Rob McLachlan

As a clinician active in fertility medicine, I recognize that infertility affects 1 in 20 men and that primary spermatogenic failure is the most common diagnosis. Yet for ~70% of such men there is no recognised cause, or effective treatment, or a non-invasive diagnostic to inform clinical management. I am committed to a better understanding of the molecular causes of infertility so as to advance this field. The proposed research will explore the role of a leading candidate gene in sperm structure and function and ultimately identify a specific cause and therapeutic pathway.

I am a physician-scientist in male reproductive health with a program of translational research in spermatogenesis, male infertility, assisted reproduction and reproductive endocrinology. I have led the male reproductive research program at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research since 2001. As a CI on consecutive NHMRC Program Grants, and as Director of Clinical Research, I have established an internationally-recognized research program in the endocrine and genetic regulation of spermatogenesis having made seminal contributions to the identification of the sites of androgen and FSH action in mammalian spermatogenesis using in vivo animal and human models. I am expert in the diagnosis and management of male infertility, gonadotropin deficiency and the genetics of male infertility. As Consultant Andrologist to the Monash IVF program I undertake translational research and the collection of biological samples, clinical data and the classification of infertility phenotypes.

I am a member of the WHO Male Fertility Regulation committee and of its Expert Working group for the evaluation and management of male infertility. Finally in the public domain, I am Director of Andrology Australia, a Federal Government initiative in research and community and professional education in male reproductive health.