A fascinating free webinar will shine a light into the secret world of the human microbiome and how it influences gynecological health.
The webinar will focus on what the vaginal microbiome can reveal about health, disease, and the gaps in care we still need to address.
‘The Secret World Within: How the Microbiome Provides Insight into Gynecologic Health’ is delivered by Dr. Nicole Jimenez, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, specializing in gynecologic health research.
It will air on August 26, the latest episode in the fascinating Microbes and Social Equity 2026 Speaker Series.
Microbial communities
Dr Jimenez will explore how the vaginal and urogenital microbiome shapes gynecologic and reproductive health. Drawing on multi-omic research, she will discuss how microbial communities influence inflammation, disease risk, and clinical outcomes, including conditions such as preterm birth, chronic pelvic pain, and cervical disease.
Her talk will highlight how shifts in microbial composition and function can provide new insight into diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It will also consider the role of health disparities and the importance of inclusive research in improving outcomes. By uncovering the “hidden” microbial dynamics within the reproductive system, this work offers new pathways for understanding and improving women’s health.
Raised in Arizona, Dr Jimenez was inspired by mentors in programs such as the Si Se Puede Foundation and ASU’s Los Diablos, and by her innate curiosity, to pursue a career as a scientist. She completed her doctoral degree in 2021 from Virginia Commonwealth University as part of the Vaginal Microbiome Consortium, studying the microbiome in the context of bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and pregnancy.
Speaker background
Currently, her postdoctoral research, conducted in Dr. Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz’s lab, focuses on conditions such as chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, adenomyosis, cervical and endometrial cancer, utilizing multi-omic pipelines, microbial culturomics, and 3D epithelial cell models.
Dr. Jimenez has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence, evidenced by recently securing the American Cancer Society postdoctoral fellowship, publishing manuscripts in microbiology and clinically focused journals, and receiving the 2025 University of Arizona Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award.
Driven by her passions for science, advocacy, and mentorship—having guided 22 students across various levels—she is actively preparing for a transition to an independent faculty position to continue her translational work on understudied gynecologic conditions through the lens of the microbiome.
Next steps
After the talk, we continue the conversation with an informal social hour. Join us as we chat with the speaker, MSE members, and attendees about research, teaching, our pets, and more!
Programme (Timings are ET)
11:00 Welcome and introduction - Professor Sue Ishaq, Founder and Lead, MSE
11:05 Guest speaker - Dr Nicole Jimenez PhD
11:45 Audience question and answer session
12:00 Informal coffee and chat
13:00 Close
‘The Secret World Within: How the Microbiome Provides Insight into Gynecologic Health’ runs from 11am – 1pm EDT, 26 July 2026. To book for FREE, click HERE.
No comments yet