Eileen A. Mclaughlin PhD

Eileen A. McLaughlin is currently Deputy Head of the Faculty of Science and IT and Laboratory Head at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle. Eileen’s current research is concentrated on two main areas. In spermatogenesis, she is working on a number of key molecules that contribute to the control of the cell cycle and regulation of meiosis in the testes. In folliculogenesis, she has focussed on cell signaling pathways that contribute to the initiation of primordial follicle activation, effects of environmental ovotoxicants) and development of nonsurgical sterilant agents for domesticated animals. Her laboratory uses a combination of animal models, and organ and cell cultures to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the growth and differentiation of germ cells. She is a member of the Priority Research Centre in Chemical Biology and Reproductive Science and has established several strong national and international contributions in the UK, Europe, and the USA. She undertook a Ph.D. at the University of Bristol on the effects of cryopreservation on human gametes and embryos under the supervision of Dr. Chris Ford. Upon completion of my Ph.D., she moved to the Department of Biochemistry on a Wellcome Trust postdoctoral fellowship to work in the lab of Prof Len Hall where she identified genes involved in male fertility and characterized their role in fertilization.