Northwestern Center for Reproductive Science

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Northwestern Center for Reproductive Science

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We are a group of scientists and clinicians dedicated to reproductive science and medicine. Welcome to the Northwestern Center for Reproductive Science (CRS).

We cannot think of a more exciting or important time to be involved in reproductive science and medicine! Reproduction matters. Just think:

The male and female reproductive systems are essential for giving rise to the next generation and for maintaining endocrine function. Reproductive hormones are essential for general health as they contribute to cognitive, cardiovascular, bone, and immune system functions. Colliding epidemics of infectious diseases, obesity, and diabetes challenge our reproductive health and future - along with iatrogenic insults (chemotherapy and radiation), environmental contaminants, and delayed child-bearing. Reproductive science and medicine will guide evolving and emerging treatments related to contraception, infertility, reproductive tract conditions,
cancers, infectious diseases, and pregnancy-related disorders. The Center for Reproductive Science leads the way. Reproductive science and medicine through the CRS extends from basic research on cellular and molecular mechanisms to physiological integration across organ systems to clinical practices that impact fertility and health. Our scientific and medical discoveries are intertwined with significant moral, ethical and political questions. Since its formal inception in 1987, the CRS has been at the forefront of reproductive science and medicine research. Professor Neena Schwartz was the first to characterize inhibin in follicular fluid and Professor Erwin Goldberg was the first to identify the male germ cell-specific enzyme LDH-C4. Building on this foundation with strong institutional support, the CRS today includes nearly 200 faculty members and 100 trainees that together have discovered placental hormones, revealed signaling pathways in reproductive tract disease, solved the structures of key reproductive hormones, characterized major hormone biosynthetic pathways, and developed new fertility preservation strategies. This rich environment has fueled the reproductive science and medicine pipeline, nurturing generations of reproductive scientists who today assume leadership positions in academics, medicine, industry, journalism, policy, and beyond. Our reproductive science community is vibrant, and we garner success from innovative collaborations and technologies. We are at the crossroads of multiple disciplines, including medicine, physiology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, biomaterials engineering, religion, anthropology, law, and bioethics. The CRS offers a wide array of resources, programming, and funding opportunities in reproductive science and medicine, and we invite you to dive into our website to learn more. Sincerely,

Francesca E. Duncan, PhD
CRS Co-Director

J. Julie Kim, PhD
CRS Co-Director

10/29/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Teresa Woodruff (former CRS Director) and Dr. Robin Skory (CRS alum) on their major awards from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine!

Dr. Woodruff received the Carlos Simón Excellence in Translational Research Award, which honors an ASRM member who has demonstrated originality and creativity through discovery and made a substantial contribution to the field of reproductive medicine resulting in changes or improved clinical practice.

Dr. Skory received the Ira and Ester Rosenwaks New Investigator Award, which recognizes a member of ASRM who has made outstanding contributions to clinical or basic research in reproductive sciences published within 10 years after receiving the doctoral degree or completing residency training.

10/28/2026

CRS Open House 2026!
Earlier this month, our new MS-RSM students enjoyed learning about the research being conducted within the CRS community, and speed networking with faculty. We are honored to have so many incredibly CRS faculty members serving as mentors this year!
Photo credit: LTZ Photography & Event Planning, LLC

10/26/2026

We are so proud of MS-RSM Alumna Maddie Perry, who is thriving as a PhD Student at the Francis Crick Institute in London! Swipe left to read more about Maddie’s time in MS-RSM and how it helped her flourish in her PhD program.

10/23/2026

CRS is proud to announce this year's winners of the Shaw Innovation Awards. Congratulations to this year's recipients:

Miriam Novack, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Social Sciences
"Evaluating S*x Differences in Early Development Using the NIH Baby Toolbox"

Emily Wessel, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
"S*x Differences in Muscle-to-Brain Communication and Their Effects
on Sleep"

The Shaw Innovation Awards provide funding for sex-inclusive research, focusing on sex-based mechanisms and determinants of health and disease.

10/21/2026

CRS is excited to welcome Dr. Marisa Bartolomei to present the 2026 Neena B. Schwartz Memorial Lecture on November 6!

Dr. Bartolomei will present on "Morphological, epigenetic and long term outcomes in a mouse model of Assisted Reproductive Technologies"

RSVP to attend in-person or virtually: https://forms.gle/BEsY3WUQQmhN6TfY6

10/19/2026

Interested in the MS-RSM program? Want an admission decision by the end of January? Apply by December 31, 2026 to be considered during our Early Admission period! Visit our website to learn more!

10/14/2026

Great feature on Dr. Francesca Duncan's recent publication!

The organ continues to have an impact well past fertility. And it keeps changing, “quite dynamically,” research shows.

10/12/2026

Did you know that we have a dual degree program? The MS/MA in Reproductive Science and Medicine (RSM) and Medical Humanities and Bioethics (MHB) is the first of its kind. This dual-degree program provides students with the foundational and advanced knowledge in human reproductive biology and medicine, while also exploring medicine and its ethical implications through the perspectives of anthropology, literature, philosophy, history, and law. Beatrice Piras is part of our very first dual degree cohort!

Learn more and apply on our website!

10/09/2026

CRS - The Month Ahead

Check out the CRS programming coming up this month!

October 14 - RRU
"Limnal cells are a ubiquitous un(der)recognized cell type with a role in placental separation," Dr. Jeffrey Goldstein, Associate Professor of Pathology

October 21 - RRU
“Cellular identity loss and immune-like reprogramming as a contributor to ovarian aging," Dr. Aubery Converse, Research Assistant Professor of Ob/Gyn

October 23 - Career Catalyst
"Commercializing Your Science," Dr. Lisa Dhar, Associate Vice President for Innovation and New Ventures

October 28 - RRU
"Separable chromosome-associated activities promote microtubule organization in acentrosomal oocyte spindles," Jordy Martinez, PhD candidate, Wignall Lab

10/08/2026

CRS is excited to welcome Lisa Dhar, PhD, for our first Career Catalyst of the year!

Dr. Dhar is the Associate Vice President for Innovation and New Ventures at Northwestern University and will present on "Commercializing Your Science." This is an in-person event on October 23, 12:00-1:00pm.

Address

Chicago, IL

Telephone

312-503-6303

Website

http://crs.northwestern.edu/

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