Penelope Howards, PhD, MS

Research Program

Cancer Prevention and Control
Phone Number

404-727-8499
Email Address

penelope.howards@emory.edu

Biography

Penelope Howards, PhD, MS, is a reproductive epidemiologist and associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University. Dr. Howards is a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at Winship.

Education

Dr. Howards earned her PhD from the University of North Carolina and her MS from Pennsylvania State University.

Titles & Roles

Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology

Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University

Research

Dr. Howards' past research has focused on women's health, including menstrual cycles, fertility, and miscarriage. Through her current research, Dr. Howards hopes to improve the information and treatment options available to women who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Grants

View Grants

Grant Number	Title
1R01AR084253-01A1	Pregnancy and cardiovascular health in caring for women with systemic lupus erythematosus
1R13HD117637-01	Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research (SPER).

Publications

Title/Journal	Authors	Publication Date
The Role of Social Support as a Buffer Against Adverse Birth Outcomes Among People Experiencing Neighbourhood Deprivation. Paediatric and perinatal epidemiology	MA Dixon, S Chandrasekaran, HH Chang, MR Kramer, TT Lewis, PP Howards	01/11/2026
Disordered Eating Behaviors During Adolescence and Risk of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Study. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism	S Thornburgh, AI Naimi, KR Sonneville, JE Chavarro, PP Howards, AJ Gaskins	12/02/2025
The Effect of Intertwined Epidemiologic Concepts on Answerable Research Questions in Perinatal Epidemiology Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology	PP Howards, WD Flanders	09/03/2025
Prevalence of congenital heart defects among children with and without diagnosed fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, 2016–2022 Drug and Alcohol Dependence	AN Dorsey, KF Downing, NP Deputy, MK Weber, PP Howards	07/15/2025
Effect of pre–end-stage kidney disease nephrology care on the association between neighborhood poverty and referral for kidney transplantation among patients with end-stage kidney disease Journal of Clinical Epidemiology	L McPherson, LC Plantinga, PP Howards, M Kramer, RE Patzer	06/24/2025
Disentangling Dialysis Facility and Transplant Center Factors on Evaluation Start Following Referral for Kidney Transplantation: A Regional Study in the United States Kidney Medicine	L McPherson, LC Plantinga, PP Howards, M Kramer, RE Patzer	02/07/2025
A selection of challenges in addressing selection bias Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology	PP Howards, CY Johnson	07/01/2024
The impact of sickle cell disease and its treatment on ovarian reserve in reproductive‐aged Black women British Journal of Haematology	LM Shandley, RM Fasano, JB Spencer, AC Mertens, LJ McPherson, MA Dixon, N Poliektov, HE Butler, SM James, PP Howards	06/06/2024
Mercury, natural fertility and outcomes of assisted reproduction: A systematic review Reproductive Toxicology	M Angley, L Lu, Y Zhang, PP Howards, K Kahe	06/01/2024
The use of fertility treatments among reproductive-aged women after cancer Fertility and Sterility	LM Kipling, LM Shandley, AC Mertens, JB Spencer, PP Howards	12/14/2023
Understanding the roles of state demographics and state policies in epidemiologic studies of maternal-child health disparities American Journal of Epidemiology	HB Chin, PP Howards, MR Kramer, CY Johnson	12/05/2023
In-utero exposure to polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and menstrual cycle function in adulthood International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health	S Barat, RB Hood, ML Terrell, PP Howards, JB Spencer, T Wainstock, H Barton, M Pearson, JS Kesner, JW Meadows, M Marcus, AJ Gaskins	12/01/2023
Referral and evaluation for kidney transplantation among patients with lupus nephritis-related end-stage kidney disease Lupus	L McPherson, LC Plantinga, PP Howards, M Kramer, SO Pastan, RE Patzer	11/29/2023
Decomposing the Black–White Racial Disparity in Severe Maternal Morbidity Risk: The Role of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Epidemiology	K Labgold, PP Howards, C Drews-Botsch, AL Dunlop, JM Bryan, T Ruddock, S Johnston, MR Kramer	10/04/2023
