2014 Annual Meeting Program - Society for the Study of Reproduction

ANN
NUAL MEET
TING SUPPO
ORT
The S
Society for the Study of Reproduction gratefully acknowleedges the follow
wing partners for support of the 2014 Annuual Meeting,
therebby furthering th
he critical misssion of understtanding and maanaging globall fertility issuess that dramatically impact thee future of
humaan and animal health.
h
AMPION
CHA
Ferriing Pharmaceeuticals, Inc. – 2014 Presiden
nt’s Symposium
m and Support of the Scientiffic Program
TINUM
PLAT
Asia--Pacific Biomeedical Researcch Foundation
n (APBRF) – Co-Host,
C
2014 SSR Historicaal Perspectives Lecture; Hostt, Ovarian
W
Workshop: Fertility Preservattion; Host: APB
BRF Travel Aw
wards
Besin
ns Healthcare – Support of th
he Scientific Program
Burroughs Wellcome Fund – Diiversity Comm
mittee Exhibit; Burroughs
B
Welllcome Fund C
Career Developpment Fellows
nd Valley Statee University – Support of thee SSR 2014 Op
pening Receptiion: space and entertainment
Gran
Marcch of Dimes Fo
oundation – Support
S
of the Scientific
S
Program (Grant Noo. 4-FY13-561))
Mich
higan State Un
niversity (MSU
U)
C
College of Hum
man Medicine – 2014 SSR Trrainee-Mentoriing Award
D
Department of Animal Sciencce – 2014 SSR Distinguished
d Service Awarrd
D
Department of Obstetrics, Gy
ynecology and Reproductive
R
Biology
B
– 20144 SSR Researcch Award
M
MSU Agbioressearch (Laborattory of Mammalian Reproducctive Biology & Genomics) – Support of thhe Scientific Prrogram
O
Office of the Vice
V President for
f Research – Support of thee Scientific Proogram
Specttrum Health – Support of th
he Scientific Program
Uniteed States Depa
artment of Ag
griculture (USDA) National Institutes of F
Food & Agricculture (NIFA) and Agricultture and Food
d
R
Research Initiative – Supporrt of the Scienttific Program – USDA NIFA AFRI Travel F
Fellowships; S
Support of the S
Scientific
P
Program
Univeersity of Mich
higan – Supporrt of the Scienttific Program
D
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
D
Department of Environmentall Health Sciencces―Lead Cen
nter
D
Department of Obstetrics and
d Gynecology
D
Department of Urology
H
Health Science System (Depaartment of Pediiatrics & Comm
municable Diseeases
M
Medical School Office for Reesearch
O
Office of the Prresident
Wayn
ne State Univeersity, Office of
o the Vice Prresident for Reesearch – Suppport of the Scieentific Program
m
LD
GOL
Cook
k Medical – 20
014 Carl G. Haartman Award (Sustaining
(
Sup
pport)
The L
Lalor Foundation, Inc. – Laalor Foundation
n Travel Fellow
wships
ONZE
BRO
Mich
higan Milk Pro
oducers Assocciation – Suppo
ort of Meeting WiFi
FRIE
END
Westtern Michigan
n State University – Support of the Scientiffic Program
D
Department of Biological Sciences
O
Office of Academic Affairs
IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS
ntry Dairy – White
W
and chocolate milk for Fun Run and for
f breakfasts dduring Poster S
Sessions
Coun
Whitte Flame Brew
wing Company
y – Contributio
on of beveragess for the Barbeecue
Allied
d Beverage Co
ompany – Con
ntribution of beeverages for so
ocial events
TAINING SUPPORT
SUST
Maheesh Neuroend
docrine Progra
am Fund
Viren
ndra B. Mahesh New Investtigator Endow
wment
Anitaa Payne Endow
wment Fund
Larryy Ewing Mem
morial Trainee Travel Fund
FASE
EB MARC Prrogram – Supp
port of the Diveersity Symposiium through a ggrant from the National Instiitute of Generaal Medical
S
Sciences, Natio
onal Institutes of
o Health T36--GM08637, and
d support of thhe FASEB MA
ARC Junior Facculty and Studeent Fellows
Cover pho
otos courteesy of Expeerience Graand Rapidss.
WEL
LCOME FROM
M THE PRES
SIDENT
Welcom
me to the 47th An
nnual Meeting of the Society forr the Study of Reeproduction in bbeautiful Grand R
Rapids,
Michigaan. This meeting
g offers you all th
he delights that yyou have come tto expect from S
SSR meetings, annd more!
The them
me, “Fertility: A Global Challen
nge,” highlights aall aspects of ressearch in our disscipline and provvides the
excitement of new disco
overies and also the prospect of ttranslating thosee discoveries intoo action. Topics include the
effects of
o modern societty on preservatio
on and limitationn of fertility in huumans, wildlife,, feral species, annd farm and
companion animals. Thee meeting includ
des plenary lectuures, platform annd poster sessionns, and a modulaar format which
will prio
oritize in-depth functional
f
aspectts of reproductioon. The plenary llectures cover thhe latest on Conttraception,
cloning Dolly, sequencin
ng the Neanderth
hal genome, disccovering how spperm bind to Junno on eggs, and iincreasing farm
animal reproduction
r
to feed
f
a growing population.
p
The m
modules includee Male and Femaale Fertility andd Infertility,
Translattion of Basic Ressearch to Real-W
World Practice ((wildlife, farm annd domestic anim
mals and humanns),
Interrela
ationships of Rep
production and the Environmen t, as well as Preg
egnancy/Developpmental Origins of Health and
Disease (DoHaD). The Ovarian
O
Worksh
hop will be joininng as a module iin 2014.
I wantt to highlight thee fantastic work done by the Prog
gram Committeee, co-chaired by Professor Lois Salamonsen (Auustralia) and Dr. Jon Hennebold
(USA), and by the Traanslational Research Subcommitttee, chaired by Dr.
D Emre Seli (U
USA), who creatted this exciting program. I also thank all the
speakeers for agreeing to participate in
n our meeting.
You w
won't be disappointed with the so
ocial program, th
he venue, and the excellent locall arrangements pput together by oour colleagues inn the Michigan
Alliannce for Reproducction and Translaational Science, led by Dr. Asgi Fazleabas and ssupported by thee City of Grand R
Rapids. And a sppecial thank you
u
to the Development Committee
C
and th
he SSR Businesss Office for helping to make it alll happen. Pleasee be sure to say ““thank you” if yyou pass by them
m.
Findlay, PhD, DSc
Jock F
2014 P
President, SSR
BOARD OF DIRECTO
ORS
Executive Council
4)
Presiddent (2013–2014
Jock F
Findlay, PhD, DSc
MIMR
R-PHI Institute of
o Medical Research
Claytoon, Victoria, Australia
Vice President-E
Elect (2013–201 4)
Bruce
B
D. Murph
hy, PhD
University
U
of Montreal
Saint-Hyacinthe
S
e, Quebec, Canadda
Secretary (2013–2016)
Andrea S. Cupp, PhD
Universityy of Nebraska
Lincoln, N
Nebraska
Vice P
President (2013–
–2014)
Richarrd M. Schultz, PhD
P
Univeersity of Pennsylvania
Philaddelphia, Pennsylv
vania
Past
P President (2013–2014)
(
Susan
S
S. Suarez, PhD
Cornell
C
Universiity
Ithaca,
I
New Yorrk
Treasurer (2012–2015)
Sally Perreeault Darney, PhhD
Cary, Nortth Carolina
Jodi A
Anne Flaws, PhD
D (2011–2014)
Univeersity of Illinois
Urbanna, Illinois
Winston
W
E. Thom
mpson, PhD (20013–2015)
Morehouse
M
Scho
ool of Medicine
Atlanta,
A
Georgiaa
Michael J. Soares, PhD (2013–2016)
Universityy of Kansas Meddical Center
Kansas Citty, Kansas
John R
R. McCarrey, Ph
hD (2013–2014)
Univeersity of Texas
San A
Antonio, Texas
Benjamin
B
Tsang
g, PhD (2012–20015)
Ottawa
O
Hospitall Research Instituute
Ottawa,
O
Ontario, Canada
Kate Lakooski Loveland, PhhD (2013–2016))
Monash U
University
Clayton, V
Victoria, Australiia
ctors
Direc
nee Representtatives
Train
Anthoony K. McNeel, PhD (2012–2014)
Clay C
Center, Nebraskaa
VM, PhD (2013–2015)
Annie Neewell-Fugate, DV
Universitty of Illinois
Urbana, IIllinois
1
PRO
OGRAM COMMITTEE WEL
LCOME
The theme for
f the SSR 20144 meeting, “Ferttility: a Global C
Challenge,” has iinspired a very
exciting and
d novel program
m, focusing on the real world issuues in which reseearch in
reproductive science can annd does play a m
major role. These topics include eeffects of the
environmen
nt on reproductioon in wildlife speecies, domesticaated animals, andd human fertility
y,
as well as th
he pressing needd to regulate poppulation growth. The speakers seelected are truly
representatiive of our Societty’s membershipp, representing thhe breadth of its science and its
worldwide outreach.
o
h our “global” thheme, contracepttion and the conttrol of fertility w
will be the topic
Fitting with
for both thee Keynote speakeer and the Presiddent’s symposium
m. Professor An
nna Glasier from
m
Edinburgh is
i renowned for her work on conntraception optioons and will disccuss
“Reproducttion and Populattion Growth" at the opening Keyynote Lecture. T
The President’s
Symposium
m will include preesentations on thhe newest researrch on contracepption from Drs.
Jeffrey Jen
nsen (Oregon Heealth and Scienc e University) annd Christina Waang (University
geles), along witth a round-table interactive
i
discu
ussion on the toppic chaired by Drr. Richard Stou
uffer (Oregon Naational Primate
of Callifornia-Los Ang
Reseaarch Center) that includes the pan
nelists Drs. Dian
na Blithe (NIH/N
NICHD) and Joh
hn Amory (Uniiversity of Washhington). In a subbsequent plenary
y
lecturee, Dr. Milo Wilttbank will speak
k on the importaance of reproducttive sciences froom the viewpoinnt of improving rreproductive effiiciencies in
agricuultural species, which
w
is relevantt to feeding an ev
ver-increasing gllobal populationn.
y lectures includ
de Dr. Richard Green,
G
who will discuss “Reprooduction and Hum
man Evolution”
” from the perspeective of
Other exciting plenary
mic studies of early hominids, an
nd Dr. Enrica Biianchi (Anita Paayne New Perspeectives in Reprooductive Biologyy Lecture) will present the most
genom
recentt studies that deffine the moleculaar players requirred for sperm-egg binding and feertilization. Dr. IIan Wilmut will give the Historrical Perspectives
Lecturre and provide a history of cloniing.
In adddition to the outsstanding line-up of daily plenary talks, there willl be a variety of m
module sessionss from which to choose. The foccus of the
Moduules for this year’’s meeting is rep
productive functiion over individu
ual organ system
ms. Module sessiions will includee Mechanisms oof
Fertillity/Infertility, Translation
T
of Basic
B
Science to
o Real-World Prractice, Interreelationship of R
Reproduction an
nd the Environm
ment, and
Pregn
nancy/Developm
mental Origins of
o Health and Disease.
D
Also thiis year, there willl be module sesssions that are paart of the Ovariann Workshop,
whichh is integrated intto the meeting and is overseen by
b Drs. Clarisa Gracia
G
and Kate H
Hardy. In additioon to modules, tthe top-rated absstracts were
selecteed for presentatiion as part of thee modules or in the
t individual platform sessions.. The DeVos Convention Centerr in Grand Rapidds is a great
venuee and will make moving
m
from diffferent module or
o platform sessio
ons a breeze.
Lastlyy, this meeting would
w
not come together
t
withoutt the help the peo
ople that make uup the Society annd are so willing to contribute thheir time to
ensuree the meeting is a success. Our gratitude
g
goes to those individuals who were part
rt of the Program
m Committee andd also agreed to hhelp review
abstraacts. The Program
m Committee meembers and revieewers are noted in the two lists bbelow. Also, witthout the help off the Business Office, it would be
imposssible to organizee and pull off su
uch a great meetiing
ock Findlay, President of SSR, as
a well as with A
Asgi Fazleabas, tthe Chair of the L
Local Arrangem
ments Committee
e,
It has been a pleasure working with Jo
to put together, what we
w believe, is a fantastic
f
meeting
g. We hope you enjoy the meetinng!
Jon H
Hennebold, PhD, and Lois Salamonsen, PhD
Program Chairs
2014 P
Progrram Committe
ee
A. Salamonsen, PhD
P (Co-chair)
Lois A
Jon H
Hennebold, PhD (Co-chair)
(
Charlees M. Allan, PhD
D
Eric A
Asselin, PhD
Janicee Bailey, PhD (P
Past Co-chair)
Jay Baaltz, PhD
Lane C
Christenson, PhD
D
Paula E. Cohen, PhD
Pierree Comizzoli, PhD
D, VMD
Franceesca Duncan, Ph
hD
Janicee Evans, PhD (Paast Co-chair)
Bart M
M. Gadella, PhD
D
Dougllas A. Gibson, PhD
P (Trainee)
Clarissa R. Gracia, MD
D (Ovarian Work
kshop)
Kate H
Hardy, PhD (Ov
varian Workshop
p)
Kazuyyoshi Hashizumee, DVM, PhD
Masahito
M
Ikawa, PhD
P
Jaames J. Ireland, PhD
P
Haakhyun Ka, PhD
D
T.. Rajendra Kumaar, PhD
Ho
olly A. LaVoie, PhD
Ro
omana Nowak, PhD
P
Jaackson Nteeba (T
Trainee)
Marina
M
C. Peluffo
o, PhD
Reebecca Robker, PhD
P
Bo
o Rueda, PhD
Kaaye Stenvers, Ph
hD
No
orihiro Sugino, MD,
M PhD
Marta
M
Tesone, PhD
D
W.
W Colin Duncan,, MD, PhD (ex oofficio–
WCRB alternatte)
Ju
udith Jansen (ex officio)
2
Alan S. McNeeilly, PhD, DSc (ex officio–
WCRB)
Tony Michaell, PhD (ex officiio–WCRB)
Mark Mirandoo, PhD (ex officio–USDA)
Emre Seli, MD
D (ex officio–SG
GI)
Koji Yoshinagga, PhD (ex officio–NIH)
Jock Findlay, PhD, DSc (Boaard Liaison)
Translationaal Research Sub
bcommittee
Emre Seli, MD
D (Chair)
Ricardo Bertoolla, DVM, PhD
Bruce A. Lesssey, MD, PhD
Nihar R. Nayaak, DVM, PhD
Carmen J. Wiilliams, MD, PhD
D
Andrew R. Laa Barbera, PhD ((ex officio–
ASRM)
Ad Hoc
H Reviewers
s
Joe A. Arosh, DVM, PhD
P
Tadasshi Baba, PhD
Brent M. Bany, PhD
D
Cecilyy V. Bishop, PhD
Gustavvo Blanco, MD,, PhD
Gerritt J. Bouma, PhD
Sylviee Breton, PhD
Charliie L. Chaffin, Ph
hD
Varghheese M. Chennaathukuzhi, PhD
Julie C
Cocquet, PhD
Martinne Culty, PhD
Andreea S. Cupp, PhD
Roberrt A. Cushman, PhD
P
Nicolaas Da Silva, PhD
D
Jannettte M. Dufour, PhD
P
Christtopher B. Geyer,, PhD
Michaael C. Golding, PhD
P
Carriee B. Hanna, PhD
D
Brian P. Hermann, Ph
hD
Stefan
S
Hiendled
der, PhD
Marie-Claude
M
Hofmann,
H
PhD
Cathryn
C
Hogarth
h, PhD
Michael
M
Hölker,, PhD
Josh
J
Johnson, Ph
hD
Joan
J
Jorgensen, DVM, PhD
KwanHee
K
Kim, PhD
Steven
S
King, Ph
hD
Rebecca
R
Krisherr, PhD
Pat
P Lonergan, Ph
hD
Gabriela
G
Mastro
omonaco, PhD
John
J
McCracken
n, PhD
Anthony
A
McNeeel, PhD
Kazadi
K
Mutoji, PhD
P
Warren
W
Nothnick, PhD
Jon
J Oatley, PhD
D
Stephanie
S
Pangaas, PhD
B.C.
B Paria, PhD
Melissa
M
Pepling, PhD
Jim Pru, PhD
Lori Raetzzman, PhD
Carlos Reyyes-Moreno, PhD
D
Karen Schhindler, PhD
Bruce D. S
Schultz, PhD
Nucharin S
Songsasen, DVM
M, PhD
Paula Steinn, PhD
Susan S. S
Suarez, PhD
Adam Sum
mmers, PhD
Jacquetta T
Trasler, MD, PhhD
D
Celine Vann Themsche, PhD
Pablo Viscconti, PhD
Monika A. Ward, PhD
R. Wood, PhD
Jennifer R
Michelle A
A. Wood, PhD
Christine W
Wrenzycki, PhD
D
Humphreyy Yao, PhD
Xiaoqin Y
Ye, MD, PhD
Mary B. Z
Zelinski, PhD
AL ARRANG
GEMENTS CO
OMMITTEE WELCOME
W
LOCA
On behalf of the Local Arrangementss it is my great ppleasure to welcoome all of you too the 47th Annuual Meeting of
the Society
S
for the Sttudy of Reprodu
uction in beautifuul Grand Rapids, Michigan. Firsst and foremost, I would like to
exten
nd my sincere ap
ppreciation to alll of the memberss of the Local Arrrangements Com
mmittee (LAC) who have
work
ked so diligently throughout the year
y in raising thhe funds to suppport the meeting as well as providding insight,
suggeestions, and read
dily agreeing to take
t
on the taskss as needed. As tthe LAC, we aree truly blessed too be in Michigan
n
wherre the commitmeent to the Reprod
ductive Sciencess at each of the innstitutions that ccomprise the Michigan Alliance
for Reproduction
R
and
d Translational Science
S
(MARTS
S) is outstandingg, and this is reaadily reflected in the generous
donaations we have reeceived. It has tru
uly been a team effort, and we hhope you will alll enjoy the fruitss of the hard
work
k that has gone in
nto providing eaach of you with a memorable expperience of this m
meeting. I wouldd be amiss if I
did not
n also acknowledge the wonderrful support from
m Experience Grrand Rapids, esppecially Tim Nellson; the Amway
y
Hotel and Joyce Milller; and the DeV
Vos Convention C
Center representted by Kathy Baates—all of whom
m have made
ngements seem seamless.
arran
P
Commiittee has put togeether a fabulous scientific progrram, and we alsoo hope that this w
will be
The Program
comp
plimented by thee many social acttivities that you will enjoy throuughout the meetiing. The close prroximity of our
venu
ue to downtown Grand
G
Rapids en
nsures that you w
will have easy acccess to the restaaurants, bars, andd nightclubs—
whichh are all within walking
w
distance.. We also hope that
t the informattion provided in the newsletters aand on the web sites have given you a sense of
the vibbrancy of Grand
d Rapids as a city
y and the beauty of West Michig
gan as a place to vacation this suummer. Hopefullly this has helped you make your
summ
mer vacation plan
ns to coincide wiith SSR.
Welcoome to Grand Raapids and the 47th annual meetin
ng of SSR. We are
a sure you willl find it a fun andd rewarding experience. Please ddo not hesitate to
o
contacct any of the mem
mbers of LAC (w
we will have ourr distinctive T-sh
hirts) or the folkks from Experiennce Grand Rapidds if you have anny questions.
Fazleabas, PhD, Chair and on beehalf of the
Asgi F
2014 L
Local Arrangem
ments Committeee
LO
OCAL ARRAN
NGEMENTS CO
OMMITTEE
Asgerrally T. Fazleabaas, PhD (Chair)
Sally Camper, PhD
Cibelli, DVM, Ph
hD
Jose C
Jitu W
W. George, PhD (Trainee)
(
Jamess J. Ireland, PhD
Niraj JJoshi, PhD (TVS
S Co-chair)
Sttephen A. Kraweetz, PhD
Su
ue Moenter, PhD
D
Vaasantha Padman
nabhan, PhD
Osman Patel, PhD
D
manda L. Patterson, PhD (Trainnee)
Am
Ch
hristopher A. Peearl, PhD
3
J. Richard Purrsley, PhD
Dan Rappoleee, PhD
Gary D. Smithh, PhD
George W. Sm
mith, PhD
Jock Findlay, PhD, DSc (Boaard Liaison)
SCHEDU
ULE OF EVE NTS
Scan this
s QR code with
w
your mobile
m
devic
ce to quickly access an
nd downloa
ad the SSR
meeting app!
All schedulle details, inclu
uding abstract program
p
numbbers and abstraccts, are availabble through the Precis online
itinerary bu
uilder, http://tin
nyurl.com/ozs5
5wat and/or thee Guidebook m
meeting app, Guuidebook meetting app:
https://guid
debook.com/gu
uide/20520/ (Reedeem Code, M
Michigan). Moore informationn is available aat the
Registration
n desk!
he DeVos Placee Convention Center
C
adjacennt to the Amwaay Grand Plazaa Hotel. The Oppening
All sccientific sessions will be in th
Recepption will be held at Grand Valley
V
State Un
niversity at the university’s D
DeVos Center. C
Changes that ooccur during the Meeting willl
appeaar in the meetin
ng app and on the
t SSR 2014 News
N
and Upd
dates Blog (httpp://ssr2014new
ws.blogspot.com
m/) as well as F
Facebook and
Twittter; changes wiill also be anno
ounced at the beginning
b
of pleenary sessions whenever posssible.
sday, 17 July 2014
Thurs
3:00 pp.m. – 5:00 p.m.
20113–2014 Financee Committee Meeeting. Amway Grand
G
Plaza Hotel, Pearl Room.
m.
