Sponsored by American Society of Animal Science Foundation

Dr. Thomas Spencer, Baxter Endowed Chair in Beef Cattle Research in Animal Sciences at Washington State University, has advanced our understanding of hormonal, cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating development/function of the uterus and placenta. His research in uterine biology, conceptus-maternal interactions, endogenous retroviruses, placental development, and the genetic basis of fertility is collaborative and serves as an intellectually stimulating training ground for graduate students. These discoveries have resulted in over 260 highly cited publications and $8 million in grant support. Dr. Spencer’s work will increase the success for assisted reproductive technologies used to treat infertility in domestic animals and humans by identifying specific factors useful to enhance the viability of in vitro cultured and derived embryos, will provide diagnostic markers for uterine function and fertility, and may lead to the creation of novel antiviral therapies for disease treatment. Because his program forges links between basic biology, agriculture and human medicine, these discoveries have broad implications for reproductive health.