# Reproductive Development from Gonads to Fetuses

> **NIH NIH T32** · MAGEE-WOMEN'S RES INST AND FOUNDATION · 2021 · $163,298

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Discoveries in reproductive biology have had a remarkable impact in science and medicine, leading to several
Nobel prizes in Physiology or Medicine in the past decade. Despite these advances in science that were
produced by experts in the reproductive biology, the number of reproductive science trainees is dwindling at an
alarming rate. To help reverse this trend, we have established this T32 Training Program in Reproductive
Development from Gonads to Fetuses (RDGF). The purpose of this program is to tap the large, diverse and
highly qualified pipeline of graduate students (PhD or MD/PhD) and postdoctoral fellows (MD or PhD) that
matriculate at the University of Pittsburgh each year and recruit them to pursue training and careers in the
reproductive sciences. This training program will enhance the recruitment of reproductive biology researchers
into the unique environment at Magee-Womens Research Institute where graduate students, postdoctoral
fellows, medical residents, medical fellows and junior faculty (119 total trainees) work side by side in state of
the art research facilities and experience on a daily basis how fundamental research discoveries impact
reproductive medicine and patient care. The overarching objectives of the Program are to select and recruit
the most qualified candidates (3 PhD students and 3 postdocs/year) into the reproductive sciences and pair
them with well-funded, productive mentors who are committed to the training mission of the program and the
University of Pittsburgh/Magee. The program will provide trainees with the education, resources and technical
experience to conduct impactful science, while adhering to the principles of responsible conduct of research
and scientific integrity. Rigorous oversight and progress review of Trainee/Mentor teams will ensure that
trainees are fully immersed in all aspects of academic career development, including career development
coursework, publications, grant submissions and attendance/presentation at local and national/international
meetings. Research productivity milestones (e.g., publications, grants and awards) combined with connections
made in the reproductive biology community at meetings will set the stage for advancement to the next stage
of career development. Full immersion of trainees in all aspects of their academic endeavors will endow them
with a sense of ownership of their research productivity and increase the likelihood that they will be retained
long-term in reproductive science-related careers. Graduate students (PhD or MD/PhD) can remain in the
training program for a maximum of five years and postdoctoral fellows can remain in the program for a
maximum of three years. However, our program requires that all trainees write and submit and individual
training grant application during their second year of training. This is a valuable skill for a career in science
and the turnover as trainees transition from institutional to individual awards...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10163223
- **Project number:** 5T32HD087194-05
- **Recipient organization:** MAGEE-WOMEN'S RES INST AND FOUNDATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Kyle Edwin Orwig
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $163,298
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-05-09 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10163223

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10163223, Reproductive Development from Gonads to Fetuses (5T32HD087194-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10163223. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*