7:00 pp.m. – 10:00 p.m
20113–2014 Board of
o Directors Meeeting. Amway Grand
G
Plaza Hoteel, Pearl Room.
Frida
ay, 18 July 201
14
7:30 aa.m. – 5:00 p.m.
20113–2014 Board of
o Directors Meeeting. Amway Grand
G
Plaza Hoteel, Pearl Room.
Saturrday, 19 July 2014
2
m.
7:30 aa.m. – 12:30 p.m
BO
OR Editorial Retrreat. Amway Graand Plaza Hotel,, Pearl Room.
8:00 aa.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Slidde Preview Room
m Open. DeVos Place, Business Center.
9:00 aa.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Pre-registration Paccket Pick-up. DeeVos Place, Gran
nd Gallery Lobby.
1:30 pp.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Vollunteers Meeting
g. DeVos Place, Grand Gallery Meeting
M
Room D.
D
2:30 pp.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sesssion Chairs Meeeting. DeVos Plaace, Grand Galleery Meeting Roo
om D.
4:00 pp.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Opeening Ceremony
y. DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballro
oom B.
Weelcomes and Opeening Remarks:
 Jock K. Findlaay, PhD, DSc, Prresident, SSR.
 Lou Anna Sim
mon, PhD, Presid
dent, Michigan State
S
University.
nior Vice Presid
dent, Public Affaairs at Spectrum Health, Chair, C
Convention & Arrena Authority B
Board.
 Steven Heacocck, JD, CPA, Sen
A
Dean for
fo Research, College of Human Medicine, Michhigan State Univversity.
 Jeff W. Dwyerr, PhD, Senior Associate
F
PhD, Chair,
C
SSR Locaal Arrangementss Committee.
 Asgerally T. Fazleabas,
monsen, PhD, and
d Jon Hennebold
d, PhD, Co-Chairrs, SSR Program
m Committee.
 Lois A. Salam
4:30 pp.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Keyynote Address (Abstract
(
1). Chair: Diana L. Bliithe, PhD (NIH/N
NICHD, Rockviille, Maryland, U
USA). DeVos Pllace, Steelcase B
Ballroom B.
• Anna Glasieer, MD (Universsity of Edinburgh
h, Edinburgh, Sccotland, UK). "Inncreasing Globaal Contraceptive Use."
4 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Major Awards Ceremony. DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballroom B.





SSR Trainee Mentoring Award (Supported by Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine): Bruce D. Murphy, PhD (University
of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada); Introduction: Rajesha Duggavathi, BVSc, MVSc, PhD (McGill University, Ste-Anne de
Bellevue, Quebec, Canada).
SSR New Investigator Award (Supported by the Virendra B. Mahesh New Investigator Fund): Kanako Hayashi, PhD (Southern Illinois
University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA); Introduction: Jodi A. Flaws PhD (University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA).
Distinguished Service Award (Supported by Michigan State University, Department of Animal Science): Mary B. Zelinski, PhD (Oregon
National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon, USA); Introduction: Diane Duffy (Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk,
Virginia, USA).
SSR Research Award (Supported by Michigan State University, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology): Peter J.
Hansen, PhD (University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA); Introduction: William W. Thatcher, PhD (University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida, USA).
Carl G. Hartman Award (Supported by a grant from Cook Medical): William W. Thatcher, PhD (University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida,
USA); Introduction: Peter J. Hansen PhD (University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA).
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Opening Reception. Hosted and supported by Grand Valley State University. A shuttle will circle continually between DeVos Place Convention
Center and the reception site on the Grand Valley State University Campus, which is just across the river from DeVos Place.
Sunday, 20 July 2014
5:30 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.
Fun Run. Starts at the Amway Grand Plaza/DeVos Place Courtyard, near the Gillette Pedestrian Bridge.
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Poster Session A and Breakfast. DeVos Place, Exhibit Hall C.
8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Slide Preview Room Open. DeVos Place, Business Center.
Registration Open. DeVos Place, Grand Gallery Meeting Room F.
9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
President’s Symposium (Abstracts 2–5). (Supported by Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) Co-chairs: Jock K. Findlay, PhD, DSc (Prince Henry’s
Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia), President, SSR; and Richard L. Stouffer, PhD (Oregon National Primate Research
Center, Beaverton, Oregon, USA). DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballroom B.
Contraception, Part One (9:00 a.m. – 10:05 a.m.)
• Christina C. Wang, MD (University of California Los Angeles, Torrence, California, USA). "Male Contraception: 2014 and Beyond."
• Jeffrey T. Jensen, MD (Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA). "The Future of Female Contraception: New
Targets, More Choice."
Contraception, Part Two (10:05 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.)
• Diana L. Blithe, PhD (NIH/NICHD, Rockville, Maryland, USA). "Making Contraceptive Development Greener."
• John K. Amory, MD (University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA). "Novel ALDH1A2 Inhibitors for Male Contraception."
Roundtable Discussion (10:25 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.)
• John K. Amory, MD (University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA).
• Diana L. Blithe, PhD (NIH/NICHD, Rockville, Maryland, USA).
• Anna Glasier, MD (University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK).
• Jeffrey T. Jensen, MD (Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA).
• Christina C. Wang, MD (University of California Los Angeles, Torrence, California, USA).
10:45 a.m. –11:00 a.m.
Break. DeVos Place, Secchia Lobby.
11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Platform Sessions 1–7. (Seven concurrent sessions; five presentations per session.) DeVos Place, Grand Gallery Meeting Rooms A–C; Steelcase
Ballrooms A–D.
• Platform 1. Mechanisms of Development & Differentiation (Abstracts 6–10). Chair: Gerrit J. Bouma, PhD (Colorado State University,
Fort Collins, Colorado, USA). Co-chair: Whitney Alpaugh (University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada). Grand Gallery Room A.
• Platform 2. Fertilization & Embryonic Development (Abstracts 11–15). Chair: Peter Sutovsky (University of Missouri, Columbia,
Missouri, USA). Co-chair: Graham Johnson (Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA). Steelcase Ballroom A.
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Platform 3. Stem Cells & Nuclear Transfer (Abstracts 16–20). Chair: Paul Cooke (University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA). Cochair: Rodrigo Bohrer (McGill University, Ste-Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada). Grand Gallery Room B.
Platform 4. Ovary: Follicle Development & Selection (Abstracts 21–25). Chair: Lane K. Christenson (University of Kansas Medical
Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA). Co-chair: Erin Larimore (South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, USA). Steelcase
Ballroom B.
Platform 5. Ovary: Ovulation (Abstracts 26–30). Chair: Diane Duffy, PhD (Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA).
Co-chair: Jill Bennett, PhD (Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon, USA). Steelcase Ballroom C.
Platform 6. Oocyte Biology (Abstracts 31–35). Chair: Hugh Clarke (McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada). Co-chair: Quynh-Nhu
Nguyen (Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia). Steelcase Ballroom D.
Platform 7. Testis: Spermatogonial Stem Cells (Abstracts 36–40). Chair: Charles Allan, PhD (ANZAC Research Institute, Concord, New
South Wales, Australia). Co-chair: Frieda Chan, PhD (Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA). Grand Gallery Room C.
12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Lunch Break. Attendees are responsible for their own lunches.
Diversity Lunch Symposium (Abstract 41). DeVos Place, Grand Gallery Meeting Room A.
• José F. Cordero, MD (University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico). "Risk Factors for Preterm Births in Puerto Rico: From Health
Disparities to Endocrine Disruptors."
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Platform Session 8: Trainee Research Platform Competition (Abstracts 42–47). Chair: Jennifer R. Wood, PhD (University of Nebraska–
Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA). Co-chair: Anthony K. McNeel, PhD (USDA–ARS, Clay Center, Nebraska, USA). DeVos Place, Steelcase
Ballroom B.
3:15 p.m. – 3:35 p.m.
Break. DeVos Place, Secchia Lobby.
3:35 p.m. – 4:55 p.m.
Module Session I (four concurrent sessions). DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballrooms A–D.
A. Mechanisms of Fertility/Infertility. Neuroendocrine Function (Abstracts 48–50). Chair: T. Rajendra Kumar, PhD (University of Kansas
Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA). Co-chair: Marjorie MacGregor (University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA).
• Invited Talk. Michael Lehman, PhD (University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA). "KNDy Cells and Peptides in
the Control of Fertility/Infertility."
• Platform. James A. Dias, PhD (University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, New York, USA). "Single Molecule Analyses of Fully Functional
Fluorescent Protein Tagged Follitropin Receptor Reveals Homodimerization and Heterodimerization with Lutropin Receptor."
• Invited Talk. Haruhiko Kanasaki, MD, PhD (Shimane University, Izumo City, Japan). "Role of PACAP and Its Receptors in Reproductive
Neuroendocrine Cells."
B. Translation of Basic Science to Real-World Practice. Humans/Nonhuman Primate Models (Abstracts 51–53). Chair: Asgerally T. Fazleabas,
PhD (Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA). Co-chair: Elizabeth B. Evans (Washington State University, Pullman,
Washington, USA).
• Invited Talk. Raymond J. Rodgers, PhD (Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia).
"New Concepts of Normal and Polycystic Ovaries."
• Platform. Emin Maltepe, MD, PhD (UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA). "ECM-Dependent HIF Induction Directs Trophoblast Stem
Cell Fate via LIMK1-Mediated Cytoskeletal Rearrangement—Implications for Preeclampsia."
• Invited Talk. Krina T. Zondervan, PhD (University of Oxford, Oxford, UK). "Endometriosis in Humans and the Rhesus Macaque."
C. Interrelationship of Reproduction and the Environment. Toxicology (Abstracts 54–56). Chair: Sally Perreault Darney, PhD (Cary, North
Carolina, USA). Co-chair: Shanthi Ganesan (Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA).
• Invited Talk. Eric Nilsson, PhD (Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA). "Environmentally Induced Epigenetic
Transgenerational Inheritance of Ovarian Disease."
• Platform. Kaylon L. Bruner-Tran, PhD (Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA). "Developmental Exposure of
Male Mice to Dioxin Promotes Transgenerational Testicular Inflammation, Sub-Fertility and Preterm Birth in Female Mating Partners."
• Invited Talk. Ulrike Luderer, MD, PhD (University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA). "Transplacental Benzo[a]pyrene
Exposure and Glutathione Deficiency: A Perfect Storm for Ovarian Toxicity and Tumorigenesis."
D. Ovarian Workshop. Fertility Preservation (Abstracts 57–59). (Co-hosted by Asia-Pacific Biomedical Research Foundation .) Chair: Clarisa R.
Gracia, MD (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA). Co-chair: Casie S. Bass (North Dakota State University, Fargo, North
Dakota, USA).
• Invited Talk. Karla Hutt, PhD (Monash Institute of Medical Research–Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria,
Australia). "Emerging Approaches to Preserve Fertility in Young Women with Cancer: Preventing Follicle Loss."
• Platform. Uziel Mendez (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michican, USA). "Optimization of Biomaterial to Support Folliculogenesis
and Vascularization for Artificial Ovary."
• Invited Talk. Richard A. Anderson, PhD (The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK). "Fertility Preservation for Girls and
Young Women."
6 4:55 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Break. DeVos Place, Secchia Lobby.
5:15 p.m. – 6:35 p.m.
Module Session II (four concurrent sessions). DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballrooms A–D.
A. Mechanisms of Fertility/Infertility. Germ Cell Development and Function (Abstracts 60–62). Chair: Janice P. Evans, PhD (Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA). Co-chair: Cathryn Hogarth, PhD (Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA).
• Invited Talk. Eileen McLaughlin, PhD (University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia). "Making It Through Meiosis."
• Platform. William H. Walker, PhD (University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA). "Classical and Non-Classical Testosterone
Signaling Are Required for Spermatogenesis."
• Invited Talk. James A. MacLean II, PhD (Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA). "Somatic RHOX Homeobox Factors
Support Male Fertility."
B. Translation of Basic Science to Real-World Practice. Agricultural/Large Animal Species. Chair: Koji Yoshinaga, PhD (NIH/NICHD,
Bethesda, Maryland, USA). Co-chair: Anthony K. McNeel, PhD (USDA-ARS, Clay Center, Nebraska, USA). Sponsored by the NIH–USDA.
• Invited Talk. George W. Smith, PhD (Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA). "Embryotropic Actions of Follistatin:
Mechanisms and Translational Relevance."
• Invited Talk. Thomas E. Spencer, PhD (Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA). "Systems Biology Approaches to
Understanding Conceptus Elongation and Early Pregnancy Loss."
• Invited Talk. Pablo J. Ross, DVM, PhD (University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA). "H3K27me3 Remodeling During
Bovine Preimplantation Development."
C. Interrelationship of Reproduction and the Environment. Endocrine Disruptors. Chair: Kate Lakoski Loveland, PhD (Monash University,
Clayton, Victoria, Australia). Co-chair: Juanmahel Davila, PhD (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA).
• Invited Talk. Jodi A. Flaws, PhD (University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA). "The Effects of Endocrine
Disrupting Chemicals on the Ovary."
• Platform. Elizabeth Padilla-Banks (LRDT/NIEHS/NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA). "Aberrant Six1 Expression in the
Uterus of Mice and Rats Following Perinatal Exposure to Exogenous Estrogens."
• Invited Talk. Louis J. Guillette Jr., PhD (Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA). "Endocrine Disrupting
Contaminants and the Developing Reproductive System."
D. Pregnancy/Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. Effects on Gonadal Function. Chair: Marc-André Sirard, DVM, PhD (Laval
University, Québec City, Québec, Canada). Co-chair: Jessica M. Huszar (Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA).
• Invited Talk. Tod Fullston, PhD (The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia). "Paternal Obesity Impairs the
Reproductive Viability of Two Generations of Male Mice."
• Platform. Cagri Camsari (Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA). "Transgenerational Effects of Periconception Heavy
Metal Administration to Mice on Indices of Chronic Disease in Offspring at Maturity."
• Invited Talk. Deborah Sloboda, PhD (McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada). "Early Life Nutritional Impacts on Offspring
Reproduction."
Monday, 21 July 2014
6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Past Presidents' Breakfast. Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Pearl Room.
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Poster Session B and Breakfast. DeVos Place, Exhibit Hall C.
8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Slide Preview Room Open. DeVos Place, Business Center.
Registration Open. DeVos Place, Grand Gallery Meeting Room F.
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
AgResearch Plenary Lecture. Chair: Mark A. Mirando, PhD (USDA–NIFA, Washington, DC, USA). DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballroom B.
• Milo C. Wiltbank, PhD (University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA). Topic: Feeding a growing population.
9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Break. DeVos Place, Secchia Lobby.
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
State-of-the-Art Lecture. Chair: Jon D. Hennebold, PhD (Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon, USA). DeVos Place,
Steelcase Ballroom B.
• Richard E. Green, PhD (University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA). "The Porous Barriers to Reproductive
Isolation: Lessons from Genome Sequencing in Humans and Bears."
7 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Break. DeVos Place, Secchia Lobby.
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
SSR New Investigator Lecture. (Supported by the SSR New Investigator Fund.) Chair: Jennifer R. Wood, PhD (University of Nebraska–Lincoln,
Lincoln, Nebraska, USA). DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballroom B.
• Kanako Hayashi, PhD (Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA). "The Impact of Epithelial Genes in Endometrial and
Ovarian Cancer."
11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
ASRM Exchange Lecture. Chair: Andrew R. La Barbera, PhD (American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA),
Scientific Director, ASRM. DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballroom B.
• Robert J. Norman, MD (University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia). "From Little Things, Big Things Grow—The
Importance of Peri-conception Medicine and Biology to Human Health."
12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Lunch Break. Attendees are responsible for their own lunches.
Trainee–Mentor Luncheon. Coordinator: Malavika Adur (University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA). Amway Grand
Plaza Hotel, Pantlind Room.
1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Platform Sessions 9–15. (Seven concurrent sessions; five presentations per session.) DeVos Place, Grand Gallery Meeting Rooms A–C; Steelcase
Ballrooms A–D.
• Platform 9. Testis: Spermatogenesis & Sperm Biology (Abstracts 76–80). Chair: E. Mitch Eddy, PhD (NIH/NIEHS, Research Triangle
Park, North Carolina, USA). Co-chair: Tod Fullston, PhD (University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia). Grand Gallery
Room A.
• Platform 10. Testis: Somatic Cells (Abstracts 81–85). Chair: Mai Sarraj, PhD (Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton,
Victoria, Australia). Co-chair: Jenna Haverfield, PhD (University College London, London, UK). Grand Gallery Room B.
• Platform 11. Male Reproductive System: Function & Dysfunction (Abstracts 86–90). Chair: Brian Hermann (University of Texas at San
Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA). Co-chair: Amal Aldossary (University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA). Steelcase Ballroom D.
• Platform 12. Female Reproductive System: Function & Dysfunction (Abstracts 91–95). Chair: Evdokia Dimitriadis, PhD (Prince
Henry's Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia). Co-chair: Kailing Li (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois,
USA). Steelcase Ballroom A.
• Platform 13. Uterus & Oviduct (Abstracts 96–100). Chair: Ov Slayden, PhD (Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton,
Oregon, USA). Co-chair: John Schjenken, PhD (University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia). Steelcase Ballroom B.
• Platform 14. Placenta & Pregnancy (Abstracts 101–105). Chair: Kazuyoshi Hashizume (Iwate University, Morioka, Iwate, Japan). Cochair: Matthew Rätsep (Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada). Steelcase Ballroom C.
• Platform 15. Immune Regulation & Fertility (Abstracts 106–110). Chair: Joy L. Pate, PhD (Penn State University, University Park,
Pennsylvania, USA). Co-chair: Gurvinder Kaur, PhD (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA). Grand
Gallery Room C.
3:00 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Break. DeVos Place, Secchia Lobby.
3:20 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.
Module Session III. (Four concurrent sessions.) DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballrooms A–D.
A. Mechanisms of Fertility/Infertility. Gamete Transport/Fertilization. Chair: Nongnuj Tanphaichitr, PhD (University of Ottawa, Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada). Co-chair: Florencia Ardon, PhD (Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA).
• Invited Talk. William H. Kinsey, PhD (University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA). "In Vitro Aging Effects on
Mouse Oocyte Signaling Pathways Revealed by Kinome Microarray Analysis."
• Platform. Momal Sharif (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA). "Re-Localization of Syntaxin in Mouse Sperm
Prior to the Acrosome Reaction."
• Invited Talk. Gail A. Cornwall, PhD (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA). "Good Amyloid and
Fertility."
B. Translation of Basic Science to Real-World Practice. Agricultural/Large Animal Species. Chair: Vasantha Padmanabhan, PhD (University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA). Co-chair: Ky G. Pohler (University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA).
• Invited Talk. Randall S. Prather, PhD (University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA). "Biologically Relevant Swine Models of Human
Disease."
• Platform. Kun Zhang (Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA). "Evidence Supporting a Functional Requirement of
SMAD2 for Bovine Early Embryonic Development."
• Invited Talk. Alan D. Ealy, PhD (Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA). "The Past, Present, and Future of Translational Biology
Research in Cattle."
8 C. Interrelationship of Reproduction and the Environment. Endocrine Disruptors. Chair: Warren G. Foster, PhD (McMaster University,
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada). Co-chair: Laurence L. Mouttham, PhD (Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA).
• Invited Talk. Benson T. Akingbemi, DVM, PhD (Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA). "Endocrine Disruptor Regulation of Leydig
Cell Differentiated Function."
• Platform. Andrew Pask, PhD (University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia). "A Novel Long Non-Coding RNA Regulates
Urethral Closure and Is a Potential Target of Endocrine Disruption in the Etiology of Hypospadias."
• Invited Talk. Penny Swanson, PhD (NOAA Fisheries, Seattle, Washington, USA). "Alteration in Pituitary Function in Fish by Endocrine
Disrupting Chemicals in Aquatic Ecosystems."
D. Ovarian Workshop. Oocyte Development and Function. Chair: Kate Hardy, PhD (Imperial College London, London, UK). Co-chair: Michelle
A. Wood, PhD (Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA).
• Invited Talk. Karen A. Schindler, PhD (Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA). "Aurora Kinase Function During Meiosis in
Mouse Oocytes."
• Platform. Katie Lowther, PhD (Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA). "EPAB is Required during Early
Stages of Oocyte Development for Chromatin Remodeling, Transcriptional Silencing, and Acquisition of Meiotic Competence."
• Invited Talk. Catherine Combelles, PhD (Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont, USA). "Environmental Influences: Is the Developing
Oocyte in Danger?"
4:40 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Break. DeVos Place, Secchia Lobby.
5:00 p.m. – 6:20 p.m.
Module Session IV. (Four concurrent sessions.) DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballrooms A–D.
A. Mechanisms of Fertility/Infertility. Uterine Receptivity/Implantation. Chair: Romana Nowak, PhD (University of Illinois at Urbana–
Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA). Co-chair: Jane C. Fenelon, PhD (Université de Montéal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada).
• Invited Talk. Niamh Forde, PhD (University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland). "'Conceptualizing' the Endometrium: Understanding
Conceptus–Uterine Interactions in Cattle."
• Platform. Renwei Su, PhD (Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA). "Notch1 over Expression in the Mouse Uterus
Inhibits Glandular Development and Implantation."
• Invited Talk. Guiying Nie, PhD (Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia). "Post-translational
Modifications and Endometrial Remodeling for Receptivity."
B. Translation of Basic Science to Real-World Practice. Wildlife, Feral Species, Companion Animals. Chair: Pierre Comizzoli, PhD
(Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, D.C., USA). Co-chair: Shreya Patel (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
Urbana, Illinois, USA).
• Invited Talk. Michelle Kutzler, DVM, PhD (Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA). "Gonad-Sparing Sterilization Techniques
in Dogs: Benefits of Contraception Without Risks of Gonadectomy."
