About

Cesi Cruz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and the Department of Economics (by courtesy) at the University of Michigan. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego, and a B.A. from McGill University. Her research focuses on topics at the intersection of political science and economics, including elections, misinformation, gender, and inclusive development. Her work is based on fieldwork conducted in Cambodia and the Philippines and employs methodologies such as social network analysis, surveys, and field experiments. Cruz's research has been published in prominent outlets including the American Political Science Review, American Economic Review, American Journal of Political Science, Economic Journal, and Comparative Political Studies. She serves as a board member of Experiments in Governance and Politics (EGAP) and Women Also Know Stuff, an organization dedicated to promoting women’s scholarship in political science. Additionally, she is a member of the editorial board of the American Political Science Review and VoxDev.

Research topics

• Endocrinology
• Internal medicine
• Medicine
• Psychology
• Psychoanalysis
• Gynecology
• Surgery
• Physiology
• Andrology

Selected publications

• Functional changes to Achilles tendon and enthesis in an adolescent mouse model of testosterone hormone therapy

  Connective Tissue Research · 2025-02-28

  articleOpen access

  PURPOSE/AIM: Some youth seek puberty suppression to prolong decision-making prior to starting hormone therapy to help align their physical sex characteristics with their gender identity. During peripubertal growth, connective tissues such as tendon rapidly adapt to applied mechanical loads (e.g. exercise) yet if and how tendon adaptation is influenced by sex and gender-affirming hormone therapy during growth remains unknown. The goal of this study was to understand how pubertal suppression followed by testosterone influences the structural and functional properties of the Achilles tendon using an established adolescent mouse model of testosterone hormone therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6N female mice were assigned at postnatal day 26 to the following experimental groups: control (vehicle treated), gonadotropin release hormone analogue (GnRHa) treatment alone to delay puberty, testosterone (T) alone after puberty, or delayed puberty with T treatment (i.e. GnRHa followed by T). RESULTS: We found that pubertal suppression using GnRHa with and without T, as well as treatment with T alone post-puberty, increased the ultimate load of tendon in female mice. Additionally, we found that GnRHa, but not T treatment resulted in a significant increase in cell density at the Achilles enthesis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that delayed puberty and T have no negative influence on structural or functional properties of mouse tendon.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Short and long duration testosterone treatments induce reversable subfertility in female mice using a gestational model of gender-affirming hormone therapy

  Human Reproduction · 2025-02-11 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  STUDY QUESTION: How does testosterone gender-affirming hormone therapy (T-GAHT) impact breeding success in female mice? SUMMARY ANSWER: T-GAHT causes reversible subfertility in female mice and persistent changes to reproductive tract anatomy, gene expression, and hormone receptors. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Adult female mice implanted with capsules containing 10 mg of testosterone mimic many aspects of reproductive phenotypes of T-GAHT patients, who may desire future gestation while pausing T-GAHT. In mice, oocytes retrieved from T-GAHT mice had decreased IVF rates, and T cessation prior to stimulation improved these outcomes. However, the effects of T-GAHT on breeding have not been examined. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Adult female CD1 mice were subcutaneously implanted with capsules containing 10 mg of testosterone or blank controls. In separate studies, capsules were removed after 6 ('short') or 12 weeks ('long' n = 15/group), then mice were paired with proven-breeder CD1 males. Breeding pair success and pup development (15-20/group) were measured for first and second litters, then terminal measurements were taken from dams and their adult offspring (10/group). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The reproductive success of explanted T-GAHT and control mice was investigated by pairing them with proven-breeder CD1 males. Regular observations of dams and litters enabled analysis of fertility and the development of male and female pups for two litters. Terminal measures for dams and/or adult offspring focused on endpoints tied to reproductive tract function and gestation, including reproductive hormones, vaginal cytology, sperm analysis and ovarian and uterine anatomy, histology, and gene expression. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: All but one T-GAHT dams gave birth, but the time between pairing and their first birth was longer than controls after long (22.3 ± 1.3 days vs 24.5 ± 3.1) and short (23.2 ± 1.4 days vs 25.5 ± 4) treatments. Dams given long T-GAHT treatment had fewer pups in their first litters (11.9 ± 2.7 pups vs 7.8 ± 3.1) but pup number was unaltered after short treatment (11.5 ± 2.4 pups vs 11.4 ± 3.7). Further, offspring from first litters displayed accelerated puberty. Fertility differences and offspring developmental effects were absent for second gestations and litters. Despite fertility rescue, several anatomical, genetic, and histological changes persisted in T-GAHT dams after two litters. Offspring reproductive system outcomes were not significantly altered once dam fertility was restored. This study powerfully demonstrates a subfertile phenotype in T-GAHT-treated animals that is rescued over time and identifies gonadotropin and steroid hormone signaling as potential mechanisms for further investigation. LARGE SCALE DATA: No large-scale data were generated in this study. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Significant effects of T-GAHT on dam terminal measures may be unrelated to subfertility, and similar endpoints must be examined during the subfertile period to identify and fully understand their roles in T-GAHT-dependent reproductive changes. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF FINDINGS: The assumption that T-GAHT causes irreversible damage to reproduction has harmfully informed public opinion, medical practice, and government policies. The finding in T-GAHT mice that fertility and offspring outcomes are not permanently impacted are of translational relevance and opens avenues to be tested first in non-human primate models and then humans. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): NIH R01 HD098233, NIH T32 DK071212. The authors declare no competing interests.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Luteinizing hormone receptor deficiency in immature cumulus-oocyte complexes retrieved for assisted reproduction

