Program Overview

The Reproductive Sciences Career Development Program is aimed at clinicians who have completed a United States postgraduate residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and/or a fellowship and have an interest in investigative reproductive biology.

The primary goal is to train clinician scientists to achieve research independence that will ultimately lead to a successful academic career in reproductive research. A K12 NIH award (WRHR) to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology supports the Program. The trainees are expected to devote 80% of their time on research.


Leadership

Mary D'Alton, MD, is a leader in the field of maternal fetal medicine and nationally recognized for advancing scientific techniques, research and policy development. She is an expert clinician renowned for her skills in prenatal diagnosis, multiple pregnancies and medical complications in pregnancy. Dr. D'Alton has used her extensive experience in managing academic divisions to establish the highest standards in high-risk care in the Division at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She has worked to create a multidisciplinary team to take care of the highest risk pregnancies diagnosed with malformations. She has trained over thirty Fellows, many of whom have become national leaders. Among many roles, Dr. D'Alton is principal investigator for the (NICHD) FASTER trial and is a member of the NICHD Council. Dr. D'Alton has published, edited and presented more than 150 publications including medical articles, book chapters and books and is the co-author of Fetology, a reference book for fetal diagnosis and treatment.

Michel Ferin, M.D.
Program Director
Professor of Physiology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Research interests involve three major areas. The first is to study how stress influences the normal menstrual cycle and the central neuroendocrine pathways that modulate these effects, including the role of CRH and vasopressin. Two types of stress are contrasted: an inflammatory-like stress and a psychogenic-like stress. The second is to investigate the role of angiogenesis on local ovarian folliculogenesis and the role of VEGF and its receptors on this process. The third, in collaboration with Dr Sharon Wardlaw (Department of Medicine), is to elucidate the role of proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides, such as MSH, as well as its endogenous antagonist AGRP, in modulating the activity of the pituitary-adrenal and pituitary-gonadal endocrine axes. Since these peptides are also involved in the control of food intake, an overall objective is to investigate the link between nutrition and reproduction. All studies are performed in a non-human primate animal model.

Faculty

The Reproductive Sciences Career Development Program has a faculty of 21 mentors in the basic sciences. Four reproductive disciplines are represented:

1. Perinatology and development
2. Reproductive endocrinology and infertility
3. Brain-reproductive hormone interactions
4. Reproductive oncology

There are also 8 clinical advisors, who will facilitate the pairing of basic and clinical research to achieve the translational mission that is the key to future women's health. For a detailed information on the faculty's present research interests, press here. If warranted, other mentors may be recruited from the Columbia University faculty to meet specific research interests of the trainee.

Application Requirements

To apply to this program, please submit the following information:

1. A letter stating the reasons for your interest in the program in general including the specific field of research in which you are interested and a short description of your proposed research project, including Objectives, Significance and Methods
2. A curriculum vitae
3. Two letters of recommendation.

Contact Information

If you are interested in obtaining further information related to this specific program, please contact the Principal Investigator or the Program Director.