Women in Medicine and Science – Nicole Jimenez, PhD

Nicole Jimenez, PhD, is an expert in the human microbiome, bacterial genomics, multi-omic integration, and reproductive and gynecological conditions. In her work as postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, she seeks to identify the role of microbes in health and disease, specifically in gynecology and reproduction.

She discovered this passion during her undergraduate studies at Arizona State University. Working toward a degree in microbiology, she first learned about the microbiome and its role in human health. 

“In my field, there still remains a lot of unknowns regarding prevention, diagnosis, treatment and improving the overall quality of life in gynecologic and reproductive health,” Dr. Jimenez said. “This is an exciting and difficult time to be in gynecologic research, as it provides many avenues to explore further and places that could yield high impact and translation to patient care.”

After earning her PhD from the Vaginal Microbiome Consortium at Virginia Commonwealth University — with a focus on preterm birth, pregnancy and key emerging vaginal pathogens — Dr. Jimenez moved to Phoenix; and since 2021, she has been conducting research in the laboratory of Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, PhD, professor of Basic Medical Sciences and OB/GYN, as well as director of the Women’s Health Research Program.

As part of the Herbst-Kralovetz lab, Dr. Jimenez studies the role of microbes in the context of benign gynecologic conditions and their impact on quality of life. This area of research is novel and requires further work in identifying underlying mechanisms.

“Our team aims to identify solutions to these complex conditions,” Dr. Jimenez said. “We are beginning to evaluate how symptoms of these conditions may alter immune, metabolic and microbial profiles, providing insight into ways to mitigate or target these symptoms.”

Regarding success, Dr. Jimenez defines it by examining her career through three pillars: passion, inclusion and empowerment. For her, the concept of empowerment is interconnected with inclusion; incorporating different views and voices into the conversation will positively influence the research.

“When I wake up in the morning, I want to feel inspired and happy to go to work and conduct research, even when experiments fail or grants get rejected,” Dr. Jimenez said. “If I continue to feel this way and maintain that excitement and passion, I will have achieved a fulfilling life.”

Currently, Dr. Jimenez helps mentor trainees — ranging from high school to medical students — around the world. The variety of backgrounds they come from elevate her research; and the collaboration allows a mutual relationship where trainees provide their perspectives on the research goals and findings and vice versa.

Dr. Jimenez plans to continue mentorship and has started to move into areas like community engagement with the goal of figuring out how communities can work together to improve gynecologic health outcomes.

“It is vital to gather input on the community’s needs to better understand where the gaps in disseminating our research are and how this impacts patient decision-making,” Dr. Jimenez said. “It is something that I hope to accomplish throughout my career, but it will take time.”

Growing up, Dr. Jimenez was surrounded by many female role models, though few were involved in science or STEM fields. She learned the importance of seeking mentors in those areas.

During her time at the U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix, the Women in Medicine and Science group has provided a vital space for Dr. Jimenez to develop her career and has introduced her to a network of individuals that she might not have met otherwise.

“As a PhD scientist, this community has allowed me to engage in discussions about my research with clinical colleagues, exploring how it fits into translational models aimed at improving patient care,” Dr. Jimenez said.

As she looks forward, Dr. Jimenez hopes to remain involved in microbiome research at the interface of gynecologic health and disease with an expansion of further research into the microbial dark matter of the urogenital tract.

“I spent many years deciphering key emerging pathogens, many of which have been reclassified into differing species,” Dr. Jimenez said. “Understanding the role of individual species and their role in microbe-microbe interactions is crucial in identifying ways to modulate the microbiome for improved health.”