Distinguished Andrologist Award

Jacquetta Trasler is a Distinguished James McGill Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology & Therapeutics at McGill University and a Senior Scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC). She received her MD and PhD degrees from McGill University followed by postdoctoral training in reproductive molecular biology at Tufts University in Boston.

Dr. Trasler’s internationally-recognized research in the field of reproductive and developmental epigenomics has provided important discoveries relating to the normal development of children and the prevention of birth defects. Her authority in this area reflects her early entry into the fields of molecular biology and epigenetics, her steadfast implementation of innovative methodologies, and her excellence in communicating the challenges and opportunities of this field to her colleagues.

The epigenome provides a way for the environment to interact with our genomes to modify gene expression in ways that are both adaptive and maladaptive and undergoes its most dramatic remodeling in germ cells and early embryos. Dr. Trasler’s clinical focus is the 10-20% of couples who suffer from infertility or delay child-bearing and increasingly (1-6% of pregnancies) resort to the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Both infertility and the use of ART are associated with epigenetic (DNA methylation) defects and adverse outcomes in children. Her epigenomic research stands out in considering sex-specific effects along with the impact of both fathers’ and mothers’ exposures to environmental stressors or diet in predisposing their children to developmental defects, metabolic disease, obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Trasler’s group has constantly integrated new state-of-the-art methodology into their epigenomics research. She has been continuously funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) as well as numerous other funding agencies, has established a rich network of local, National and International collaborations and helped colleagues establish epigenomics-related research projects and funding. She remains passionate about teaching and training the next generation of researchers; this is evident from her teaching commitments, the success of her research trainees, the many graduate student committees she is on, her leadership role in mentoring clinician-investigators and her career-long involvement with the McGill MD-PhD Program. She has been an inspiration to many of her colleagues who span multiple generations in our discipline and beyond.

Dr. Trasler has served the field of Andrology extensively throughout her career, and she has been a long-time active member of the American Society of Andrology. Her service to the ASA includes as Co-Editor, 1st Edition Handbook of Andrology, Chair of Women in Andrology, Council Member, Secretary and Executive Council Member, Chair of the Postgraduate Course, frequent Member of the Annual Meeting Program Organizing Committee, and member of the Editorial Board of Journal of Andrology. In addition, she has been an Executive Committee Member and Program Chair of the North American Testis Workshop, President of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, and contributed as a member of the Scientific Program Committee of the International Society of Andrology, the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (USA) Committee on Generational Effects of Serving in the Gulf War, NIH Advisory Committees and as Standing Member of NIH Peer review committee CMIR.

Amongst Dr. Trasler’s leadership roles are Director of the McGill University MD-PhD Program, Scientific Officer and Chair of the CIHR Endocrinology Peer Review Committee, Scientific Director of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Deputy Director/Chief Scientific Officer of the RI-MUHC, Member of the Institute Advisory Board for the CIHR Institute of Genetics, and Member of the CIHR Stem Cell Oversight Committee.

In recognition of her exceptional scientific contributions to the field of Andrology, outstanding leadership roles in the ASA and broader scientific community, and commitment to advancement of science in male reproductive health, the American Society of Andrology is pleased to award its highest honor, the Distinguished Andrologist Award to Dr Jacquetta Trasler.