Drs. Babayev and Laronda Receive Friends of Prentice Grant

Please join the Center for Reproductive Science in congratulating Drs. Elnur Babayev and Monica Laronda for receiving a 2021 Friends of Prentice Grant for their joint research project. Their project "aims to understand the developmental potential of cryopreserved oocytes from adolescent patients by the environment in which the oocyte developed.​ These patients undergo fertility preservation before initiation of gonadotoxic therapy for cancer or before female to male transition for gender dysphoria. This study will define potential differences in oocyte maturation and egg development between adolescent patients​ and adults. We hope this information will enable us to tailor fertility preservation techniques to and increase successful outcomes for our adolescent patients."

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Dr. Babayev, MD, MSc is a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellow at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. He was recently also awarded the Fall 2019 Constance Campbell Trainee Travel Award by the Center of Reproductive Science to present his work at the Society for Reproductive Investigation Annual Conference in Vancouver, Canada.

Dr. Monica Laronda, PhD, is a longtime collaborator with the Center for Reproductive Science whose lab explores fundamental regenerative medicine problems using stem cells and supportive biomimetic environments. Dr. Laronda is Director of Basic and Translational Research for the Fertility & Hormone Preservation & Restoration Program at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. She is the Warren & Eloise Batts Scholar at the Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute and the Department of Surgery at Lurie Children's and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.