2023 Rising Stars in Reproductive Biology Webinar Series
Program:
Storing Sugar in the Uterus: Glycogen Metabolism during Early Pregnancy
The endometrium needs to regulate glucose availability precisely; too much or too little impairs decidualization and embryo development. We have shown that the epithelium and decidua store distinct pools of glucose as glycogen during early pregnancy. Thus, glycogen may represent a vital way to buffer glucose concentrations before and during implantation.
Speaker: Dr. Matthew Dean, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Dean is a reproductive physiologist interested in the function of the uterus, oviducts, and ovaries. His lab uses novel experimental models and the inherent differences among species to increase our understanding of the reproductive system. His goal is to solve problems important in human medicine and animal agriculture while also providing an environment that prepares trainees for the next step in their careers.
Dr. Dean has won national awards from the Society for the Study of Reproduction and The Endocrine Society for his research. His work has been highlighted at EurekAlert! and Chemical & Engineering News.
Opportunities for Innovation in microTESE Negative Males With Non-Obstructive Azoospermia
This talk will discuss the opportunities for innovation in microTESE negative non-obstructive azoospermic males. We will discuss opportunities for applying image-based machine learning for sperm identification following microTESE. We will also discuss a personalized and precision medicine framework aiming to overcome cellular dysfunction and promote regeneration of spermatogenesis using single cell sequencing, development of novel culture methods, use of human induced pluripotent stem cells and 3D bioprinting.
Speaker: Dr. Ryan Flannigan, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia
Dr. Ryan Flannigan is a sub specialized reproductive microsurgeon and has dedicated his career to advancing his microsurgical skillset to optimize success rates for Vasectomy Reversals and microsurgical sperm retrievals.
Dr. Flannigan completed his fellowship training in Male Reproduction, Microsurgery at the world-renowned Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Center in New York, NY.
Dr. Flannigan now serves as the director of Male Reproduction and Sexual Medicine at the University of British Columbia, Senior surgeon-scientist within the UBC Department of Urologic Sciences, and Fellowship Director for Male Reproduction, Sexual Medicine and Microsurgery Training Program.
Dr. Flannigan is a surgeon scientist and has successfully competed for millions of dollars in research funding where he is investigating novel treatment approaches for infertile men. His research has contributed to nearly 200 publications including papers, book chapters and scientific abstracts.