Dr. Yousin Suh delivers the Neena B. Schwartz Memorial Lecture
The 2025 Neena B. Schwartz Memorial Lectureship honored the legacy of Dr. Neena B. Schwartz, pioneering endocrinologist, founder of Northwestern’s Center for Reproductive Science (CRS), co-discoverer of inhibin, and lifelong advocate for women in science. Her discovery of ovarian inhibin as a regulator of FSH remains foundational in reproductive endocrinology, and her groundbreaking work reshaped reproductive endocrinology. Her leadership continues to guide CRS’s mission to advance women’s health and train future scientists. 
This year's speaker, Dr. Yousin Suh, is Professor of Reproductive Sciences and Professor of Genetics and Development at Columbia University. A leader in aging genomics, Dr. Suh entered reproductive aging research after recognizing a major gap: despite its profound impact on women’s health, ovarian aging had never been integrated into mainstream aging biology. With encouragement and mentorship from reproductive scientists, including CRS’s Dr. Francesca Duncan, Dr. Suh brought her expertise in genomic aging to a field long overdue for molecular investigation, applying cutting-edge approaches to advance understanding of ovarian aging and its implications for women’s health.
Dr. Suh emphasized that the ovary is the first organ to age in the human body, with functional decline beginning in the early 30s. She underscored that menopause timing is strongly heritable and predicts risks of metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, osteoporosis, and overall mortality. Women with later menopause tend to live longer, and even their brothers show increased longevity, highlighting shared genetic pathways beyond reproduction.
Using genomic and multi-omic datasets, Dr. Suh’s team has identified over 290 genetic loci associated with menopause timing. Most lie in non-coding regions, regulating gene expression across multiple types of ovarian cells. Her lab created the first single-cell multi-omic atlas of young versus aged human ovaries, revealing that ovarian aging is a coordinated, multicellular process, not restricted to oocytes. Through CRISPRi screening, her group is now identifying causal genes, including unexpected candidates such as NBR2, rather than previously assumed genes like BRCA1.
A major discovery in her work is the increased mTOR signaling across aged ovarian cells. Because mTOR inhibition (e.g., with rapamycin) is the most consistent lifespan-extending intervention in animal models, Dr. Suh’s team launched the first Phase 1 clinical trial of rapamycin in women ages 35–45. The treatment was safe and well tolerated, and a multisite Phase 2 trial, including Northwestern, is now planned to test whether rapamycin can truly protect ovarian function. These studies may pave the way for interventions that extend both reproductive and overall health span in women.
Dr. Suh proposed a transformative idea: the ovary can serve as a biomarker organ for human anti-aging therapies. Because it ages earlier and faster than other organs, it may allow researchers to test geroprotective interventions on a realistic timescale. Slowing ovarian aging may ultimately reveal ways to slow aging across the entire body.
Dr. Suh closed by affirming that advancing ovarian health is key to improving women’s health span. Her work exemplifies the spirit of Dr. Schwartz: rigorous science, visionary research, and a lifelong commitment to advancing and protecting women’s health.