Hansel Distinguished Lecture in Women's Health
About the Lecture Series
Dr. Hansel was a graduate of the University of Maryland and received his MS and PhD degrees from Cornell University. He had a distinguished scientific career, starting at Cornell University in 1949, where he was Faculty for 41 years, serving as Chair of the Department of Physiology and as the Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor of Animal Physiology. After retiring from Cornell, Dr. Hansel continued to be an active member of the scientific community, and joined Louisiana State University as a Gordon Cain Professor, where he continued his research in reproductive biology. However, later he shifted his focus to ovarian cancer therapy when his wife was diagnosed with it. Over the next few decades, he worked to develop cancer drugs to target tumors and metastases. Dr. Hansel mentored innumerable doctoral and postdoctoral trainees leaving an indelible legacy, being dedicated to his scholarship and learning throughout his career. In recognition, he received numerous national and international awards such as Distinguished Scientist Award of the Society for the Study of Reproduction in 1991 and he was named a Renowned Physiologist by the American Physiology Society in 2014.
This lecture is designed to honour his contributions to both reproductive biology and ovarian cancer and promote discussion and interest in women’s health topics. One speaker will be invited each academic year for 5 consecutive lectures supported generously by an endowment. The inaugural year started with two lectures; one meant for a scientific audience and another for the general public addressing critical health implications of the research. Moving forward we envision hosting roundtable, organic discussions with the community on emerging topics in reproductive biology along with the main science-facing lecture.
Events
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, March 30, 2027
Kathy Niakan, PhD
Mary Marshall and Arthur Walton Professor of Reproductive Physiology
Director, Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research
Chair, Strategic Research Initiative in Reproduction
Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience
University of Cambridge
Our second lecture will be delivered by Dr. Kathy Niakan in Spring 2027. Dr. Niakan is Mary Marshall and Arthur Walton Professor of the Physiology of Reproduction and Director of the Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research at the University of Cambridge. She is also Co-Chair of the Cambridge Reproduction Interdisciplinary Research Centre. Kathy is an Honorary Group Leader at the Babraham Institute and Affiliate Member of the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. Dr. Niakan was elected to EMBO membership (2024), awarded the Genetics Society Mary Lyon Medal (2024) and a Blavatnik Award UK Finalist in Life Sciences (2019). Her laboratory pioneered approaches to investigate the function of genes that regulate early human development and the molecular mechanisms that direct cell fate in human embryos. Her laboratory obtained the first nationally regulated approval to genetically modify human embryos in research which attracted widespread policy interest.
The Niakan lab seeks to understand the molecular mechanisms that control early human development. The mechanisms that regulate early cell fate decisions in human development remain poorly understood, despite their fundamental biological importance and wide-reaching clinical implications for understanding infertility, miscarriages, developmental disorders and therapeutic applications of stem cells. Her lab explores when and how human embryonic epiblast cells are established and maintained, and to understand the molecular mechanisms that distinguish these pluripotent cells from extra-embryonic cells during embryogenesis.
Past Events
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Lisa Haddad, MD, MS, MPS
Medical Director
Center for Biomedical Research
Population Council
“Multipurpose Prevention Technologies: Innovating Solutions for Overlapping Women’s Reproductive Health Challenges”
Our inaugural lecture kicked off in 2025, with Dr. Lisa Haddad, Executive Director and Chief Medical Officer, Center for Biomedical Research at the Population Council. She leads pre-clinical and clinical development efforts to advance CBR’s sexual and reproductive health product portfolio, including novel contraceptives and multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs). Dr. Haddad is the principal investigator of the P50 Contraception Development Research Center, funded by the US National Institutes of Health. The P50 Center focuses on the development of a novel non‑hormonal MPT vaginal ring designed to provide contraception alongside broad protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Across her portfolio, her work bridges basic science, clinical research, and implementation, with a strong emphasis on user‑centered design and global access.