Exposure–response relationships for personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2·5), carbon monoxide, and black carbon and birthweight: an observational analysis of the multicountry Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial The Lancet Planetary Health	K Balakrishnan, K Steenland, T Clasen, H Chang, M Johnson, A Pillarisetti, W Ye, LP Naeher, A Diaz-Artiga, JP McCracken, LM Thompson, G Rosa, MA Kirby, G Thangavel, S Sambandam, K Mukhopadhyay, N Puttaswamy, V Aravindalochanan, S Garg, F Ndagijimana, S Hartinger, LJ Underhill, KA Kearns, D Campbell, J Kremer, L Waller, S Jabbarzadeh, J Wang, Y Chen, J Rosenthal, A Quinn, AT Papageorghiou, U Ramakrishnan, PP Howards, W Checkley, JL Peel	05/01/2023
The Risk of Infertility After Surgery for Benign Ovarian Cysts Journal of Women s Health	LM Shandley, JB Spencer, LM Kipling, B Hussain, AC Mertens, PP Howards	03/27/2023
Delayed entry into prenatal care among women with pre-pregnancy health conditions, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2011 Preventive Medicine	RM Simeone, J Reefhuis, DJ Jamieson, CD Drews-Botsch, TL Lash, SC Fisher, MM Howley, S Evans, PP Howards	09/21/2022
Misclassification of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Surveillance Estimates: Is Considering the Positive Predictive Value Enough? PubMed	K Labgold, LJ Collin, PP Howards	03/01/2022
Adverse Perinatal Outcomes Before and After Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Among African American Women Arthritis Care & Research	M Angley, C Drews-Botsch, TT Lewis, M Badell, SS Lim, PP Howards	12/21/2021
Factors Associated with Unplanned Pregnancy Among Cancer Survivors Journal of Women s Health	LM Shandley, LM Kipling, JB Spencer, D Morof, AC Mertens, PP Howards	12/03/2021
Maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and exposure to persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals in two European birth cohorts Environmental Advances	KJ Marks, K Northstone, E Papadopoulou, AL Brantsæter, LS Haug, PP Howards, MM Smarr, WD Flanders, TJ Hartman	10/19/2021
Pre- and postnatal polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and cognitive and behavioral development at age 45 Months in a cohort of Slovak children Chemosphere	RM Simeone, PP Howards, E Anderson, TA Jusko, B Drobná, A Kočan, K Čonka, A Fabišiková, ĽP Murínová, RL Canfield, D Sonneborn, S Wimmerová, K Thevenet-Morrison, T Trnovec, I Hertz-Picciotto, E Šovčíková	09/28/2021
Prenatal exposure to mixtures of persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals and postnatal body size in British girls Early Human Development	KJ Marks, PP Howards, MM Smarr, WD Flanders, K Northstone, JH Daniel, A Sjödin, AM Calafat, TJ Hartman	08/14/2021
Prenatal Exposure to Mixtures of Persistent Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals and Birth Size in a Population-based Cohort of British Girls Epidemiology	KJ Marks, PP Howards, MM Smarr, WD Flanders, K Northstone, JH Daniel, A Sjödin, AM Calafat, TJ Hartman	03/24/2021
Prepregnancy body mass index and spina bifida: Potential contributions of bias Birth Defects Research	CY Johnson, MA Honein, SA Rasmussen, PP Howards, MJ Strickland, WD Flanders	02/19/2021
Prenatal exposure to mixtures of persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals and early menarche in a population-based cohort of British girls Environmental Pollution	KJ Marks, PP Howards, MM Smarr, WD Flanders, K Northstone, JH Daniel, AM Calafat, A Sjödin, M Marcus, TJ Hartman	02/09/2021
Comparison of Young Adult Female Cancer Survivors Recruited from a Population-Based Cancer Registry to Eligible Survivors Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention	PP Howards, PJ Mink, KH Kim, JJ Woodard, AC Mertens	02/02/2021
Anti-Müllerian hormone in African-American women with systemic lupus erythematosus Lupus Science & Medicine	M Angley, JB Spencer, SS Lim, PP Howards	11/01/2020
Adverse Pregnancy Conditions Among Privately Insured Women With and Without Congenital Heart Defects Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes	KF Downing, NK Tepper, RM Simeone, EC Ailes, M Gurvitz, SL Boulet, MA Honein, PP Howards, AM Valente, SL Farr	06/01/2020
Hormonal Profiles of Menstrual Bleeding Patterns During the Luteal-Follicular Transition The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism	MH Jacobson, PP Howards, JS Kesner, JW Meadows, CE Dominguez, JB Spencer, LA Darrow, ML Terrell, M Marcus	03/02/2020
The association between gestational weight gain z-score and stillbirth: a case-control study BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth	CM Pickens, CJ Hogue, PP Howards, MR Kramer, ML Badell, DJ Dudley, RM Silver, RL Goldenberg, H Pinar, GR Saade, MW Varner, BJ Stoll	11/29/2019
