimens from living women, and computational modeling to study the impact of pregnancy, injury, radiation, menopause, and aging on the structure and function of pelvic soft tissues. Dr. Alperin is also actively engaged in the interdisciplinary translational studies focused on the application of acellular biomaterials to potentiate endogenous regeneration of pelvic and lower urinary tract soft tissues.

Francesca Sesillo Boscolo, PhD
Project Scientist

Francesca obtained her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, after which she had joined the Alperin lab as a postdoc in 2018. She is interested in investigating the role of muscle stem cells in the pelvic floor muscles’ plasticity during pregnancy. When out of the lab, Francesca loves cooking for her friends and enjoys outdoor activities in beautiful San Diego.

Megan Routzong, PhD
Post-Doctoral Scholar

Megan is currently funded by an NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) to study pregnancy-induced remodeling of pelvic floor muscles at multiple biological scales. She joined the Alperin lab in Fall of 2021 after obtaining her PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pittsburgh in Summer of 2021 where she applied computational modeling to study female pelvic floor biomechanics and variation in pelvic morphology. Outside of the lab, Megan enjoys reading, writing, photography, and spending time outdoors with her husband and their dog.

Axelle Bouche, PhD
Post-Doctoral Scholar

Axelle received her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Geneva (Switzerland) in 2024, where she studied human muscle stem cells for their potential use in muscle stem cell therapy. She then joined the Alperin lab to study female pelvic floor stem cells in the context of aging and pregnancy. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and horseback riding.

Bianca Pena
PhD Student

Bianca obtained her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis. She is currently a PhD student in the UCSD Bioengineering Department. Her research is focused on advancing minimally invasive injectable biomaterials to mitigate childbirth injury. On her free time she likes to hang out with friends and family, visit the beach, and try new restaurants in San Diego.

Maria Samaritano
PhD Student

Maria is a current PhD student in the UCSD Bioengineering Department. She obtained her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Virginia. Her research is focused on advancing biomaterials for vaginal tissue regeneration. In her free time, Maria enjoys hanging out with friends, exploring San Diego, and listening to Taylor Swift.

Laila Hayes
PhD Student

Laila attended Spelman College and the Georgia Institute of Technology, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, respectively. She is a PhD student in the Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering. Her research focuses on maternal mortality and morbidity prevention through biomaterial innovation. Outside the lab, Laila loves to travel, listen to live music/go to concerts, spend time with friends and family, and plan trips she hopes to take one day.

Celeste Lintz
PhD Student

Celeste is a current PhD student in the UCSD Bioengineering Department. She obtained her B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Pittsburgh, graduating with minors in Chemistry and Public Service. Her research focuses on the development of biomaterials for targeted treatment of pelvic floor disorders. Outside of the lab, Celeste enjoys surfing, going to concerts, and trying new coffee shops around San Diego. 

Hannah Manoochehri
Masters Student

Hannah is a current Masters student in the UCSD Biology Department. She obtained her B.S. in Biology from UCSD while volunteering at the Alperin lab. Her current project focuses on the effect of the immune system on the regenerative potential of the muscle stem cells in the female pelvic floor. In her free time, she enjoys baking and exploring San Diego’s beaches and coffee shops.

Tatyanna Henderson, MD
Urogynecology Fellow

Tatyanna is a current Fellow in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at UC San Diego. She completed residency at UC San Diego, medical school at Duke University and prior to that earned her Bachelor of Science at Eckerd College. 

Jolene Rudell, MD PhD
Assistant Professor

Jolene is a board-certified pediatric ophthalmologist and a clinician scientist, bringing her research background in neuromuscular junctions in skeletal muscles into the field of pediatric eye disease and extraocular muscle disease including strabismus, or eye misalignment. She is currently an Assistant Professor at UCSD in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Shiley Eye Center. She graduated from Stanford University as an undergraduate, and then did basic science research with Nobel laureate David Baltimore at Caltech before completing her MD PhD degree and ophthalmology residency at UC Davis, and clinical fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at Seattle Children’s Hospital/University of Washington. In addition to her research background, she utilizes and applies the lab techniques in muscle in the Alperin lab into the field of extraocular muscles to answer clinical questions and to help understand and treat diseases in her patients. 

John Rudell, PhD
Laboratory Assistant

John earned his Ph.D. at UC Davis where he studied the molecular mechanisms of neuromuscular junction formation and stabilization. He is excited to be back in the lab studying pelvis floor muscles and associated muscle stem cells. In his free time John enjoys paddle-boarding, trying to surf, and being outside with his wife, daughters and dog.

