Spotlighting our MS-RSM Graduating Thesis Students
After over a year of diligent work and all of the blood, sweat, and tears that come with conducting research, the four second-year MS-RSM students successfully defended their theses at the end of winter quarter. Four faculty served as the students’ individual mentors on their thesis projects, which covered a range of reproductive science topics currently at the forefront of the field.
Under the tutelage of Dr. Elnur Babayev, Meredith Lohman’s research explored “Gene Therapy as a Potential Therapeutic Option for Women with Single-gene Mutations Disruptive to Their Reproductive Function. Speaking of her time in the MS-RSM Meredith states, “My time in the MS-RSM program has been transformative for my education and career. I’ve been exposed to countless opportunities and connections, and I could not be more grateful for the support, empowerment, and love I’ve been given over the last 2 years!". Mariam Charles delved into the depths of understanding the “Dynamics of the primordial follicle microenvironment across the time course of ovulation” under the mentorship of Dr. Francesca Duncan. Sierra Orr, focused her energy on understanding “Sociodemographic Differences in the Referral and Utilization Rates of Fertility Preservation in a Pediatric Population”. Sierra reflects, “I am so grateful for this experience and the relationships that I have been able to build throughout these past two years! My research in pediatric fertility preservation has been incredibly rewarding and I learned more than I hoped to during my time in CRS.” Tito Chai, MS tirelessly worked on his thesis work, “The Fault in Our Models- Improving In Vitro Gastrulation Models” in Dr. Yogesh Goyal’s lab and is now conducting work as an embryologist. 
The CRS community was able to appreciate these amazing students’ efforts as they each presented their research at the weekly Reproductive Research Updates over the course of the last month. We congratulate our second years on their amazing accomplishments!