Infertility Among African American Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Compared to Healthy Women: A Pilot Study Arthritis Care & Research	M Angley, SS Lim, JB Spencer, PP Howards	07/08/2019
Polybrominated Biphenyl Exposure and Menstrual Cycle Function Epidemiology	PP Howards, ML Terrell, MH Jacobson, KC Taylor, JS Kesner, JW Meadows, JB Spencer, AK Manatunga, M Marcus	06/10/2019
Anti-Müllerian hormone levels in nurses working night shifts Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health	CY Johnson, LJ Tanz, CC Lawson, PP Howards, ER Bertone-Johnson, AH Eliassen, ES Schernhammer, JW Rich-Edwards	04/04/2019
Structure and Control of Healthy Worker Effects in Studies of Pregnancy Outcomes American Journal of Epidemiology	CY Johnson, CM Rocheleau, B Grajewski, PP Howards	12/19/2018
Pregnancy after cancer: Does timing of conception affect infant health? Cancer	KP Hartnett, AC Mertens, MR Kramer, TL Lash, JB Spencer, KC Ward, PP Howards	11/07/2018
Disparities in Tdap Vaccination and Vaccine Information Needs Among Pregnant Women in the United States Maternal and Child Health Journal	JL Kriss, AP Albert, VM Carter, AJ Jiles, JL Liang, J Mullen, L Rodriguez, PP Howards, WA Orenstein, SB Omer, A Fisher	10/04/2018
Multiple bias analysis using logistic regression: an example from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study Annals of Epidemiology	CY Johnson, PP Howards, MJ Strickland, DK Waller, WD Flanders	06/01/2018
Thyroid hormones and menstrual cycle function in a longitudinal cohort of premenopausal women Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology	MH Jacobson, PP Howards, LA Darrow, JW Meadows, JS Kesner, JB Spencer, ML Terrell, M Marcus	03/08/2018
Impact of cancer treatment on risk of infertility and diminished ovarian reserve in women with polycystic ovary syndrome Fertility and Sterility	LM Shandley, A Fothergill, JB Spencer, AC Mertens, HN Cottrell, PP Howards	02/08/2018
An overview of confounding. Part 1: the concept and how to address it Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica	PP Howards	01/17/2018
An overview of confounding. Part 2: how to identify it and special situations Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica	PP Howards	01/17/2018
Term Elective Induction of Labor and Pregnancy Outcomes Among Obese Women and Their Offspring Obstetrics and Gynecology	CM Gibbs Pickens, MR Kramer, PP Howards, ML Badell, AB Caughey, CJ Hogue	12/06/2017
Serum Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Thyroid Function among Michigan Adults Several Decades after the 1973–1974 PBB Contamination of Livestock Feed Environmental Health Perspectives	MH Jacobson, LA Darrow, DB Barr, PP Howards, RH Lyles, ML Terrell, AK Smith, KN Conneely, ME Marder, M Marcus	09/22/2017
Factors affecting workforce participation and healthy worker biases in U.S. women and men Annals of Epidemiology	CY Johnson, CM Rocheleau, CC Lawson, B Grajewski, PP Howards	08/25/2017
The risk of preterm birth and growth restriction in pregnancy after cancer International Journal of Cancer	KP Hartnett, KC Ward, MR Kramer, TL Lash, AC Mertens, JB Spencer, A Fothergill, PP Howards	08/24/2017
Urban‐Rural Differences in Tubal Ligation Incidence in the State of Georgia, USA The Journal of Rural Health	CD Travers, JB Spencer, CA Cwiak, AC Mertens, PP Howards	07/21/2017
“Research on Infertility: Definition Makes a Difference” Revisited American Journal of Epidemiology	MH Jacobson, HB Chin, AC Mertens, JB Spencer, A Fothergill, PP Howards	06/12/2017
Evaluation of two vaccine education interventions to improve pertussis vaccination among pregnant African American women: A randomized controlled trial Vaccine	JL Kriss, PM Frew, M Cortes, FA Malik, AT Chamberlain, K Seib, L Flowers, KA Ault, PP Howards, WA Orenstein, SB Omer	02/16/2017
Impact of tamoxifen therapy on fertility in breast cancer survivors Fertility and Sterility	LM Shandley, JB Spencer, A Fothergill, AC Mertens, A Manatunga, E Paplomata, PP Howards	11/22/2016
Which female cancer patients fail to receive fertility counseling before treatment in the state of Georgia? Fertility and Sterility	HB Chin, PP Howards, MR Kramer, AC Mertens, JB Spencer	09/24/2016
Characteristics related to early secondary amenorrhoea and pregnancy among women diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus: an analysis using the GOAL study Lupus Science & Medicine	JH Knight, PP Howards, JB Spencer, KC Tsagaris, SS Lim	09/01/2016
Serum polybrominated diphenyl ether concentrations and thyroid function in young children Environmental Research	MH Jacobson, DB Barr, M Marcus, AB Muir, RH Lyles, PP Howards, L Pardo, LA Darrow	05/24/2016
