About
Amander Clark PhD is Professor of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology at UCLA and the Founding Director of the UCLA Center for Reproductive Science, Health and Education. Professor Clark is an award-winning scientist and internationally recognized expert on topics in stem cell biology, developmental biology and reproductive science. Results from the Clark Lab provide the basis for engineering reproductive cells and tissues from stem cells to provide solutions for reproductive dysfunction at all stages of life. Her current interests are in vitro gametogenesis, understanding the formation of the ovarian reserve, and preserving ovarian health as a strategy to promote the health span of women. Dr Clark has authored more than 100 scientific articles with over 19,000 citations of her published work. Professor Clark is regularly invited to appear as a subject matter expert for the New York Times, the Economist, the New Yorker and Public Radio. From 2023-2024 she served as President of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, a global non-profit that promotes excellence in stem cell science and applications to human health. Professor Clark is currently serving on the National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine Health Sciences Policy Board and is committed to science and policy that promotes equitable representation and access, and is informed by public engagement.
Background
Dr. Clark’s work in stem cell biology began in 2002 as a Postdoctoral fellow in laboratory of Dr. Renee Reijo Pera at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). There, she studied not only the basic biology of human embryonic stem cells but also the molecular mechanisms of human germ cell formation. During that time only a small number of laboratories worldwide were performing research with human embryonic stem cells due to the technical challenges with expanding and differentiating these cells, and the uncertain national and international policy climate for research in this area. Despite these challenges, Dr. Clark and Dr Reijo-Pera were the first to report that human germline cells could be differentiated from human embryonic stem cells. This landmark paper has been cited more than 700 times and was used as the basis for Dr. Clark’s research program at UCLA.
UCLA
Dr. Clark joined the UCLA faculty in 2006 as an Assistant Professor, was awarded Associate Professor with tenure in 2012, Associate Professor and Vice Chair in 2013, Professor and Vice Chair in 2015 and Department Chair of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology from 2017-2022. She is currently the inaugural Director of the Center for Reproductive Science, Health and Education. Results from the Clark Lab provide the basis for translational projects related to identifying new genes involved in human fertility, creating new stem cell-based models for basic science discovery, and engineering models of the ovary from stem cells to understanding ovarian development, disease and dysfunction which affect millions of women and girls around the world.
Amander Clark
(photo Credit Don Liebig)
clarka@ucla.edu
Mailing Address
Box 957246, Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Office
Room No 490 B, 615 Charles E Young Drive South, Biomedical Sciences Research Building (BSRB)
Affiliations
Key Member of the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center, Member of the Cell and Developmental Biology Home Area, Member of the Gene Regulation Epigenomics and Transcriptomics Home Area, Member of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program Area, Director of the Center for Reproductive Science, Health and Education