KJERSTI AAGAARD, M.D., PH.D., FACOG

​Professor & Vice Chair of Research
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. Aagaard is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrician Gynecologists. She specializes in the field of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and has specialty clinical interests in preterm birth, stillbirth, maternal obesity and cardiac disorders, ultrasound diagnosis and testing for fetal anomalies and genetic disorders, and management of pregnancies complicated by infections.

Dr. Aagaard's research interests include both basic science investigations and translation into clinical research. She is internationally recognized for her work on maternal obesity and nutrition, genomics, the microbiome and prevention of preterm birth. Dr. Aagaard also actively conducts clinical research related to both cause and management of common perinatal fetal conditions (preterm birth, stillbirth and fetal growth abnormalities), alongside research in the implications of parallel maternal conditions and behavior (obesity, smoking, and nutrition).

Throughout her career and training she has raised three children on her own and remained an active member in the community. She is a recipient of the Houston Women's Magazine Maximum Mom Award which is awarded to a woman who has been an extraordinary mother to her children and mentor to others in providing strong moral character and serving as a role model.