Research

Research Title:
Silent Suffering: How American College Students Perceive Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
To what extent do the perceptions of PCOS from American college students mirror societal stigmas and misinformation surrounding women’s reproductive health?

Principal Investigator: Catherine Marie Bales
Institution & Department: University of Florida, Department of Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies
Affiliation: August 2025 – Present

Research Focus:
This project examines how American college students perceive Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), with a focus on how these perceptions reflect broader societal stigmas and misinformation about women’s reproductive health. As both a researcher and a woman with PCOS, I aim to explore the role of health literacy and institutional silence.

Project Responsibilities:
I developed the research question, conducted literature reviews, designed a qualitative survey instrument for undergraduates in America universities to fill out, and will conduct interviews with physicians. My goal is to use this research as a bridge between personal experience and policy change highlighting where education, advocacy, and healthcare systems fall short.