Outstanding translational research in women’s and reproductive health is scant at best. Key steps in a woman’s life cycle are still poorly understood, and many reproductive diseases are underrepresented areas of investigative science. As a result, therapeutics for women’s illnesses lag behind our knowledge of general medicine.

5 focus areas

To increase and enhance research in the reproductive sciences, the Center for Reproductive Health Sciences targets five different aspects:

  1. Identify the most critical areas of women’s health research
  2. Collaborate with others in the Washington University community and thus reinforce research efforts in these areas
  3. Facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations to fill in the knowledge gap
  4. Enhance educational opportunities in reproductive sciences
  5. Establish a community of reproductive science researchers at Washington University

Building our team

The center currently includes both ob/gyn scientists and outstanding multidisciplinary scientists who hold joint faculty appointments in our department. However, to accomplish these goals, we are expanding our division’s critical mass with both junior and senior faculty.

We will target our recruitment to the areas of infectious disease, uterine biology, genomic/genetics and gamete biology. New members will actively train post-docs and students who will ensure sustainability of our efforts.

We also aim to expand the visibility of reproductive sciences at Washington University by:

  • Recommending our junior faculty for positions on committees
  • Continuing our seminar series and involving more of the Washington University community
  • Attracting a diverse list of speakers
  • Creating more opportunities for clinical/translational science PI interactions through talks and events

By pursuing these goals, we hope to reinforce our collective and common interests in reproductive health.