Distinguished Andrologist Award

Dr. Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts is currently a senior research consultant in the Department of Growth & Reproduction of the Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet) in Copenhagen, Denmark. Up until 2018 she was a senior scientist and research group leader (Forskningsleder) at her Department in Copenhagen. Dr. Rajpert-De Meyts trained in paediatrics at the Silesian Medical University in her native Poland, then in basic endocrinology at the De Duve Institute in Brussels, Belgium, in molecular biology at the Children’s Hospital of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA, and in developmental biology and cancer research at her current affiliation in Copenhagen, under the mentorship of Professor Niels Skakkebaek.

Dr. Rajpert-De Meyts’ main research interests include the phenotype and genotype of germ cell tumors with a focus on early stages of the disease, developmental aspects of human reproduction (mainly the male), disorders of sex development, testis function and genetics of male infertility. Notably, for her research on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) and testicular dysgenesis syndrome, she is internationally recognised as one of the preeminent experts in this field, as supported by her placing in various rankings among the top 10 most productive and cited authors in the period 2000-2020. TGCTs are the most frequent tumors found in young men (ages 19-44), and the rate of their diagnosis in her research home, Denmark, was the highest internationally when her work in the field began. Her research helped transform Professor Skakkebaek’s initial identification of Carcinoma in Situ (CIS) cells as the TGCT precursor cell from a histological observation into an understanding of TGCT biology. Through her diligent participation in both local and collaborative research, and the work of her colleagues, we now know these tumors arise from germ cells that have not differentiated correctly in fetal life. Her research identified and provided meticulously accumulated evidence for what are now universally applied immunological markers; these were key tools essential for moving the field forward as new technologies evolved. A few examples of the innovative work emanating from her team include the first laser-capture dissection and molecular analysis of testicular tumors with different numbers of CIS cells, the first overview of immune cells in testicular tumors, and establishment of testicular tumor cultures for mechanistic analyses.

Dr. Rajpert-De Meyts’ colleagues note that in addition to building knowledge of testicular cancer in relation to male reproductive health disorders, her work and encouragement of colleagues helped in a much broader sense to build evidence about how environmental exposures affect reproductive health. She is praised as an outstanding mentor as well as for her inquisitive and outward-looking actions as a colleague and collaborator. She is also widely recognised in the broader field of reproductive biology, especially the early development of human gonads, and in the area of genetics of male infertility. Dr. Rajpert-De Meyts has authored or co-authored >330 scientific articles, including those appearing in numerous high impact journals, such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Lancet, Nature Genetics, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Cell Reports, Nature Communications, Endocrine Reviews, and others.

Dr. Rajpert de Meyts has been a major contributor to the Andrology discipline over several decades, and many members of ASA, as well as our own journal, have directly benefited from her extensive work. She was Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Andrology (2009-2012) and co-Chief Editor of Andrology (2012-2016). As the European Chief Editor of Andrology when it started, Dr. Rajpert-De Meyts worked with the American Chief Editor, Dr. Douglas Carrell, to guide the journal through the challenging first years to its current flagship status. She has contributed substantially to editorial and scientific society work. She has organised numerous scientific workshops and served on several international medical and research committees, including the Executive Council of the European Academy of Andrology (EAA). Dr. Rajpert-De Meyts championed the convergence of clinicians and basic researchers by organizing the most important regular Testicular Cancer workshop that gathered international experts together to share their research on TGCT etiology and treatments; she was recognized as the main organiser for six of these, representing 20 years of effort. She is committed to education and public health in andrology as exemplified through her leadership in the ANDRONET initiative in Europe that seeks to promote research, education and training, and to raise public awareness and recognition of andrology as a specialty. Since 2016 she has served as the chair of the EAA Publications Committee and since 2018 as the EAA Secretary.

In recognition of her exceptional, career-long contributions and activities to building and enriching our discipline, and her strong connections with the ASA and other international Andrology societies, the American Society of Andrology is delighted to award its highest honor, the Distinguished Andrologist Award to Dr. Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts.