WEBINAR SERIES—Preeclampsia: From Hippocrates to Contemporary Research

November 20, 2024
11 a.m. EST

Preeclampsia is a multisystem hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that affects 5% to 8% of all pregnancies. Preeclampsia significantly increases the risk of long-term cardiovascular disease-related mortality and morbidity of the pregnant parent. Preeclampsia was first described by Hippocrates in ancient Greece. Despite advancements in biology and medicine since 400 B.C., the origin of preeclampsia remains unknown, and it is still a leading cause of parental death. In this webinar, Stella Goulopoulou, PhD, will discuss her research on the role of circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in preeclampsia pathogenesis and outcomes.

Key Learning Objectives

• Define theoretical models of preeclampsia pathogenesis.
• Describe the contribution of the placenta to circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in preeclampsia.
• Define the inflammatory and vasoactive effects of circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in preeclampsia.

Speaker

Stella Goulopoulou, MS, PhD
Associate Professor, Lawrence Longo Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University

Stella Goulopoulou, PhD, is an associate professor in the Lawrence Longo Center for Perinatal Biology at Loma Linda University. Born and raised in Greece, she studied kinesiology and physical education in the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and drama in the Athens Conservatoire of Music and Dramatic Art. Goulopoulou completed her MS and PhD in science education and exercise physiology at Syracuse University, followed by postdoctoral training in vascular physiology in the laboratory of Clinton Webb, PhD, at the Medical College of Georgia. She was previously on the faculty in the Department of Physiology and Anatomy in the University of North Texas Health Science Center, where she developed an independent research program on women’s health with emphasis on maternal vascular physiology of pregnancy. Goulopoulou’s research program focuses on vascular physiology, with emphasis on immune and inflammatory underpinnings of female vascular dysfunction in obstetric and gynecologic disorders. She dedicates her professional service and leadership to advocating for gender equity in science and policy changes that support women’s health.