Reproductive Choice
Research aimed at enhancing reproductive choice spans a wide range of fields, from developing more effective and accessible contraceptive methods to advancing assisted fertility technologies. Innovations in contraception are focusing on creating nonhormonal options, long-acting reversible methods and male contraceptives, with an emphasis on improving efficacy, safety and accessibility. Female solutions for novel contraception are also an area of focus at Cornell, with researchers attempting to provide alternatives to hormonal-based methods that many women cannot tolerate. In the realm of assisted fertility, research is progressing in areas like improving in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques, genetic screening and embryo preservation, as well as exploring stem cell therapies and gene editing to overcome infertility challenges. Cornell also has a strong focus on gamete quality, including understanding the unique cellular environment and challenges of male and female germ cells.
Faculty:
Paula Cohen: gamete development and chromosomal abnormalities, contraception
Orli Etingin: preventive care, menopause, thrombotic disorders in pregnancy
Tamatha Fenster, MD: pelvic surgery, women’s health technology innovation
Aileen Gariepy, MD: unintended pregnancy, abortion care, miscarriage care, reproductive justice
Iman Hajirasouliha: AI, in vitro fertilization (IVF), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Alison Hermann, MD: perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, menopause and mental health, reproductive psychiatry education
Lonny Levin: nonhormonal contraceptive development
Lori Leonard: global health programming and policy, medical humanities
Ned Place: obstetrics and gynecology, endocrinology, ovarian development and aging
Lisa Placanica: intellectual property, commercial partnerships, new venture creation
Vertika Singh: reproductive biology, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), endometrial cancer