Research Placement at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), Baltimore, USA - Lorna Salvini

In March 2026, I was fortunate to receive flexible funding to undertake a two-week research placement in the laboratory of Professor James Segars at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. This placement provided a valuable opportunity to expand my technical skillset, strengthen international collaborations, and advance my PhD research focused on uterine fibroids.

My research centres on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning uterine fibroids, with a particular interest in developing physiologically relevant in vitro models. During my time at JHU, I was embedded within a multidisciplinary team specialising in reproductive biology and fibroid research. This environment enabled me to gain hands-on experience with advanced 3D culture systems and experimental approaches that are not currently established in my home institution.

A key focus of the placement was training in techniques relevant to developing and characterising fibroid spheroid and organoid models, with particular emphasis on 3D modelling approaches. I explored how these systems could be integrated with my own work using microfluidic platforms, which are central to my PhD project. This provided valuable insight into how microfluidic systems can be applied to better replicate the fibroid microenvironment and improve the physiological relevance of in vitro models. I also had the opportunity to discuss my own research in detail with members of the Segars lab, receiving valuable feedback that has helped refine both my experimental design and long-term research objectives.

In addition to laboratory-based training, I engaged with the wider academic environment at JHU by attending a range of seminars and teaching sessions. These included Grand Rounds covering topics such as sickle cell disease and ovarian cancer, as well as a GORS session focused on research ethics and peer review. These experiences allowed me to broaden my perspective beyond my immediate research area and gain insight into clinical and translational challenges across women’s health and related fields.

Beyond the technical training, the placement facilitated important knowledge exchange. I shared insights from my work using spatial transcriptomics to investigate fibroid vasculature alterations, while learning about complementary approaches used at JHU. Importantly, discussions around our respective tissue banks highlighted disparities in patient demographics, with my cohort predominantly comprising Caucasian patients and the JHU cohort including a higher proportion of Black patients. This revealed a valuable opportunity for future collaboration through sample sharing, with the aim of improving diversity and representation within our research cohorts and enhancing the translational relevance of our findings.

The experience also provided broader professional development benefits. Engaging with an international research group enhanced my confidence in communicating my work and fostered new perspectives on translational research in women’s health. Observing how research is structured and conducted in a leading US institution was particularly valuable in shaping my future career aspirations.

Overall, this placement significantly contributed to my PhD by expanding my technical expertise, strengthening collaborative links, and refining my research direction. I am very grateful to DiMeN for supporting this opportunity, which will have lasting impacts on both my current project and future research career.