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Dr. Fissore’s laboratory centers on the regulation of the earliest stage of embryo development, known as egg activation.For many years, their work has focused on understanding the sperm-derived factor that triggers the Ca²⁺ oscillations required for this process. His lab first characterized the biochemical properties of this “sperm factor” and later contributed to defining the role of phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ1) as the primary trigger in both mice and humans. More recently, they have investigated alternative pathways that safeguard fertility in PLCζ1 knockout mice, uncovering a backup mechanism that supports egg activation.

Other current projects explore how ion channels regulate the influx of Ca²⁺ and other divalent cations during oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early embryo development. Thay have identified at least three essential channels that maintain Ca²⁺ homeostasis during egg activation, as well as two additional channels that control stage-specific Zn²⁺ and Mg²⁺ entry during maturation and embryo development. His lab is now exploring future studies to define the precise roles and regulatory mechanisms of these channels, with the ultimate goal of clarifying how ion homeostasis governs fertility and early development. We hope you enjoy this reading to celebrate Dr. Fissore’s life and academic contributions.

AG: What is your current position, and what does it entail?

RF: I am a professor in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Science at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. This role entails teaching my areas of expertise one semester each year, serving on Department and College Committees, and contributing to the profession more broadly through postgraduate courses, grant-review panels, and professional committees.

AG: Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Where are you from? What first attracted you to the world of science, and how did you reach your current position?

RF: I am a veterinarian who transitioned into basic science. Originally from Argentina, I came to the University of California to complete a residency in large animal medicine. After completing this training, earning a Master’s in Preventive Veterinary Medicine, and becoming certified by the American College of Theriogenology, I decided to leave clinical practice and focus on the basic mechanisms of fertilization. 

I was fortunate to complete a two-year fellowship at Harvard Medical School, where I learned the fundamentals of oocyte physiology and pre-implantation embryo development.

During this time, I met Dr. James Robl, Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who invited me to pursue my Ph.D in his laboratory. After completing my degree, I accepted an Assistant Professor position in the same Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at UMass Amherst, where I have spent my entire career. I was promoted to full professor in 2006.

In 2003, I completed a nine-month sabbatical at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, which was an extraordinary research and personal experience. From 2010 to 2022, I served as Head of my department, and from 2017 to 2024, I directed the Frontiers in Reproduction course.

AG: What are you most excited about this year?

RF: This year, I am most excited to advance my research on how the initiation of development is regulated by Ca²⁺ oscillations and the homeostasis of other divalent cations during embryo development. I aim to publish several manuscripts and continue securing funding for this work. I am also enthusiastic about collaborating with SSR and the Gates Foundation to organize a course in Africa on gamete techniques and contraception, scheduled for mid-2026.

AG: In what ways has your heritage influenced your perspective or career path?

RF: My parents were second-generation immigrants to Argentina from Italian grandparents. In my home, there was always the expectation of university training. In Argentina, education is free after passing a general examination; thus, the decision to attend graduate school is less difficult than in other countries. I was always interested in biology, as I grew up in rural areas, which naturally led me to a career in Veterinary Medicine. 

My decision to pursue research developed slowly, as I practiced Veterinary Medicine, and my desire to study the underlying molecular basis of disease grew. This realization led me to leave the clinical fields after my clinical residency and start a career in reproductive biology.

AG: What words of inspiration would you like to share with the next generation of scientists, especially those from diverse backgrounds?

RF: More than words, concepts based on my experience may be of help to others who are thinking of a research career.

1-Find a field and a niche. Before investing years of your life in a research field and career, take time to investigate and experience different areas. Explore laboratories with diverse research styles through rotations or short-term projects to progressively narrow your focus before committing to a lab. Apply the same strategy when choosing a postdoctoral advisor.

As you transition to independence, it becomes pivotal to identify a niche, or an area with knowledge gaps, where your contributions can make a meaningful impact. This process takes time, so be proactive and deliberate in your search.

2-Follow your data. Do not fall in love with your hypothesis. Write clear hypotheses and test them rigorously. Plan your next set of experiments based on your research results, not on preconceived ideas. Let your data guide the next steps, not preconceived expectations. Flexibility and objectivity are essential for scientific progress.

3-Finding a mentor and creating a network. Seek out mentors, peers, or former advisors to exchange ideas, discuss proposals, and provide feedback on grants and manuscripts. A strong support network will help you deal with experimental setbacks and funding disappointments.

Equally important is to build your professional network by attending regional, national, and international conferences. These venues allow you to disseminate your work, connect with colleagues, and establish relationships with future collaborators, reviewers, and evaluators.

4-Be resilient. Science is inherently associated with experimental failure and conceptual roadblocks. Learn to identify errors, correct the course, and persist until you can answer your questions.  Consistent probing, refining, and adapting will eventually yield meaningful and conclusive insights.

Final thought: Science should be challenging, but must remain fun, exciting, and intellectually stimulating. Keeping that spirit alive is key to a long-term career.