PhD grad from the U of A is transforming women’s health | Local News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Michelle Valenti, a University of Arizona graduate, has turned her personal battle with endometriosis into groundbreaking research in women’s health.

Valenti’s journey from pre-medicine to public health began at the University of Arizona, where she recently completed her Ph.D. in epidemiology. Her academic path took a pivotal turn after being diagnosed with endometriosis in December 2021, an inflammatory condition affecting many reproductive-age women.

Valenti’s dissertation was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her research focused on the levels of anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) in women with and without endometriosis before surgery, exploring how the disease affects ovarian reserve.

Valenti’s findings suggest that endometriosis itself, even before surgery, could impact AMH levels and reduce ovarian reserve. Her research was conducted alongside colleagues from the University of Arizona, University of Utah, and George Mason University.

Valenti is not stopping there. She is interested in pursuing postdoctoral research in environmental epidemiology, building on her work linking mental health conditions among women firefighters to reduced AMH levels.

In her dissertation, Valenti also investigated the impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on AMH levels, endometriosis, and reproductive health. She looks forward to continuing research in that vein.

No matter where she goes, Valenti’s colleagues are sure she will find success. Whether her journey brings her back to the University of Arizona or leads somewhere new, Valenti is excited for the future she shares with her husband, Alex Campmas, and their son, Owen, who was born in 2024.