Dr Ellen Menkhorst

Biography

Dr Menkhorst joined Prince Henry’s Institute (now Hudson Institute of Medical Research) in 2007 after completing her PhD at the University of Melbourne in the Department of Zoology. Dr Menkhorst is passionate about the importance of the intrauterine environment for a healthy pregnancy and lifelong health of the child.

Research Interest

Dr Menkhorst has a research focus on the molecular mechanisms regulating human implantation which are critical for the establishment of a healthy pregnancy. Impaired implantation leads to infertility, early pregnancy loss and diseases of placental insufficiency including pre-eclampsia and interuterine growth restriction. Dr Menkhorst’s long-standing research focus is to understand how maternal (uterine and immune) and fetal cells interact during early pregnancy. By understanding the mechanisms underlying implantation and early placentation, she aims to identify factors which can be used as biomarkers or therapeutic targets to treat infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss or placental insufficiency.