Marla Lujan

Marla Lujan

Marla Lujan received her Bachelor of Science degree in Life Sciences from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario in 1998, and her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology in 2001 and 2004 from Queen's University. She conducted her postdoctoral studies in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan from 2005 to 2008. She became an Assistant Professor of Human Nutrition in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University in 2008.

The Lujan laboratory investigates the link between nutrition, metabolism and fertility in women. Specific interests include elucidating the endocrine, cellular and molecular mechanisms that to lead amenorrhea (loss of regular menstrual cycles) in  women as well as improving the diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome - a condition of impaired fertility that is tightly linked to insulin resistance and excess male hormone production. The Lujan laboratory uses high-resolution serial ovarian ultrasonography to track changes in follicle development and to identify key periods during the menstrual cycle in which follicle development and ovulation are most sensitive to metabolic cues (e.g. energy balance, body composition, fat-derived hormones, glucose, insulin, androgens). By understanding the physiological mechanisms governing amenorrhea, the goal of the Lujan laboratory is to develop nutritional, lifestyle and pharmaceutical regimens that promote and preserve reproductive health in women.

My goals for teaching are to design and administer an introductory Human Anatomy and Physiology course that provides students with a working knowledge of the major organ systems through experiential learning.  I am dedicated to developing and administering evaluation tools that fairly assess students on their knowledge on Human Anatomy and Physiology and challenge them to think more broadly about the application of knowledge in this discipline. Lastly, I strive to foster a classroom environment in which students trust and value their learning experience. As an advisor, my goals are to assist students in developing an educational program that this consistent with their career and personal goals. I work hard to provide accurate and timely information about programmatic requirements and to foster an environment in which students feel secure to discuss their interests, aptitudes and limitations.

• Member, Cornell Graduate Field of Nutrition
• Member, Cornell Graduate Field of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
• Member, The Endocrine Society
• Member, Androgen Excess and PCOS Society
• Member, American Society for Reproductive Medicine
• Member, Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society
• Member, Society for the Study of Reproduction

Role of nutrition, metabolism and body composition in ovarian follicle development, ovulation and fertility in women; Ultrasonographic, endocrine and cellular markers of impaired fertility in obesity; Determinants of chronic disease (e.g. atherosclerosis, diabetes, osteoporosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, cancer) in women with menstrual cycle irregularities; Development of diet and exercise regimens that facilitate weight loss and stimulate ovulation in women; Development of diagnostic criteria for PCOS; Development of reliable methods for sonographic assessment of ovarian morphology. 

• PhD 2005 - Queen's University, Physiology
• MSc 2001 - Queen's University, Physiology
• BScH 1998 - Queen's University, Life Sciences

• NS 3420 Laboratory Studies for Human Anatomy & Physiology
• NS 6190 Field of Nutrition Seminar
• NS 4010 Empirical Research
• NS 4030 Undergraduate Teaching Apprenticeship
• BIOG 2990/4990 Independent Research
  

Invited Lectures in

• NS6200 Translational Research and Evidence-based Policy and Practice
• BIOMG7510 Ethical Issues and Professional Responsibilities
• NS3410 Human Anatomy and Physiology

Lujan Lab Website

DNS Home Page
Human Metabolic Research Unit Home Page

Lujan ME, Podolski AJ, Chizen DR, Lehotay DC, Pierson RA. Digit ratios by computer-assisted analysis confirm lack of anatomical evidence of prenatal androgen exposure in clinical phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2010, 8:156

Lujan ME, Kepley AL, Chizen DR, Pierson RA, Development of morphologically dominant follicles is associated with fewer metabolic disturbances in amenorrheic women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2010, 36(6):759-66.

Lujan ME, Brooks ED, Kepley AL, Chizen DR, Pierson RA, Peppin AK. Grid analysis improves reliability in follicle counts made by ultrasonography in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology 2010, 36(5):712-8.

Colwell MK, Lujan ME, Lawson KL, Pierson RA, Chizen DR. Surveying women’s perceptions of PCOS following participation in a clinical research study: implications for knowledge, feelings, and daily health practices. Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Canada 2010; 32(5):453-9.

Lujan ME, Bloski TG, Chizen DR, Lehotay D, Pierson RA. Digit ratios do not serve as anatomical evidence of prenatal androgen exposure in clinical phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome. Human Reproduction 2010, 25(1):204-211.

Lujan ME, Chizen DR, Peppin AK, Dhir A, Pierson RA. Assessment of ultrasonographic features of polycystic ovaries is associated with modest levels of inter-observer agreement. Journal of Ovarian Research 2009; 2:6.

Mircea CN, Lujan ME, Singh J, Adams GP, Jaiswal R, Pierson RA. Imaging ovarian follicles and corpora lutea in the mouse using ultrasound biomicroscopy: a validation study. Reproduction, Fertility & Development 2009, 21:579-86.

Allaway HC, Bloski TG, Pierson RA, Lujan ME. Digit ratios determined by computer-assisted analysis are more reliable than those using physical measurements, photocopies, and printed scans. American Journal of Human Biology 2009, 21:365-70.

Lujan ME, Chizen DR, Pierson RA. Diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome: pitfalls and controversies. Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Canada 2008, 30(8):671-9.

Lujan ME, Chizen DR, Peppin AK, Leswick D, Kriegler S, Bloski TG, Pierson RA. Improving inter-observer variability in the evaluation of ultrasonographic features of polycystic ovaries. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2008; 6(1):30.

Mircea CN, Lujan ME, Pierson RA. Metabolic Fuel and Clinical Implications for Female Reproduction. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada 2007; 29(11):887-902.