Impact of Missing Data for Body Mass Index in an Epidemiologic Study Maternal and Child Health Journal	H Razzaghi, SC Tinker, AH Herring, PP Howards, DK Waller, CY Johnson	03/30/2016
Differences in Women's Use of Medical Help for Becoming Pregnant by the Level of Urbanization of County of Residence in Georgia The Journal of Rural Health	HB Chin, MR Kramer, AC Mertens, JB Spencer, PP Howards	01/14/2016
Menses resumption after cancer treatment–induced amenorrhea occurs early or not at all Fertility and Sterility	MH Jacobson, AC Mertens, JB Spencer, AK Manatunga, PP Howards	12/01/2015
Hypothyroidism after cancer and the ability to meet reproductive goals among a cohort of young adult female cancer survivors Fertility and Sterility	HB Chin, MH Jacobson, JD Interrante, AC Mertens, JB Spencer, PP Howards	10/25/2015
Racial Disparities in Seeking Care for Help Getting Pregnant Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology	HB Chin, PP Howards, MR Kramer, AC Mertens, JB Spencer	07/22/2015
Diabetes mellitus is associated with cavities, smear grade, and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Georgia The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease	MJ Magee, RR Kempker, M Kipiani, NR Gandhi, L Darchia, N Tukvadze, PP Howards, KM Narayan, HM Blumberg	05/02/2015
Piloting a computer assisted telephone interview: the FUCHSIA Women’s Study BMC Women s Health	HB Chin, CY Johnson, KH Kim, JH Knight, AC Mertens, PJ Mink, RM Simeone, JJ Woodard, PP Howards	11/29/2014
Use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy and risk of spontaneous abortion and stillbirth: population based cohort study BMJ	BH Bech, MI Kjaersgaard, HS Pedersen, PP Howards, MJ Sørensen, J Olsen, ET Parner, LH Pedersen, M Vestergaard, J Christensen	08/21/2014
Potential Sensitivity of Bias Analysis Results to Incorrect Assumptions of Nondifferential or Differential Binary Exposure Misclassification Epidemiology	CY Johnson, WD Flanders, MJ Strickland, MA Honein, PP Howards	08/13/2014
PFOA and PFOS Serum Levels and Miscarriage Risk Epidemiology	LA Darrow, PP Howards, A Winquist, K Steenland	05/06/2014
Diabetes Mellitus, Smoking Status, and Rate of Sputum Culture Conversion in Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A Cohort Study from the Country of Georgia PLoS ONE	MJ Magee, RR Kempker, M Kipiani, N Tukvadze, PP Howards, KM Narayan, HM Blumberg	04/15/2014
Diabetes mellitus and risk of all-cause mortality among patients with tuberculosis in the state of Georgia, 2009–2012 Annals of Epidemiology	MJ Magee, M Foote, DM Maggio, PP Howards, KM Narayan, HM Blumberg, SM Ray, RR Kempker	02/07/2014
Spontaneous Abortion and a Diet Drug Containing Caffeine and Ephedrine: A Study within the Danish National Birth Cohort PLoS ONE	PP Howards, I Hertz-Picciotto, BH Bech, EA Nohr, AM Andersen, C Poole, J Olsen	11/16/2012
Pregnancy termination following prenatal diagnosis of anencephaly or spina bifida: A systematic review of the literature Birth Defects Research Part A Clinical and Molecular Teratology	CY Johnson, MA Honein, W Dana Flanders, PP Howards, GP Oakley, SA Rasmussen	10/25/2012
"Toward a Clearer Definition of Confounding" Revisited With Directed Acyclic Graphs American Journal of Epidemiology	PP Howards, EF Schisterman, C Poole, JS Kaufman, CR Weinberg	08/17/2012
Chlamydia trachomatis Infections Among Women Attending Prenatal Clinics Sexually Transmitted Diseases	CL Satterwhite, AM Gray, S Berman, H Weinstock, D Kleinbaum, PP Howards	02/28/2012
Dependence of Confounding on the Target Population: A Modification of Causal Graphs to Account for Co-Action Annals of Epidemiology	WD Flanders, CY Johnson, PP Howards, S Greenland	07/08/2011
Chlamydia Positivity Trends Among Women Attending Family Planning Clinics: United States, 2004–2008 Sexually Transmitted Diseases	CL Satterwhite, L Grier, R Patzer, H Weinstock, PP Howards, D Kleinbaum	06/16/2011
Detection of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Development of an Automated Case-Finding Algorithm Using Administrative Data Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology	CL Satterwhite, O Yu, MA Raebel, S Berman, PP Howards, H Weinstock, D Kleinbaum, D Scholes	01/01/2011
Timing clinic visits to phases of the menstrual cycle by using a fertility monitor: the BioCycle Study. American journal of epidemiology	PP Howards, EF Schisterman, J Wactawski-Wende, JE Reschke, AA Frazer, KM Hovey	01/01/2009
Invited commentary: the use of imperfect data--compromise or compromising? American journal of epidemiology	PP Howards	03/15/2008