• Platform. Pei-Chih Lee, PhD (Smithosnian Institution, Washington, D.C., USA). "Nucleolar Translocation of Histone Deacetylase 2
Represses Ribosomal RNA Synthesis during the Acquisition of Competence in the Cat Oocytes."
• Invited Talk. Katarina Jewgenow, PhD (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany). "The Miracle of Lynx
Reproduction—Histological and Hormonal Life Span of CL in Felids."
C. Interrelationship of Reproduction and the Environment. Obesity/Nutrition. Chair: Robert I. McLachlan, PhD (MIMR-PHI, Clayton, Victoria,
Australia). Co-chair: Victoria L. McCracken (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA).
• Invited Talk. Kelle H. Moley, MD (Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA). "Maternal Overnutrition, Oocyte Programming, and
the Right Scientific Questions: Nuclear or Mitochondrial? Diet-Induced or Obesity?"
• Platform. Fang Xie (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA). "Diet-Induced Obesity Increases Basonuclin1, Growth
Differentiation Factor 9 and Developmental Pluripotency-Associated Protein 3 mRNAs in Growing Oocytes and Alters Ovarian AKT,
ERK and STAT3 Signaling."
• Invited Talk. Kartik Shankar, PhD (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA). "Like Mother, Like Son:
How Maternal Obesity Programs Offspring Obesity Risk."
D. Pregnancy/Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. Programming Effects of ARTs on Development. Chair: Jay M. Baltz, PhD
(University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). Co-chair: Chelsie B. Steinhauser (Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA).
• Invited Talk. Paolo Rinaudo, MD, PhD (University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA). "Can IVF Affect
Offspring's Metabolic Health? Experience from a Rodent Model."
• Platform. Tursunjan Nurmamat, PhD (University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA). "Maternal Nutrient
Reduction Alters Key Signaling Pathways in the Late Gestation Fetal Baboon Prefrontal Cortex via miRNA-Mediated Epigenetic
Mechanisms."
• Invited Talk. Kevin D. Sinclair, PhD (The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK). "Epigenetics and Reproductive Health: Linking
Nutritional Biochemistry to Long-Term Development."
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Optional Event: Microbrewery Tour. CANCELLED.
9 Tuesday, 22 July 2014
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Poster Session C and Breakfast. DeVos Place, Exhibit Hall C.
8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Slide Preview Room Open. DeVos Place, Business Center.
Registration Open. DeVos Place, Grand Gallery Meeting Room F.
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Historical Perspectives Lecture. (Co-hosted by Asia-Pacific Biomedical Research Foundation .) Chair: Lois A. Salamonsen, PhD (Prince
Henry’s Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia). DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballroom B.
• Sir Ian Wilmut, OBE, FRS, PhD (University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK). "History of Cloning."
9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Break. DeVos Place, Secchia Lobby.
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Anita Payne New Perspectives on Reproductive Biology Lecture. Chair: Richard M. Schultz, PhD (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, USA). DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballroom B. (Supported by the Anita Payne Endowment Fund.)
• Enrica Bianchi, PhD (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK). "Izumo Meets Its Match: Introducing Juno."
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Break. DeVos Place, Secchia Lobby.
11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Platform Sessions 16–22. (Seven concurrent sessions; five presentations per session.) DeVos Place, Grand Gallery Meeting Rooms A–C;
Steelcase Ballrooms A–D.
• Platform 16. Reproductive Cancers (Abstracts 137–141). Chair: Dale Buck Hales, PhD (Southern Illinois University Carbondale,
Carbondale, Illinois, USA). Co-chair: Douglas Gibson, PhD (University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK). Grand Gallery Room A.
• Platform 17. Nutrition & Reproduction (Abstracts 142–146). Chair: Darryl Russell, PhD (University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South
Australia, Australia). Co-chair: Adam Summers, PhD (University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA). Steelcase Ballroom A.
• Platform 18. Developmental Origins of Health & Disease (Abstracts 147–151). Chair: Sarah Kimmins (McGill University, Ste-Anne de
Bellevue, Quebec, Canada). Co-chair: Sarah McCoski (Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA). Steelcase Ballroom B.
• Platform 19. Reproductive Toxicology (Abstracts 152–156). Chair: Sanu Salih (University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA). Cochair: Changqing Zhou (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA). Steelcase Ballroom C.
• Platform 20. Fertility Control/Preservation: Techniques & Models (Abstracts 157–161). Chair: Marina Peluffo, PhD (CEDIECONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina). Co-chair Tursunjan Nurmamat, PhD (University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio,
Texas, USA). Grand Gallery Room B.
• Platform 21. Hormone Action & Reproduction (Abstracts 162–166). Chair: Francisco Diaz, PhD (Penn State University, University Park,
Pennsylvania, USA). Co-chair: Chellakkan Blesson, Ph.D (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA). Grand Gallery Room C.
• Platform 22. Ovarian Workshop: Cornelia Post Channing New Investigator Award Finalist Presentations (Abstracts 167–170).
Chair: Clarisa Gracia, MD (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA). Co-chair: Emre Seli (Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA). Steelcase Ballroom D.
12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Lunch Break. Attendees are responsible for their own lunches.
Heritage Luncheon. Chair: Michael F. Smith, PhD (University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA). Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Pearl Room.
• Sir Ian Wilmut, OBE, FRS, PhD (University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK). "Professor Chris Polge, FRS: Pioneer, Mentor, and
Friend."
1:45 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.
Module Session V. (Four concurrent sessions.) DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballrooms A–D.
A. Mechanisms of Fertility/Infertility. Uterine Receptivity/Implantation. Chair: Francesco J. DeMayo, PhD (Baylor College of Medicine,
Houston, Texas, USA). Co-chair: Priya Mittal (University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA).
• Invited Talk. Indrani C. Bagchi, PhD (University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA). "Molecular Mechanisms of
Implantation: Stromal-Epithelial Crosstalk."
• Platform. Geetanjali Sachdeva, PhD (National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India). "HMGB1 Protein (High
Mobility Group Binding Protein-1)—A Component of Human Uterine Secretome and Its Functional Relevance."
• Invited Talk. Christopher R. Murphy, PhD (University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia). "Coming Unstuck Gracefully:
How Uterine Epithelial Cells Let Blastocysts In."
10 B. Translation of Basic Science to Real-World Practice. Humans/Nonhuman Primate Models. Chair: Emre U. Seli, MD (Yale University, New
Haven, Connecticut, USA). Co-chair: Rajini Sreenivasan (Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia). SGI
Exchange.
• Invited Talk. Shawn L. Chavez, PhD (Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon, USA). "Non-Invasive Detection of
Chromosomal Abnormalities During Pre-Implantation Development: A Cross-Species Comparison."
• Invited Talk. Nathan R. Treff, PhD (Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA, and Reproductive Medicine Associates of
New Jersey, Morristown, New Jersey, USA). "Translating Basic Methods of Molecular Genetics into Improved Clinical Treatment of
Human Infertility."
• Invited Talk. Bruce A. Lessey, MD, PhD (Fertility Center of the Carolinas, Greenville, Greenville, South Carolina, USA). "Root Causes
and Consequences of Endometriosis and Progesterone Resistance."
C. Interrelationship of Reproduction and the Environment. Obesity/Nutrition. Chair: Aileen Keating, PhD (Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa,
USA). Co-chair: John F. Odhiambo, PhD (University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA).
• Invited Talk. Romain Lambrot, PhD (McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada). "Low Paternal Dietary Folate Alters the Sperm
Epigenome and Is Associated with Negative Pregnancy Outcomes."
• Platform. Haijun Gao, PhD (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA). "Ghrelin Signaling in Appetite Regulation Is Uncoupled
in Pregnant Rats Fed a Low Protein Diet."
• Invited Talk. Hasan Khatib, PhD (University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA). "Transgenerational Effects of Maternal
Nutrition on Reproduction and Health Traits."
D. Ovarian Workshop. Mechanisms of Ovulation and Luteinization. Chair: John S. Davis, PhD (University of Nebraska Medical Center,
Omaha, Nebraska, USA). Co-chair: Abigail L. Zezeski (Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA).
• Invited Talk. Mario Ascoli, PhD (University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA). "Multiple Roles of the Heterotrimeric Gq/11 in Ovarian
Physiology and Fertility."
• Platform. Heidi A. Trau (Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA). "Angiogenesis in the Primate Ovulatory Follicle Is
Stimulated by Luteinizing Hormone via PGE2."
• Invited Talk. Rina Meidan, PhD (Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel). "Hypoxia—A Driving Force in Corpus Luteum Formation."
3:05 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
Break. DeVos Place, Secchia Lobby.
3:25 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Module Session VI. (Four concurrent sessions.) DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballrooms A–D.
A. Mechanisms of Fertility/Infertility. Placentation and Parturition. Chair: James C. Cross, DVM, PhD (University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta,
Canada). Co-chair: Omonseigho Esangbedo (University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA).
• Invited Talk. Ana M. Franchi, PhD (CONICET–UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina). "Endocannabinoids and Pregnancy Loss."
• Platform. Evdokia Dimitriadis, PhD (Prince Henry's Institute, Victoria, Australia). "The Role of Interleukin-11 in Placentation in Mice."
• Invited Talk. Kathleen M. Caron, PhD (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA). "Fetal Signals that
Contribute to Maternal Adaptation to Pregnancy."
B. Translation of Basic Science to Real-World Practice. Cancer. Chair: Bo R. Rueda, PhD (Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston,
Massachusetts, USA). Co-chair: Jitu W. George, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA).
• Invited Talk. Ronald J. Buckanovich, MD, PhD (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA). "Teaching Old and New Dogs a
New Trick."
• Platform. Jae-Wook Jeong, PhD (Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA). "Overexpression of Mig-6 Suppresses
Endometrial Tumorigenesis through Inhibition of ERK Phosphorylation."
• Invited Talk. Judith A. Smith, PhD (University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA). "From Bench to Bedside
and Back: Keeping Research Clinically Relevant."
C. Interrelationship of Reproduction and the Environment. Obesity/Nutrition. Chair: Stephen M. Downs, PhD (Marquette University, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, USA). Co-chair: Florencia Ardon (Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA).
• Invited Talk. Roger G. Sturmey, PhD (The Hull York Medical School, Hull, UK). "Fatty Acid Metabolism and Embryo Health."
• Platform. Carol L. Keefer, PhD (University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA). "Determination of Glycolytic and TCA Cycle
Activity of Early Cleavage and Blastocyst Staged Bovine Embryos Employing [13C]-Labeled Substrates and Mass Spectrometry."
• Invited Talk. Rebecca L. Robker, PhD (The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia). "Protecting Oocytes from
Hyperlipidemia—Shared Pathways in Mice, Cows, and Women."
D. Pregnancy/Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. Epigenetics and Gametes/Gonads. Chair: Melissa A. Suter, PhD (Baylor College of
Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA). Co-chair: Fang Xie (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA).
• Invited Talk. Piroska E. Szabó, PhD (Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA)."Remodeling the Epigenome in the Male
Germline."
• Platform. Keith Siklenka (McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada). "Histone H3 Lysine 4 Di-methylation in Sperm Is Implicated in
Embryo Development and Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance."
• Invited Talk. Toru Nakano, MD (Osaka University, Osaka, Japan). "Gene Silencing of Male Germ Cells by piRNA."
11 4:45 pp.m. – 5:05 p.m.
Breeak. DeVos Placee, Secchia Lobby
y.
5:05 pp.m. – 5:50 p.m.
Aw
wards Presentatio
ons. DeVos Placee, Steelcase Balllroom B.
5:50 pp.m. – 6:45 p.m.
SSR
R Business Meetting and Closing
g Ceremony. DeV
Vos Place, Steellcase Ballroom B
B.
7:00 pp.m.–8:30 p.m.
Barrbecue. DeVos Place,
P
Grand Galllery.
8:30 pp.m.–12:30 a.m.
Dannce. DeVos Placce, Grand Gallery
y.
nesday, 23 July 2014
Wedn
7:45 aa.m. – 9:45 a.m.
20114–2015 Board of
o Directors Meeeting. Amway Grand
G
Plaza Hoteel, Pearl Room.
m.
8:30 aa.m. – 10:30 a.m
Traainee Forum: Maaintaining the Work–Life Balancce. Chair: Anthon
ny K. McNeel, P
PhD (USDA-AR
RS, Clay Center,, Nebraska, USA
A). Co-chair:
Annnie E. Newell-Fu
ugate, DVM, Ph
hD (University of Illinois at Urbaana-Champaign,, Champaign, Illinois, USA). Organized by the T
Trainee Affairs
Com
mmittee. DeVos Place, Steelcasee Ballroom D.
uebec City, Queb
bec, Canada).
• Janice L. Baailey, PhD (Lavaal University, Qu
• Janice P. Ev
vans, PhD (Johnss Hopkins Univeersity, Baltimoree, Maryland, US
SA).
• Greg FitzHaarris, PhD (Univ
versity College London,
L
London,, UK).
• Karla Hutt, PhD (Monash In
nstitute of Mediccal Research–Prince Henry's Insstitute of Medicaal Research, Clayyton, Victoria, A
Australia).
M
MD, Ph
hD (Baylor Colleege of Medicine, Houston, Texass, USA).
• Martin M. Matzuk,
• Jon Oatley, PhD (Washingto
on State Universsity, Pullman, Washington,
W
USA
A).
P (Laval Univ
versity, Quebec City, Quebec, C
Canada).
• Marc-Andree Sirard, DVM, PhD
• Mary B. Zellinski, PhD (Oreegon National Prrimate Research Center, Beavertton, Oregon, US
SA)
2014
4 EXHIBIITORS
SSR
R welcome
es the folllowing ex
xhibitors to the mee
eting. Ple
ease visit their boo
oths and
learrn more about
a
the program and products theyy have to o
offer.
ASRM
Biology of
o Reprodu
uction
FASEB
Ferring Pharmaceu
P
uticals
Fertility Technolog
T
gy Resourrces, Inc.
Genomattix Softwa
are, Inc.
Grand Va
alley State
e Universiity
Mager Scientific/N
Nikon
Meet Pue
erto Rico/
/SSR 2015
Michelson
n Prize & Grants
Michigan
n State Un
niversity
NICHD
Progenityy, Inc.
Renova LLife Inc.
Spectrum
m Health
SSR Diversity Com
mmittee
SSR Public Affairs Committee
nee Affairrs Committtee
SSR Train
Universitty of Mich
higan
Wayne Sttate University
12 MAPS 13 AWA
ARDS COMM
MITTEE WELC
COME
c
are foun
nd on these pagees have been recoognized by theirr peers for their ooutstanding
The indiividuals whose citations
contribu
utions and service to the science of reproductive biology. The SS
SR is proud to hoonor these indiviiduals and
congratu
ulate them on theeir accomplishm
ments. The membbers of the Awarrds Committee aalso thank the SS
SR membership
for theirr excellent nomin
nations and enco
ourage you to noominate deservinng individuals foor these SSR awaards next year. A
descriptiion of the award
ds, application prrocess, and appliication deadliness can be found aat www.ssr.org/A
Awards.html.
Jennifer R. Wood, PhD
mmittee
Chair, 2014 Awards Com
Committtee Members: Saakhila Banu, PhD
D; Derek J. Boeerboom, DVM, P
PhD; Mark Crow
we, PhD, DSc;
Diane Duffy,
D
PhD; Tom
m Fleming, PhD; Geoff Hammonnd, PhD; Laurie JJaeger, DVM, P
PhD; Ken McNattty, PhD; Patricio
Morales, PhD; Lori Raetzman, PhD; JoA
Anne Richards, P
PhD; Stefan Schhlatt, PhD; Robeert Viger, PhD (P
Past Chair);
Quinton
n Winger, PhD; Lacey
L
Luense, PhD
P (Trainee Reepresentative); A
Annie Newell-Fuugate, DVM, PhD
D (Trainee
Represen
ntative); Susan S.
S Suarez, PhD (Board
(
Liaison).
AWA
ARDEE CITATIONS
2014
2
Carl G. Hartman
H
Award
d
(Supported by a grant from Coo
ok Medical)
William
W
W. Thatcher, PhD
Dr.
D William W. Thatcher, Gradu
uate Research Prrofessor at the U
University of Florrida, has made ffundamental
contributions
c
to our understanding of regulationn of follicular groowth and corpuss luteum lifespann, the nature of
the
t dialogue betw
ween the concep
ptus and mother,, and interactionns between nutrittion and reproduuction. His
research
r
has beeen central to mosst of the major addvances toward improving reprooductive function of the lactating
g
dairy
d
cow. Thatccher’s groundbreeaking research into ovulation control and timedd artificial insem
mination,
mitigation
m
of heat stress effects, use of targeted fat feeding to reegulate endocrinee, reproductive aand metabolic
responses,
r
impro
ovement of fertillity with bovine somatotropin, aand other advancces have provideed the tools to
reverse
r
the histo
orical decline in fertility experiennced by the highh-producing dairy
ry cow. His recorrd can serve as
an
a example of how fundamentall science can serrve mankind.
Dr.
D Thatcher recceived his B.S. in
n Animal Husbaandry from the U
University of Maaryland, the M.S. degree from the
Univeersity of Marylan
nd under the direection of C.A. Kiddy,
K
and the Ph
hD degree from M
Michigan State U
University underr the mentorshipp of H.A. Tuckerr.
Thatchher joined the Dairy
D
Science Department, Univeersity of Florida, in 1969, held thhe appointment oof Graduate Research Professor since 1988 and
in 20004 transitioned to
o Graduate Reseearch Professor Emeritus
E
in the Department
D
of A
Animal Sciences.. Additional trainning was receiveed through
sabbatticals at the Physiology of Repro
oduction Laboraatory, Institut Naational de la Rechherche Agronom
mique at Nouzillyy, France, from 1977–1978 and
1985.
During his career, Thaatcher has publisshed over 367 reefereed journal articles
a
and 51 boook chapters. Am
mong his awardss are the Researcch Award from
udy of Reproducction (1994); the Upjohn Physiollogy Award (19881), Borden Awaard (1985), and Merial Dairy Management
the Soociety for the Stu
Reseaarch Award (2002) from the Ameerican Dairy Sciience Association
n (1981); the Annimal Physiologyy and Endocrinoology Award andd Morrison
Awardd (2006) from ASAS;
A
National Association
A
of Animal
A
Breeders Research Awardd (2000); the Heetzel Award for life-time achieveement from the
Hungaarian Society forr Animal Producction (2008); and
d the International Embryo Tran sfer Society Pionneer Award (2014). He is an Hoonorary Member
of the American Colleege of Theriogen
nologists (2003) and is a Fellow of the Americann Dairy Science Association (20007) and ASAS ((2011).
Dr. Thhatcher has had a broad-based reesearch program in which the cow and other spe cies have been uused as models tto elucidate the bbiological
processses controlling ovarian function
n and conceptus development. In
nsights developeed through basic research have thhen been used too develop
practiccal strategies forr improvement of
o dairy cow fertility. For example, Thatcher madde a rigorous stuudy of the controol of folliculogennesis with the
goal oof better regulatin
ng estrus synchrronization, timed
d artificial insem
mination (TAI), ssuperovulation, aand treatment off ovarian cysts. R
Recognizing thatt
a singgle dominant folllicle regulates th
he growth of otheer, smaller follicles on both ovarries. Thatcher annd his colleaguess developed creaative procedures
utilizinng GnRH analog
gues to regulate growth of the do
ominant follicle and allow for fiixed-timed insem
mination. System
ms of TAI develooped by Thatcher
and otthers are now wiidely implementted on dairy farm
ms worldwide. Th
hatcher and collleagues also idenntified interferonn-tau as the concceptus secretory
proteinn responsible for inhibition of lu
uteolysis in cattlee and elucidated
d the mechanism
m by which it reguulates endometrial prostaglandinn synthesis. He
also m
made novel disco
overies regarding
g the importancee of metabolic sig
gnals (growth hoormone, specificc fatty acids thatt regulate prostagglandin
biosynnthesis) for contrrol of endometriial and embryoniic function and used
u
this inform
mation to developp new strategies for increasing feertility of dairy
cows. Thatcher also ch
haracterized the mechanisms by
y which heat stress leads to embrryonic losses andd was the first too show that fertillity could be
improoved during heat stress by use off embryo transferr.
h and teaching prrogram is an inteerdisciplinary grraduate educatioon program. He hhas served as a m
mentor for 73
The fooundation of Thaatcher’s research
graduaate students, posstdoctoral fellow
ws, and sabbaticaal-leave scientists. People in his llaboratory have gone on to faculty and industry positions in 30
countrries. His philoso
ophy of graduate education is cap
ptured in a paperr he wrote as reccipient of the L.E
E. Casida Awardd for Excellence in Graduate
Trainiing from the Am
merican Society of
o Animal Sciencce (ASAS) (http
p://jas.fass.org/coontent/76/suppl__3/76.full.pdf+httml). Interactionns with his peers
14 withinn an interdiscipliinary platform haave been vital to
o his scientific acchievements, andd colleagues succh as F.W. Bazerr, D.H. Barron, R
R.J. Collier, P.J.
