Associate Professor of Urology
Director of Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery
Stanford University Medical Center
Dr. Michael Eisenberg received his Bachelor’s degree from Rice University and his medical degree from Yale University. He completed his residency in urology at the University of California, San Francisco. He then completed the prestigious fellowship in Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine where he received additional training in microsurgery. Dr. Eisenberg has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and published in leading scientific journals and many textbooks. He is highly regarded both nationally and internationally and has delivered lectures all over the globe. His clinical and research interests include reproductive and health implications of impaired sperm production, improving sperm output, maximizing male fertility, the treatment of varicoceles, and methods to enhance male sexual function. In 2018, he was awarded the Matthew P. Hardy Young Andrologist Award at the 2018 annual meeting in Portland, OR. Here, he shares his views and experiences throughout his career.
How was your interest for Andrology developed?
I think in medical school we are often attracted to a field based on the people with which we interact. During my time in medical school, I knew I wanted to be a urologist. Once I learned more about the field, Andrology seemed to be the best fit for me. The problems we encounter, the profound effect we can have on patients’ lives, and the opportunities for research were all very impactful.
Tell us about the work you are most proud of?
For me, the greatest satisfaction is when we can diagnose the cause of a man’s fertility problem, correct it, and allow the couple to have a child.
Describe a typical day at work. How do you spend most of your time?
I divide my time between clinical practice and research. Clinically, I see patients in clinic and operate. For research, I spend time meeting with staff, students, postdocs, and collaborators.
What would you think is the key for success in academic Andrology?
Given the breadth of the field, I think collaboration is the key to success. Through discussion with those in and outside of the field, new observations invariably come up which can lead to successful new treatments or research channels.
How do you overcome the special challenges that recession/lack of grants brings?
I don’t think there is a special recipe. This certainly makes research challenging. Collaborations can help here as well. In addition, retailoring research methods based on available resources can also be helpful.
What has been the impact of the ASA membership in your career?
The network of individuals and friends has been terrific. In addition, to be exposed to investigators from all over the world has allowed me to learn about the diverse areas of exploration within our field.
What do you think were the reasons that you were awarded this year’s Young Andrologist Award?
I am truly humble to have received the award. I think a combination of mentorship, diligence, and serendipity all contributed to my contributions in the field, which led to the award.
What is one piece of advice you would like to give to students and trainees entering this field?
Enjoy what you do and what you study. Mentorship is tremendously important and can even cross specific research interests.
What was the most important lesson you learned from your mentors? What do you appreciate most in your trainees?
There is no substitute for hard work. That really comes from passion and interest in the work. If it becomes boring, then the effort will quickly follow. Along those same lines, passion, enthusiasm, and diligence are appreciated in trainees.
How was your interest for Andrology developed?
I think in medical school we are often attracted to a field based on the people with which we interact. During my time in medical school, I knew I wanted to be a urologist. Once I learned more about the field, Andrology seemed to be the best fit for me. The problems we encounter, the profound effect we can have on patients’ lives, and the opportunities for research were all very impactful.
Tell us about the work you are most proud of?
For me, the greatest satisfaction is when we can diagnose the cause of a man’s fertility problem, correct it, and allow the couple to have a child.
Describe a typical day at work. How do you spend most of your time?
I divide my time between clinical practice and research. Clinically, I see patients in clinic and operate. For research, I spend time meeting with staff, students, postdocs, and collaborators.
What would you think is the key for success in academic Andrology?
Given the breadth of the field, I think collaboration is the key to success. Through discussion with those in and outside of the field, new observations invariably come up which can lead to successful new treatments or research channels.
How do you overcome the special challenges that recession/lack of grants brings?
I don’t think there is a special recipe. This certainly makes research challenging. Collaborations can help here as well. In addition, retailoring research methods based on available resources can also be helpful.
What has been the impact of the ASA membership in your career?
The network of individuals and friends has been terrific. In addition, to be exposed to investigators from all over the world has allowed me to learn about the diverse areas of exploration within our field.
What do you think were the reasons that you were awarded this year’s Young Andrologist Award?
I am truly humble to have received the award. I think a combination of mentorship, diligence, and serendipity all contributed to my contributions in the field, which led to the award.
What is one piece of advice you would like to give to students and trainees entering this field?
Enjoy what you do and what you study. Mentorship is tremendously important and can even cross specific research interests.
What was the most important lesson you learned from your mentors? What do you appreciate most in your trainees?
There is no substitute for hard work. That really comes from passion and interest in the work. If it becomes boring, then the effort will quickly follow. Along those same lines, passion, enthusiasm, and diligence are appreciated in trainees.
This interview was done by Nima Zarandi. Nima is a medical doctor (MD) graduated from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) in Iran. He came to United States in 2016 and started working with Dr. Anthony Atala and Dr. Hooman Sadri-Ardekani at Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), in Winston Salem, NC. Nima is now a research fellow in Male Fertility Research Group (MFRG) at WFIRM working on different applications of spermatogonial stem cells for infertility treatment in cancer survivors and Klinefelter Syndrome patients, and also different approaches for in vitro spermatogenesis. He is currently the Trainee Representative at the ASA Council.
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