  F&S Science · 2025-01-05

  articleOpen access

  This study investigated whether luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) expression varies in the granulosa cells of individual follicles according to the maturation stage of the oocytes harvested for assisted reproductive technology treatment. We observed minimal to no LHR messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expression in cumulus cells surrounding oocytes arrested in the germinal vesicle stage. Interestingly, their ability to mature was confirmed by rescue in vitro maturation, suggesting somatic cell LHR deficiency as a key factor for the retrieval of germinal vesicle oocytes in assisted reproductive technology procedures.

  PublisherDOI

• Abstract PO2-11-07: Early Integration of Exercise into Breast Cancer Care: The MSK Healthy Living Program

  Cancer Research · 2024-05-02

  article

  Abstract Background: In patients with early-stage breast cancer, quality of life (QoL) worsens within 3-6 months following diagnosis. Physical activity (PA) can mitigate the adverse effects of treatment and improve QoL, and low PA level is associated with cancer recurrence and mortality. However, PA interventions are not included in standard cancer care. Early intervention to increase PA levels may improve QoL during active cancer therapy. The Healthy Living Program (HLP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) is a lifestyle and survivorship program that engages early-stage breast cancer patients at the time of diagnosis using lifestyle risk stratification and matched referrals. We investigated whether early exercise intervention through the MSK HLP impacts QoL within the first months after cancer diagnosis. Methods: At the time of diagnosis, patients complete a lifestyle questionnaire (LQ), which is a composite of validated instruments, including the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). Patients not meeting PA guidelines per the GLTEQ are offered a referral to an exercise physiologist (EP). The EP creates an individualized, home-based exercise program using the FITT Principle (Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type). Patients meet with the EP every 4 weeks for 16 weeks; if exercise recommendations continue to be unmet, the program is extended. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) and 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36) were completed at baseline and the 16-week follow-up. Results: 252 patients enrolled between April 2020 – February 2023, of whom 92 volunteered to complete the QoL assessments. Median age was 53 years [range 23-84]; 12/252 (13.0%) of patients had ductal carcinoma in situ, 60/252 (65.2%) had Stage 1 disease, 17/252 (18.5%) had Stage 2 disease, and 3/252 (3.1%) had Stage 3 disease. 29/252 (31.5%) received chemotherapy, 62/252 (67.4%) received radiation, and 79/252 (85.9%) received hormone therapy. The mean baseline FACT scores were FACT-B: 116, FACT-G: 87, and FACT-B Trial Outcome Index (TOI): 73. At the 16-week follow-up, all QOL scores remained stable from baseline (means FACT-B: 118, FACT-G: 89, and TOI: 75). Improvements were observed among the subscales of the SF-36 from baseline to follow-up. The largest improvements were observed in physical and emotional role function scores, with 22% and 13% improvements from baseline to follow-up, respectively. Conclusions: A clinically implemented exercise intervention embedded in standard of care prevented decreases in QoL and improved physical and emotional functioning during the initial course of adjuvant breast cancer therapy. These findings support early implementation of lifestyle modification after a breast cancer diagnosis. Citation Format: Kylie Rowed, Sherry Shen, Andrea Smith, Bridget Kelly, Rocco Magnoli, Stacie Corcoran, Melissa Emerzian, Cynthia Cruz, Erica Salehi, Cara Anselmo, Mark Robson, Neil Iyengar. Early Integration of Exercise into Breast Cancer Care: The MSK Healthy Living Program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-11-07.

  PublisherDOI

• Madness and subjective destitution: Towards a possible exit from capitalism

  Filozofija i drustvo · 2024-01-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Madness, as Hegel tells us, is inherent within all, a state each of us moves through each time we acquire a new habit. Like madness, subjective destitution is also an inherent state, one each of us moves through in our initial state of being. The two states converge in the acquisition of a new habit when one is momentarily without a nature and, at the same time, submerged in madness, when one is no longer what they were and not yet what they are about to become. Though, as Lacan tells us, one cannot choose to go mad, and one does not choose to be born into poverty (or other forms of subjective destitution), one can, nonetheless, make a determination to engage in the act of subjective destitution and madness as a means for emancipation. The two states converge in a novel configuration that replicates, though differs from, spirit?s process of becoming.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Addition of synthetic polymers to a conventional cryoprotectant solution in the vitrification of bovine ovarian tissue

  Cryobiology · 2024-05-27 · 2 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Translocator protein expression and localization in human endometrium and endometriosis: A potential target for a noninvasive diagnosis?

