Eradicating Infertility

Human infertility remains a complex and challenging condition for scientific researchers. Scientists know that the formation of tumors in the pituitary-a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain-is a leading cause of infertility. But they are still seeking to determine the underlying causes of the tumors.

One of the nation’s leading molecular endocrinologists, John Nilson is among the researchers dedicated to this effort. With research continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health since 1980, Dr. Nilson has focused recent efforts on examining hormonal regulation of pituitary genes. His long-term goal is to identify the complete genetic network that leads to the creation of the tumors. Completion of that research will pave the way for development of drugs to attack cancer cells.

Featuring: John Nilson, Ph.D.

Dr. Nilson was named director of the School of Molecular Biosciences and the Edward R. Meyer Distinguished Professor when he joined the University in the fall of 2003. Previously, he served as the John H. Hord Distinguished Professor and chair of the pharmacology department at Case Western Reserve University.

Dr. Nilson holds memberships in numerous scientific organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Society of Biological Chemists, the Endocrine Society, and the Society for the Study of Reproduction. In 2004, he was appointed to the board of the national Society for the Study of Reproduction.