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James M. Roberts, M.D.
Senior Scientist and Founding Director Magee-Women’s Research Institute
Professor Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Epidemiology
University of Pittsburgh
M.D., University of Michigan, 1966
Internship, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1966-1967
Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1967-1971
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, 1971-1973
Research Interests
Dr. Roberts' laboratory is investigating mechanisms involved in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Major foci are the mechanisms by which obesity increases the risk for the pregnancy disorder, preeclampsia. Specific targets include the role of increased inflammation, metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress and life style factors (sleep, activity and diet) to account for this increased risk. They are further testing whether the endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide, asymmetric dimethylarginine may be a point at which several of these mechanisms converge to alter endothelial function, a known feature of preeclampsia. Additionally, they are testing the hypothesis that during pregnancy, vascular endothelium is uniquely sensitive to agents that act on endothelium to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. These studies are complemented by follow-up studies to identify the subset of preeclamptic women with increased risk of later life cardiovascular disease. Studies use a wide spectrum of behavioral, epidemiological, biological, genetic, and molecular biological techniques.
Selected Publications
Roberts JM, Balk JL, Bodnar LM, Belizan JM, Bergel E, Martinez A. Nutrient involvement in preeclampsia. J Nutr, 133:1684S-1692S, 2003.
Roberts JM, Lindheimer MD, Pearson GD, Cutler JA. Summary of the NHLBI working group on research on hypertension during pregnancy. Hypertension, 41:437-445, 2003.
Catov JM, Bodnar LM, Kip KE, Hubel C, Ness RB, Harger G, Roberts JM. Early pregnancy lipid concentrations and spontaneous preterm birth. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007; 197(6):610.e1-7, December.
Speers PD, Powers RW, Frank MP, Harger G, Markovic N, Roberts JM. Elevated asymmetric dimethylarginine concentrations precede clinical preeclampsia, but not pregnancies with small-for-gestational-age infants. Am J Obstet Gynecol. Jan 2008; 198(1):112.e1-7.
Shibata E, Powers RW, von Versen-Hoeynck F, Gammill H, Rajakumar, A, Roberts, JM. Placental system A amino acid transport is reduced in pregnancies with small for gestational age (SGA) infants but not in preeclampsia with SGA infants. Placenta 2008; 879-882.
Professional Affiliations
International Society for Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy
Endocrine Society
Perinatal Research Society Council (Council 1984-1987, President 1992)
Society for Gynecologic Investigation (Council 1992-1995, President 1997)
Editorial Board: Hypertension in Pregnancy, Reproductive Sciences, Hypertension, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, , Women’s Health Issues
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ad eundem)
Institute of Medicine National Academy of Sciences
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Contact Information
Magee-Womens Research Institute, Room A311-B
204 Craft Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Telephone: (412) 641-1427
Fax: (412) 641-5290
Email: jroberts@mwri.magee.edu
Alternate Email: srager@mwri.magee.edu
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