Hanseen, J.W. Lauderd
dale, J.E.P. Santo
os, C.R. Staples,, C.J. Wilcox and
d Thatcher’s stuudents have becoome co-mentors.
here he has serveed as President—
—and other scienntific organizatioons. He was one of the coDr. Thhatcher has also been a leader, both in SSR—wh
founders of the Dairy Cattle Reproducction Council (an
n organization devoted
d
to bringiing accurate scieentific informatioon to farmers). T
Through his
R
volunteer efforts inn the Internationnal Atomic Energgy Agency, and collaborative
Presiddency of the Inteernational Congress of Animal Reproduction,
researrch/education effforts with internaational academicc institutions, hee has strived to im
mprove quality oof science in devveloping countries. (Submitted by
y
Peter J. Hansen, PhD)
D)
201
14 SSR Research Award
(Sup
pported by Mich
higan State Univversity, Departm
ment of Obstetricss, Gynecology and Reproductivee Biology)
Petter J. Hansen, PhD
P
n has used an arraay of innovativee approaches, fouunded on rigorouus use of the scieentific method,
Dr. Peter J. Hansen
c
both bassic and applied reesearch into the nature of the intteractions betweeen mother and cconceptus. His
to conduct
find
dings have led to
o formulation of new concepts inn this area and he has used thesee concepts to devvelop and
imp
plement reproducctive technologies to improve feertility of the fem
male. His researcch has been baseed primarily in
rum
minant species, particularly
p
the co
ow, but has broaader relevance too mammalian sppecies. Throughoout his career in
the Department of Animal
A
Sciencess at the Universitty of Florida, hee has exhibited laack of hesitationn to objectively
chaallenge “dogma” and he imprintss on his students the importance of the scientific method. He reaadily shares his
find
dings unselfishly
y through educattion of young sciientists, timely ppublication of research results, uutilization of the
inteernet to post detaails of laboratory
y techniques, andd by organizing practitioner andd producer meetinngs to make
imp
provements in reeproductive techn
nologies a realityy in practice.
The m
most significant breakthrough
b
ach
hieved by Hanseen and his colleaagues in the last ssix years has beeen elucidation of the role of CSF
F2 as a
maternnally-derived reg
gulator of moleccular and epigenetic programmin
ng of the early em
mbryo. This disccovery has beenn translated to thee barn and
bedsidde because of thee findings that CSF2
C
can increasse survival to terrm of embryos trransferred into cows (Hansen) annd women (Origgio). Additional
investtigations indicatee that CSF2 alterrs expression of genes involved in apoptosis, WN
NT signaling, gaastrulation and m
maternal recogniition of
pregnaancy (interferon-τ). Recent expeeriments indicatee embryo sex mo
odifies response of embryos to C
CSF2 and leads tto sex-dependentt changes in the
transccriptome and metthylome of the embryo
e
later in pregnancy.
p
He haas also started too delineate the roole of the WNT signaling system
m in early
embryyonic developmeent and has show
wn that inhibition
n of canonical WNT
W
signaling w
with the inhibitorr DKK1 can enhance developmeent of the
tropheectoderm and hy
ypoblast and imp
prove competencce of the blastocy
yst to establish ppregnancy after ttransfer. An atlas of molecular reesponses in the
embryyo caused by CSF2 and other maaternal factors haas resulted in ideentification of caandidate genes fo
for genomic selecction of fertility. SNPs for these
genes have been added to a SNP chip used for genomic selection in caattle.
Throuugh Dr. Hansen’ss research, solutiions have been found
f
for a previiously intractablle problem—infeertility in dairy ccattle during heaat stress. Heat
shock retards development of the mam
mmalian preimpllantation embryo
o. Hansen has shhown that embryyos acquire therm
motolerance as thhey advance in
develoopment. Moreov
ver, effects of heat stress on fertility in dairy cattle can be overcoome by the use oof embryo transfe
fer at Day 7 of deevelopment to
bypasses early embryo
onic sensitivity to
t heat shock. Hansen has identiified biochemicaal mechanisms uused by embryonnic cells to resist deleterious
effectss of heat shock, and characterizeed the developmental expression
n of these thermooprotective systeems (i.e., heat-shhock proteins, coomponents of the
e
apoptoosis pathway, an
nd antioxidants such
s
as glutathio
one).
hat has defined Dr.
D Hansen’s carreer. He feels paassionately regarrding the need too take responsibiility for teachingg young
Leadeership is a term th
scientists, for promotiing and strengtheening scientific organizations,
o
an
nd for making sccientific informaation widely avaailable to the scieentific
munity and publicc. Dr. Hansen haas mentored a tottal of 24 PhD stu
udents and 16 M
MS students and ssponsored 46 poostdocs and visiting scientists. He
comm
has beeen recognized by
b the University
y of Florida with
h the Doctoral Diissertation Menttoring Award in 2003, by SSR w
with the Trainee Mentoring
Awardd in 2010, and by the student gro
oup of the Intern
national Embryo Transfer Societty (the Morulas) with the inauguural Mentor of thhe Year award in
n
2012. A description of Dr. Hansen’s philosophy
p
of graduate education
n is available onnline at http://graadschool.rgp.ufl..edu/personnel/m
mentoringh also been a national
n
leader in
n science. He serrved as Presidennt of the Americaan Society for R
Reproductive Imm
munology
hansenn.html. Hansen has
(ASRII) and continues to serve that socciety as Treasureer. He has also been
b
very active in SSR, Americcan Dairy Sciencce Association (A
ADSA),
Ameriican Society of Animal
A
Science (ASAS), the Intternational Embrryo Transfer Socciety (as Presidennt, 2013-2014), and the Internattional Congress
of Aniimal Reproductiion, where he serrves as Presiden
nt until 2016. Dr. Hansen is co-E
Editor-in-Chief of Animal Reprodduction Science. Dr. Hansen also
o
has prrovided importan
nt service to the USDA Nationall Research Initiaative Competitivee Grants Program
m.
D
Pro
ofessor and is th
he L.E. “Red” Laarson Professor oof Animal Sciennce. Dr. Hansen hhas published
Currenntly, Hansen hollds the rank of Distinguished
over 2245 peer-revieweed journal articlees to date. Biolog
gy of Reproductiion has been a frrequently used cconduit for publiication of his ressearch (33
paperss), which reflects the excellence and impact of his
h research. In addition, many off his research tecchniques, includding a detailed prrocedure for
production of bovine embryos
e
in vitro
o, are posted at http://www.anim
h
mal.ufl.edu/hanseen/protocols.shtm
ml. Among the aawards he has recceived are the
macia & Upjohn Physiology Awaard and Land O’’Lakes Award frrom ADSA, the P
Physiology and Endocrinology A
Award from ASA
AS, and the
Pharm
AJRI Award from AS
SRI. He is a Fello
ow of the AAAS
S, ADSA, and Jaapan Society for the Promotion oof Science. (Subm
mitted by William
m W. Thatcher,
PhD)
15 2014 Distinguished Service
S
Award
ported by Michig
gan State Univerrsity, Departmennt of Animal Scieence)
(Supp
Mary
y B. Zelinski, Ph
hD
The SSR
S Distinguisheed Service Awarrd recognizes “an
an individual whoo has demonstraated unselfish serrvice and
leaderrship in advancin
ng the disciplinee of reproductivee biology.” Thiss year, the Society recognizes M
Mary B. Zelinski,
PhD, with this honor. Dr. Zelinski is a long-time mem
mber of SSR with
th an outstandingg record of service to our Society
y
ociety who havee had the opportuunity to serve wiith Mary will knnow first-hand off
and beyond. Many meembers of the So
her co
ommitment to SS
SR as well as heer devotion to sciience education and community outreach.
As a researcher,
r
Dr. Zelinski
Z
has mad
de significant conntributions to maany areas of reprroductive biologgy. As a young
scienttist at the Oregon
n National Primaate Research Ceenter (ONPRC), Mary was involvved in early studdies of
gonad
dotropin regulatiion of follicle growth for collectiion of mature ooocytes suitable fo
for IVF as well aas gonadotropin
and stteroid regulation
n of the corpus lu
uteum. Importannt studies demonnstrated that antipprogestins and innhibitors of
phosp
phodieseterases have
h
strong poteential as contraceeptives. More reecently, her progrress with vitrificcation and
transpplantation of ovaarian cortical tisssue as well as 3D
D ovarian culturee to promote prim
mate follicle devvelopment and oocyte maturationn may lead to
fertilitty preservation for
f women facing gonadotoxic medical
m
interventtions. Mary’s deeep understandinng of reproductivve processes andd her ability to
utilizee the non-human
n primate model has allowed her to make these outstanding
o
contrributions to the ffield of reproducctive biology witth very high
relevaance to human heealth. Her groun
nd-breaking work
k has been recog
gnized with the G
General Program
m Prize of the Am
merican Fertilityy
Societty/American Socciety for Reprod
ductive Medicinee in 1992, 2005, 2006, and 2008.. Abstracts from
m Mary’s laboratoory have also woon prizes at the
Worldd Congress on Feertility Preservattion in Brussels, Belgium (2009)); German Socieety for Gynecoloogy and Obstetriccs (2012); and B
Brazilian Society
y
for Asssisted Reproducction (2013). Sev
veral of her papeers have been pu
ublished with thee designation “O
Outstanding Conttribution” in Hum
man
Reprooduction. Mary iss frequently inviited to discuss heer exciting work
k locally, nationaally, and internattionally with ressearchers, clinicians, and other
colleaagues.
while making th
hese outstanding contributions to
o the field of reprroductive biologgy, Dr. Zelinski hhas been deeply committed to seerve SSR and
Even w
other pprofessional org
ganizations. As a graduate studen
nt, Mary was a member
m
of the Biiology of Reprodduction Editorial Board and the Local
Arrangements Commiittee. She has beeen a member off at least one SSR
R committee eveery year since 19996, often servinng on more than one committee
at a tim
me. She has serv
ved as Chair of the Awards (1997–1998), Prograam (2012), and A
Annual Meeting Advisory (20144) Committees. M
Mary was faced
with a unique challeng
ge when the Program Committeee was charged with
w a rapid and m
major reorganizaation of the SSR
R Annual Meetinng Program in
2012 tto adopt the mod
dular format, witth sessions based
d on themes in reeproductive biollogy. This meetiing was a successs, and the moduular format
remainns in use today. SSR members have
h
recognized Dr. Zelinski’s dedication to the Society, electingg her to serve ass Secretary (20011–2004) and
Directtor (2005–2007). Mary is also an
n active memberr of the American Society for Reeproductive Meddicine, the Endoccrine Society, annd the
Internnational Society for
f Fertility Presservation.
s
to SSR and
a other professsional organizations is exceptionnal, her service inn other areas is pperhaps even moore notable. She
Whilee Dr. Zelinski’s service
has m
mentored high sch
hool students and
d teachers, gradu
uate students, po
ostdoctoral fellow
ws, and internatiional scholars. M
Mary creatively ffinds lab projects
wheree students of all backgrounds
b
and
d skill levels can
n have meaningfu
ful learning expeeriences. She works personally w
with her trainees,, and the results
are evvident when her students
s
win prizzes at Science Fairs, publish greeat papers, and m
move on to outstaanding careers oof their own. Marry regularly
particiipates in trainee events associateed with professio
onal meetings, in
ncluding the Traainee Symposium
m that is a part of the 2014 SSR Annual Meeting
g.
Mary also actively parrticipates in man
ny types of service that may seem
m routine. She iss a frequent revi ewer of grants aand manuscripts and serves on
comm
mittees at her hom
me institution. In
n short, Mary serrves in many ven
nues and in virtuually every capaccity.
SSR m
members may bee well aware of Mary’s
M
service to
o SSR and the sccientific commuunity, but few knnow of her continnuing efforts to eeducate her local
comm
munity, and particcularly young women, about rep
productive biolog
gy and the need for biomedical rresearch to imprrove human health. Mary
sincerrely believes thatt everyone is cap
pable of learning
g about reproducctive biology, labboratory researchh, and the inspirring animals thatt make progress
towardds treatments forr human diseasee a reality. Mary has been a key participant
p
with the Advocates ffor Women in Sccience, Engineerring and
Matheematics (AWSEM
M), a program which
w
provides middle-school
m
girrls with classrooom and real-worlld opportunities to learn that theey can succeed in
n
math aand science. Maary has been reco
ognized by AWS
SEM many timess for her outstandding work. Cam
mp Monkey, orgaanized by Mary aand others as an
outreaach activity associated with the 2011
2
SSR Annuaal Meeting in Po
ortland, continuees today at ONPR
RC with Mary’s active involvem
ment. As
descriibed by Diana Gordon, Outreach
h Coordinator at ONPRC, Mary is
i always the fir st to volunteer too talk with tour ggroups, teach at local high
schools, judge sciencee fairs, and engag
ge the public thrrough programs like Road Schollar, Science Caféé, or Portland’s S
Saturday Academ
my. Personally, I
yone else with su
uch passion and heart for commu
unicating her lovve of science to colleagues and tthe public. Evenn when
have nnever known any
challeenged by individu
uals with differin
ng points of view
w, Mary is tireleessly patient, enddlessly enthusiasstic, and able to tturn any situatioon into a positive
e
experiience to help collleagues and the public understan
nd how research
h in the field of rreproductive biollogy can promotte human health. (Submitted by
Dianee M. Duffy, PhD))
16 2014 SSR
R New Investigattor Award
(Supported
d by the Virendrra B. Mahesh Neew Investigator F
Fund)
Kanako Hayashi,
H
PhD
The SSR New
N Investigator Award recogniizes an active, reegular member oof the Society foor outstanding research
completed
d and published within
w
13 years of
o receiving the PhD or other eqquivalent professsional degree. Inn considering
nominees for this award, the Awards Com
mmittee considerss the originality of the research, the significancee and impact of
ve sciences or allied fields, and tthe degree to whhich the nomineee’s research was independent of a
the researcch in reproductiv
mentor. Dr. Kanako Hayashi is truly deserrving of the SSR
R New Investigattor award. Her w
work on the exprression and
t uterus and heer recent work oon Wnt signalingg in ovarian canccer have been
function of the Wnt signalling pathway in the
major, nov
vel, and independent contributions to the field.
Kanakko Hayashi, PhD
D, completed herr BS in Animal Science
S
at Obihirro University in Japan. She thenn earned her MS and PhD at Obihhiro University
in Aniimal Science in the
t laboratory off Dr. Akio Miyaamoto. Following
g her PhD traininng, Dr. Hayashi joined the laborratory of Dr. Thoomas Spencer att
Texass A&M University as a postdocto
oral fellow. Duriing this time, Kaanako had a veryy productive posstdoctoral periodd, publishing 11 m
manuscripts,
includding manuscriptss in Biology of Reproduction,
R
En
ndocrinology, an
nd Reproduction..
wing her postdocctoral training, Dr.
D Hayashi becaame a Research Assistant
A
Professsor and then waas promoted to A
Assistant Professoor at Southern
Follow
Illinoiis University. Ass an Assistant Prrofessor, Kanako
o has continued to
t be productivee, publishing 7 m
manuscripts from
m 2012–2013 in B
Biology of
Reprooduction, Molecu
ular Human Rep
production, and Molecular
M
Canceer Research. Thhese published m
manuscripts focuss on novel pathw
ways that
regulaate ovarian and uterine
u
cancers. One
O incredibly important contrib
bution her work has made is to sshow that an FDA-approved Wnnt signaling
inhibitor, niclosamidee, can prevent ep
pithelial ovarian cancer
c
growth an
nd spread in a m
mouse model. Thhese studies uncoovered a novel m
mechanism for
ovariaan cancer and alsso a potential theerapeutic target that
t is likely of clinical
c
benefit. F
Further, this worrk was describedd in one of the m
most highly cited
d
articlees in Molecular Cancer
C
Research
h in 2012.
n outstanding reccord of obtaininng funds to suppoort her research. She is the recipient of grants
In adddition to publishiing her work, Drr. Hayashi has an
from tthe National Insttitutes of Health, Southern Illino
ois University, an
nd the Americann Cancer Societyy. These grants aare extremely competitive and
difficuult to obtain, parrticularly in todaay’s funding enviironment. It is ex
xtremely impresssive that Kanakko received so muuch funding eveen though she is
at a “ssmall university”” that does not have
h
the same facculty/research su
upport as larger iinstitutions.
Dr. Haayashi has taken
n every opportun
nity to train studeents how to cond
duct outstandingg research in our field. She has given “research-ffocused” lecturess
on repproductive biolog
gy and cancer to
o undergraduate and graduate stu
udents. In additioon, Kanako has ttaken on the respponsibility of traaining
underggraduates and grraduate students in her laboratorry. Her students have
h
won numerrous awards for their scientific w
work and they haave published
outstaanding papers. It is extremely im
mpressive that Kaanako has had alll three of her MS
S students publish a first author paper while theyy were still
studennts. Often, MS sttudents do not publish their work
k or it takes them
m several monthhs after graduatioon to publish theeir manuscripts. IIt is impressive
that K
Kanako has the ab
bility to consisteently motivate heer students to pu
ublish high qualitty data in top sciientific journals..
In adddition to conductting research and
d teaching, Dr. Hayashi
H
serves as an active mem
mber of the SSR. SSR has been hher scientific hom
me since her
postdooctoral training. She is a presencce at the annual meetings
m
and pu
ublishes many off her key findinggs in our Biologyy of Reproductionn. She also
servess as a reviewer for
fo some of the to
op journals in the field of reprod
ductive biology. Further, she helpped organize thee Illinois Symposium on
Reprooductive Sciencees, a local meetin
ng for reproductiive biologists in Illinois and the surrounding stattes.
D Hayashi is a very
v
warm and caring person wh
ho interacts well with students, fa
faculty, collaboraators, and staff. S
She is always
On a ppersonal note, Dr.
willing to help others with their work and to interact with
w colleagues. She is dedicatedd to the field of rreproductive bioology and truly w
wants to improve
e
t processes of ovarian and uterrine cancers. In closing, Dr. Kannako Hayashi is truly deserving of the SSR New
w Investigator
our unnderstanding of the
awardd. She already haas contributed grreatly to our field
d and will contin
nue to do so in thhe future. (Subm
mitted by Jodi A. Flaws, PhD)
2014 SSR Trainee Mentoring
M
Awarrd
(Supp
ported by Michig
gan State Univerrsity, College of H
Human Medicinne)
Brucee D. Murphy, PhD
P
pient of the 20144 SSR Trainee M
Mentoring Awardd. Dr. Murphy reeceived his PhD
Dr. Bruce Daniel Murrphy is the recip
from the University of
o Saskatchewan in 1973, where he began his ressearch on embryyonic diapause inn minks. It has
ms for more than four decades. H
His first academic position as an Assistant
remaiined one of his reesearch program
Professor was at the University
U
of Idaaho before movinng back to the U
University of Sasskatchewan. Theere he would
d next eighteen years
y
as a Professor of Obstetricss and Gynecologgy in the Collegee of Medicine annd as Founding
spend
Director of the Reproductive Biology
y Research Unit. Then he added ovarian physioloogy to his researrch program
using multiple animall models. In 1991, facing the chaallenge of directting a research ceenter in a foreignn language, he
moved east to take thee helm of the Ceentre de Rechercche en Reproducction Animale at the Université dde Montréal,
which
h has been his seecond home everr since. Continuiing his dual reseearch programs oof embryonic diaapause and
ovariaan biology, he allso holds a joint appointment at the Départemennt de Obstétriquee-Gynécologie, F
Faculté de
wed articles in adddition to 41 prooceedings/chapteers, over 50
Médeccine of Université de Montréal. Dr. Murphy has published over 170 peer-review
conferrence abstracts, 213
2 GenBank su
ubmissions, and four patents inclluding two monooclonal antibodiies.
17 In his 40-year-long career as an academic, Dr. Murphy has managed a near perfect equilibrium among research, teaching, and service duties, along
with his passion for mentoring young and upcoming scientists. His current and past trainees include 47 graduate students and 17 postdoctoral fellows.
Among his 14 former postdoctoral fellows, 13 have gone on to establish independent laboratories in universities around the world: this actually
translates into a success rate of 92% in propagating the next generation of reproductive biologists—a remarkable reproductive success for a man!
Many of his PhD students have been successful in a variety of academic, veterinary medicine, and private and public sectors. This overall success of
his protégés can be attributed to his remarkable mentorship.
Dr. Murphy is an emotional supervisor who takes personal interest in his students’ overall learning. His trainees believe he instills their keen interest
in reproductive biology in the first place. Many of his trainees recall him saying, “I find pleasure in the success of my students, who are my extended
family”. This feeling is thoroughly attested by his students who consider Dr. Murphy—or Bruce, as he prefers to be called—as “scientific father.” He
embraces the method of mentoring, characterized by complete intellectual independence to his trainees. A fitting comment from one of his former
postdoctoral fellows is that Dr. Murphy is “the bona fide macro-manager.” Most importantly, he promotes all his advisees in research, training,
fellowship, job search, and beyond. In addition to postgraduate training, his laboratory is open for undergraduate students. He receives DVM students
from local veterinary schools and from around the world, and provides them with an invaluable opportunity to learn the scientific method.
One recent contribution of Dr. Murphy to Canadian reproductive biology is the creation of the Réseau Québecois en Reproduction (RQR). This
network, under his directorship, involves five universities and three institutions in Québec, and is funded by the Gouvernement du Québec. The
fundamental aim of the RQR is to strengthen training of students, specifically through conferences, technical workshops, and scholarships. The RQR
also provided the organizational base for the local arrangements for the 2013 SSR Meeting in Montreal. He is also founder of the Canadian
Consortium in Reproductive Biology, and has chaired the Institute of Human Development Advisory Board and Standing Committee on
Reproductive Biology. Further, he sits on various grant review committees including CIHR and NIH. These leadership efforts attest to his unselfish
commitment to training and advising of Canadian reproductive biologists.
Dr. Murphy has also contributed immensely to the SSR: he has been a member since 1974 and has served on its Nominating, Public Affairs, and
Program committees. Dr. Murphy completed three mandates as Treasurer of the SSR (2000–2009) and he served as the Co-Editor-In-Chief of
Biology of Reproduction (2009–2013). He is currently the Vice-President elect of the SSR, adding to his enormous contributions to this Society.
