Open Grants & Awards
Listed below are those grants open for application.
COMING SOON - The Howard and Georgeanna Jones Research Award in Reproductive Medicine Research
The Howard and Georgeanna Jones Research Award in Reproductive Medicine Research invites submission of an application for the Howard and Georgeanna Jones Foundation Research Award. This annual award will total $25,000 for a one-year study period and will be awarded to two recipients. There will be two $25,000 awards.
The purpose of this grant is to support an innovative research project dedicated to improving the assisted reproductive technology technique of in vitro fertilization.
Application description and eligibility requirements coming soon
Prior Grants & Awards
These are grants and awards that we offered in the past but are no longer offering at this time.
Post-Dobbs Assisted Reproductive Technologies and the Law Writing Competition
Georgetown Law’s O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law and the Howard and Georgeanna Jones Foundation for Reproductive Medicine (“the Organizers”) are pleased to announce the Post-Dobbs Assisted Reproductive Technologies and the Law Writing Competition to encourage original writing on the impacts of the Dobbs decision on assisted reproductive technologies (“ART”).
The Jones Foundation promotes the historical vision and impact of IVF pioneers, Drs. Howard and Georgeanna Jones, and as part of its mission to advance scientific and medical research in the field of reproductive medicine, strives to educate the general public, scientific leaders, legislators and public policy leaders to help make informed decisions regarding fertility treatment and reproductive medicine. Foundation grants have furthered the field by promoting high quality research in reproductive medicine, law, ethics, and policy. With the potential impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs on ART providers and patients rapidly unfolding in real-time, this competition is intended to provide an opportunity to explore these critical issues, raise public awareness of, and provide guidance on, future directions for the assisted reproductive technologies and those who provide and utilize them.
Entrants are invited to submit papers exploring how the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs may affect access to assisted reproductive technologies and discussing what comes next. Preference will be given to papers that present an original perspective, provide analysis and insights, examine emerging questions, or that propose novel legal structure to engage with the impacts this decision can have on access to ARTs.
PRIZE
One winner will be selected, with a prize of $5,000. Awarded by the Howard and Georgeanna Jones Foundation for Reproductive Medicine. The winning paper will be presented at the O’Neill Institute’s Conversation Series and will receive support and guidance to navigate the publishing process.
COMPETITION RULES
Papers will be accepted from students, practitioners, academics, physicians, fellows, scientific investigators and policymakers working at the intersection of law and ART, residing and working in the United States only. The paper must be the author’s own work, although students may incorporate feedback received as part of an academic course or supervised writing project. The paper must not have been published or committed for publication in another journal; The Organizers must have the first right of publication for any winning essay.
Papers will be evaluated based on thoroughness of research and analysis, relevance to the competition topic, relevance to current legal and/or public policy debates, originality of thought and clarity of expression. Papers should be 2500 – 7500 words (not including footnotes) and be submitted in Times New Roman Size 12 font, single spaced. Footnotes must conform to the 20th edition of The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation. Papers must be in English.
Awarded in 2023
Jones Foundation Investigative Scientist Award
The Howard and Georgeanna Jones Foundation for Reproductive Medicine in partnership with The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) invites submission of application for its Investigative Scientist Award in Reproductive Medicine Research. This annual award will total $50,000 for a two-year study period. The purpose of this grant is to support an innovative research project dedicated to improving the assisted reproductive technology technique of in vitro fertilization.
The applicant must demonstrate a strong career goal within the field of Reproductive Medicine and must be dedicated to the advancement of assisted reproductive technology techniques, specifically in vitro fertilization. The research must be focused on new discoveries in the basic or translational medical sciences that impact the treatment and understanding of in vitro fertilization. All sources of funding must be disclosed by the awardee.
Award: An award, not to exceed $50,000, will be made April 2022. One year of additional funding may be requested upon receipt and review of a progress report and application with justification or updated aims.
For more information and to apply please visit: ASRM/Research Institute at this address https://www.asrmresearch.org/rfp/jones-foundation-grant.
