Description of Research Expertise
Dr. Gerson is a Maternal Fetal Medicine physician scientist conducting fundamental and translational research in reproductive biology with a specific focus on microbiome-metabolome interactions governing cervical remodeling and preterm birth.
Selected Publications
Lauren Anton, PhD, Kristin Klohonatz, PhD, Briana Ferguson, Kristin D. Gerson, MD, PhD: Exposure of the Cervical Epithelium to Gardnerella vaginalis and Vaginal Polyamines Alters Macrophage Immune Responses: Evidence for Cellular Crosstalk at the Host-microbial Interface
SRI : 2025.
Emilie Stylli, Briana Ferguson, Rita Leite, Rachel Ledyard, Heather H. Burris, Lauren Anton, Kristin D. Gerson: The fetal membrane metabolome: arachidonic acid and sex steroid metabolism perturbations associated with preterm rupture
SMFM : 2025.
Emilie Stylli, Kristin Klohonatz, Briana Ferguson, Rita Leite, Rachel Ledyard, Heather H. Burris, Lauren Anton, Kristin D. Gerson: Perfluorochemicals paradoxically exert immunosuppressive effects in fetal membranes: implications for preterm premature rupture of membranes
SMFM : 2025.
Gregory W. Kirschen, MD, PhD; Briana Ferguson; Lauren Anton, PhD; Kristin D. Gerson, MD, PhD: Spermine and Spermidine Attenuate Glutathione Oxidation by Gardnerella vaginalis: Antioxidant Potential of Vaginal Polyamines
SRI : 2025.
Kristin Klohonatz, PhD; Briana Ferguson; Lauren Anton, PhD, Kristin D. Gerson, MD, PhD: Indolelactate Mitigates Anaerobe-induced Inflammation in the Cervical Epithelium: Potential Role for Lactobacillus crispatus-derived Lactate Derivatives in Immune Protection
SRI : 2025.
Lauren Anton, Briana Ferguson, Kristin Klohonatz, Abbie Lustig, Emilie Stylli, Aaron Loder, Kristin D. Gerson: Polyamines modify Gardnerella vaginalis-induced alterations in the mucosal transcriptome
SMFM : 2025.
Gregory Kirschen, Olha Kholod, Briana Ferguson, Britt Goods, Lauren Anton, Kristin D. Gerson: Common vaginal microbes modify energy metabolism and oxidative balance: potential implications on reproductive health
SMFM : 2025.
Briana Ferguson, Aaron Loder, Lauren Anton, Kristin D. Gerson: Lactobacillus crispatus mitigates Group B Streptococcus-induced inflammation in the cervicovaginal epithelium
SMFM : 2025.
McCoy JA, Burris HH, Gerson KD, McCarthy C, Ravel J, Elovitz MA: Cervicovaginal Microbial-Immune State and Group B Streptococcus Colonization in Pregnancy. Am J Perinatol Online ahead of print : 2024.
Gerson KD, Loder A, Landau Z, Anton: Xenobiotic metabolites modify immune responses of the cervicovaginal epithelium: potential mechanisms underlying barrier disruption. BJOG 131(5):665-674 : 2024.
Academic Contact Information
Maternal Fetal Medicine
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce Street, 2 Silverstein
Philadelphia,
PA
19104
Patient appointments: 800-789-7366