He has been rightly recognized for his research contributions with several awards including the Award for Reproduction Research (ISCFR-EVSSAR,
2012), the Award for Excellence in Reproductive Medicine (CFAS, 2010), the Distinguished Service Award (SSR, 2007), and the Pfizer Award for
Research Excellence (2004 and 1996). Dr. Murphy has been, and continues to be, dedicated to guiding young investigators, contributing selflessly to
their success, and providing leadership to the field of reproductive biology. As an academic advisor he is enthusiastic, generous, supportive,
encouraging, passionate, and—most of all—inspirational in what it takes to succeed in science whilst still remaining young at heart. There is no
doubt that Dr. Bruce D. Murphy is most deserving of the SSR Trainee Mentoring Award 2014. (Submitted by Raj Duggavathi, BVSc, MVSc, PhD)
TRAINEE AWARDS
SSR Trainee Research Awards
SSR Trainee Research Awards are presented to the best platform and poster presentations by SSR Trainee members at the Annual Meeting as
evaluated by the SSR Awards Committee. The Finalists for the 2014 awards are listed below.
Poster Finalists present their posters during the regular poster session, and the presentations are evaluated during the scheduled presentation time; at
other times, their posters are on display in an area reserved for the Trainee Research Poster Finalists. Platform Finalists compete in a special platform
session (Platform Session 8) on Sunday, 20 July, 1:45 p.m.–3:15 p.m., in Steelcase Ballroom B, DeVos Place. The Awards Committee evaluates the
presentations according to the following criteria: (1) merit of the study, (2) presentation format, (3) delivery, (4) visual aids, and (5) response to
questions during discussion.
From these finalists, the Awards Committee selects First (USD $500), Second (USD $300), and Third (USD $200) prizes to be awarded to the three
best poster and three best platform presentations. Finalists will be recognized and winners will be announced Tuesday afternoon, 22 July, 5:05 p.m.–
5:50 p.m.
2014 SSR Trainee Research Finalists—Platform Presentations
• Veronika Benesova, IAPG AS CR; Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. Abstract 44.
• Jonathan T. Busada, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. Abstract 43.
• Rodolfo C. Cardoso, Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA. Abstract 45.
• Matthew T. Ratsep, Biomedical and Molccular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Abstract 42.
• Sandra Ruiz, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada. Abstract 47.
• Michael Strug, OB/Gyn and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Abstract 46.
18 2014 SSR Trainee Research Finalists—Posters Presentations
• Sharon L. Eddie, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Abstract 433.
• June-Sub Lee, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Republic of Korea. Abstract 271.
• Melissa L. McCallum, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA. Abstract 313.
• Pawan Puri, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Abstract 302.
• Won-Hee Song, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. Abstract 280.
• Ying Yang, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. Abstract 517.
Lalor Foundation Merit Awards (Supported by a grant from the Lalor Foundation, Inc.)
Winners are selected on the basis of abstracts submitted for presentation and evaluated by the Awards Committee according to the following criteria:
scientific merit, interpretation and impact of the results, and clarity of the abstract. Each of the 16 presenters will receive a Lalor Foundation Merit
Award of USD $500, which will be presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting. Awardees will be recognized Tuesday afternoon, 22 July, 5:05 p.m.–5:50
p.m.
2014 Lalor Foundation Merit Award Recipients
• Jonathan T. Busada, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. Abstract 43.
• Sharon L. Eddie, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Abstract 433.
• Kaiyu Kubota, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA. Abstract 488.
• June-Sub Lee, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Republic of Korea. Abstract 271.
• Melissa L. McCallum, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA. Abstract 313.
• Amar More, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA. Abstract 103.
• Tursunjan Nurmamat, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA. Abstract 133.
• Pawan Puri, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Abstract 302.
• Matthew T. Rätsep, Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Abstract 42.
• Yi Ren, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. Abstract 169.
• Sandra Ruiz, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada. Abstract 47.
• Hara Ryoei, Population Council, New York, New York, USA. Abstract 83.
• Keith Siklenka, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Abstract 194.
• Michael Strug, OB/Gyn and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Abstract 46.
• Michelle Wood, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Abstract 167.
• Ying Yang, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. Abstract 517.
USDA NIFA AFRI Travel Fellowships (Supported by a grant from USDA NIFA AFRI)
Winners are selected on the basis of abstracts submitted for presentation and evaluated according to the following criteria: relevance of research to
the goal of enhancing understanding of reproduction in agriculturally important species, scientific merit, interpretation and impact of the results, and
clarity of the abstract. Each of the ten presenters receive USD $500 to present at the 2013 SS4 Annual Meeting, which will be presented at the 2014
Annual Meeting. Awardees will be recognized Tuesday afternoon, 22 July, 5:05 p.m.–5:50 p.m.
2014 USDA NIFA AFRI Travel Fellows
• Jeremy J. Allen, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. Abstract 391.
• Veronika Benesova, IAPG AS CR; Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. Abstract 44.
• Rodrigo Camponogara Bohrer, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada. Abstract 401.
• Kelsey Brooks, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA. Abstract 15.
• Rodolfo C. Cardoso, Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA. Abstract 45.
• Zhiyuan Chen, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. Abstract 10.
• Amy T. Desaulniers, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. Abstract 236.
• Ky G. Pohler, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. Abstract 331.
• Won-Hee Song, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. Abstract 280.
• Claire S. Stephens, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. Abstract 170.
Cornelia Post Channing New Investigator Competition
The Cornelia Post Channing New Investigator Award, supported by the Ovarian Workshop, recognizes the best abstracts relating to ovarian biology
and presented at the SSR Annual Meeting by a predoctoral or postdoctoral trainee. These abstracts will be presented during the final platform session
(Platform Session 22), Tuesday, 22 July, 11:00 a.m.–2:15 p.m. The SSR Awards Committee and Ovarian Workshop Representatives will evaluate the
presentations of each finalist and select First ($500) and Second ($250) prizes for award. Finalists will be recognized and winners will be announced
Tuesday afternoon, 22 July, 5:05 p.m.–5:50 p.m.
2014 Cornelia Post Channing New Investigator Finalists
• Fernando Franco Migone, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. Abstract 168.
• Claire S. Stephens, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. Abstract 170.
• Michelle Wood, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Abstract 167.
• Yi Ren, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. Abstract 169.
19 Best International Abstracts
The Program Committee scored all abstracts submitted; subsequently, the international abstracts—identified by their country of origin—and their
scores were sent to the Chair of the International Relations Subcommittee. The abstracts were then divided into seven regions/countries (as indicated
above), based on the number of abstracts per region.
In each region, the top 30% of the abstracts, by score, were sent to 4 to 5 members of the International Relations Subcommittee for independent
evaluation. Scores were attributed to each abstract, based on technical characteristics (legibility, adherence to the rules for submitting an abstract) and
content (title, reasoning, quality of the results, conclusions, and impact in the field of Reproductive Biology).
The winners (one per region) were chosen based on the nominations of the members of the International Relations Subcommittee. Awardees will be
recognized during the Opening Ceremony, Saturday afternoon, 19 July.
Australia & New Zealand: John E. Schjenken, Abstract 108—Platform Presentation
China & Taiwan: Zhang Cheng, Abstract 361—Poster Presentation
Europe: Kirsz Katarzyna; Abstract 218—Poster Presentation
India, Middle East, Southeast Asia & Africa: Rajesh Kumar Jha. Abstract 318—Poster Presentation
Korea: Sung-Lim Lee; Abstract 513—Poster Presentation
Japan & Hong Kong: Takuya Murata, Abstract 475—Poster Presentation
Latin America: Maria Isabel Mello Martens; Abstract 395—Poster Presentation
Asia-Pacific Biomedical Research Foundation Travel Awards
The Asia-Pacific Biomedical Research Foundation (APBRF) travel awards are given to Trainees from Korea who have submitted an abstract for
presentation at the annual meeting and whose abstract was scored highly by the Program Committee. Awardees will be recognized Tuesday
afternoon, 22 July, 5:05 p.m.–5:50 p.m.
• Jong II Ahn, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Abstract 247.
• InKyu Yoo, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea. Abstract 336.
Burroughs Wellcome Travel Awards
The SSR Minority Affairs Committee received a grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund to provide travel fellowships for underrepresented
minority trainees and junior faculty from the U.S. and Canada to enable their participation in the SSR Annual Meeting. Fellowships are awarded
competitively on the basis of applications submitted to and evaluated by the SSR Minority Affairs Committee.
2014 Burroughs Wellcome Trainee Travel Fellows

Nawal Yahya, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.

Beth Graham, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA.

Amanda Rodriguez, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.

Enrique Sosa, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Maria Padua, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Uziel Mendez, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

Nicole Millan, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA.
2014 Burroughs Wellcome Junior Faculty Fellows

Rocio Rivera, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.

Zelieann Craig, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
2014 FASEB-MARC Awards
FASEB’s Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program, through grants from the NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences,
provides travel awards for recipients to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting of the SSR. These awards are meant to encourage and support the
participation of underrepresented students and postdoctoral fellows at scientific meetings. Awards are given to poster/oral presenters and faculty
mentors paired with the students they mentor.
Poster/Oral Presenters
• Bryan Ampey, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Abstract 346.
• Fernando Franco Migone, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. Abstract 168.
• Vladimir E. Vargas, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. Abstract 255.
Faculty/Mentors
Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama, USA.
Catherine King, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama, USA.
Desnatie Reynolds, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama, USA.
India Napier, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA.
20 DIVERSITY COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
Diversity Committee Lunch Symposium
The Diversity Committee invites all attendees to its 2014 symposium on Sunday, 20 July 2014, 12:15-1:45 p.m. There is no fee to attend the
symposium; however, you must have prepurchased a ticket for the accompanying lunch ($10).
Our featured speaker will be Jose F. Cordero, MD, currently the Dean of the University of Puerto Rico's Graduate School of Public Health. Dr.
Cordero was previously an Assistant Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service and the founding director of the National Center on
Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. In his talk,
he will address “Risk Factors for Preterm Births in Puerto Rico: From Health Disparities to Endocrine Disruptors.”
Diversity Committee Exhibit
The Diversity exhibit space at the SSR Meeting is staffed by faculty and trainees (including Travel Fellows) and provides the following:
• an announcement of the recipients of the Burroughs Wellcome Travel Fellowships;
• information regarding the Diversity Committee Lunch Symposium;
• distribution of information regarding training and funding opportunities for minorities;
• a location for networking, with a poster board for visitors to leave comments and view photographs from previous activities;
• a computer with internet service to search for information about funding opportunities, graduate programs, SSR functions, and more.
Information about the Meeting that is of special interest to Trainees can be found on the Trainee Meeting Information page of the SSR 2014 Annual
Meeting website at http://www.ssr.org/14Trainees. Recipients of Trainee Travel Fellowships will be acknowledged during the Travel Fellow
Recognition segment of the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, 22 July, 5:05-5:50 p.m.
TRAINEE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
Larry Ewing Memorial Trainee Travel Fund
The Larry Ewing Memorial Trainee Travel Fund (LEMTTF) provides travel assistance for Trainee Members of the Society to attend and present
their research results at the SSR Annual Meeting. The LEMTTF is supported by donations, grants, and by the sale of commemorative t-shirts at each
Annual Meeting; the fund is administered by the SSR Trainee Affairs Committee. To qualify for a travel grant from the LEMTTF, an applicant must
meet these criteria: (1) have been a Trainee Member in good standing of SSR by the abstract submission deadline; (2) be the presenting and first
author of an abstract accepted for presentation (poster or slide) at the Annual Meeting; and (3) have completed and submitted an application for a
travel grant by the application deadline.
Placement Service and Career Development Center
The web-based Trainee Placement Service allows candidates and employers to reach one another in real time, any time
(http://reprocareers.ssr.org).
T-Shirts
T-shirts commemorating the 47th Annual Meeting of SSR in Grand Rapids are available for sale at the SSR Registration Desk to raise money for the
Larry Ewing Memorial Trainee Travel Fund (LEMTTF).
Trainee Affairs Committee Exhibit
The Trainee Affairs Committee is hosting an exhibit booth again this year. The booth promotes SSR Trainee Membership in the Society, encourages
Trainee participation at the Annual Meeting, introduces members of the TAC, and provides access to the online Placement Service and Career
Development Center.
Scavenger Hunt
In support of LEMTTF, this year we will be conducting a scavenger hunt as a fund raiser. Entrants will have the opportunity to win one of four tablet
computers (two iPads, two Android, 64 GB, WiFi only). The cost of entry will be $5 USD per person. Entry forms may be picked up at the Trainee
Affairs Committee booth beginning on Saturday July 19th at 1:30 p.m. Entries must be turned in no later than 6:45 p.m. Tuesday July 22. Winners
will be selected based on the number of correct answers submitted. Any tie will be broken by the time stamp of the entry of the submission to the
TAC booth. Tablets will be distributed at the dance on July 22. Entrants must be present to claim their prize.
Trainee Forum: Transitioning into an Independent Career
You spoke and we listened: the 2014 Trainee Forum is entitled “Maintaining the Work-Life Balance.” The Trainee Forum will take place
Wednesday, 23 July, from 8:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. A diverse set of SSR Regular members including Janice L. Bailey, PhD (Laval University), Janice P.
Evans, PhD (Johns Hopkins University), Greg FitzHarris, PhD (University College), Karla Hutt, PhD (Monash Institute of Medical Research-Prince
Henry's Institute of Medical Research), Martin M. Matzuk, MD, PhD (Baylor College of Medicine), Jon Oatley, PhD (Washington State University),
Marc-Andre Sirard, DVM, PhD (Laval University), and Mary B. Zelinski, PhD (Oregon National Primate Research Center) have agreed to offer their
experiences in maintaining the balance between the bench and home. These established PIs represent a broad swath of our membership and are
looking forward to an enthusiastic crowd in Grand Rapids.
Trainee Volunteer Subcommittee (TVS)
The TVS provides an invaluable service to the Society by helping to make the meeting run smoothly. Volunteers assist with presentations,
coordination of social events, registration, poster session management, and signage. If you are interested in volunteering at this or next year’s Annual
21 Meeting, please visit the Trainee Affairs Booth. Volunteer information for the 2015 Annual Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico will be posted on the
SSR Annual Meeting website in 2015.
Trainee-Mentor Luncheon
The Trainee-Mentor Luncheon is Monday, 21 July, from 12:15 p.m.–1:45 p.m., in the Pantlind Room of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. This
Trainee-organized event provides Trainee participants with the opportunity to talk with an SSR scientist about careers and science over lunch.
Registration is required.
GENERAL INFORMATION
REGISTRATION
Fees
The cost of registering for the Annual Meeting depends on your membership or career status. Members of the Society are eligible for discounted
registration, while trainees (undergraduate and graduate students) are eligible for an additional registration discount, regardless of current
membership status. If you are unsure of your current membership status, please come to the Business Office onsite.
Membership type
SSR Regular or Associate
SSR Trainee
SSR Emeritus
Nonmember
Nonmember trainee*
Rate
$495
$395
$100
$720
$495
*Nonmember trainees must submit a signed statement from their major
professor or mentor to qualify for the trainee discount.
Registration fees cover the following:
• Attendance at all scientific sessions.
• Attendance at the Opening Reception (7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m., Saturday, 19 July).
• Attendance at the Diversity Lunch Symposium; pre-purchased tickets are required for the accompanying lunch (12:15 p.m.–1:45 p.m.,
Sunday, 20 July).
• Light breakfast, Sunday-Tuesday.
• Morning and afternoon beverage breaks, Sunday-Tuesday.
On-Site Registration
On-site registration will be available at the SSR Registration Desk (DeVos Place, Grand Gallery Meeting Room F) during the following hours:
Saturday, 19 July
9:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Sunday, 20 July
8:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Monday, 21 July
8:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 22 July
8:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Confirmation and Receipts
Registration packets will contain a receipt of payment, name badge, and vouchers for special purchases; packets will be distributed at the SSR Preregistration site on Saturday, 19 July and Sunday, 20 July. After Sunday, all registration packets may be picked up at the Business Office Registration
Desk.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Refunds, less a $25 service charge, will be issued for cancellations received in writing on or before 20 June 2014. Cancellations received after 20
June and before 8 July will be subject to a service charge of USD $75. No refund will be issued for cancellations received on or after 8 July 2014.
Refunds will be issued within four weeks after the Annual Meeting has concluded.
CME Accreditation
CME credits are available to participants in SSR’s Annual Meeting. If you did not register for CME accreditation on the Annual Meeting registration
form, a sign-up sheet and CME Supplement packet are available near the SSR Registration Desk. You may also download the packet at ssr.org.
22 PRESENTER INFORMATION
Platforms and Invited Talks
Upon arrival in Grand Rapids, all speakers are required to check and review their presentations in the Slide Preview Room (Business Center, First
Floor, DeVos Place Convention Center—hereafter “DeVos Place”). This room will be equipped with computers and staffed by trained personnel
available for assistance should technical difficulties arise. Speakers may modify their presentations up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled session. A
timed rehearsal is recommended. The Slide Preview Room will be open during the following hours:
Saturday, 19 July 2014
Sunday, 20 July 2014
Monday, 21 July 2014
Tuesday, 22 July 2014
8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Posters
Poster sessions will be held in Exhibit Hall C at DeVos Place. Abstract numbers will be indicated on the poster boards and color-coded by
presentation day. All posters will be on display from Sunday to Tuesday and will be presented at the following times:
Poster Session A
Poster Session B
Poster Session C
Sunday, 20 July 2014
Monday, 21 July 2014
Tuesday, 22 July 2014
7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Poster dimensions must not exceed 45 inches high by 45 inches wide (114 centimeters by 114 centimeters). Posters may be mounted with push pins
or Velcro. Push pins will be provided in the poster session room. All posters must be mounted on Saturday, 19 July, between noon and 6:00 p.m., and
must remain in place through 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 22 July. Posters still in place at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday will be discarded.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Opening Reception
On Saturday, 19 July, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., celebrate the kick-off of the SSR's 47th Annual Meeting by attending the Opening Reception on the
Grand Valley State University Campus, just across the river from the meeting site. A shuttle will circle continually between DeVos Place Convention
Center and the reception site. Admission is included in the registration fee; tickets for guests are $15. Two drink vouchers are included with each
ticket; additional drink vouchers may be purchased at the on-site Registration Desk on Saturday, 19 July, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Fun Run 2014 (proceeds benefit the LEMTTF)
Register for this fun event that will be on Sunday morning, 20 July, 5:30 a.m.–7:00 a.m. (pre-registrants: $30 [includes T-shirt]; on-site registrants:
$15 [no T-shirt]). From 5:30 a.m. – 6:00 a.m., runners and walkers will meet (and late-comers can register) at DeVos Place Convention Center (near
the Gillette Pedestrian Bridge). At 6:15 a.m., participants will begin the 5-km circuit that runs along both sides of the Grand River, beginning and
ending at DeVos Place.
Barbecue and Social
Tuesday, 22 July, 7:00 p.m.–12:30 a.m. (Barbecue: 7:00–8:30 p.m., $20 for trainee registrants, $35 for all others; Dance: 8:45 p.m.–12:30 a.m., open
to all). The menu for the barbecue will include traditional Midwestern picnic fare: chicken, barbecued beef, salad, corn-on-the-cob, breads, dessert,
and a vegetarian entrée. Each person will receive two drink tickets for wine, beer, or soda; a cash bar will be available for additional/other drink
purchases. The Sun Messengers will take the stage at 8:45 p.m. The dance portion of the evening is open to all registrants and paid barbecue guests.
PRESS RELATIONS AND NEWS COVERAGE
The society encourages news coverage of the meeting and will assist participants and the media in reporting current research discoveries in the
reproductive sciences. Please contact the SSR Office, 1619 Monroe Street, Madison, WI 53711-2063 (tel: 608-256-2777; e-mail: [email protected]) for
more information.
GETTING AROUND GRAND RAPIDS
Airport Transfer Shuttle Service
Coach shuttle service for people attending the SSR Meeting will be available between Gerald R. Ford International Airport and the Amway Grand
Plaza Hotel every hour, on the hour on Friday and Saturday (18-19 July) and Wednesday (23 July). The service is managed and operated by Gail
Andrus Travel, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Cost: $20.00 per person, Round Trip or One-Way.
Arrivals: Shuttle service departs from the baggage claim area once per hour, and drops off at the Lyon Street entrance of the Amway Grand Plaza
Hotel.
Friday, 18 July 2014
12:00 p.m. (noon)–12:00 a.m. (midnight)
Saturday, 19 July 2014
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Departures: Shuttle service departs from the Lyon Street entrance of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 4:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
23 Car Rental/Parking
Car rental companies available at the airport are: Avis; Budget; Enterprise; Hertz; National.
Discounted parking is available at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel for registered SSR guests: $8/night for self-parking and $12.50/night for valet
parking, with unlimited in and out privileges. SSR parking rates are 50% off the regular rate; subject to change.
Cab/Taxi
The average cab fare from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport to the Amway Grand Hotel is $30 one-way. SSR does not represent that this
information is complete, and does not guarantee rates, terms, or service.
Metro Cab of Grand Rapids: 616-827-6500
Yellow Cab Grand Rapids: 616-459-4646
Calder City Taxi Cab Company: 616-454-8080
University Taxi: 616-777-0320
City Bus
The Rapid bus line has a route from the airport to downtown Grand Rapids. Take Bus 17 Airport/Northbound to 28th Street/East Beltline Southeast;
transfer to Bus 6 Eastown/Northbound to Lyon/Ottawa. The trip takes approximately one hour. Get off at the Lyon/Ottawa stop and walk 1 block
west on Lyon Street Northwest to Monroe Avenue; the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place are across the street.
ON-SITE INFORMATION
Childcare
Attendees with children may contact the following services for daytime child care during the meeting. It is advisable to make arrangements well in
advance. This information is provided as a courtesy to meeting attendees; SSR makes no claim regarding the performance or suitability of these
services, nor assumes any liability.
