Division of Reproductive Sciences

We are often asked, “Why conduct and invest in basic research in a clinical department?” An investment in basic research at the cellular and molecular level provides us with the tools needed to understand diseases that do not yet have a clinical treatment. Where therapies are known and have complications, basic science research is essential to understanding their side effects and how to avoid them.

A significant focus of our basic research program is in seeking to understand the cellular and molecular interactions and functions that are needed to establish a healthy pregnancy to full gestation in both animal and human models. A healthy pregnancy has the greatest benefit to mother, child and society; however, understanding the causes of pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and potential pre-term labor and delivery that result from this condition is essential to developing safe, effective treatments for mother and child.

Our Mission

As an academic institution, our mission is to educate future scientists and physicians in the new world of interdisciplinary and collaborative biomedical research. In particular, for NIH’s (National Institutes of Health) initiative to build interdisciplinary teams to be achieved we must have basic researchers working in clinical departments in order to understand what the clinical problem is at a mechanistic level. Likewise for doctors who are practicing clinical medicine to know what is possible they need to see and understand cutting edge research being done in their own department. We must not overlook the pre- and post-doctoral scholars within our department who are essential to advancing the research mission not only to support work conducted by the faculty Principal Investigator, but also to develop their own career paths through guided mentorship and training. For these reasons, conducting basic research in a clinical department is essential to a healthy and bright future for all women, infants and children.

Ong selected for LEADS Pathway Program

Congratulations to Irene Ong, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, who was selected to join the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research LEADS Pathway Program.The LEADS Pathway Program supports the well-being and leadership development of mid-career faculty in the translational, biome... more

Integrated Program in Endocrinology T32 grant renewed

The Integrated Program in Endocrinology (iPEnd) Translational Postdoctoral Training Program has successfully been renewed! Led by Ian Bird, professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, and Jon Levine (Wisconsin National Primate Research Center), the training program is set to receive $1.8 million over the next five yea... more

Grand Rounds: Ong presents “Can AI See What We Miss? Integrating Multiomic and Clinical Data in Women’s Health Research”

On June 25, 2026, Irene Ong, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Can AI See What We Miss? Integrating Multiomic and Clinical Data in Women’s Health.”In the lecture, Ong explained why late-onset preeclampsia is difficult to predict; described how artificial int... more

Ong receives Igniting interdisciplinary Innovation grant

Congratulations to Irene Ong, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, who received an Igniting interdisciplinary Innovation (I3) award from the University of Wisconsin–Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research! Ong received the $250,000 grant for the project From AI Innovation to Clinical ... more

Graduation Spotlight: Logan Keding graduates from ERP Program

Congratulations to Logan Keding, PhD, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology program! Keding’s PhD thesis focused on Placental Insufficiency in the Macaque Model; his mentor was Aleks Stanic-Kostic, MD, PhD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Scienc... more
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