Young Investigators Achievement Award
This grant will foster the career development of a young research investigator working in an approved fellowship program of reproductive medicine or a young research investigator at the level of instructor through associate professor in the field of reproductive medicine in an accredited medical school in the United States. The applicant must have a strong career goal within the field of reproductive medicine and be dedicated to the furtherance of knowledge concerning assisted reproductive techniques and infertility. The research must be focused on new discoveries in basic and clinical sciences, which should have current or potential impact on the understanding and treatment of infertility. Preference will be given to investigations that target improvement in the efficiency of in vitro fertilization.
Amount: The amount of the grant is $60,000 for one year.
Guidelines: View Guidelines
Status: Closed
Please note: you will be taken to our grants application system where you will need to create a new logon email address and password.
Dr. Howard W. Jones, Jr. Public Policy, Medical Education or Scientific Advancement Prize
This prize is designed to recognize those whose contributions to public policy and/or medical education have significantly advanced the specialty of reproductive medicine.
Amount: $10,000
Selection Process: The Medical Executive Committee of the Howard and Georgeanna Jones Foundation will review the credentials of the nominees and the awardee will be notified.
Status: Closed
Please note: you will be taken to our grants application system where you will need to create a new logon email address and password.
Abby and Howard Milstein Innovation Award in Reproductive Medicine
This grant funded an innovative research project that makes every attempt to improve the overall human condition in reproductive medicine and it must be dedicated to attempting to identify the fertilized egg that has pregnancy potential. The research funds must be used for a translational research project, new or ongoing, with demonstrated potential for immediate impact on improving the in vitro fertilization technique. The applicant must be working actively in areas related to reproductive medicine at an accredited medical school in the United States.
Abby and Howard Milstein Reproductive Medicine Research Award
This grant will fostered the career development of a young research investigator working in an approved fellowship program of reproductive medicine or a young research investigator at the level of instructor through associate professor in the field of reproductive medicine in an accredited medical school in the United States. The applicant must have a strong career goal within the field of reproductive medicine and be dedicated to the furtherance of knowledge concerning assisted reproductive techniques and infertility. The research must be focused on new discoveries in basic and clinical sciences, which should have current or potential impact on the understanding and treatment of infertility. Preference will be given to investigations that target improvement in the efficiency of in vitro fertilization.
Current Research
Current research
The Foundation has allocated over $3 million to translational research projects at the Jones Institute of Eastern Virginia Medical School, The University of Utah, Oregon Health & Science University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, The University of Michigan, The University of Pennsylvania and The University of California, San Diego. These projects have been conducted by clinical physicians and scientists recruited for their knowledge and expertise in assisted reproductive techniques.
Publications
Losing Embryos, Finding Justice: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Personhood
Glenn Cohen, JD; Dov Fox, JD, DPhil, LLM; Eli Y. Adashi, MD, MS
The Lumbering Crawl Toward Human Germline Editing (PDF)
Eli Y. Adashi and I. Glenn Cohen
Teaching Pelvic Examination Under Anesthesia Without Patient Consent (PDF)
Eli Y. Adashi, MD, MS
Single-cell sequencing of primate preimplantation embryos reveals chromosome elimination via cellular fragmentation and blastomere exclusion
Shawn L. Chavez, Ph.D.
When science and politics collide: Enhancing the FDA (PDF)
Eli Y. Adashi, Rohit S. Rajan, I. Glenn Cohen
List of Award Recipients
Award: The Post-Dobbs Assisted Reproductive Technologies and the Law Writing Award
Caroline Sprague has been selected to receive the Post-Dobbs Assisted Reproductive Technologies and the Law Writing Award. She has been recognized for a paper that discusses the effects of the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision on assisted reproductive medicine. The Jones Foundation partnered with representatives from Georgetown Law’s O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law in a joint effort to encourage innovative and thorough research and analysis of the legal implications that will affect medical practices in the United States.
Ms. Sprague is a recent cum laude graduate from Georgetown University Law Center and an incoming associate at Skadden Arps’ New York office. She was the executive administrative editor of the Georgetown Law Journal, a peer tutor, and a judicial extern for the Ninth Circuit. Caroline graduated magna cum laude from Duke University in 2020.