Khushi Diwakar

Khushi is a 4th year Human Biology major at UC San Diego. She is interested in studying the immune response involved in pelvic floor muscle regeneration, particularly in relation to hormonal changes postpartum. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, exploring new restaurants around San Diego, and binge-watching TV dramas on Netflix.

Sneha Velaga

Sneha is a 3rd year Human Biology Major at UC San Diego. She is interested in studying female pelvic floor stem cells in relation to pregnancy and aging and hopes to attend medical school in the future. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new places in San Diego and listening to music.

Publications

Alperin M, Abramowitch S, Alarab M, Bortolini M, Brown B, Burnett LA, Connell KA, Damaser M, de Vita R, Gargett CE, Guess MK, Guler Z, Jorge RN, Kelley RS, Kibschull M, Miller K, Moalli PA, Mysorekar IU, Routzong MR, Shynlova O, Swenson CW, Therriault MA, Northington GM. Foundational science and mechanistic insights for a shared disease model: an expert consensus : Developed by the AUGS Basic Science Subcommittee and IUGA Special Interest Group. Int Urogynecol J. 2022 Jun;33(6):1387-1392. doi: 10.1007/s00192-022-05253-y. Epub 2022 Jun 8. PubMed PMID: 35674811; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9266184.

Alperin M, Abramowitch S, Alarab M, Bortolini M, Brown B, Burnett LA, Connell KA, Damaser MS, de Vita R, Gargett CE, Guess MK, Guler Z, Jorge RN, Kelley RS, Kibschull M, Miller K, Moalli PA, Mysorekar IU, Routzong MR, Shynlova O, Swenson CW, Therriault MA, Northington GM. Foundational Science and Mechanistic Insights for a Shared Disease Model: An Expert Consensus. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2022 Jun 1;28(6):347-350. doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000001216. Epub 2022 May 24. PubMed PMID: 35609252; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9248017.

Rieger MM, Wong M, Burnett LA, Sesillo FB, Baynes BB, Alperin M. Mechanisms governing protective pregnancy-induced adaptations of the pelvic floor muscles in the rat preclinical model. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022 May;226(5):708.e1-708.e13. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.11.1353. Epub 2021 Nov 18. PubMed PMID: 34801444; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9172206.

Routzong MR, Cook MS, Barone W, Abramowitch SD, Alperin M. Novel Application of Photogrammetry to Quantify Fascicle Orientations of Female Cadaveric Pelvic Floor Muscles. Ann Biomed Eng. 2021 Aug;49(8):1888-1899. doi: 10.1007/s10439-021-02747-6. Epub 2021 Feb 26. PubMed PMID: 33638030; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8376743.

Rieger M, Duran P, Cook M, Schenk S, Shah M, Jacobs M, Christman K, Kado DM, Alperin M. Quantifying the Effects of Aging on Morphological and Cellular Properties of Human Female Pelvic Floor Muscles. Ann Biomed Eng. 2021 Aug;49(8):1836-1847. doi: 10.1007/s10439-021-02748-5. Epub 2021 Mar 8. PubMed PMID: 33683527; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8376748.

Boscolo Sesillo F, Wong M, Cortez A, Alperin M. Isolation of muscle stem cells from rat skeletal muscles. Stem Cell Res. 2020 Mar;43:101684. doi: 10.1016/j.scr.2019.101684. Epub 2019 Dec 10. PubMed PMID: 31931473

Burnett LA, Cook M, Shah S, Michelle Wong M, Kado DM, Alperin M. Age-associated changes in the mechanical properties of human cadaveric pelvic floor muscles. J Biomech. 2020 Jan 2;98:109436. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.109436. Epub 2019 Oct 31. PubMed PMID: 31708240

Burnett LA, Sesillo Boscolo F, Laurent LC, Wong M, Alperin M. Uncovering changes in proteomic signature of rat pelvic floor muscles in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Aug. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.04.025. Epub 2019 Apr 29. PubMed PMID: 31047881; NIHMSID:NIHMS1528124.

Sheth VR, Duran P, Wong J, Shah S, Du J, Christman KL, Chang EY, Alperin M. Multimodal imaging assessment and histologic correlation of the female rat pelvic floor muscles’ anatomy. J Anat. 2019 Apr;234(4):543-550. doi: 10.1111/joa.12943. Epub 2019 Feb 10. PubMed PMID: 30740685; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6422690.

