Reproductive Sciences Program
The Reproductive Sciences Program (RSP), a division of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is an interdisciplinary academic research and training unit composed of faculty and students at the University of Michigan who have interests in reproductive biology.
The Program currently consists of 36 faculty (representing 14 departments), postdoctoral fellows, and graduate and undergraduate students. Faculty from different schools and colleges around campus are drawn to RSP by its stimulating intellectual environment and opportunities for interdisciplinary research and training interactions.
The research mission of RSP is to promote broad-based interdisciplinary research in reproductive science and medicine. Research within RSP integrates related areas including gonadal regulatory mechanisms, brain control of the reproductive system, reproductive development and aging, biological rhythms and seasonality, infertility, behavior, reproductive toxicology, stress and reproduction, and mathematical modeling of reproductive mechanisms. Activities in these areas range from theoretical to clinical research and embody a spectrum of experimental approaches, from studies at the molecular to the whole animal levels. This breadth of research and scholarly activities contributes to the uniqueness of the RSP and distinguishes it from other reproduction-related units within this country and, in fact, the world
Training Program
The Reproductive Sciences Program has a long standing tradition as a training program. Our NIH Training Grant in Reproductive Endocrinology has been continuously funded since 1971 and provides stipend, tuition and travel support for graduate and postdoctoral trainees.
Predoctoral TrainingPredoctoral Trainees must be qualified graduate trainees in good standing who have reached candidacy. Applicants must be working or plan to work in the laboratory of a RSP Faculty Mentor. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Candidates are expected to:
- Complete all course work, qualifying examinations and teaching obligations required by the graduate program or department, as described in the Graduate School Announcement.
- Complete the Mammalian Reproductive Endocrinology course offered annually by RSP.
- Present a seminar in the RSP Seminar Series during each year funded.
- Participate in RSP activities, including the RSP Trainee Organization and RSP Poster Day.
- Serve on an RSP Committee if asked to do so.
- Complete a thesis based on original research in the reproductive sciences under the direction of an RSP faculty mentor.
Postdoctoral Fellows must have a M.D., D.V.M. or Ph.D. at the time of appointment. Furthermore, they must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status. A RSP Faculty Mentor must agree to serve as an immediate mentor. Selection is made on the basis of quality of previous training, potential for independent research, and appropriateness of opportunities for growth within the Program.
Candidates are expected to:
- Submit an application to NIH for an Individual National Research Service Award (NRSA)
- Present a seminar in the RSP Seminar Series during each year funded.
- Participate in RSP activities, including the RSP Trainee Organization and RSP Poster Day.
- Serve on an RSP Committee.
Training Grant Application Information (PDF).
Current Trainees
Predoctoral Fellows
Victoria Cancelli
Gary D. Hammer, Internal Medicine
Megan Hagenauer
Theresa Lee, Psychology
Gwendolyn Louis
Martin G. Myers, Internal Medicine
Amy Oakley
Fred Karsch, Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Postdoctoral Fellows
Alison Berent-Spillson
Yolanda Smith, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Charles Borman
Gary Smith, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Meghan B. Oakes (PDF)
Gary D. Smith, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Call for Applications
Applications are being accepted for a postdoctoral fellow on the RSP NIH-T32 Training Grant. The opening is for a one year term with a possible renewal for a second year. Fellows must be appointed before May 1, 2008.
Applications are due on March 15, 2008.
Applications are being accepted for pre-doctoral fellows on the RSP NIH-T32 Training Grant. There are two openings for a one year term with a possible renewal for a second year. One appoint will begin before June 1, 2008 and the other by July 1, 2008.
Applications are due on April 15, 2008.
Requirements for applications may be found on: http://www.med.umich.edu/obgyn/research/rsp/application.pdf
For further information, please contact Jeni Chapman (jenic@umich.edu ) or Gary Smith (smithgd@umich.edu).
