About Us
Crystal Schiller, PhD
UNC Chapel Hill, Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Schiller is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and clinical psychologist with expertise in reproductive-related mood disorders. Her research focuses on the use of experimental models to determine the effects of reproductive hormones on brain function, neurochemistry, and mood symptoms in women. She has clinical and research interests in improving access to high-quality mental healthcare for perinatal and menopausal women. She hopes to provide holistic education surrounding menopause to menopausal people and the broader community, as well as foster collaboration among clinicians, researchers, and trainees.
Genevieve Neal-Perry, MD, PhD
UNC Chapel Hill, Robert A. Ross Distinguished Professor and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Genevieve Neal-Perry earned her bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and obtained her MD/PhD in pharmacology from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She completed her residency and fellowship training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) at Beth Israel Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center, respectively.
In April 2020, Dr. Neal-Perry was appointed as Chair of the UNC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Chapel Hill.
Dr. Neal-Perry is a nationally recognized leader in women’s health research and reproductive endocrinology. Her leadership roles have included Vice President of Basic Science Research for the Endocrine Society, serving as a member of the NIH study section for Integrative and Clinical Endocrinology and Reproduction Study Section, and chairing and being a member in the Reproductive, Andrology, and Gynecology study section. Currently, she is a member of the National Advisory Child Health Development Council, the Inaugural Vice Chair of Diversity and Structural Change of the Society For Reproductive Investigation, and an investigator of the Study of Women Across the Nation, a longitudinal study designed to study menopause and the menopausal transition. She is a scientific adviser for Astellas Pharmaceutical Company and Natera, Inc. She has also served as a member of the REI Division of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Neal-Perry serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and as a scientific advisor for Endocrinology, the basic science flagship journal for The Endocrine Society.
Dr. Neal-Perry’s research program has focused on the fundamental neurobiology of hot flashes and the menopausal transition, exploring the pathophysiology and natural progression of menopause. Additionally, her work delves into the impact of maternal nutrition on reproductive function and fertility outcomes in offspring. She has significantly contributed to the field of menopause and reproductive health, producing a diverse range of original research manuscripts, reviews, and book chapters in reproductive science.
With a strong belief in the transformative power of knowledge, Dr. Neal-Perry envisions the menopause seminar series as a platform to empower individuals and their family members affected by menopause-related symptoms. Beyond that, she sees it as a catalyst for researchers and the community to engage in learning and sharing experiences surrounding menopause and the menopausal transition. The primary goal is to foster improvement in understanding and addressing the challenges associated with this significant life stage.
Lauren Schiff, MD
UNC Chapel Hill, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon
Dr. Schiff is a Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon specializing in complex surgery for fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, and pelvic pain. She has a particular clinical and research interest in the mood and cognitive impacts of surgeries and hormonal medications used to treat gynecologic disorders, particularly around the time of the menopausal transition. Many women manage these symptoms in silence. Through this seminar series, she truly hopes to bring awareness, validation, and relief to women experiencing symptoms related to menopause. She also hopes we are able to forge new relationships and with other clinicians, researchers, community partners, and patients to better care for women.
Margo Nathan, MD
UNC Chapel Hill, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Reproductive Psychiatrist
Dr. Nathan is a reproductive psychiatrist, and her primary clinical interest is in supporting women with mood disorders during reproductive transitions, including during menopause. She is also interested in the education of medical trainees on these issues and conduct research examining how mood disorders during menopause can impact health outcomes in midlife women. She hopes to educate the community and increase awareness about mood and anxiety disorders that can develop during menopause, as well as provide education on identifying these issues and treatment options.
Abbie Smith-Ryan, PhD
UNC Chapel Hill, Professor of Exercise and Sports Science
Dr. Smith-Ryan is a Professor Exercise and Sports Science. Her research interests include feasible and evidence-based approaches to maximize metabolism, body composition, and overall health and well-being. She hopes to provide education and solutions to support the health and quality of life in midlife women, by providing evidence-based solutions to exercise and nutrition to support changing bodies and minds.
Yamnia Cortés, PhD
University of Iowa, College of Nursing, Associate Professor
Dr. Cortés is an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa. Her research and clinical interests include menopause health disparities and inequities, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and cognitive decline in midlife women, sociocultural and psychosocial factors associated with CVD risk, life course epidemiology of women’s reproductive health, and community-engaged interventions for midlife Latinas. Through this seminar series, she hopes to be a trusted source of evidence-based, culturally tailored menopause information and to empower women to take control of their health in midlife and beyond.
Gabriel Dichter, PhD
UNC Chapel Hill, Professor of Psychiatry
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Dichter is a clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry. His research is focused on understanding the biological basis of mood disorders. He is looking forward to this Carolina Seminar Series expanding the community of researchers, clinicians, and trainees dedicated to understanding and treating psychiatric symptoms that may accompany the perimenopause.