Using Stem Cell Science to Improve Reproductive and Women’s Health
Through over two decades of rigorous, transparent science, our team is committed to inventing stem cell-based mechanistic solutions to improve human health. Our approach involves the use of biological samples, the generation of big data, machine learning, and genome engineering in stem cells to fill knowledge gaps and provide a mechanistic framework for understanding the reproductive system across the life course. The goal of our work is to apply this knowledge to stem cell models of human development, ovarian disease and ovarian aging with the goal of moving beyond prediction to mechanistic understanding.
If you are interested in learning more or would like to join our research team please send us an e.mail. To learn more about reproductive health and science research on the UCLA campus, please visit the UCLA Center for Reproductive Science Health and Education.
In the news
- KCRW Life Examined, When Life Begins
https://www.kcrw.com/shows/life-examined/stories/human-life-personhood-science-religion-philosophy-ethics-society - The Economist, Making Baby Making Better
https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/07/20/making-babymaking-better - The New Yorker, The future of fertility
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/04/24/the-future-of-fertility - CNN, Scientists use human skin cells to create functional eggs, opening a door to new fertility treatments
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/30/science/human-skin-cells-egg-infertility
Select Publications
- Wamaitha, SE., Rojas, EJ., Monticolo, F., Hsu, FM., Sosa, E., Mackie, AM., Oyama, K., Custer, M., Murphy, M., Laird, DJ., Shu, J., Hennebold, JD., Clark, AT. (2025) Defining the cell and molecular origins of the primate ovarian reserve. Nature Communications 16:7539; 1-17 (link)
- Sosa, E., Wamaitha, SE., Hsu, F-M., Lara, MJD., Oyama, K., Custer, M., Murphy, M., Hennebold, JD., Hwang, YS Clark, AT (2025) Testicular somatic and germ cell maturation during rhesus macaque development. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 122, 1-11 (link)
- Wamaitha, SE., Nie, X., Pandolfi, EC., Want, X., Yang Y., Stukenborg, JB., Cairns, BR., Guo, JT., Clark, AT (2023). Single-cell analysis of the developing human ovary defines distinct insights into ovarian somatic and germline progenitors. Developmental Cell. 58; 1-15 (link)
- Xiang, X., Tao, Y., DiRusso, J., Hsu, FM., Zhang, J., Xue, Z., Pontis, J., Trono, D., Liu, W., Clark AT (2022). Human reproduction is regulated by retrotransposons derived from ancient Hominidae-specific viral infections. Nature Communications 13(1):463. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-28105-1 (link)
Our lab is funded by the following sources:
