In his research career, Dr. DeLancey has pioneered the scientific understanding of pelvic floor disorders, those common problems of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse women suffer as a consequence of giving birth. His research has received $20 million dollars in NIH funding, resulted in over 240 scientific publications and led to invitations to be a keynote lecturer in over 35 countries on 6 continents. He and biomechanical engineer James A. Ashton-Miller PhD, began collaborating in the 1990’s to apply the principles of biomechanical analysis to understanding pelvic floor function and dysfunction and the remarkable structural changes that occur during vaginal birth. Along with Ashton-Miller and Janis Miller, RN, PhD they founded the Pelvic Floor Research Group at the University of Michigan whose members have won many national and international awards for their research including awards from the International Continence Society, International Urogynecology Association, American Urogynecologic Society, Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction and National Association for Continence.
Information about Dr. DeLancey's and the group's current research activities can be found at http://medicine.umich.edu/dept/obgyn/research/programs-units/pelvic-floor-research-group