Duran P, Ward S, Christman KL, Alperin M. Mechanical impact of parturition-related strains on rat pelvic striated sphincters. Neurourol Urodyn. 2019 Mar;38(3):912-919. doi: 10.1002/nau.23946. Epub 2019 Feb 19. PubMed PMID: 30779377; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6431564.

Alperin M, Burnett L, Lukacz E, Brubaker L. The mysteries of menopause and urogynecologic health: clinical and scientific gaps. Menopause. 2019 Jan;26(1):103-111. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001209. PubMed PMID: 30300297; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6376984.

Baah-Dwomoh A, Alperin M, Cook M, De Vita R. Mechanical Analysis of the Uterosacral Ligament: Swine vs. Human. Ann Biomed Eng. 2018 Dec;46(12):2036-2047. doi: 10.1007/s10439-018-2103-x. Epub 2018 Jul 26. PubMed PMID: 30051246; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6249056.

Stewart AM, Cook MS, Dyer KY, Alperin M. Structure-function relationship of the human external anal sphincter. Int Urogynecol J. 2018 May;29(5):673-678. doi: 10.1007/s00192-017-3404-6. Epub 2017 Jul 8. PubMed PMID: 28689239; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5889349.

Catanzarite T, Bremner S, Barlow CL, Bou-Malham L, O’Connor S, Alperin M. Pelvic muscles’ mechanical response to strains in the absence and presence of pregnancy-induced adaptations in a rat model. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 May;218(5):512.e1-512.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.02.001. Epub 2018 Feb 9. PubMed PMID: 29432755; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5916022.

Stewart AM, Cook MS, Esparza MC, Slayden OD, Alperin M. Architectural assessment of rhesus macaque pelvic floor muscles: comparison for use as a human model. Int Urogynecol J. 2017 Oct;28(10):1527-1535. doi: 10.1007/s00192-017-3303-x. Epub 2017 Mar 11. PubMed PMID: 28285397; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5593758.

Cook MS, Bou-Malham L, Esparza MC, Alperin M. Age-related alterations in female obturator internus muscle. Int Urogynecol J. 2017 May;28(5):729-734. doi: 10.1007/s00192-016-3167-5. Epub 2016 Oct 4. PubMed PMID: 27704154; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5450648.

Alperin M, Cook M, Tuttle LJ, Esparza MC, Lieber RL. Impact of vaginal parity and aging on the architectural design of pelvic floor muscles. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Sep;215(3):312.e1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.02.033. Epub 2016 Mar 5. PubMed PMID: 26953079; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5003683.

Alperin M, Kaddis T, Pichika R, Esparza MC, Lieber RL. Pregnancy-induced adaptations in intramuscular extracellular matrix of rat pelvic floor muscles. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Aug;215(2):210.e1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.02.018. Epub 2016 Feb 12. PubMed PMID: 26875952; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5450638.

Alperin M, Lawley DM, Esparza MC, Lieber RL. Pregnancy-induced adaptations in the intrinsic structure of rat pelvic floor muscles. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Aug;213(2):191.e1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.05.012. Epub 2015 May 13. PubMed PMID: 25979618; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4757427.

Alperin M, Tuttle LJ, Conner BR, Dixon DM, Mathewson MA, Ward SR, Lieber RL. Comparison of pelvic muscle architecture between humans and commonly used laboratory species. Int Urogynecol J. 2014 Nov;25(11):1507-15. doi: 10.1007/s00192-014-2423-9. Epub 2014 Jun 11. PubMed PMID: 24915840; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4264598.

Alperin M, Feola A, Duerr R, Moalli P, Abramowitch S. Pregnancy- and delivery-induced biomechanical changes in rat vagina persist postpartum. Int Urogynecol J. 2010 Sep;21(9):1169-74. doi: 10.1007/s00192-010-1149-6. Epub 2010 Apr 28. PubMed PMID: 20424824; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2939831.

Alperin M, Feola A, Meyn L, Duerr R, Abramowitch S, Moalli P. Collagen scaffold: a treatment for simulated maternal birth injury in the rat model. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Jun;202(6):589.e1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.04.003. PubMed PMID: 20510960; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2921182.

The complete bibliography can be found here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/16ENoA6pejokL/bibliography/public/

Funding

Click here to support our work:
https://espi.ucsd.edu/make-a-gift?id=ad19d239-dd09-40e4-93a3-9a0aea74ec2e

Our research would not be possible without funding from the following sources: