FoR: What has been your training history in reproductive science?
Astapova: I have been immersed in reproductive science since age 19, when I joined the lab of Dr. Vasantha Padmanabhan at the University of Michigan as an undergraduate student – I was incredibly lucky. I fell in love with endocrinology, reproduction and research, and went on to obtain an MD and PhD through a combined-degree program at Wayne State University under the mentorship of Dr. Todd Leff. I then went on to complete a residency in Internal Medicine and Fellowship in Endocrinology through the physician-scientist training pathway at the University of Rochester, where I stayed on as faculty. Dr. Stephen Hammes has been my mentor here and was instrumental in ensuring I have solid ground as I transition to independence in research.
What motivated you to start your own lab?
Astapova: I’ve been inspired by many great mentors – real role models who have made the prospect of running a lab seem less daunting and more an exciting adventure. When someone you greatly respect tells you, “It’s hard, but I think you can do it,” that is incredibly motivating.
What is the research focus of your laboratory?
Astapova: We study androgen actions in the ovary using a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and cultured ovarian cells. Recently we have started to study the effects of androgen excess on insulin signaling in the PCOS ovary.
Tell us the story behind your award-winning article. Why is this research significant and where do you see it going from here?
Astapova: What prompted this work was our discovery that androgen receptor could be effectively depleted at the protein level by removing paxillin. This made us wonder if this mechanism could be harnessed to reduce the harms of androgen excess, such as PCOS, and it appears to be the case. We hope that our findings help to fuel the search for safe and effective anti-androgens, which have been so evasive and one of the main reasons PCOS management can be so frustrating.
FoR: What has been one of the most formative experiences in your career so far?
Astapova: I have to recognize “Frontiers in Reproduction,” a six-week immersive lab-based course in reproductive biology, in which I was fortunate to participate as part of my training. I really felt that I became part of the reproductive science community thanks to that experience, and the Marine Biology Lab, where this course is held, is a very special place for me.
FoR: What accomplishment are you most proud of so far?
Astapova: I am proud to say that, after so many years of training, I now have my dream job. I get to help my patients with hormone dysfunction and to do research to hopefully improve their lives in the future.
FoR: What/who inspires you in your research?
Astapova: Certainly, I continue to draw inspiration from all my mentors. But I also find a lot of inspiration and motivation from attending great research seminars and meeting scientists from other departments and other institutions. A fresh set of eyes, a new perspective can be very impactful.
FoR: What have you enjoyed most about being an early career investigator?
Astapova: Being seen as “young” is something I appreciate more and more! Jokes aside, the most enjoyable aspect of this career stage is probably the sense that I could take my research in any direction. I am not deeply entrenched in any way of thinking, methodology, or scientific paradigm, which is great because when I’m inevitably wrong, I have the freedom to learn, pivot and move forward.
FoR: What does receiving this award mean to you personally and what are you most looking forward to at ESHRE 2025?
Astapova: This award is an immense honour for me. It’s hard to break into the field as an early career investigator, so opportunities such as this one, which are aimed at promoting young scientists, are a very important and necessary boost to someone like me. I am not a reproductive endocrinologist by training, but I am very familiar with this field and have been interested in it since college, so I am most looking forward to learning the latest in assisted reproductive technologies. Exploring Paris is a close second!
FoR: How do you balance your career in science with other aspects of your life, such as family?
Astapova: I’m not sure that balance exists. I’m not pessimistic about it, I just think we are all doing our best and getting a lot of help where it’s needed. It’s no secret that I could do a better job if all I had to do was work, or if all I had to do was parent my children. But the optimist in me says that the way I’m doing both is good enough. I really like working at work, and I like parenting at home, so I rarely open my laptop or even check my email at home.
FoR: Why did you choose Molecular Human Reproduction to submit your work?
Astapova: I actually remember first hearing the name of this journal during one of my very early lab rotations in graduate school. “Mole Human Repro,” the lab PI affectionately called it. So, I knew this was a highly reputable journal, and then many years later I received an email from Prof. Francesca Duncan, MHR’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief, encouraging me to submit an article for publication, and I knew I had to do it.
FoR: Finally, what do you like to you like to do outside of work?
Astapova: I enjoy going outside in almost all weather. Cross-country skiing, hiking to waterfalls, going to the beach and touring the wine country are all things we are fortunate to be able to do right here in Rochester. I am also an avid knitter of sweaters.
Find out more about MHR’s Early Career Innovator series and the 2025 award via https://bit.ly/MHRECI25
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