To read Caroline Sprague’s award-winning paper entitled On Embryos and the Uh-Ohs: An assessment of the Post-Dobbs Risk of Negligent Homicide and Involuntary Manslaughter Prosecutions for Destruction of Embryos, click HERE.
Grant: Jones Foundation Project Award
Project: Jones Rounds
Recipients: Susan Crockin, JD
Where: Susan L. Crockin, JD, Crockin Law & Policy Group, PLLC , Senior Scholar, Adjunct Professor, The O’Neill Inst. for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown Law Center; Research Assistant Professor, Kennedy Inst. of Ethics, Georgetown University
Grant: Jones Foundation Project Award
Project: Jones Rounds
Recipients: Susan Crockin, JD – Principal Investigator, Maggie Little, PhD – Co-Investigator
Where: Georgetown University, The Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University, The O’Neill Institute of National and Global Health Law at Georgetown Law Center
Susan Crockin, JD
Affiliate faculty in residence, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University; Scholar, O’Neill Institute for National & Global Health Law at Georgetown Law Center.
Maggie Little, PhD
Senior Research Scholar, Professor of Philosophy Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University. Dr. Little is Director of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University.
Grant: Jones Foundation Project Award
Project: Jones Rounds
Recipients: Susan Crockin, JD – Principal Investigator, Maggie Little, PhD – Co-Investigator
Where: Georgetown University, The Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University, The O’Neill Institute of National and Global Health Law at Georgetown Law Center
Susan Crockin, JD
Affiliate faculty in residence, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University; Scholar, O’Neill Institute for National & Global Health Law at Georgetown Law Center.
Maggie Little, PhD
Senior Research Scholar, Professor of Philosophy Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University. Dr. Little is Director of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University.
Grant: Jones Foundation Project Award
Project: Jones Rounds
Recipients: Susan Crockin, JD – Principal Investigator, Maggie Little, PhD – Co-Investigator
Where: Georgetown University, The Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University, The O’Neill Institute of National and Global Health Law at Georgetown Law Center
Susan Crockin, JD
Affiliate faculty in residence, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University; Scholar, O’Neill Institute for National & Global Health Law at Georgetown Law Center.
Maggie Little, PhD
Senior Research Scholar, Professor of Philosophy Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University. Dr. Little is Director of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University.
Grant: Young Investigators Achievement Award
Project: Role of Balbiani-body-associated RNP complexes in determining oocyte developmental potential
Recipient: Lei Lei, PhD
Where: University of Michigan Medical School
Lei Lei, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, and a member of the Reproductive Science Program at the University of Michigan Medical School. Her current research focuses include: 1) germ cell fate determination during mammalian oogenesis; and 2) the differentiation of ovarian somatic cells during ovarian reserve formation. Based on her recently characterized developmental process of the cytoplasm transport during mouse oocyte differentiation, Dr. Lei is investigating how ribonucleoprotein complexes are enriched and stored in the differentiating primary oocytes and their functions in determining oocyte developmental potential. Dr. Lei obtained her PhD in reproductive endocrinology and physiology at the Collage of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University. She completed her postdoctoral trainings in reproductive biology in the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University; and stem cell/developmental biology in the Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science.
Grant: Young Investigators Achievement Award
Project: The effect of superovulation on early placentation and vasculogenesis
Recipient: Monica Mainigi, MD
Where: University of Pennsylvania Medical School
Monica A. Mainigi, MD is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She obtained her MD from New York University School of Medicine followed by residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, both at the University of Pennsylvania. Following her training she completed the Reproductive Scientist Development Program. Her laboratory focuses on examining the effects of the peri-implantation environment and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) on the developing embryo and offspring using a mouse model. Her current project examines the effects of ART on angiogenesis and vasculogenesis that may lead to disorders of placentation and the adverse outcomes associated with IVF/ART.
Grant: Abby and Howard Milstein Innovation Award in Reproductive Medicine
Project: Identification of Intrafollicular Determinants Predictive of Oocyte & Embryo Developmental Potential
Recipient: Jon D. Hennebold, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator
Where: National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University
Dr. Hennebold is Professor and Chief of the Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences at the Oregon National Primate Research Center located at Oregon Health & Science University. He is also an adjunct faculty member in the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Physiology & Pharmacology. Dr. Hennebold currently serves as the Director of the ONPRC Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) Core, which supports research activities involving nonhuman primate studies of reproductive biology. His current research focus includes identifying and characterizing the molecular events that are necessary for the development and maturation of the ovulatory follicle, rupture of the follicle and release of the oocyte, as well as the development and regression of the corpus luteum. Understanding these events is critical for the development of novel contraceptives as well as new approaches for the treatment of infertility. Regarding the latter, Dr. Hennebold’s recent studies have focused on the role the intrafollicular environment plays on the development of a mature oocyte capable of fertilization and subsequent embryo development. Systematic genomic and metabolomic profiling of the ovarian follicle are currently being utilized to define the molecular characteristics of the ovarian follicle that results in the release of a fertilizable and developmentally competent oocyte. Dr. Hennebold received his PhD in Immunology and Cell Biology at the Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine in 1996. Dr. Hennebold then conducted his postdoctoral training in reproductive sciences at the University of Utah Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. In 2000, he joined ONPRC as a Staff Scientist and was promoted to Assistant Scientist in 2003.
Grant: Abby and Howard Milstein Innovation Award in Reproductive Medicine
Project: Identification of Intrafollicular Determinants Predictive of Oocyte & Embryo Developmental Potential
Recipient: Shawn L. Chavez, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator
Where: National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University
Shawn L. Chavez is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences at the Oregon National Primate Research Center and adjunct faculty in the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Physiology & Pharmacology at the Oregon Health & Science University. Her current research interests are focused on the genetic, epigenetic and chromosomal requirements of mammalian pre-implantation development and early cell fate decisions with particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms and cellular events mediating chromosomal instability and aneuploidy. Using a multi-disciplinary approach comprised of non-human primate models, pluripotent stem cells and human pre-implantation oocytes and embryos donated for research, in combination with live cell imaging, novel gene reporter and silencing technologies as well as single cell whole genome analyses, her laboratory aims to build a comprehensive map of early primate development for cross-species and pathology comparison. She obtained her PhD in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from Yale University and her BS in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow. She completed her Postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco and Stanford University, where she was a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Fellow.
Grant: Research Grant in Reproductive Medicine
Project: Identification of biomarkers of human embryo developmental potential in IVF
Recipient: Sergio Oehninger, MD, PhD
Where: Jones Institute, Eastern Virginia Medical School
Sergio Oehninger, MD, PhD, is the Director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Jones Institute. He joined the Jones Institute in 1988 as Assistant Professor,Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been a member of the IVF team since that time. He served as Associate Professor from 1993 until 1999, when he was promoted to Professor. He also holds a Professorship in the Department of Urology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Oehninger’s primary areas of interest are implantation and male factor infertility. He is internationally recognized for his research on sperm-defect diagnosis (semen analysis), and the assessment of sperm/egg interaction. He is currently involved in studies related to sperm function and sperm selection for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. He is also conducting studies aiming to identify biomarkers of embryo competence prior to transfer in the IVF setting.
Grant: Young Investigators Achievement Award
Project: DNA methylation changes in human oocyte aging
Recipient: Bo Yu, MD, MS
Where: Albert Einstein School of Medicine
Bo Yu, MD, MS is an assistant professor in the Department of OBGYN and Women’s Health at Albert Einstein School of Medicine, and a scholar in NIH-funded Reproductive Scientist Development Program. After graduating from University of Michigan Medical School with Distinction in Research, she completed her OBGYN residency at Columbia University/New York Presbyterian Hospital, and her fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health. Prior to her medical trainings, Dr. Yu received a master’s degree in Nutrition from Clemson University. Her research interests are focused on epigenomic changes associated with ovarian aging and assisted reproductive technologies.