• Canaan Land Child Development Center, http://www.canaanlandgr.com. Tel: 616-454-3908
• Hill Child Development Center, http://www.hillchildcare.org/. Tel: 616-456-7509
• Mayfair Christian Daycare & Preschool, http://mayfairchristiandaycare.com/. Tel: 616-458-1009
• Whistle Stop Child Development, http://www.whistlestopchildcare.net. Tel: 616-458-5560
Climate
In July, Grand Rapids’ average high temperature is 82.8°F (28.2°C) and the average low temperature is 62.2°F (16.8°C). For up-to-date weather
information for Grand Rapids, visit The Weather Underground (www.wunderground.com).
Conference Attire
Casual dress is appropriate for all meetings and social events. Meeting t-shirts (both current and previous designs) are always an excellent choice—
plus their purchase supports the Larry Ewing Memorial Trainee Travel Fund (LEMTTF).
Copies and Faxing
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel has a business center for copying and faxing for guests. Additional photocopying and faxing services are available as
follows:
FedEx Office 233 Fulton Street West Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 Phone: (616) 336-1900 Fax: (514) 842-1953
Hours: M-F 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Sun 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The UPS Store 3923 28th Street Southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512 Phone: (616) 285-9177
E-mail: [email protected]
Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Sat 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Dining and Entertainment
Downtown Grand Rapids has a wide variety of dining options. Visit http://www.experiencegr.com/restaurants/ and choose “downtown” in the
“location” drop-down menu for dining options near the meeting site.
Insurance
Liability insurance is the responsibility of each individual meeting participant, and each participant should have his/her own medical coverage.
Internet
Free wireless internet is available in the guest rooms for all SSR participants staying at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Free WiFi will be provided
throughout the Annual Meeting at DeVos Place for all meeting attendees, courtesy of the Michigan Milk Producers Association.
Medical Services
For medical emergencies, dial 911.
For non-emergency services in Grand Rapids:
 Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital 100 Michigan Street Northeast Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 Phone: (616) 391-1774
 Mercy Health Saint Mary's Campus 200 Jefferson Avenue Southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 Phone: (616) 685-5000
24 Mess
sages
Messaages for attendeees may be posted
d on a "Message Board" near thee SSR Registrati on Office.
Press
s Relations an
nd News Cove
erage
The Society encourages news coverag
ge of the Meeting
g and will assist participants andd the media in reeporting current research discoveeries in the
R Business Officce, 1619 Monroee Street, Madisonn, WI 53711reprodductive sciences. Prior to the Meeeting, questionss should be addreessed to the SSR
2063 ((tel: 608-256-27
777; e-mail: [email protected]). Jou
urnalists must ch
heck-in at the SS
SR Registration Office near the Grand Gallery L
Lobby of DeVos
Place and present theiir credentials to receive
r
a press pass.
p
Sales
s Taxes
The M
Michigan state saales tax is 6% on
n goods and serviices; there are no
o additional locaal sales taxes.
king Regulatio
ons
Smok
Smoking is prohibited
d in both the DeV
Vos Place Conveention Center an
nd Amway Grandd Plaza Hotel.
Spec
cial Needs
SSR is pleased to acco
ommodate any attendee
a
who neeeds assistance to
o ensure that all aattendees are ablle to participate in the meeting. P
Please contact
SR Business Offfice ([email protected]; 608-256-2777) prior to thee meeting if you require special ddietary or physiccal accommodattions at the
the SS
meetinng or if you requ
uire assistance geetting to or from
m sessions/eventss.
TTWO WA
AYS to ge
et meetiing abstracts an
nd createe your o
own Itineerary:
On
nline Itinerrary Buildeer by Preciss: http://ttinyurl.com
m/ozs5watt Pro
ogram numbe
ers will be included in the rresults/itinerary for printin
ng and your u
use onsite. Seaarch the SSR P
Program by:
• P
Presenter Last Name, full o
or partial • P
Presenter Insttitution/Depaartment, full oor partial • A
Abstract Title,, full or partiaal • P
Phrase/Keywo
ord, in Abstraact and Keywoords • TTopic (Submisssion) Category • SSession • SSession Type • D
Day G
Guidebookk meeting app: httpss://guidebook.com/gguide/205520/ TTwo ways to gget and use th
he Guidebookk app:  Create a
a guidebook aaccount to syync your itinerary on your computer and all your mobile devices! The Redeem Code is Michigan
n.  Go to yo
our respective device’s app store, searcch for “SSR 20014,” and dow
wnload the meetingg app to yourr mobile devicce or go to this web addre ss and have aa download link sent to yo
our device https:/
//guidebook
k.com/app/
/SSR2014/
25 AGENDA FOR 2014 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
Society for the Study of Reproduction
5:50 p.m., Tuesday, 22 July 2014
Steelcase Ballroom B
DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Call to Order
President Jock Findlay
Approval of the Minutes of the 2013 Annual Business Meeting
Secretary Andrea S. Cupp
Reports
Program Committee
Lois A. Salamonsen and Jon Hennebold (Co-Chairs)
Local Arrangements Committee
Editors-in-Chief
Asgerally T. Fazleabas (Chair)
Francesco J. DeMayo and Thomas E. Spencer (Editors-in-Chief)
Publications Committee
Mary Ann Handel and Daniel J. Bernard (Co-Chairs)
Membership Committee
Jon M. Oatley (Chair)
Bylaws Committee
Jannette M. Dufour (Chair)
Treasurer
Sally Perreault Darney (Treasurer)
Nominating Committee
Sarah A. Robertson (Chair)
Recognition of Retiring Officers, Directors, and Trainee Representative
Past President
Director
Director
Trainee Representative
President’s Remarks
Susan S. Suarez
Jodi Ann Flaws
John R. McCarrey
Anthony K. McNeel
President Jock Findlay
Installation of President Richard M. Schultz
Jock Findlay
Recognition of New Members of the Board
Vice President
Vice President-Elect
Past-President
Director
Director
Trainee Representative
President Richard M. Schultz
Bruce D. Murphy
Janice L. Bailey
Jock Findlay
Kelle H. Moley
Lane K. Christenson
Jenna Haverfield
New Business
Agenda for 2014–2015
Program 2015
Local Arrangements 2015
President Richard M. Schultz
Adjournment
26 Minutes of the SSR 2013 Business Meeting: 25 July 2013 (published in the October 2013 Newsletter)
Call to Order: Dr. Susan Suarez called the Business Meeting to order at 5:42 p.m. Approximately 120 members were in attendance.
Approval of the Minutes of the 2012 Annual Business Meeting: Dr. Suarez asked if there were any additions or corrections to the
minutes of the 2012 Business Meeting, which were previously published in the October 2012 SSR Newsletter. No additions or
corrections were offered. Dr. John McCarrey moved to accept the Minutes of the 2012 Annual Business Meeting. Dr. Richard
Schultz seconded. The motion carried.
President’s Remarks: Dr. Suarez commented that her term as SSR President was a remarkable experience due to the many
enjoyable interactions with numerous SSR members who contribute to the Society. She encouraged members to nominate individuals
for Board positions and Society awards and greater international participation in all aspects of the Society. She announced that the new
SSR website rebuild is nearing completion and that San Diego has been selected as the location for the 2016 SSR Annual Meeting.
The 2015 and 2014 meetings will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, respectively. Dr. Suarez recognized
and thanked Drs. Bruce Murphy and Hugh Clarke, the 2013 Local Arrangements Committee Co-Chairs; Drs. Sadhat Walusimbi and
Jane Fenelon, Co-Chairs of the Trainee Volunteer Subcommittee; and Drs. Janice Bailey and Janice Evans, Co-Chairs of the Program
Committee; for their outstanding work. She thanked Drs. Bernard Robaire and Bruce Murphy for their service as Co-Editors-in-Chief of
Biology of Reproduction for the past four years.
Treasurer’s Report: Dr. Sally Darney reviewed SSR Operations for 2012 and noted that revenue generated in the categories of
Publications, Annual Meeting, and Dues amounted to $1,790,149, and expenses in the categories of Publications, Member Services,
and Annual Meeting totaled $1,788,048. She commented that dues partially support membership services, but that publications and
meetings income as well as grants and fundraising also support membership services. The Larry Ewing Memorial Trainee Travel Fund
(LEMTTF) provided support for 178 travel grants from several sources, including: a) $25,000 from an NIH grant that supported U.S.
trainee travel; b) $12,000 from membership donations and T-shirt sales; and c) a Board-approved $16,000 supplement that was
needed this year to cover the large number of applications. A total of $53,000 in LEMTTF funds provided an average award of $300,
adjusted for distance traveled. Annual Meeting attendance was over 1,200 and there were outstanding fundraising efforts. Publications
income and expenses are on track; the new SSR website will be launched soon. The long-range sustainability picture based upon the
SSR Investment Account holdings of $3,212,243 is good. Funds are distributed in global equities, alternatives, and fixed income and
the yield over the past four years is 6%, which equals the benchmark appropriate to our asset allocation mix. The current SSR
Investment Account is divided into unrestricted assets for contingencies and special projects and endowment funds generated from
member donations. Over the past 5 years, member donations have included the following: a) $44,875 in 2009 plus $100,000 for the
new Anita Payne Endowment; b) $39,583 in 2010; c) $34,224 in 2011; d) $54,064 in 2012; and e) about $40,000 thus far in 2013. Dr.
Darney noted that SSR members give for a purpose to specific funds such as the Legacy Fund (for online publication of BOR prior to
the online journal), which has a current value of $260,963; b) the Virendra B. Mahesh Neuroendocrine Program Fund, which was
initiated with a generous donation by Dr. Mahesh and that is currently valued at $106,679; the Virendra B. Mahesh New Investigator
Endowment Fund initiated in 2008 and that is currently valued at $120,748; c) the Anita Payne Endowment created in 2010, currently
valued at $123,671; the Trainee Mentoring Fund created in 2010, currently valued at $7,774; the Past Presidents’ Fund created in
2011, currently valued at $26,141; and the General Endowment Fund, currently valued at $508,273. The total for these funds is
$1,146,450. In 2013, colleagues and friends of Dr. John Eppig contributed to a surprise fund in his honor, which currently stands at
approximately $26,000 and is available for additional contributions. The Board has voted to match all contributions to the Eppig Fund at
the end of 2013. Dr. Asgi Fazleabas moved to accept the Treasurer’s report. Dr. Mary Ann Handel seconded. The motion
carried.
Outgoing Editors-in-Chief of Biology of Reproduction: Dr. Bernard Robaire commented that it was a
good year for Biology of Reproduction (BOR) as the number of submissions had increased and the quality of papers continued to
improve. The acceptance rate for papers this year was 53%, and feedback on the new features introduced over the past four years was
very positive. He noted that all measures of journal impact have been improving: the half-life of BOR papers now exceeds 10 years,
and the impact factor is currently above 4. Attendees were encouraged to continue sending their best papers. He noted that the Journal
was fortunate to have an outstanding group of Associate Editors. He commented that he had appreciated the opportunity to have been
selected to serve the Society. Dr. Bruce Murphy added that during their tenure as Editors-in-Chief, they had handled more than 2,600
manuscripts and published over 1,400 papers. The editorial team had worked well together and he thanked the authors, reviewers,
Board of Reviewing Editors, Associate Editors, and the Editorial Office. He noted that he and Dr. Robaire would miss the job of seeing
the best work of Society members. He thanked the Society for the honor of entrusting the journal to himself and Dr. Robaire, and that
they had passed the Journal in good condition on to worthy successors in Drs. Franco DeMayo and Tom Spencer. Dr. McCarrey
moved to accept the report of the outgoing Editors-in- Chief of BOR. Dr. Schultz seconded. The motion carried.
Publications Committee: Dr. Mary Ann Handel, who is the incoming Co-Chair (along with Dr. Daniel Bernard), presented the report on
behalf of outgoing chair, Dr. Alan Johnson. She noted that during the past year, the Committee had increased advertising of the Journal
through several mechanisms, including an e-mail marketing campaign and through social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and a
“News and Updates” blog. The Publications Committee will continue to evaluate the efficacy of these initiatives. During the past year,
the Committee provided input to the Board in support of signing on to the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) initiative, the San
Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which recommends not to use journal-based metrics, such as journal impact
factors, as a surrogate measure of the quality of individual research articles for assessing an individual scientist’s contributions, or in
hiring, promotion, or funding decisions. The Committee also advised the Board to support the Clearinghouse for the Open Research of
the United States (CHORUS), which calls for a distributed approach to public access whereby publishers would host the open access
27 content on their sites while retaining the right to determine the format offered. This system would have advantages to publishers by
keeping online traffic directed to publisher sites and advantages to the federal agencies because the proposed solution would entail
little or no cost to the government. Dr. Robaire moved to accept the report of the Publications Committee. Dr. Schultz seconded.
The motion carried.
Trainee Affairs Committee: Dr. Zelieann Craig, Senior Trainee Representative, presented the report of the Committee. Dr. Suarez
presented Dr. Craig with a plaque in appreciation for her contributions to SSR as the retiring Trainee Representative on the Board. Dr.
Craig reported that nearly half (578) of this years’ meeting attendees were trainees, although 142 of these trainees were not SSR
members. She encouraged non-member trainees to consider SSR membership and encouraged their mentors to support their
application. The LEMTTF, which honors the memory of Dr. Larry Ewing and provides assistance for trainees to attend the Annual
Meeting, is supported by donations, T-shirt sales, and NIH funding. This year, the program was coordinated by Jill Madden and
assisted 178 trainees from all over the world. She asked SSR members to consider donating to the program. Records were broken this
year with the Trainee-Mentor Luncheon. Patrick Hannon recruited 29 mentors to participate with 200 trainees. She thanked the mentors
for making this networking opportunity possible. She concluded her report by thanking a number of individuals, including all the
members the Trainee Affairs Committee, Dr. Florencia Ardon for coordinating the roommate referral service, and Drs. Sadhat
Walusimbi and Jane Fenelon for co-chairing the Trainee Volunteer Subcommittee. She offered special thanks to the Trainee Affairs
Committee advisors—Drs. Olga Bolden Tiller, Mary Ann Handel, and Joan Jorgensen. She acknowledged the more than 80 trainees
who had volunteered and helped the meeting progress smoothly, and thanked Drs. Robertson, Murphy, Bazer, Handel, Curry,
Schubert, and Yao for accepting the invitation to speak at the Trainee Forum, which was inspired by the suggestions of trainees. She
thanked Dr. Tony McNeel, who was assuming the role of Senior Trainee Rep, for organizing the Trainee Affairs booth and for always
bringing great ideas to the table, and then congratulated Annie Newell-Fugate, the new Junior Trainee Representative on the Board.
Lastly, she thanked Dr. Jodi Flaws, who supported her decision to run as Trainee Representative, and Dr. Patricia Hoyer for
transmitting the appreciation for reproductive biology and dedication to the SSR. Dr. Suarez thanked Dr. Craig and noted the valued
and thoughtful contributions of trainees to Board discussions and decisions. Dr. Jock Findlay moved to accept the report of the
Trainee Affairs Committee. Dr. Handel seconded. The motion carried.
Bylaws Committee: Dr. Rabindranath De La Fuente presented the report on behalf of the Chair, Dr. Janette Dufour. The following 5
amendments were presented for discussion during the Business Meeting prior to a vote in the fall: Amendment 1: To change the name
of the Minority Affairs Committee to the Diversity Committee. The proposed change is to have a name that is more inclusive.
Amendment 2: To change the number of voting members of the Board of Directors from eleven to twelve. The proposed change is to
correct the Bylaws since there are now twelve members of the Board of Directors. Amendment 3: To add immediate Past President to
the SSR Officers. The proposed change is to correct the Bylaws since the immediate Past President is considered an officer.
Amendment 4: To change the number of years an individual can serve on the Board of Directors from six to seven. The proposed
change is to account for the additional year as Vice President-Elect. Amendment 5: To add the Future Meetings Committee to the
Bylaws. The Future Meetings Committee is now a standing committee, which requires it to be added to the Bylaws. The proposed
amendments will be presented in the Fall 2013 Newsletter in advance of an electronic vote. Dr. Fazleabas moved to accept the
report of the Bylaws Committee. Dr. Flaws seconded. The motion carried.
Membership Committee: Dr. Kate Loveland presented the report on behalf of Dr. Jon Oatley. Dr. Loveland reported that during the
past year SSR membership had increased more than 8% and that as of June 2013, there are 1,777 SSR members. The international
base of membership is increasing, with over 760 international members representing 46 countries. The Membership Committee is
looking for opportunities to promote and encourage recruitment of new members. One mechanism that is currently being used is
communication with current and potential SSR members through contact at regional reproductive biology meetings in the U.S. and
international regions. Dr. Loveland encouraged members to contact Dr. Oatley with information about meetings such as these where
SSR membership might be promoted. A new initiative that has been approved by the Board of Directors is the implementation of an
early career membership option for trainees transitioning to regular membership that provides a 50% reduction in regular member dues
for the first two years. Dr. Loveland then asked for a moment of silence of in recognition of the SSR members who had passed away
during the past year: Drs. Harry M. Weitlauf, Norman Hecht, and Minoro Nakano. Dr. Fazleabas moved to accept the report of the
Membership Committee. Dr. Schultz seconded. The motion carried.
Dr. Suarez then recognized retiring Officers, Directors, and the Trainee Representative and presented each with a plaque. She thanked
Drs. Blanche Capel and John McCarrey for their contributions as Directors and noted that Dr. McCarrey will serve one more year as
Director to replace Dr. Spencer, one of the new Co-Editors-in-Chief of Biology of Reproduction. She then thanked and presented
plaques to Drs. Barbara Vanderhyden, Robert Burghardt, Zelieann Craig, Richard Schultz, and Jock Findlay for their service as Past
President, Secretary, Senior Trainee Representative, Vice President-Elect and Vice President, respectively. Dr. Suarez then installed
Dr. Findlay as SSR President, noting that he is the first SSR President from outside of North America.
Dr. Findlay thanked Dr. Suarez for her many contributions, including many new initiatives, on behalf of the Society. He presented Dr.
Suarez with a plaque in recognition of her service as President and noted that she had been very effective at keeping Board
discussions on track. The job of President comes with unanticipated duties, which she handled effectively. This year’s meeting
incorporated her ideas about the program and she worked closely with the Program Committee Co-Chairs, Drs. Bailey and Evans.
New Business: Dr. Findlay commented that the internationalization of the Society was reflected in his selection as the first SSR
President outside of North America and that he looked forward to his leadership role. He then reported that the Program Committee for
the 2014 Annual Meeting had been established, and introduced the Co-Chairs of the Program Committee, Professor Lois Salamonsen
and Dr. Jon Hennebold.
28 essor Salamons
sen and Dr. He
ennebold reportted that the the
eme of the mee
eting will be “Fe
ertility: A Globa
al Challenge.” T
Topics will
Profe
includ
de the effects of
o modern socie
ety on preserva
ation and limita
ation of fertility in humans, wildlife, feral speccies, and in farrm and
comp
panion animals. Major lectures
s and speakers
s include the Keynote Lecture
e: Professor An
nna Glasier (UK
K); Plenary Leccture: Dr. Milo
Wiltba
ank; Historical Perspectives Lecture:
L
Profes
ssor Sir Ian Wilmut; State-of-tthe-Art Lecture: Dr. E. Green;; SSR New Investigator: to be
e
annou
unced; Preside
ent’s Symposium speakers: Drs.
D Christina Wang
W
and J. Je nsen, with Drs. J. Amory and
d Diana Blithe le
eading a
Roundtable Discuss
sion on contrac
ception. They noted
n
that two slots
s
for major llectures remain
n open, and that suggestionss for speakers
welcome. The meeting
m
will be held from Satu
urday, 19 July, through Wedn esday, 23 Julyy 2014, and the
e general forma
at of the
are w
meetiing will be the same
s
as this ye
ear. The modules under cons
sideration are M
Male and Fema
ale Fertility and
d Infertility, Tran
nslation of
Basicc Research to Real-World
R
Pra
actice (wildlife, farm and dome
estic animals, a
and humans), IInterrelationshiips of Reproduction and the
Enviro
onment, as we
ell as Pregnanc
cy/Developmen
ntal Origins of Health
H
and Dise
ease (DOHaD)). The Ovarian Workshop will also be
includ
ded in the program. Dr. Findla
ay then invited Dr. Fazleabas, Chair of the L
Local Arrangem
ments Committe
ee, to introduce
e the Grand
Rapid
ds Meeting. Dr.. Fazleabas pre
esented a brieff video about Grand
G
Rapids a
and commented
d that the local arrangementss will be
facilita
ated by membe
ers of the Mich
higan Alliance for Reproductio
on and Translattional Science,, with memberss from Michigan State
Unive
ersity, Universitty of Michigan, Wayne State University,
U
Wes
stern Michigan
n University, an
nd Grand Valleyy State Universsity. He noted
that a
all of the major U.S. airlines fly
y into Grand Rapids, with 13 daily flights fro
om Chicago and
d 9 from Detroit. The entire sccientific
program will be held
d in the DeVos Place Convention Center, wh
hich is located on the banks o
of the Grand R
River. Adjacent to DeVos
e is the Amway
y Grand Hotel, a gorgeous fac
cility with sufficiient sleeping ro
ooms (at a neg
gotiated, afforda
able rate) to acccommodate
Place
everyyone attending SSR 2014.
Dr. Fiindlay asked if there were oth
her business ite
ems. In the abs
sence of any ne
ew business, D
Dr. McCarrey m
moved to adjourrn the Business
Meetiing. The meetin
ng adjourned at
a 6:45 p.m.
—Robert C. Burghardt, Secretarry
.
FUTURE
F
SO
OCIETY ME ETINGS
18–22 Ju
une 2015
48th Annua
al Meeting
San Juan, Puerto
P
Rico
17–2
21 July 2016
6
49th Annual
A
Meetin
ng
San Diego, Californ
nia
12–16 July 2
2017
5
50th Annual M
Meeting
Washington, DC
SAVE THESE
T
DAT
TES!
