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| I simultaneously established my research laboratory and the assisted reproduction embryology laboratories at the University of Missouri – Columbia in July of 1990. That fall I hired a Research Specialist named Randy Zimmer, who continues to be an invaluable part of our team today. Young and enthusiastic, we established our research program in ~500 sq. ft. of laboratory space in the Health Science Center and our embryology laboratories in the adjoining University Hospital Same Day Surgery Suite. |
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brought forward my emerging research interests in endometriosis, which were fostered during my postdoctoral fellowship under the guidance of Michael W. Vernon, Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky. Endometriosis is a gynecological disease causing pain and infertility in women of reproductive age. Presently, diagnosis of endometriosis requires costly, invasive surgery and there is no known cure for endometriosis. The mechanisms involved with the pathogenesis and pathophysiologies of endometriosis are poorly understood. |
Over the years, endometriosis has been the mainstay of our research, primarily investigating the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Numerous postdoctoral fellows and graduate, |
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undergraduate and medical students (see People section) joined us in our quest to identify mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of endometriosis in order to develop a non-surgical diagnostic marker for this enigmatic disease.
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More recently our focus has broadened to include the pathophysiologies of endometriosis, in particular studies of the mechanisms causing reduced fecundity. These ongoing studies have identified mechanisms of ovarian dysfunction and anomalies in oocyte quality and embryo development. We are now modulating these mechanisms in to reduce the subfertility associated with endometriosis.
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We strive to translate our basic science discoveries into medical practice to assist women suffering from endometriosis and other reproductive diseases. We hope to encourage the next generation of scientists to hold true to their aspirations and go boldly forward into the unknown. |
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