NORAH Remote
NORAH Remote is a version of NORAH that utilizes Mobile Health Units (MHAC) to conduct study visits in remote locations.
NORAH Remote took place in Corpus Christi, TX from December 12th to 14th.
NORAH Remote will take place again in Rio Grande City, TX from July 21st to 23rd. Click the link below if you are interested in signing up!
.png)
CGM & Hormone Study
The CGM & Hormone study aims to understand how blood sugar levels vary across different hormonal states in healthy reproductive-aged females. Participants will wear a small, continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on their upper arm and complete brief daily surveys over a 4-6 week period.
If you think you are eligible and interested in participating, email us at teenhealthresearch@ag.tamu.edu
with "CGM & Hormone study" in the subject line.
Beef+
Effect of Increasing Lean Beef Intake as part of a Healthy Meal Plan on Glycemic Control in Adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Beef+ is a dietary intervention study, funded by the National Cattleman's Beef Association (NCBA), focused on understanding if the things we eat, specifically lean cuts of beef, can improve blood sugar control in teen girls living with PCOS.
To learn more about the study or sign up, scan the QR code or visit the link below!
%20(1).jpg)
Changes in Ovulation and Reproduction in Adolescents (CORA)
In CORA we are interested in learning more about reproductive maturation and reproductive axis miscalibration in adolescents.
CORA has officially launched and is actively recruiting participants. Scan the flyer QR Code or click the link below to sign up!
Nutrition for Optimal Reproductive and Adolescent Health (NORAH)
In NORAH, we are building upon our findings from OMG! (see below) to better understand the relationship between diet, the food environment, and emerging PCOS among adolescents.
NORAH is funded by a Collaborative Seed Grant sponsored by the Global Institute for Hispanic Health. NORAH at Driscoll Children's Hospital is currently undergoing final dietary transcription and analysis and has moved on to a follow-up study, NORAH-CGM, funded through Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture was successfully completed at Driscoll Children’s Hospital (Corpus Christi, TX).
NORAH at Texas A&M University, funded by Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, has successfully launched at Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) and Texas A&M College of Nursing (Round Rock, TX). This study is not actively seeking participants.
Role of Dietitians in Adolescent and Young Adult Polycystic Ovary Syndromes (PCOS)
The Survey of RDNs about PCOS is a study to understand current practices and barriers in currently practicing dieticians who support adolescents and young adults with PCOS.
If you are a RD/RDN who sees adolescents and adults with PCOS and interested in being part of this study, please fill out this survey.
CodeRED - completed!
The adolescent reproductive transition represents a pivotal juncture in human development. Although some adolescents struggle with menstruation and its physical and psychological sequelae, many do not. The Vanden Brink Lab represents one of four research teams across three institutions who worked together to conduct CodeRED, which was funded by the Weill Cornell-Cornell Multi-Investigator Seed Grant. Our goal is to understand discrepancies in reproductive and psychological health, when and why they manifest, and what can be done to prevent them.
Ovarian Morphology in Girls (OMG!) - completed study - Completed!
Establishment of regular menstrual cycles is a key component of reproductive maturation and a recognized vital sign for health and well-being. Irregular menstrual cycles are especially common for the first 2-3 years after an adolescent’s first menstrual period (i.e., menarche), which delays the identification and diagnosis of early reproductive perturbations and subsequent future disease risk.
The main objectives of this NIH-funded study, led by Dr. Marla Lujan from Cornell University and in collaboration with Dr. Tania Burgert and Dr. Romina Barral (Children’s Mercy Kansas City), were to determine whether there are distinct aspects of ovarian morphology that predict the likelihood of regular menses or cycle irregularity at 2 years post-menarche and whether ovarian features predict PCOS symptomology.
We recently received additional funding to launch OMG 2.0 in 2026.
Ovarian Morphology in Girls (OMG!) – MRI
Ultrasound imaging used to visualize ovarian features provides diagnostic insight into reproductive disorders such as PCOS but also provides insight into degree of reproductive dysfunction and metabolic disturbance in adults. The standard ultrasound imaging modality during adolescence is transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) imaging, but presents multiple limitations. This study aims to conduct a systematic evaluation of the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in contrast with TAUS to adequately define the best methods to visualize ovarian features and clarify the importance of ovarian morphology during the adolescent reproductive transition. The Vanden Brink Lab is working collaboratively with the Lujan Lab at Cornell University and the study was funded by the Cornell Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Facility Pilot Award.