Grant: Young Investigators Achievement Award
Project: Elucidating Clinically-Relevant Mechanisms of Aneuploidy Generation and Resolution in IVF Embryos
Recipient: Shawn L. Chavez, PhD
Where: Oregon Health & Science University
Shawn L. Chavez is an Assistant Scientist in the Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) and Assistant Professor in the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Physiology & Pharmacology at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine. Her current research interests are focused on the genetic, epigenetic and chromosomal requirements of mammalian pre-implantation development and early cell fate decisions with particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms and cellular events mediating aneuploidy generation. Using a multi-disciplinary approach comprised of non-human primate models, diseased and non-diseased pluripotent stem cells and whenever possible, human pre-implantation oocytes and embryos donated for research, in combination with live cell imaging, novel gene reporter and silencing technologies as well as single cell whole genome, epigenome and transcriptome analyses, her laboratory aims to build a comprehensive map of early human development for cross-species and pathology comparison. She obtained her PhD in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from Yale University and her BS in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Fellow. She completed her Postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco and Stanford University, where she was a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Fellow.
Grant: Abby and Howard Milstein Reproductive Medicine Research Award
Project: Isolation and enrichment of primordial germ cell-like cells from human ES cells
Recipient: David E. Reichman, MD, Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Where: The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College
David Reichman, MD FACOG is an assistant professor of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the Ronald O. Perelman & Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine at Weill-Cornell Medical College. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in ethics, politics, & economics from Yale University, and his medical degree from Weill-Cornell Medical College. He completed residency training at Harvard University’s combined obstetrics and gynecology program (Brigham & Women’s Hospital / Massachusetts General Hospital), and subsequently completed fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at Weill-Cornell. Dr. Reichman received ASRM’s KY Cha Award in Stem Cell Technology in 2013, and currently sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics. His current research interests include clinical optimization of assisted reproductive technologies and the derivation of reproduction-related tissues from human embryonic stem cells.
Grant: Young Investigators Achievement Award
Project: Identification of Trophectoderm Factors Critical for Implantation and Continued Embryo Development
Recipient: Heidi Cook-Andersen, MD, PhD
Where: University of California, San Diego
Heidi Cook-Andersen, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor and Women’s Reproductive Health Research Scholar in the Department of Reproductive Medicine at the University of California, San Diego. She obtained both her MD and PhD in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow, where her research training focused on RNA stability and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Following completion of her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Colorado Health Science Center and subspecialty training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of California, San Diego, she is studying RNA metabolism during the transition from the fully differentiated oocyte to the totipotent embryo. In the current project, she is working to identify factors in the developing trophectoderm critical for successful embryo implantation and continued embryo development. The long-term goals of these studies are to advance our understanding of the molecular basis of oocyte and embryo quality and improve IVF success.
Grant: Abby and Howard Milstein Innovation Award in Reproductive Medicine
Project: Identification of Intrafollicular Determinants Predictive of Oocyte & Embryo Developmental Potential
Recipient: Shawn L. Chavez, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator
Where: National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University
Shawn L. Chavez is an Assistant Scientist in the Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) and Assistant Professor in the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Physiology & Pharmacology at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine. Her current research interests are focused on the genetic, epigenetic and chromosomal requirements of mammalian pre-implantation development and early cell fate decisions with particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms and cellular events mediating chromosomal instability and aneuploidy. Using a multi-disciplinary approach comprised of non-human primate models, pluripotent stem cells and human pre-implantation oocytes and embryos donated for research, in combination with live cell imaging, novel gene reporter and silencing technologies as well as single cell whole genome analyses, her laboratory aims to build a comprehensive map of early primate development for cross-species and pathology comparison. She obtained her PhD in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from Yale University and her BS in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Fellow. She completed her Postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco and Stanford University, where she was a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Fellow.
Grant: Abby and Howard Milstein Innovation Award in Reproductive Medicine
Project: Identification of Intrafollicular Determinants Predictive of Oocyte & Embryo Developmental Potential
Recipient: Jon D. Hennebold, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator
Where: National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University
Dr. Hennebold is an Associate Scientist and the Interim Chief of the Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) located on the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) West Campus. He is also an adjunct faculty member in the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Physiology & Pharmacology. Dr. Hennebold currently serves as the Director of the ONPRC Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) Core, which supports research activities involving nonhuman primate studies of reproductive biology. His current research focus includes identifying and characterizing the molecular events that are necessary for the development and maturation of the ovulatory follicle, rupture of the follicle and release of the oocyte, as well as the development and regression of the corpus luteum. Understanding these events is critical for the development of novel contraceptives as well as new approaches for the treatment of infertility. Regarding the latter, Dr. Hennebold’s recent studies have focused on the role the intrafollicular environment plays on the development of a mature oocyte capable of fertilization and subsequent embryo development. Systematic genomic and metabolomic profiling of the ovarian follicle are currently being utilized to define the molecular characteristics of the ovarian follicle that results in the release of a fertilizable and developmentally competent oocyte. Dr. Hennebold received his PhD in Immunology and Cell Biology at the Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine in 1996. Dr. Hennebold then conducted his postdoctoral training in reproductive sciences at the University of Utah Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. In 2000, he joined ONPRC as a Staff Scientist and was promoted to Assistant Scientist in 2003.