SSR ADMINIISTRATIVE
E OFFICE AND
A
EDIT
TORIAL OF
FFICE OF B
BIOLOGY O
OF REPROD
DUCTION
1619 Monroe
M
Streeet
Madison, WI 53711--2063
Tel:: 608-256-27
777; Fax: 6008-256-46100
E-mail: [email protected]; Web Site: hhttp://www.ssr.org
Journ
nal E-mail: [email protected]; Web Site: hhttp://www.bbiolreprod.orrg
29 BYLAWS OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF REPRODUCTION, INC.
(Revised January 8, 2013)
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of the organization shall be “Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.”
ARTICLE II: PURPOSES
The purposes of this Society are to promote the study of reproduction by
fostering interdisciplinary communication within the science, by holding conferences, and by publication of meritorious studies or by any other means
deemed appropriate.
ARTICLE III: DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of these Bylaws, the terms “corporation,” “Society,”
and “organization” are used synonymously and refer to the Society for the
Study of Reproduction, Inc.
ARTICLE IV: EFFECT OF THESE BYLAWS
Nothing in these Bylaws shall be construed to supersede the provisions
of the Articles of Incorporation. In the event of a conflict, the Articles of Incorporation, unless amended, shall prevail.
ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Categories of Membership
The categories of membership in the Society shall be (a) Regular Member: Any individual who has demonstrated professional competence in and
made scientific contributions to the field of reproductive biology shall be
eligible for Regular Membership in the Society; (b) Member Emeritus: Regular Members in retirement, with at least ten years of regular membership in
the society, shall be eligible to petition the Executive Director to have the
Board of Directors grant them emeritus status; (c) Honorary Member: An
individual who based on his/her overall impact on science is a Hartman
awardee; (d) Associate Member: Any individual or institution with a scientific
interest in the field of reproductive biology shall be eligible for Associate
Membership; (e) Trainee Member: Any individual in training in the field of
reproductive biology and who has been recommended by a Regular Member
shall be eligible for Trainee Membership; (f) Sustaining Associates: Any
philanthropic individual, organization, corporation, or foundation which contributes substantially to the support of the Society may, by action of the
Board of Directors, be admitted to membership as a Sustaining Associate.
Regular Members, Members Emeritus, Honorary Members, Associate Members, Trainee Members, and Sustaining Associates shall hereinafter be
referred to as “Members,” except where specifically identified.
Section 2. Nomination
Any Regular Member of the Society can nominate a qualified individual
for membership by sending the Executive Director an application completed
by the nominee and signed by the sponsoring Member. In addition, the
Membership Committee can solicit applications from prospective members
who appear to have the qualifications to join the Society. Solicited applications do not require the signature of a sponsor.
Section 3. Acceptance
A nominee shall be entitled to the privileges of membership upon approval of the Membership application and upon payment of dues.
Section 4. Termination
Membership may be terminated for nonpayment of dues, or for cause
upon recommendation of the Board of Directors and 2/3 ballot of Members.
Section 5. Privileges
All Members shall be invited to the annual and special meetings of the
Society. Regular Members alone shall have power to hold office, elect members and officers, and to change the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VI: DUES
Section 1. Amount
The annual assessment on Members shall be determined by the Board
of Directors.
Section 2. Notification
The first request for dues for the coming calendar year will be mailed in
September, to be followed by a second notice. Failure to pay dues by December 31 will terminate active membership and subscriptions. Any Member
whose annual assessment is in order may be returned to good standing if
the assessments are paid within one year.
ARTICLE VII: OFFICES
The principal office of the Society shall be located in the City of Urbana,
County of Champaign, and State of Illinois. The Society may also maintain
offices from time to time at other places designated by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
Section 1. Annual Meetings
The annual meeting of the Members of the Society shall be held at the
time and place determined by the Board of Directors for the purpose of
transacting such business as may come properly before the meeting.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Members may be called at any time by the
President and shall be called by the President or the Secretary at the written request of a majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Place of Meetings
All meetings of Members shall be held at such place as the Board of
Directors may select, and as shall be designated in the respective notices
or waivers of notice of such meetings.
Section 4. Notice of Meetings
(a) Except as otherwise provided by statute, written notice of each
meeting of Members, whether annual or special, stating the purpose for
which the meeting is called, and the time when and place where it is to be
held, shall be served either personally or by mail, not less than 30 nor more
than 90 days before the meeting upon each Member of record entitled to
vote at such meeting.
(b) Notice of any meeting need not be given to any person who may
become a Member of record after the mailing of such notice and prior to the
meeting, or to any Member who attends such meeting in person or by
proxy, or to any Member who, in person or by attorney thereunto authorized, waives notice of any meeting in writing either before or after such
meeting. Notice on any adjourned meeting of Members need not be given,
unless otherwise required by statute.
Section 5. Quorum
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, or by statute, or in the Articles
of Incorporation (such Articles and any amendments thereof being hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Articles of Incorporation”), at all meetings of Members of the Society, the presence in person or by proxy of 50
Regular Members, shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum
for the transaction of any business.
Section 6. Voting
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, or by statute, or by the Articles of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the membership present in person or by proxy and voting at a meeting of Members
with respect to a question or matter brought before such meeting shall be
necessary and sufficient to decide such question or matter.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by statute, or by the Articles of Incorporation, at each meeting of Members, each Regular Member shall be
entitled to one vote.
Each Member entitled to vote may vote by proxy, provided, however,
that the instrument authorizing such proxy to act shall have been executed
in writing by the Members themselves, or by their attorney-in-fact thereunto
duly authorized in writing. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of
eleven months from the date of its execution, unless the person executing it
shall have specified therein the length of time it is to continue in force. Such
instrument shall be exhibited to the Secretary at the meeting and shall be
filed with the record of the Society.
Section 7. Order of Business
1. Meeting called to order.
2. Reading of the Minutes of the Preceding Meeting.
3. Reports of Committees.
4. Reports of Officers.
5. Old and Unfinished Business.
6. New Business.
7. Adjournment.
ARTICLE IX: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number, Election, and Terms of Office
(a) The business of this organization shall be managed by a Board of
Directors consisting of six elected Regular Members together with (1) the
immediate Past President, (2) the President, (3) the Vice President, (4) the
Vice President-Elect, (5) the Secretary, and (6) the Treasurer. These eleven
voting members of the Board of Directors must all be Regular Members of
the Society.
BYLAWS
(b) The six elected Directors shall be elected by ballot of the Regular
Members of the Society in the same manner and style as the Officers of this
organization are elected (see Article X).
(c) The elected Directors shall serve three-year terms, with two of these
Directors completing their terms each year. They shall be eligible for reelection subject to the limitation that they shall not serve more than six
consecutive years as Directors in any capacity.
(d) Outgoing Directors shall hold the responsibilities of office until their
successors are elected and qualified, except in cases of death, resignation,
or removal.
Section 2. Duties and Powers
(a) The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the control and
management of the affairs, property and interests of the Society, and may
exercise all powers of the Society except as herein provided, in the Articles
of Incorporation, or by statute expressly conferred upon or reserved to the
Members. The Board of Directors shall act only in the name of the organization when it shall be regularly convened by its President after due notice to
all the Directors and Officers of such meeting.
(b) The Board of Directors may create and appoint committees to assist
the Directors and Officers in the conduct of the Society's affairs.
Section 3. Annual and Regular Meetings: Notice
(a) A regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held
immediately following the annual meeting.
(b) The Board of Directors from time to time may provide by resolution
for the holding of other regular meetings of the Board of Directors and may
fix the time and place thereof.
Section 4. Special Meetings: Notice
(a) Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever
called by the President, or by one of the Officers or Directors, at such time
and place as may be specified in the respective notices or waivers of notice
thereof. If deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, a special meeting
of the Board may be held entirely by simultaneous telephone conference or
similar means.
(b) Except as otherwise required by statue, notice of such special
meetings shall be sent by traditional or electronic mail, or by facsimile, to
each Officer and Director, at their residence or usual place of business, at
least seven days before the day on which the meeting is to be held.
Section 5. Chairman
At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the President, or in the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside.
Section 6. Quorum
(a) At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the presence of a majority
of the Directors and Officers shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by
law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws.
(b) The Officers and Directors present at the time and place of any
regular or special meeting, although less than a quorum, may adjourn the
same from time to time without further notice until a quorum shall be present.
Section 7. Manner of Acting
(a) At all meetings of the Board of Directors, each Officer and Director
present shall have one vote.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by statute, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, the action of a majority of the Officers and Directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of
the Board of Directors.
Section 8. Vacancies
Any vacancy occurring by reason of the death, resignation, disqualification, removal or inability to act of any Director shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by a majority vote of the remaining Officers and
Directors, though less than a quorum, at any regular meeting or special
meeting of the Board of Directors called for that purpose.
Section 9. Resignation
Any Director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary of the Society. Unless
otherwise specified in such written notice, the resignation of such Director
shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors and the
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 10. Removal
No Director may be removed from office without just cause. In the
event impeachment proceedings are initiated against any Director, the
improper conduct must be clearly defined and the accused Director must
have ample opportunity to address the charges. Actual impeachment may
occur only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Regular Members and
only after these voting Members have been duly informed of the charges
against the Director and of the Director's response to those charges. The
vote on impeachment may take place at any meeting of the Society or by
mail ballot of the Regular Members.
Section 11. Executive Council
The Executive Council shall consist of the immediate Past President,
the President, the Vice President, the Vice President-Elect, the Secretary,
and the Treasurer: Its function shall be to exercise all functions and powers
of the Board of Directors between the meetings of the Board of Directors.
a) The provision of this Article IX regulating the meetings, notices,
powers, etc., of the Directors shall be applicable to the meetings of the
Executive Council.
Section 12. Student Representatives
Two representatives to the Board of Directors may be elected by the
Trainee Membership and approved by the Board to represent Trainee concerns in the affairs of the Society. The senior Trainee Representative will
have a vote on the Board. If the senior Trainee Representative is not present, voting responsibilities will then pass to the junior Trainee Representative. The representatives shall serve two-year terms with one representative
being replaced each year.
ARTICLE X: OFFICERS
Section 1. Qualifications, Election, and Term of Office
(a) The Officers shall be a President, a Vice President, a Vice President-Elect, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The Officers of the Society (and
the elected Directors) shall be elected by mail ballot of Regular Members
which shall be held not more than five months nor less than two months
prior to the annual meeting of Members.
(b) All Officers shall hold office until their successors shall have been
elected and qualified.
(c) Elected Officers and Directors shall assume their office, duties, and
responsibilities as the last item of business at the business session of the
annual meeting of Members next following the election.
Section 2. Nomination and Elections
The Nominating Committee shall solicit, collect, and evaluate nominations from the Regular Members of the Society for the offices of Vice President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director when applicable. Members of
the Nominating Committee may make nominations, as well. Submitted
nominations shall require supporting comments. The entire Committee shall
evaluate the submitted nominations and shall select at least two candidates
and one alternate for the Office of Vice President-Elect, Secretary, and
Treasurer when applicable and shall select at least four candidates and two
alternates for the Office of Director. Current members of the Committee
cannot be nominated and the final candidates for one office cannot be from
the same institution. Current elected Board members must be in the final
year of their term to be nominated for another elected Board position. The
Editor-in-Chief of Biology of Reproduction, who attends Board meetings and
serves at the pleasure of the Board, should be in the final year of his/her
editorial term to be nominated for a position on the Board of Directors. The
Committee's recommendations shall be transmitted to the Board of Directors for their approval at the Mid-Winter Board meeting. The election shall
be held not more than five months nor less than two months prior to the
annual meeting. For the election, the President or designated agent shall
send to every Regular Member a ballot containing the list of nominees with
space for such additional names as the Regular Members wish to propose
and brief biographies of nominees. The marked ballot shall be returned to
the President or designated agent at such time and place as designated. A
plurality of the votes cast shall be necessary to elect the Vice PresidentElect, Secretary, and Treasurer. The two nominees with the highest number
of votes will be elected as Directors. In case of a tie vote, the President
shall cast the deciding ballot.
Section 3. Resignation
Any Officer may resign at any time by giving written notice of such
resignation to the Board of Directors or to the President or the Secretary of
the Society. Unless otherwise specified in such written notice, such resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or by
such Officer, and the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary
to make it effective.
Section 4. Removal
The Officers and agents appointed in accordance with the provisions of
this Article X may be removed from office by the same procedure for removal of Directors (as outlined in Article IX: Section 10).
BYLAWS
Section 5. Vacancies
A vacancy in any office except that of President, Vice President, and
the Vice President-Elect, by reason of death, resignation, inability to act,
disqualification, removal, or any other cause, shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by a majority vote of the Board of Directors regularly convened at any regular or special meeting.
Section 6. President
(a) The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Society and,
subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, shall have general charge
of the business.
(b) The President shall hold office for one year and may not be
reelected.
Section 7. Past President
The last surviving President shall be the Past President and by reason
of such office shall be a member of the Board of Directors. In the event of
the Past President's death, resignation, or inability to serve, the next surviving Past President shall assume that office. A Past President shall not be
eligible for election as president.
Section 8. Vice President
(a) During the absence or disability of the President, the Vice President
shall exercise all the functions of the President and, when so acting, shall
have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice President shall have such powers and discharge such duties
as may be assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Vice
President shall succeed automatically to the Office of the President in the
year following election.
(b) If the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall
succeed to office, but this shall not affect succession to the Office of the
President in the year following election.
(c) The Vice President shall hold office for a term of one year and may
not be re-elected to that office.
Section 9. Vice President-Elect
(a) The Vice President-Elect shall have such powers and discharge
such duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors.
The Vice President-Elect shall succeed automatically to the Office of Vice
President in the year following election.
(b) If the office of the Vice President becomes vacant, the Vice President-Elect shall succeed to office.
(c) The Vice President-Elect shall hold office for a term of one year may
not be re-elected to that office.
(d) If the office of Vice President-Elect becomes vacant, the person
who was on the ballot for that office but who was not elected shall assume
the office of Vice President-Elect.
Section 10. Secretary
The Secretary shall:
(a) Record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Members and
Board of Directors in a book to be kept for that purpose;
(b) Cause all notices to be duly given in accordance with the provisions
of these Bylaws and as required by statute;
(c) Be custodian or delegate custody of the records and of the seal of
the Society, and cause such seal to be affixed to all instruments, the execution of which on behalf of the Society under its seal shall have been duly
authorized in accordance with these Bylaws;
(d) See that the books, reports, statements, and all other documents
and records of the Society required by statute are properly kept and filed;
(e) Maintain and update the Standard Operating Procedures for each of
the Society’s committees and annually distribute these to the Board of Directors and incoming committee chairs.
(f) In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and
such other duties given to the Secretary by these Bylaws, or as from time to
time may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the President;
(g) The Secretary shall hold office for a term of three years and may be
re-elected.
Section 11. Assistant Secretaries
The Society may have one or more Assistant Secretaries. Whenever
requested by or in the absence or disability of the Secretary, the Assistant
Secretary designated by the Secretary (or in the absence of such designation, the Assistant Secretary designated by the Board of Directors) shall
perform all the duties of the Secretary, and when so acting shall have all the
powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Secretary.
Section 12. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
(a) Have or delegate responsibility for the funds, securities, receipts,
and disbursements of the Society;
(b) Cause the moneys and other valuable effects of the Society to be
deposited in the name and to the credit of the Society in such banks or trust
companies as the Board of Directors may select; or as may be selected by
any officer or officers or agent or agents authorized so to do by the Board of
Directors;
(c) Cause the funds of the Society to be disbursed by checks or drafts,
with such signatures as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, upon
the authorized depositories of the Society, and cause to be taken and preserved proper vouchers for all moneys disbursed;
(d) Have or delegate responsibility for provision to the President or
Board of Directors whenever requested, a statement of the financial condition of the Society, and of all transactions as Treasurer; and render a
statement of assets and related statements of income, expenditures and
fund capital as audited annually by an independent auditing firm at the
annual meeting of the Members if called upon to do so;
(e) Keep or cause to be kept the books of account of all the business
transactions of the Society;
(f) Be empowered to require from all officers or agents of the Society
reports or statements giving information desired with respect to any and all
financial transactions of the Society;
(g) In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and
such other duties as are designated by these Bylaws or as from time to time
may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the President; and
(h) The Treasurer shall hold office for a term of three years and may be
re-elected.
Section 13. Assistant Treasurers
The Society may have one or more assistant Treasurers. Whenever
requested by or in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, the Assistant
Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer designated by the Treasurer (or in the
absence of such designation, the Assistant Treasurer designated by the
Board of Directors) shall perform all the duties of the Treasurer, and when
so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to the restrictions
upon, the Treasurer. When a new Treasurer takes office, the immediate
past treasurer will begin a one-year term as Assistant Treasurer. During
that year, the immediate past treasurer will attend Board meetings to serve
in an advisory capacity, but shall not have voting privileges.
Section 14. Executive Director
The Society may have an Executive Director appointed by the Board of
Directors. The Executive Director shall be responsible for the management
of the Society’s operations and records, and shall perform duties as may be
assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President of the
Society. The Executive Director shall be an ex officio member of the Board
of Directors.
Section 15. Subordinate Officers and Agents
The Board of Directors may from time to time appoint such other officers and agents as it may deem necessary or advisable, to hold office for
such period, have such authority and perform such duties as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine. The Board of Directors may
delegate to any officer or agent the power to appoint any such subordinate
officers or agents and to prescribe their respective terms of office, authorities, and duties.
ARTICLE XI: COMMITTEES
Section 1. Creation and Dissolution
The Board of Directors shall have the authority to create and dissolve
standing committees. The President shall have similar authority with regard
to ad hoc committees.
Section 2. Appointments of Members
New Members of standing committees and Members of ad hoc committees shall be appointed by recommendation of the Vice President, with the
approval of the Board of Directors. At least one-third, but not more than
two-thirds, of the Members of standing committees shall be replaced each
year. The Chairpersons-Elect of the respective standing committees shall
be chosen by the Vice President of the Society from the eligible Members of
the pre-existing committees, where possible. Chairs of standing committees
will serve as Past Chairs for an additional year after their term. Members
and the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee shall be selected as
described in Article XI, Section 4(j).
BYLAWS
Section 3. Term of Office
The term of appointment to all committees shall be for one year with
the exception of the Chair who will serve a second term as the Past Chair.
A Member may be reappointed to standing committees, but Members shall
normally serve no more than three consecutive one-year terms on the same
standing committee, unless reappointed by the Board on a yearly basis
after recommendation by the Vice President.
Section 4. Standing Committees
(a) Membership Committee: A Membership Committee composed of
five or more Members of the Society shall solicit, evaluate, and approve or
decline nominations for membership according to guidelines established by
the Board of Directors in Article V, Section 1. The Membership Committee
may delegate authority for evaluation and approval of membership applications to the office of the Executive Director.
(b) Program Committee: The Program Committee composed of ten or
more Members of the Society shall be responsible for arranging programs
for the scientific meetings of the Society. The Committee shall select papers
to be presented, establish procedures to review abstracts, review abstracts,
and prepare a program structure. It shall advertise the meetings and integrate its activities with the Local Arrangements Committee. The Committee
shall evaluate past programs, assess the feasibility of alterations in program
structure, and make recommendations as appropriate to the Board of Directors.
(c) Publications Committee: A Publications Committee composed of
five or more Regular Members of the Society shall be responsible for the
management of all publications of the Society. The Committee shall recommend to the Board of Directors candidates for editorial leadership. It will
make recommendations regarding editorial policy and fiscal matters related
to publications.
(d) Awards Committee: An Awards Committee composed of eleven or
more Regular Members of the Society shall encourage nominations of
worthy persons for Society Awards, annually select a recipient for each
award, and recognize the recipient at an appropriate event during the annual meeting of the Society. Any active Member may make nominations for
the awards according to the guidelines published annually. The awards are
made solely to recognize outstanding contributions to the reproductive
sciences and bear no obligation to the recipient or to the donor. The Awards
Committee shall also be responsible for selecting and recognizing recipients of the Trainee Research Awards and Trainee Travel Awards that are
presented at the annual meeting.
(e) Bylaws Committee: The Bylaws Committee composed of three or
more Members of the Society shall analyze the appropriateness of the
Bylaws and assess problems and conflicts which arise between recommendations and/or practices of the Board of Directors and the Bylaws of the
Society. It shall recommend alterations or repeal of existing Bylaws and
propose new Bylaws as appropriate to the Board of Directors.
(f) Public Affairs Committee: A Public Affairs Committee composed of
five or more Members of the Society, one of whom shall be the Editor of the
Society’s Newsletter, shall review the issues which are of concern to the
public and our governments and shall recommend positions for the Society
to take on each issue. The Committee shall be responsible for the preparation and dissemination of public pronouncements and information, and the
Society’s Newsletter. The Committee shall also make recommendations to
the Board of Directors for the organizational structure and function of the
Society's Public Affairs Program.
(g) Minority Affairs Committee: A Minority Affairs Committee composed
of five or more members of the Society shall work to enhance participation
by minorities in the Society and in the field of reproductive sciences. Minorities shall be defined as underrepresented groups including, but not limited
to members of racial and ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities. The
committee shall report on the status of minorities in the Society to the Board
of Directors of the Society. The Chair shall work with the Chairs of the
Membership, Program, Nominating, Awards, and Education committees,
with the appropriate ad hoc committee Chairs, and with Society Officers to
enhance participation of minorities in Society activities including participation on committees.
(h) Development Committee: A Development Committee composed of
five or more Members of the Society shall raise funds that will be used to
support the Society’s purposes as stated in Article II.
(i) Heritage Committee: An Heritage Committee composed of a minimum of five or more Emeritus Members of the Society shall be responsible
for program development that will educate young scientists about the historical perspectives relevant to current research in reproductive biology. The
Heritage Committee shall also create/define an activity in the program of
the Annual Meeting specifically designed for Emeritus members that will
serve as an incentive for their attendance and participation.
(j) Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee shall consist of
nine Regular Members, of which three must be Past Presidents of the Society, selected by the Board of Directors with consideration for representation
of the different scientific disciplines and research areas of reproductive
biology. The Chairperson and the Members of the Committee shall be announced and made known to the Membership of the Society at least five
months prior to each election. The Chairperson of the Committee shall be
chosen by the Vice President of the Society from the current Membership of
the Committee. A new Chairperson shall be appointed yearly. Members of
the Committee, with the exception of the Chairperson, shall not serve on
the Nominating Committee for consecutive years. The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for the preparation of a slate of nominees, to be
voted upon by confidential ballot, for the open positions on the Board of
Directors.
(k) Trainee Affairs Committee: The Trainee Affairs Committee shall be
composed of a minimum of seven or more trainee members including two
Trainee Representatives to the Board of Directors and two faculty advisors
(Regular SSR Members). The Trainee Affairs Committee shall be responsible for the planning and coordination of those SSR activities (Trainee Forum, Travel Awards Distribution, Placement Service, and the Trainee/Mentor Luncheon) that focus on trainee development at the Annual
Meeting. Two trainee-elected Trainee Representatives shall serve on the
Board of Directors. They will be responsible for channeling the concerns
and viewpoints brought forth by the Trainee Affairs Committee and the
Trainee Membership to the Board.
Section 5. Ad Hoc Committees
The President will inform the Chair of each ad hoc committee of the
committee’s specific responsibilities.
ARTICLE XII: PAPERS ON SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS
Section 1. Annual Meeting Papers
The Board of Directors shall establish regulations governing the
presentation of papers at scientific sessions and shall set guidelines for the
format of the annual meeting. The call for papers and rules for submitting
papers to be presented at the annual meeting shall be sent to each Member
at least four months before any meeting at which they are to apply.
Section 2. Journal Papers
(a) The official Journal of the Society shall be Biology of Reproduction.
(b) The Journal shall be controlled by the Board of Directors of the
Society in accordance with the powers vested to the Board by Article IX:
Section 2 of these Bylaws.
(c) The Board of Directors shall make available to the Members of the
Society a statement on the policies for management of the Journal. This
statement shall include the procedure for selection of the editorial leadership. In addition, the statement shall contain information about the general
editorial policies of the Journal.
ARTICLE XIII: EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS
All checks, drafts, bills of exchange, acceptances, bonds, endorsements, notes or other obligations, or evidences of indebtedness of the Society, and all deeds, mortgages, indentures, bills of sale, conveyances,
endorsements, assignments, transfers, stock powers or other instruments
of transfer, contracts, agreements, dividend or other orders, powers of
attorney, proxies, waivers, consents, returns, reports, certificates, demands,
notices or documents, and other instruments or rights of any nature, may be
signed, executed, verified, acknowledged and delivered by such persons
(whether or not officers, agents or employees of the Society) and in such
manner as from time to time may be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XIV: FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Society shall be fixed by the Board of Directors
from time to time as the needs of the corporate business require.
ARTICLE XV: CORPORATE SEAL
The corporate seal shall be circular in form, and shall bear the name of
the Society, the words “Corporate Seal,” and words and figures denoting its
organization under the laws of the State of Illinois, and the year thereof, and
otherwise shall be in such form as shall be approved from time to time by
the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XVI: AMENDMENTS
Section 1. By Members
All Bylaws of the Society shall be subject to alteration or repeal, and
new Bylaws may be made, by the affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Membership
entitled to vote and responding to a ballot, following discussion at the Annual Business Meeting.
Section 2. Amendments to Corporate Charter
The corporate charter may be amended in the same manner as these
Bylaws, subject, however, to the laws and regulations of the State in which
this corporation is incorporated. No amendment to the corporate charter
BYLAWS
shall be effective until appropriate acceptance of such changes are
acknowledged by the incorporating State.
ARTICLE XVII: PROCEDURE
Procedures and other items, not specified in these Bylaws or by action
of the meeting, shall be in accordance with the Pocket Manual of Rules of
Order by Henry M. Robert.
ARTICLE XVIII: GENERAL PROHIBITIONS
Notwithstanding any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws
which might be susceptible to a contrary construction:
Section 1.
The Society shall be organized and operated exclusively for scientific
and educational purposes.
Section 2.
No part of the net earnings of the Society shall or may under any circumstances accrue to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
Section 3.
No substantial part of the activities of the Society shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation.
Section 4.
The Society shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any
candidate for public office.
Section 5.
The Society shall not be organized or operated for profit.
Section 6.
The Society shall not (a) Lend any part of its income or corpus without
the receipt of adequate security and reasonable rate of interest to; (b) Pay
any compensation, in excess of a reasonable allowance for salaries or
other compensation for personal services actually rendered, to; (c) Make
any part of its services available on a preferential basis to; (d) Make any
purchase of securities or any other property, for more than adequate consideration in money or money's worth from; (e) Sell any securities or other
property for less than adequate consideration in money or money's worth
to; or (f) Engage in any other transactions which result in substantial diversions of its income or corpus to; any officer, member of the Executive
Committee, or substantial contributor to the Society.
The prohibitions contained in Section 6 do not mean to imply that the
Society may make such loans, payments, sales or purchases to anyone
else, unless such authority be given or implied by other provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.
ARTICLE XIX: DISTRIBUTION ON DISSOLUTION
Upon dissolution of the Society, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of liabilities of the Society, dispose
of all assets of the Society, to one or more organizations, organized and
operating exclusively for charitable, educational, religious and/or scientific
purposes, and shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the I.R.C. of 1954, (or corresponding
provisions of any future U.S. Internal Revenue Code) and which shall meet
the limitations prescribed in Sections 1 to 6 inclusive of Article XVIII.
SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF REPRODUCTION
2013–2014 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Officers
Directors
Trainee Representatives
Jock Findlay, President
MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical
Research
Clayton, Victoria, Australia
Jodi Anne Flaws
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois
Anthony K. McNeel
Clay Center, Nebraska
Susan S. Suarez, Past President
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
Richard M. Schultz, Vice President
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Bruce D. Murphy, Vice PresidentElect
University of Montreal
Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
Andrea S. Cupp, Secretary
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
Sally Perreault Darney, Treasurer
Cary, North Carolina
Annie Newell-Fugate
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois
John R. McCarrey
University of Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Ex officio
Winston E. Thompson
Morehouse School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia
Benjamin K. Tsang
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Michael J. Soares
University of Kansas Medical
Center
Kansas City, Kansas
Thomas E. Spencer
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington
Francesco J. DeMayo
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Judith Jansen, Executive Director
Madison, Wisconsin
Kate Lakoski Loveland
Monash University
Clayton, Victoria, Australia
2013–2014 COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Annual Meeting Advisory Committee (Ad Hoc): Mary B.
Zelinski (Chair), Janice Bailey, Janice P. Evans, Jock Findlay, Jon
Hennebold, Anthony McNeel (Trainee), Lois Salamonsen, Richard M.
Schultz, Susan S. Suarez, Jodi Anne Flaws (Board Liaison).
Lai (Trainee), Carol Linder (Past Chair), Rocio Rivera, Gerald
Schatten, Jodi Anne Flaws (Board Liaison).
Heritage Committee (Standing): Michael F. Smith (Chair),
Andrzej Bartke, Stanley Glaser, Keith Inskeep (Past Chair), Alan
McNeilly, John Peluso, Abigail Ruiz (Trainee), Nuch Tanphaichitr,
Michael J. Soares (Board Liaison).
Awards Committee (Standing): Jennifer Wood (Chair), Sakhila
Banu, Derek J. Boerboom, Mark Crowe, Diane Duffy, Tom Fleming,
Geoff Hammond, Laurie Jaegger, Lacey Luense (Trainee), Ken
McNatty, Patricio Morales, Annie Newell-Fugate (Trainee), Lori
Raetzman, Joanne Richards, Stefan Schlatt, Robert Viger (Past Chair),
Quinton Winger, Susan S. Suarez (Board Liaison).
Finance Committee (Ad Hoc): Sally Perreault Darney
(Treasurer/Chair), Andrea S. Cupp (Secretary), Jock Findlay
(President), Bruce D. Murphy (Vice President-Elect), Richard M.
Schultz (Vice President), Susan S. Suarez (Past President), Judith
Jansen (Executive Director/ex officio).
Bylaws Committee (Standing): Jannette M. Dufour (Chair), Terry
Brown, Rabindranath De La Fuente, Karla Hutt, Gurvinder Kaur
(Trainee), Rocio M. Rivera, Mitsotoshi Yoshida, Bruce D. Murphy
(Board Liaison).
Future Meetings Committee (Ad Hoc): John S. Davis (Chair), Jay
Cross, Xavier Donadeu, Erwin Goldberg, Leslie L. Heckert, Patricia A.
Hunt, Moira O’Bryan, Joy L. Pate, Gwen Abramson (ex officio), Sally
P. Darney (ex officio), John R. McCarrey (Board Liaison).
Development Committee (Standing): Troy Ott (Chair), April
Binder (Trianee), Asgi Fazleabas (LAC Chair, ex officio), Jock
Findlay, Richard Schultz, Sally Perreault Darney, Susan S. Suarez ,
Judith Jansen (ex officio), Ben Tsang (Board Liaison).
Local Arrangements Committee (Ad Hoc): Asgi Fazleabas
(Chair), Sally Camper, Jose Cibelli, Jitu George (Trainee), Jim Ireland,
Niraj Joshi (TVS Co-chair), Steve Krawetz, Sue Moenter, Vasantha
Padmanabhan, Osman Patel, Amanda Patterson (Trainee), Chris Pearl,
Richard Pursley, Dan Rappolee, Gary D. Smith, George W. Smith,
Jock Findlay (Board Liaison).
Endowment Subcommittee: Janice M. Bahr (Chair), Fuller Bazer,
Wai-Yee Chan, Martine Culty, Erwin Goldberg, Richard Ivell, WeiHsiung Yang.
Membership Committee (Standing): Jon M. Oatley (Chair), Jerry
Bouma, Catherine Combelles, Warren Foster, Chris Geyer, Brian
Hermann, Reinhold Hutz, Aileen Keating, Jeremy Larson (Trainee),
Ulrike Luderer, Edward Orlando, Melissa Pepling, George Perry, Toshi
Shioda, Ov Slayden, Peter Sutovsky, Qi-En Yang (Trainee), Kate
Loveland (Board Liaison).
Annual Meeting/Industrial Relations Subcommittee: Johan Smitz
(Chair), Michael Collins, Asgi Fazleabas, Stephen Krawetz, Dong Ryul
Lee, Jeffrey May, Stephen S. Palmer, Vassilios Papadopoulos, Gary D.
Smith, George W. Smith, Norihiro Sugino, William Thatcher.
Diversity Committee (Standing): Jennifer Hernandez Gifford
(Chair), Ryan L. Ashley (Co-Chair), Olga Bolden-Tiller, Gerialisa
Caesar (Trainee), Kyle Caires, Phillip Fields, Joshua Johnson, Wei-an
35 International Relations Subcommittee: Wilma De Grava Kempinas
(Co-chair), Ilona I. Concha, , Nava Dekel, Jesus del Mazo, Colin
Duncan, Monika Fijak, Ali Fouladi, Jae Yong Han, Zhiming Han,
Jenna Haverfield (Trainee), Mark Hedger, Kazuhiko Imakawa,
Graciela Jahn, Christopher Keator, Artur Mayerhofer, Polani Seshagiri,
Peter Smith, Hongmei Wang.
Committee), Dale “Buck” Hales (Summer Research Conferences
Advisory Committee), George Gerton (NIH Issues Subcommittee of
the Science Policy Committee), Lori Raetzman (Training and Career
Opportunities for Scientists Subcommittee of the Science Policy
Committee), Sophie La Salle (Publications and Communications
Committee), Peter Hansen (FASEB Journal Editorial Board), Judith
Jansen (Executive Officers Advisory Committee)
Nominating Committee (Standing): Sarah A. Robertson (Chair),
Mitch Eddy, Jemma Evans (Trainee), Tom Fleming, Peter Hansen,
Kazuhiko Imakawa, Margaret Petroff, Marc-Andre Sirard, Doug
Stocco, Hanna Valli (Trainee), Barbara Vanderhyden, Winston E.
Thompson (Board Liaison).
Publications Committee (Standing): Mary Ann Handel (Chair)
Daniel J. Bernard (Co-chair), Rafael Fissore, Alan Johnson (Past
Chair), Sophie La Salle, David Miller, Ky Pohler (Trainee), Daniel
Poole, Joao Ramalho-Santos, John Schjenken (Trainee), Dariusz Jan
Skarzynski, Sue Quirk, Humphrey Yao, Francesco DeMayo (ex
officio), Judith Jansen (ex officio), Bruce Murphy (ex officio), Bernard
Robaire (ex officio), Thomas Spencer (ex officio), Richard M. Schultz
(Board Liaison).
Program Committee (Standing): Lois A. Salamonsen (Co-chair),
Jon Hennebold (Co-chair), Charles Allan, Eric Asselin, Janice Bailey,
(Past Co-chair), Jay Baltz, Lane Christenson, Paula Cohen, Pierre
Comizzoli, Francesca Duncan, Janice Evans (Past Co-chair), Bart
Gadella, Douglas Gibson (Trainee), Clarisa Gracia (Ovarian
Workshop), Kate Hardy (Ovarian Workshop), Kazuyoshi Hashizume,
Masahito Ikawa, Jim J. Ireland, Hakhyun Ka, Raj Kumar, Holly
Lavoie, Romana Nowak, Jackson Nteeba (Trainee), Marina Peluffo,
Rebecca Robker, Bo Rueda, Kaye Stenvers, Norihiro Sugino, Marta
Tesone, W. Colin Duncan (ex officio—WCRB alternate), Judith Jansen
(ex officio), Alan McNeilly (ex officio—WCRB), Tony Michael (ex
officio—WCRB), Mark Mirando (ex officio—USDA), Emre Seli (ex
officio—SGI) , Koji Yoshinaga (ex officio—NIH), Jock Findlay
(Board Liaison).
Research Ethics Subcommittee: Bruce Schultz (Chair), Diane M.
Duffy (Past Chair), Kyung-Ah Lee, Laura Jean Parry, Cheryl
Rosenfeld.
Animal Ethics Subcommittee: Frank (Skip) Bartol (Chair), Marcel
Amstalden, Alexander C.O. Evans, Rosalia Simmen, Thomas Spencer.
Trainee Affairs Committee (Ad hoc): Anthony McNeel (Senior
Trainee Representative), Annie Newell-Fugate (Junior Trainee
Representative), Olga Bolden-Tiller (Advisor), Joan S. Jorgenson
(Advisor), Christopher Price (Advisor).
Translational Research Subcommittee: Emre Seli (Chair), Ricardo
Bertolla, Bruce Lessey, Nihar Nayak, Carmen Williams, Andrew La
Barbera (ex officio—ASRM).
Trainee Volunteer Subcommittee: Jane Fenelon (Chair), Niraj Joshi,
(Co-Chair).
Public Affairs Committee (Standing): Patricia L. Morris (Chair),
Laura Clamon Schulz (Co-chair), Benson Akingbemi, Florencia Ardon
(Trainee), Charles Chaffin, Dan Cyr, Evdokia Dimitriardis, Idhaliz
Flores, Joanne Fortune, George Gerton, Joan S. Jorgensen, Carolyn
Komar, Sophie La Salle, Vasantha Padmanabhan, George Smith, Mary
B. Zelinski, Lidia Zuniga (Trainee), Kate Loveland (Board Liaison).
Committee Representatives: Florencia Ardon (Public Affairs),
April Binder (Development), Gerialisa Caesar (Diversity), Jemma
Evans (Nominating), Jitu George (Local Arrangements), Douglas
Gibson (Program), Jenna Haverfield (Membership: International
Relations), Niraj Joshi (Local Arrangements), Gurvinder Kaur
(Bylaws), Wei-an Lai (Diversity), Jeremy Larson (Membership), Lacey
Luense (Awards), Annie Newell-Fugate (Awards), Jackson Nteeba
(Program), Amanda Patterson (Local Arrangements), Ky Pohler
(Publications), Abigail Ruiz (Heritage), John Schjenken (Publications).
Hanna Valli (Nominating), Qi-En Yang (Membership)
Lidia Zuniga (Public Affairs).
SSR Representatives to FASEB: Patricia L. Morris (Board
Member), Bruce D. Murphy (Finance Committee), Joanne Fortune
(Science Policy Committee; Animals in Research and Education Issues
Subcommittee), Barbara Durrant (Excellence in Science Award
EDITORS OF BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
Co-Editors-in-Chief: Thomas E. Spencer, Ph.D.; Francesco J. DeMayo, Ph.D.
Associate Editors: Jay M. Baltz, Ph.D.; Bart M. Gadella, Ph.D.; Patrick Lonergan, Ph.D.; Kelle Moley, M.D.; John J. Peluso, Ph.D.; Margaret G.
Petroff, Ph.D.; Darryl Russell, Ph.D.; Robert Viger, Ph.D.; Wei Yan, M.D., Ph.D.; Humphrey H.-C. Yao, Ph.D.
Board of Reviewing Editors: Vikki Abrahams, R. John Aitken, D. Randall Armant, Mario Ascoli, Stefan Bauersachs, Derek Boerboom, Gerrit
Bouma, Lane Christenson, Hugh Clarke, Don Conrad, Anne Croy, Sanjoy Das, Keisuke Edashige, Sarah England, Adrian Erlebacher, Trudee
Fair, Niamh Forde, Caroline Gargett, Alfonso Gutierrez Adan, Geoff Hammond, Sang Jun Han, Pete Hansen, Kate Hardy, Jon Hennebold,
Jaewook Jeong, Misung Jo, Greg Johnson, Joan Jorgensen, Andrea Jurisicova, J. Julie Kim, T. Rajendra Kumar, Gendie Lash, Marie-Claude
Leveille, Qinglei Li, Lin Liu, Jeffrey Lysiak, Liang Ma, Clinton MacDonald, Mala Mahendroo, Puttaswamy Manjunath, Severine MazaudGuittot, Elizabeth McGee, Eileen McLaughlin, Lisa Mehlmann, David Miller, Ken Morohashi, Patricia L. Morris, Jeyasuria Pancharatnam, B.C.
Paria, Tony Plant, Alex Polotsky, Paolo Rinaudo, Richard Schultz, Emre Seli, Marc-Andre Sirard, George Smith, Qing-Yuan Sun, Ann
Sutherland, Peter Sutovsky, Karl Swann, Minoru Tanaka, Carlos Telleria, Sergei Tevosian, Jeremy Thompson, Winston E. Thompson, Pablo
Visconti, Gunter Wagner, Haibin Wang, Hongmei Wang, P. Jeremy Wang, Steven Ward, Dagmar Wilhelm, Peixin Yang, Steve Young.
Consulting Editors: Bernard Robaire, Ph.D.; Bruce D. Murphy, Ph.D.
36 Research & Innovation
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SCHEDULE-AT-A-GLANCE
Society for the Study of Reproduction ● 2014 Annual Meeting ● July 19–23, 2014
All events will be held in DeVos Place, except those indicated with a green background.*
TIME
SATURDAY
JULY 19
SUNDAY
JULY 20
MONDAY
JULY 21
TUESDAY
JULY 22
WEDNESDAY
JULY 23
5:30 am
6:00 am
FUN RUN*
PAST PRESIDENTS'
BREAKFAST*
6:30 am
7:00 am
7:30 am
CONTINENTAL
BREAKFAST
CONTINENTAL
BREAKFAST
CONTINENTAL
BREAKFAST
POSTER SESSION A
POSTER SESSION B
POSTER SESSION C
AGRESEARCH
PLENARY LECTURE
HISTORICAL
PERSPECTIVES LECTURE
BREAK
BREAK
STATE-OF-THE-ART
LECTURE
ANITA PAYNE LECTURE
8:00 am
8:30 am
9:00 am
9:30 am
PRESIDENT’S
SYMPOSIUM
10:00 am
10:30 am
BREAK
PLATFORM SESSIONS
1–7
PLATFORM SESSIONS
16–22
DIVERSITY LUNCH
SYMPOSIUM
TRAINEE–MENTOR
LUNCHEON*
HERITAGE LUNCHEON*
PLATFORM SESSION 8
TRAINEE RESEARCH
COMPETITION
PLATFORM SESSIONS
9–15
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm
12:30 pm
1:00 pm
1:30 pm
2:00 pm
2:30 pm
3:00 pm
VOLUNTEERS
MEETING
SESSION
CHAIRS
MEETING
BREAK
BREAK
SSR NEW
INVESTIGATOR
LECTURE
ASRM EXCHANGE
LECTURE
MODULE SESSION V
BREAK
BREAK
BREAK (ends 3:25)
3:30 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
5:00 pm
5:30 pm
6:00 pm
MODULE SESSION III
OPENING
CEREMONY
MODULE SESSION I
KEYNOTE
ADDRESS
BREAK
AWARDS
CEREMONY
MODULE SESSION VI
BREAK
BREAK
MODULE SESSION IV
TRAINEE AWARDS
PRESENTATION
MODULE SESSION II
SSR BUSINESS MEETING
6:30 pm
7:00 pm
7:30 pm
OPENING
RECEPTION*
BARBECUE
8:00 pm
8:30 pm
9:00 pm
DANCE
(ends at 12:30 am)
10:00 pm
*Green background event locations:
Opening Reception: Grand Valley State University Campus, just across the river from the meeting site.
Fun Run: Meet near the Gillette Pedestrian Bridge by the DeVos Place Convention Center.
Past Presidents’ Breakfast: Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Pearl Room.
Trainee-Mentor Luncheon: Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Pantlind Room.
Heritage Luncheon: Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Pearl Room.
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