College of Medicine
University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Kendra Clark, PhD

Assistant Professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health
Research Scientist
VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System

402-559-5445

Kendra Clark

Research Overview

Dr. Clark is a reproductive toxicologist whose research program investigates how environmental and occupational exposures disrupt ovarian function, reproductive development, and fertility. Her laboratory focuses particularly on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and emerging environmental contaminants, integrating mechanistic studies of ovarian signaling with in vivo reproductive models, human biospecimens, and transcriptomic and single-cell approaches.

A major focus of the laboratory is determining how exposures during sensitive windows of development and across the reproductive lifespan produce persistent reproductive dysfunction. The laboratory also investigates whether early biological responses can predict long-term reproductive outcomes and how environmental exposures may affect reproductive health across generations.

Dr. Clark's translational research incorporates human reproductive biospecimens and addresses environmental and occupational exposures relevant to women's health, including exposures encountered in military settings. The long-term goal of this work is to identify mechanisms and biomarkers of environmentally induced reproductive dysfunction that can inform prevention, risk assessment, and strategies to preserve reproductive health.

Information

Undergraduate Degree
BS in Biology (major) and Genetics (minor)
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Graduate Training
PhD in Genetics and Genomics
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Post-Doctoral Fellowship
Area of Study: Reproductive Endocrinology
University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska

Publications for Kendra L. Clark, PhD

Recent publications:

  1. "Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) induces oxidative stress and autophagy dysregulation in HGrC1 cells" This study shows that PFDA exposure triggers oxidative stress and disrupts autophagy in human granulosa cells, potentially impacting ovarian function and fertility. Read the full article. 
  2. "Environmental and occupational risks to reproductive health in women service members and veterans" This mini-review examines environmental and occupational exposures in military women, such as burn pits and heavy metals, and their potential effects on fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Read the full article.
  3. "Environmentally relevant concentrations of individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and a PFAS mixture impact proliferation, migration, and gene transcription in a human myometrial cell line" This research explores how PFAS exposure affects uterine cell behavior, including proliferation, migration, and gene expression, with implications for reproductive health. Read the full article.

Current Research Support

  • Nebraska Research Initiative: Developmental Origins of Reproductive Dysfunction: Impacts of Infant Micro- and Nanoplastic Exposure 
    07/2026 - 06/2027 PI: Desaulniers; Co-Is: Clark, Romanova, Li, Lu
  • The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute - Claire M. Hubbard Water, Climate, and Health Fellowship: From Drinking Water to the Ovary: PFOS Exposure and Disrupted Ovarian Endocrine Function
    07/2026 - 06/2027 PI: Clark, Primary Mentor (Ghorab)
  • Nebraska Center for Women’s Health Research Pilot Grant: PFAS burden in follicular fluid and impact on reproductive outcomes
    01/2026 - 12/2027 PI: Clark; Co-PI: Bell
  • Child Health Research Institute Pilot Grant: Environmental Exposures and Adverse Reproductive Outcomes in Women                                                    
    01/2026 - 12/2027 PI: Taiba; Co-PIs: Bell, Clark
  • Department of Veterans Affairs (IK2BX006457) Career Development Award (CDA-2): Determining mechanisms of ovotoxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances  
    04/2024 - 03/2029 PI: Clark

 Selected Completed Research Support

  • NIH - NICHD (F32HD106722) Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship: Roles of Hippo Signaling and gap junctional communication in follicle development    
    09/2021 - 08/2024 PI: Clark
  • NIH - NICHD Loan Repayment Program (L50HD110007): Roles of Hippo Signaling and gap junctional communication in follicle development                     
    2022 - 2026 PI/Awardee: Clark

 

Honors and Career Development

  • 2026 - 2028: VA-NIH Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) Scholar - Magee-Women’s Research Institute and Foundation/University of Pittsburgh
  • 2022: UNMC Pathway to Independence Award

Professional Affiliations

  • 2025 - present: American Heart Association
  • 2025 - present: AMSUS - Society of Federal Health Professionals            
  • 2018 - present: Society of Toxicology          
    • Central States Chapter of Society of Toxicology
    • Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Specialty Section
    • Women In Toxicology
  • 2018 - present: Society for the Study of Reproduction