Grant: Research Grant in Reproductive Medicine
Project: Identification of biomarkers of human embryo developmental potential in IVF
Recipient: Sergio Oehninger, MD, PhD
Where: Jones Institute, Eastern Virginia Medical School
Sergio Oehninger, MD, PhD, is the Director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Jones Institute. He joined the Jones Institute in 1988 as Assistant Professor,Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been a member of the IVF team since that time. He served as Associate Professor from 1993 until 1999, when he was promoted to Professor. He also holds a Professorship in the Department of Urology at Eastern Virginia Medical School.Dr. Oehninger’s primary area of research interest is male factor infertility. He is internationally recognized for his research on sperm-defect diagnosis (semen analysis), and the assessment of sperm/egg interaction. He is currently involved in studies related to intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome and testicular/epididymal sperm extraction. These procedures are used in cases of severe male factor infertility.
Grant: Young Investigators Achievement Award
Project: Micro-Electrophoresis: A novel approach to select mature and genetically fit sperm
Recipient: Luke Simon, PhD
Where: School of Medicine, University of Utah
Luke Simon completed his Masters in Biotechnology from the University of Madras, India in 2005 with a specialization in DNA fingerprinting. He worked as an Instructor and Research Assistant at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India during which he explored various types of DNA markers to identify inter- and intra-species variations. In 2007, Dr. Simon received the Queens International Scholarship and joined the Centre for Public Health at Queen’s University Belfast as a doctoral research fellow. In April 2011, Dr. Simon joined the Andrology team at University of Utah. His research interests are principally focused on sperm function, sperm DNA damage, protamine and the effects of oxidative stress on male fertility.
Project: Identification of Markers of Human Embryo Developmental Potential in IVF
Recipient: Sergio Oehninger, MD, PhD
Project: Investigation of Functional Aspects of the Human Endometrium
Recipient: Silvina Bocca, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Where: Jones Institute, Eastern Virginia Medical School
Project: Mitochondria and Oocyte Failure
Recipient: Frank J. Castora, PhD
Professor, Department of Physiological Sciences
Where: Jones Institute, Eastern Virginia Medical School
Project: Identification of Markers of Human Embryo Developmental Potential in IVF
Name of Recipient: Sergio Oehninger, MD, PhD
Project: Spatial Organization of Human Genome in Sperm Cells: Study of chromosomes transformation at fertilization
Name of Recipient: Andrei Zalensky, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Where: Jones Institute, Eastern Virginia Medical School
Project: Investigation of Functional Aspects of the Human Endometrium
Recipient: Silvina Bocca, MD, PhD
Project: Mitochondria and Oocyte Failure
Name of Recipient: Frank J. Castora, PhD
Project: Identification of Markers of Human Embryo Developmental Potential in IVF
Recipient: Sergio Oehninger, MD, PhD
Project: Investigation of Functional Aspects of the Human Endometrium
Recipient: Silvina Bocca, MD, PhD
Project: Mitochondria and Oocyte Failure
Recipient: Frank J. Castora, PhD
Project: Identification of Markers of Human Embryo Developmental Potential in IVF
Name of Recipient: Sergio Oehninger, MD, PhD
Project: Spatial Organization of Human Genome in Sperm Cells: Study of chromosomes transformation at fertilization
Name of Recipient: Andrei Zalensky, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Where: Jones Institute, Eastern Virginia Medical School
Project: Investigation of Functional Aspects of the Human Endometrium
Recipient: Silvina Bocca, MD, PhD
Project: Mitochondria and Oocyte Failure
Name of Recipient: Frank J. Castora, PhD
Shirley D. Kheel Lectureship
The Shirley D. Kheel Lectureship was established in l994, in memory of Mrs. Kheel, mother of the 5th IVF baby born in New York. Today, the lectureship brings world renowned educators together for an annual conference. Topics include current scientific and medical research issues, as well as lectures that will help to evaluate public policy and ethical issues related to reproductive medicine.e.
