Grant Project Title:
Novel, Noncoding-RNA-Mediated Mechanisms for Regulation of Follicular Quantity and Quality
Grant Amount:
$50,000
Significance:
Reproductive health issues as serious as miscarriage, birth defects, and the loss of fertility due to advancing age or exposure to gonadotoxic agents can frequently be traced back to a decline in oocyte quality and/or quantity. Dr. Kallen's studies have the potential to define noncoding RNAs as major regulators of ovarian reserve and are directly related to the NIH Fertility and Infertility Branch’s mission of supporting research that enhances our understanding of normal reproduction and reproductive pathophysiology.
The importance of the ASRM research grant in my career development cannot be overstated. The ASRM grant, which came at a time when I needed bridge funds to “stay in the game” as an REI physician-scientist transitioning to independence, paved the way for me to successfully obtain independent NIH funding. My ASRM funding allowed me to complete ongoing studies, continue building on preliminary data, and successfully respond to critiques from prior R01 submissions. The culmination of these ASRM-supported efforts was an R01 submission which was scored at the first percentile! This work, and this achievement, would simply not have been possible without ASRM’s support, and I am so incredibly grateful for the resources, support, and demonstrated commitment to young physician-scientists by this incredible organization.
Amanda N. Kallen, MD
Associate Professor, Yale Medicine
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences