The Future Conceived

SSR Podcast
  • 5.0 (3)
  • LIFE SCIENCES
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

The Future Conceived podcast is the official podcast for the Society for the Study of Reproduction. In this podcast, you'll hear about emerging scientists, new techniques, investigators from around the world, untold stories about our annual conference, and so much more! For more information about the Society for the Study of Reproduction and all things reproductive biology related please visit: https://www.ssr.org. Enjoy!

  1. 2D AGO

    EP50: Virendra B. Mahesh New Investigator Award with Dr. Diana Monsivais

    In this episode of the Future Conceived podcast, we celebrate the remarkable achievement of Dr. Diana Monsivais, this year's recipient of the prestigious SSR Virendra B. Mahesh New Investigator Award. This award recognizes outstanding research completed and published within the twelve years (or within the years) after earning a doctoral degree, signifying scientific excellence and dedication to advancing reproductive health.   Dr. Monsivais is known for her innovative work that deepens our understanding of uterine biology and holds important translational implications for women's health.

    21 min

  2. 12/14/2025

    EP49: Egg Activation: Calcium Dynamics with Dr. Karl Swann

    In this episode of The Future Conceived, we delve into the extraordinary moment life begins: egg activation, the precise signal that jolts the egg out of its arrested state and launches embryonic development. We are joined by Professor Karl Swann (Cardiff University), a world-leading expert who has spent four decades decoding the chemical interactions between sperm and egg. Dr. Swann explains why the entire process depends on a series of small, rapid bursts of calcium . These repeated calcium oscillations are the vital trigger, lasting for hours, and are necessary to fully commit the egg to development. We discuss the challenge of accurately capturing these minute, long-running chemical signals in the lab. Central to our conversation is Dr. Swann’s groundbreaking discovery of the sperm-delivered protein that causes these calcium pulses. This protein acts as the 'switch' that the sperm injects into the egg, causing the egg's internal stores to release calcium in a repetitive, rhythmic fashion. We explore the importance of this specific activation mechanism—including how the egg powers this demanding process using its mitochondria—and address a crucial clinical issue: why current methods used in fertility clinics to artificially activate eggs are often ineffective, relying on outdated technology that only produces a single calcium burst instead of the necessary rhythm.

    1h 11m

  3. 11/29/2025

    EP 48: The Calcium Code—SSR Research Award Interview with Dr. Carmen Williams

    In this highly insightful episode of The Future Conceived, host Cam Schmidt talks with Dr. Carmen Williams, Senior Investigator at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the 2025 winner of the SSR Research Award. Dr. Williams, whose lab investigates the critical events of fertilization, shares groundbreaking findings on calcium signaling during egg activation. You will learn: Why the simple components of in vitro culture media, specifically calcium and magnesium ratios, dramatically control the frequency of calcium oscillations and influence the quality and development of the resulting embryo.New, compelling evidence linking these early calcium signals to metabolism (TCA cycle) and ribosomal RNA synthesis in the early embryo.The continued importance of research into endocrine disruptors, particularly plant estrogens, and their impact on reproductive tract differentiation.Dr. Williams also discusses her journey from electrical engineering to clinical medicine to basic science, and closes with a powerful message acknowledging the essential role of trainees in driving scientific success.

    51 min

  4. 11/20/2025

    EP47: Egg Activation: Molecular Mechanisms with Dr. Mariana Wolfner

    Join host Cameron A. Schmidt, PhD, as he kicks off a new series celebrating the vital role of the egg in sexual reproduction. This episode features a conversation with pioneering developmental biologist Dr. Mariana Wolfner of Cornell University. Dr. Wolfner has spent nearly fifty years utilizing the powerful genetics of the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to dissect the fundamental mechanisms guiding sex determination and development, spanning from genetics and molecular biology to evolutionary development. Key Topics in this Episode: The Power of Model Organisms: Discover why Drosophila is an indispensable tool for uncovering conserved biological mechanisms shared across diverse species, including mammals.Defining Conservation: Dr. Wolfner explores the difference between biochemical functional conservation and developmental functional conservation in evolutionary biology.The Mystery of Egg Activation: Learn about this critical, yet poorly understood, process where a terminally differentiated egg transitions into a totipotent cell capable of creating an entire organism.The Calcium Signal: Discuss the pivotal role of calcium in triggering activation and how the initiating impulse differs between organisms like mammals (sperm-delivered enzyme) and insects (mechanical/environmental cues upon ovulation).Sexual Conflict and Cooperation: An updated perspective on the role of male accessory gland secretions (seminal fluid) and how molecules transferred during mating influence female physiology and behavior, challenging older interpretations of sexual conflict in favor of a more nuanced view of cooperation and cross-talk between the sexes.This discussion offers a fascinating look at how small-scale molecular events ultimately inform large-scale developmental and evolutionary phenomena.