PAST LECTURESHIPS
2020
Alan H. DeCherney, MD
Chief, Reproductive Biology and Medicine Branch
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development
National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD
“Genetic Engineering: An Idea Whose Time Has Come”
Eli Y. Adashi, Md. MS, CPE, FACOG
Professor and Former Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences
Brown University
Providence, RI
“The US Policies of Mitochondrial DNA Therapy”
2014
Marcelle I. Cedars, M.D.
Vice Chair, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Director, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertiity
University of California, San Francisco
“Ovarian Aging – How we measure it and what does it mean?”
2012
Bruno Lunenfeld, M.D.
Professor Emeritus, Reproductive Endocrinology
Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
“Infertility, Ovulation Induction Treatments and the Ovarian and Endometrial Cancers: 40 Years of Follow-Up”
2011
Willem Ombelet, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Jans Hospital
Professor of Reproductive Medicine, University of Limburg
Consultant, University of Genk, Belgium
2010
Richard T. Scott, Jr. MD, HCLD
Professor and Director, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Science
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
“Understanding Embryonic Reproductive Competence”
2009
Alan H. DeCherney, MD
Chief, Reproductive Biology and Medicine Branch
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Institutes of Health
“Endometriosis: A study in Translational Medicine”
2008
Pasquale Patrizio, MD, MBE, HCLD
Professor and Director, Division of Reproductive Medicine
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Yale Fertility Center
Yale University
“Strategies for Fertility Preservation”
2007
Thinus Kruger, MD, FRCOG
Professor and Chairperson
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Reproductive Biology Unit
Tygerberg Academic Hospital and Stellenbosch University
South Africa
“Factors Affecting Pregnancy Outcome In Assisted Reproduction”
2006
Willem Ombelet, MD, PhD
Professor and Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Jans Hospital
Professor of Reproductive Medicine, University of Limburg
Consultant, University of Genk, Belgium
“Perinatal Diagnosis”
2004
Mark Hughes, MD, PhD
Director
Genesis Genetics Institute, Detroit
“PGD: State of the Art 2004”
2003
Jerome F. Strauss, III, MD, Ph.D
Dean, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University
and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, VCU Health System
Adjunct Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania
2002
Linda C. Giudice, MD, Ph.D
Chief, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Stanford School of Medicine
Stanley McCormick Memorial Professor in the School of Medicine
Director Women’s Health at Stanford
Director, Center for Research on Women’s Health and Reproduction
Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Chief, Division Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Associate Chair of Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
1996
C. Thomas Caskey, MD, FACP
Director and Chief Executive Officer, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases
The George & Cynthia Mitchell Distinguished Chair in Neurosciences
Executive Vice President of Molecular Medicine and Genetics
Jones/Andrews Visiting Scholar in Reproductive Medicine
The Jones/Andrews Visiting Scholar in Reproductive Medicine is a Foundation endowed educational training program created in memory of Dr. Georgeanna Seegar Jones and Dr. Mason Cooke Andrews. The program is designed to enhance the education of physicians, scientists, students and fellows by providing from time to time for a scholar in residence at the Jones Institute of Eastern Virginia Medical School.
PAST SCHOLARS
2014
Jose A. Horcajadas, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
University Pablo de Olavide
Sevilla, Spain
2009
Jose A. Horcajadas, Ph.D.
Molecular Biology Group Leader of Fundacion IVI-Instituto Universitario IVI
University of Valencia
Valencia, Spain
2008
Jose A. Horcajadas, Ph.D.
Molecular Biology Group Leader of Fundacion IVI-Instituto Universitario IVI
University of Valencia
Valencia, Spain
2008
Vanessa Rawe, Ph.D.
CEGYR
Buenos Aires, Argentina