October 24
,
2012
by: ASRM Office of Public Affairs
Published in ASRM Press Release
Note: All information is embargoed until the time of presentation at the meeting, unless otherwise indicated.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 68th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
Embargoed for Release: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 – 9:00 AM Pacific Daylight TimeDr. Linda Giudice Assumes Presidency of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine
San Diego, CA - Linda C. Giudice M.D., PhD, MSc, became President of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine today, at the Society’s 68th Annual Meeting in San Diego.
Dr. Giudice is professor and chair of the UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, a leader in research on the environmental impacts on reproductive health, and founder of the UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE). She is a biochemist, gynecologist, and reproductive endocrinologist specializing in endometriosis, implantation and ovulatory disorders, infertility, and assisted reproduction. In her research, she focuses on endometrial biology and placental-uterine interactions relevant to implantation and pregnancy disorders, environmental impacts on reproductive health, and human embryonic and endometrial stem/progenitor cells.
“Linda Giudice’s passion is studying the effects of environmental chemicals and endocrine disruptors on reproductive health, and her leadership at ASRM will provide an opportunity for the field to better assess the data on the things that affect not only conception but also in utero development and the fetal origins of adult disease,” said Andrew La Barbera, ASRM’s Scientific Director.
“In addition to working on environmental issues, I also plan to focus on women’s empowerment through fertility education during my term as ASRM president,” said Giudice. “This is an issue I’ve worked on for years, and believe we can have an impact here in the United States and around the world. Once you empower women, all other things fall into place – independence, financial security, better education for their children, and so much more,” she added.
She believes ASRM serves its members well, is stronger than ever, and that one of the Society’s key strengths is in its people. “From staff to members to leadership, there’s a tremendous pride in the organization and our common purpose for evidence-based practice and being responsible as a profession in what we do,” said Giudice. “I am looking forward to working with a great staff at ASRM – we have wonderful people who are very dedicated, responsive, and vested in the mission and shared goals of the organization … and it’s a real privilege to work with a group like that.”
Dr. Giudice joined UCSF as the Robert B. Jaffe, M.D., Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences. She has served on numerous NIH study sections, is former Chair of the Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee to the FDA, and chaired the NIH Reproductive Medicine Network and Specialized Cooperative Centers Program in Reproduction and Infertility Research Steering Committees. She served on the board of directors of the Society for Women's Health Research and was President of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation (SGI). Dr. Giudice was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies in 2002 and is a member of the IOM Health Sciences Policy Board. She was awarded the distinction of fellows by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for her scientific research in reproductive medicine, statistics, and stem cells.
Dr. Giudice is the recipient of numerous awards for her work including the 2008 SGI President's Distinguished Scientist Award, the 2008 Women in Science Award from the American Medical Women's Association, and the ASRM 2008 Distinguished Researcher Award. She was honored as one of the NIH Great Teachers and the NIH Perinatology Branch Wall of Honor. She is also the recipient of the American Infertility Association "Illumination Award" for her work on the environment and reproductive health. In winter 2011, Dr. Giudice was elected Co-Chair of the NICHD Director's Reproduction Vision Workshop and will be President for the World's Endometriosis Society in 2014.
She received her B.S. in Engineering from Columbia University, her MSc at Washington University in St. Louis, her Ph.D. in Biochemistry at UCLA, and her M.D. at Stanford University.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, founded in 1944, is an organization of 8,000 physicians, researchers, nurses, technicians and other professionals dedicated to advancing knowledge and expertise in reproductive biology. Affiliated societies include the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, the Society of Reproductive Surgeons, and the Society of Reproductive Biologists and Technologists.
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