  Cell Biology International · 2024-03-21 · 2 citations

  article

  The limitations of current imaging methods to detect small or superficial endometriotic lesions prompt the search for new molecular targets. TSPO is an 18 KDa protein located in the outer mitochondrial membrane, which can be traced by positron emission tomography (PET) using specific ligands. TSPO is located mostly in neurons and inflammatory sites outside the brain. We hypothesized that it might also be expressed in the human endometrium and endometrial-like tissue, being a target for molecular imaging of endometriosis. This prospective cross-sectional study included 28 women with endometriosis and 11 endometriosis-free controls. Endometriotic lesions (n = 49) and normal peritoneum (n = 13) from endometriosis patients were obtained during laparoscopy, while samples of eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis (n = 28) and from control women (n = 11) were collected in the operating room using a flexible device. TSPO mRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative reverse-transcription real-time PCR while protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody antihuman TSPO. TSPO mRNA expression was detected in an invariable fashion in all tissue types evaluated; however, TSPO protein was found to be more abundant in the glandular epithelium than in the stroma, both in the endometrium and in the endometriotic lesions. Interestingly, hormone therapies did not alter the expression of TSPO, and its presence was mostly negative in tissues adjacent to endometriotic implants. As a proof of concept, the protein expression pattern of TSPO in endometriotic tissue and along the adjacent areas suggests that TSPO-based molecular imaging might be used for noninvasive endometriosis detection.

  PublisherDOI

• Functional Changes to Achilles Tendon and Enthesis in a Mouse Model of an Adolescent Masculine Gender-Affirming Hormone Treatment

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2024-06-12 · 1 citations

  preprintOpen access

  Abstract Many transgender youth seek gender affirming care, such as puberty suppression, to prolong decision-making and to align their physical sex characteristics with their gender identity. During peripubertal growth, connective tissues such as tendon rapidly adapt to applied mechanical loads (e.g., exercise) yet if and how tendon adaptation is influenced by sex and gender affirming hormone therapy during growth remains unknown. The goal of this study was to understand the how pubertal suppression influences the structural and functional properties of the Achilles tendon using an established mouse model of transmasculine gender affirming hormone therapy. C57BL/6N female-born mice were assigned to experimental groups to mimic gender-affirming hormone therapy in human adolescents, and treatment was initiated prior to the onset of puberty (at postnatal day 26, P26). Experimental groups included controls and mice serially treated with gonadotropin release hormone analogue (GnRHa), delayed Testosterone (T), or GnRHa followed by T. We found that puberty suppression using GnRHa, with and without T, improved the overall tendon load capacity in female-born mice. Treatment with T resulted in an increase in the maximum load that tendon can withstand before failure. Additionally, we found that GnRHa, but not T, treatment resulted in a significant increase in cell density at the Achilles enthesis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY These findings demonstrate that puberty suppression or testosterone does not negatively influence tendon structural or functional properties in a mouse model of transmasculine gender affirming care. In all treatment groups, the ability of the tendon to withstand load was significantly increased. Puberty suppression with GnRHa significantly increased enthesis cell density, suggesting an extended growth phase. These findings elucidate the effects of gender affirming care on the structural and functional properties of the tendon and enthesis.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• SHORT- AND LONG-TERM TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT INDUCE REVERSIBLE SUBFERTILITY IN A MOUSE MODEL OF GENDER-AFFIRMING HORMONE THERAPY

  Fertility and Sterility · 2023-10-01

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Impaired in vitro fertilization outcomes following testosterone treatment improve with washout in a mouse model of gender-affirming hormone treatment

  American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2023-07-13 · 14 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Fernando M. Reis

  41 shared

• Felice Petraglia

  University of Florence

  22 shared

• Enrrico Bloise

  Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

  19 shared

• Pasquapina Ciarmela

  Marche Polytechnic University

  18 shared

• Stefano Luisi

  University of Pisa

  17 shared

• Ariella Shikanov

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  16 shared

• Molly B. Moravek

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  16 shared

• Vasantha Padmanabhan

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  15 shared

Education

• Post Doctoral Fellow, Ob/Gyn

  University of Michigan

• Post doctoral , Ob/Gyn

  Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Faculdade de Medicina

  2015

• Ph.D in Physiology and Pharmacology

  Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Instituto de Ciências Biológicas

  2013

• Master, Pharmacology

  Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - Câmpus de Botucatu

  2008

• Pharmacyst

  Universidade do Sagrado Coração

  2005