Contact
Biography
Katie Woad graduated from Manchester University in 1994 with a BSc in Biology (Hons) followed by an MSc in Reproductive Biology from Edinburgh University. She went on to do a PhD at the Roslin Institute where she investigated the role of the insulin-like growth factor system in the bovine corpus luteum; research which she developed in a subsequent postdoctoral position. Katie then moved to Auckland (New Zealand) where she studied the regulation of premature ovarian failure and breast cancer, before returning to the UK in 2008 to join the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Nottingham to work on a project on ovarian angiogenesis. She was appointed as a lecturer in Reproductive Physiology at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in 2011.
Expertise Summary
Katie Woad is a Lecturer in Reproductive Physiology. She is involved in teaching aspects of Reproduction as part of the Introduction to Body Systems (Preliminary Year) and Veterinary Reproduction 1 modules. She facilitates sessions in Personal and Professional Skills 1. She is module convenor for Veterinary Urinary 1.
Research Summary
Understanding the fundamental events that regulate normal ovarian function is key to improving our management of ovarian dysfunction and infertility in women and livestock animals.
My recent research has investigated the factors which regulate the growth of blood vessels, or angiogenesis, in the bovine ovary. Reproductive tissues are amongst the few tissues of the body that undergo cycles of growth and development, accompanied by dramatic changes in the vascular system. We have developed a novel culture system which mimics ovarian angiogenesis and provides a unique opportunity to investigate its complex regulation.
Future studies will investigate the role of Forkhead transcription factors in regulating ovarian function. Forkhead box or FOX proteins are a family of transcription factors that regulate the expression of critical genes involved in developmental processes, the cell cycle and growth, proliferation and differentiation. Several members of the FOX family are thought to be important regulators of ovarian function, although remarkably little is known about their roles and mechanism of action. Future studies will investigate the roles that FOX factors may play in regulating follicular growth and atresia as well as luteal development and regression.
Much of my previous research has focused on the role of growth factors in regulating aspects of ovarian function. I have also been interested in finding and characterising genes and polymorphisms associated with premature ovarian failure (early menopause) in women. I have also previously established a tissue banking programme for the genetic analysis of breast cancer tissue.
Recent Publications
GILLIS, JD, HOLT, WV, YON, L, WOAD, KJ, LOVE, D, HOLLY, R and PENFOLD, LM, 2022. How can mating systems inform future biobanking strategies? An illustration using two Indonesian bovids, banteng (Bos javanicus) and lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) Animal Reproduction Science. THOMPSON JS, HUDSON CD, HUXLEY JN, KALER J, ROBINSON RS, WOAD KJ, BOLLARD N, GIBBONS J and GREEN MJ, 2022. A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the impact of indoor living space on dairy cow production, reproduction and behaviour. Scientific Reports. 12, 3849 NWACHUKWU CU, WOAD KJ, BARNES N and GARDNER DS, 2021. Maternal protein restriction affects fetal ovary development in sheep. Reproduction and Fertility. 2, 161-171 MOHAMMED ZA, ROBINSON RS, HARRIS R, MCLAUGHLIN Y, TURNBULL KE, MANN G and WOAD KJ, 2020. Detrimental effects of uterine disease and lipopolysaccharide on luteal angiogenesis. The Journal of Endocrinology. 245, 79-92