    1h 9m

  5. 10/28/2025

    EP46: Fuller W. Bazer Award with Marcella Pecora Milazzotto

    In this episode of The Future Conceived, Dr. Fei Zhao, University of Wisconsin-Madison, sits down with Dr. Marcella Pecora Milazzotto, Federal University of ABC. Dr. Pecora Milazzotto is the 2025 Fuller W. Bazer SSR International Scientist Award. Listen in as Dr. Pecora Milazzotto discusses her relationship with SSR, her research and career development stories, and her advice to trainees.

    18 min

  6. 10/14/2025

    EP45: Sperm Capacitation: Intelligent Motion with Dr. Meisam Zaferani

    This episode, the conclusion of our mini-series on sperm capacitation, features physicist Dr. Meisam Zaferani discussing sperm motility through the lens of search theory and active matter physics. Dr. Zaferani explains how the sperm, which he calls an "autonomous natural robot," overcomes the massive challenges of movement at the microscopic scale, where movement is dominated by fluid viscosity rather than inertia. To maximize their chance of reaching the egg, sperm constantly adapt their swimming strategies—a process physically evident as hyperactivation—to the geometrically complex and viscoelastic environment of the female reproductive tract.

    57 min

  7. 09/28/2025

    EP44: Alternative Careers in Reproductive Biology: Dr. Eglė Ortega, Senior Embryologist at Fertility Institute of Hawaii

    In this episode of The Future Conceived we begin a new series, Alternative Careers in Reproductive Biology, which explores jobs for reproductive biologist outside of academia. Dr. Victor Ruthig from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus interviews Dr. Eglė Ortega about Dr. Ortega’s non-academic career as a reproductive biologist. Dr. Ortega is a Senior Embryologist on the In Vitro Fertilization team in Advanced Reproductive Medicine & Gynecology at the Fertility Institute of Hawaii.

    21 min

  8. 09/15/2025

    EP43: Sperm Capacitation: Energy Metabolism with Dr. Melanie Balbach

    In this episode of The Future Conceived, host Cam Schmidt talks with Dr. Melanie Balbach, an assistant professor at Michigan State University, about the fascinating world of sperm metabolism. Dr. Balbach, an expert in biochemistry and molecular biology, sheds light on the process of sperm capacitation, the essential maturation step that gives sperm the power to fertilize an egg. From the moment of ejaculation, sperm undergo a dynamic transformation, shifting from a state of metabolic dormancy to an activated, energy-hungry powerhouse. Dr. Balbach explains how sperm, despite being transcriptionally and translationally silenced, dynamically adapt their energy metabolism to meet the demands of their journey. Listeners will learn about the interconnected dance between cell signaling and energy production, the "chicken and egg question" of which comes first, and how sperm-specific metabolic enzymes are regulated to fuel their journey. Dr. Balbach also shares insights from her groundbreaking research using stable isotope labeling, which reveals how sperm become more metabolically flexible to survive in the female reproductive tract. Finally, the conversation delves into the exciting application of this research: the development of novel, non-hormonal male contraceptives. Discover how targeting these unique metabolic and signaling pathways could lead to a new generation of on-demand male birth control. Join us to explore the intricate science that drives life's most fundamental journey and learn how a deeper understanding of sperm offers a glimpse into the future of reproductive science and medicine.

    1h 18m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Future Conceived podcast is the official podcast for the Society for the Study of Reproduction. In this podcast, you'll hear about emerging scientists, new techniques, investigators from around the world, untold stories about our annual conference, and so much more! For more information about the Society for the Study of Reproduction and all things reproductive biology related please visit: https://www.ssr.org. Enjoy!

Information

  • Creator
    SSR Podcast
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Future Conceived
  • Show Website
    The Future Conceived