Mahmoud Aarabi , MD PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow in reproductive epigenomics at McGill University. Here, he shares some of his experiences and accomplishments in the first year of his term as the Trainee Representative to the Executive Council of the American Society of Andrology.
How was your interest in field of andrology developed?
The focus of my research in the past 10 years has been on andrology and male infertility. My journey began with working as a research fellow in an infertility clinic. Soon I realized I would like to gain more knowledge and experience in the basic aspects of male infertility to complement my clinical training as an MD. My PhD, under the supervision of Dr. Richard Oko at Queen’s University, Canada, has been a critical step for me being involved in translational and clinical collaborative projects on how sperm contribute to successful fertilization and embryonic development. After finishing my PhD, I decided to pursue postdoctoral training in reproductive epigenomics under the mentorship of Dr. Jacquetta Trasler at McGill University, Canada. Using state-of-the-art next generation sequencing-based technologies, I study the interactions between genetic and environmental factors and their impact on male gametes and well-being of the offspring. I have enjoyed the research on diagnosis and treatment of male infertility to develop tools that contribute to the health of couples and make them happy!
What has been the impact of the ASA membership in your career?
I fell in love (!) with ASA when I first attended its Annual Meeting in Montreal in 2011. Having always attended the meetings where andrology is a small part of the whole agenda, I was amazed by going to a meeting where every single talk was related to my interest! The program is complemented every year with either the Testis workshop or the Basic Science/Andrology Laboratory Workshops. The ASA Annual Meetings provide me with a great opportunity to discuss my area and to network with the clinicians who would help me address the research questions in andrology. Meanwhile, I meet basic scientists with great experience in tackling different aspects of research in this area. During the year, I enjoy reading the articles in Andrology journal, use other resources such as Careers in Andrology and stay in touch with my ASA friends and colleagues.
Why did you volunteer to be considered for the Trainee Representative position?
After being involved in the ASA Trainee Affairs Committee (TAC) for a few years as a trainee member, I decided that it is time for one step ahead and contribute to this wonderful Society. A key determining factor in my decision was the interaction with the current and former Chairs of TAC (Sophie LaSalle, Mara Roth, Peter Liu, and George Gerton). I realized these senior colleagues welcome new ideas from trainees and dedicate a tremendous amount of their time to a personal interest: helping trainees in andrology. As part of the trainee community, I became very interested in volunteering as a Trainee Representative and aimed to make a bridge between the needs and interests of trainees and the TAC activities.
What are the examples of activities you are involved as a Trainee Representative?
Once a month, we have a one-hour videoconference over Skype to discuss different issues and plans. Over the last year, as my first year as the Trainee Representative, I was involved in organizing the Trainee-directed Mini-Symposium, shaping the fundraising activities for the committee, helping TAC Chairs draft suggestions for the ASA Council meetings, working with the ASA Communication Committee to draft the ASA Newsletter, etc. Meanwhile, I had chats and discussions with some other trainees to see what they think we need to do to provide trainees with better opportunities. My close collaboration with the other Trainee Representative, Luke Simon, has been a very enjoyable experience.
Are you finding that that service as a trainee representative is a big drain on your time?
I see serving as the ASA Trainee Representative as a great training opportunity. Honestly, where else would anyone interested in andrology be able to gain knowledge and experience in teamwork, organization and leadership activities and put those into practice by organizing different activities while being advised by a group of experienced mentors? Add to this, the new people that I meet every year and a large network of specialists and trainees in andrology, which definitely benefits my future career. I feel obliged to dedicate my time as a postdoctoral fellow to research, teaching, and service to ASA as I will be expected to do in the academic and clinical settings later. I see ASA as my home professional society and I advise other trainees to recognize one society, hopefully ASA (!), as their own home society. Attending ASA meetings every year would help build a great deal of connections while gaining more and more experience. I enjoy interacting with other trainees and become satisfied when I work with them and for them.
How was your interest in field of andrology developed?
The focus of my research in the past 10 years has been on andrology and male infertility. My journey began with working as a research fellow in an infertility clinic. Soon I realized I would like to gain more knowledge and experience in the basic aspects of male infertility to complement my clinical training as an MD. My PhD, under the supervision of Dr. Richard Oko at Queen’s University, Canada, has been a critical step for me being involved in translational and clinical collaborative projects on how sperm contribute to successful fertilization and embryonic development. After finishing my PhD, I decided to pursue postdoctoral training in reproductive epigenomics under the mentorship of Dr. Jacquetta Trasler at McGill University, Canada. Using state-of-the-art next generation sequencing-based technologies, I study the interactions between genetic and environmental factors and their impact on male gametes and well-being of the offspring. I have enjoyed the research on diagnosis and treatment of male infertility to develop tools that contribute to the health of couples and make them happy!
What has been the impact of the ASA membership in your career?
I fell in love (!) with ASA when I first attended its Annual Meeting in Montreal in 2011. Having always attended the meetings where andrology is a small part of the whole agenda, I was amazed by going to a meeting where every single talk was related to my interest! The program is complemented every year with either the Testis workshop or the Basic Science/Andrology Laboratory Workshops. The ASA Annual Meetings provide me with a great opportunity to discuss my area and to network with the clinicians who would help me address the research questions in andrology. Meanwhile, I meet basic scientists with great experience in tackling different aspects of research in this area. During the year, I enjoy reading the articles in Andrology journal, use other resources such as Careers in Andrology and stay in touch with my ASA friends and colleagues.
Why did you volunteer to be considered for the Trainee Representative position?
After being involved in the ASA Trainee Affairs Committee (TAC) for a few years as a trainee member, I decided that it is time for one step ahead and contribute to this wonderful Society. A key determining factor in my decision was the interaction with the current and former Chairs of TAC (Sophie LaSalle, Mara Roth, Peter Liu, and George Gerton). I realized these senior colleagues welcome new ideas from trainees and dedicate a tremendous amount of their time to a personal interest: helping trainees in andrology. As part of the trainee community, I became very interested in volunteering as a Trainee Representative and aimed to make a bridge between the needs and interests of trainees and the TAC activities.
What are the examples of activities you are involved as a Trainee Representative?
Once a month, we have a one-hour videoconference over Skype to discuss different issues and plans. Over the last year, as my first year as the Trainee Representative, I was involved in organizing the Trainee-directed Mini-Symposium, shaping the fundraising activities for the committee, helping TAC Chairs draft suggestions for the ASA Council meetings, working with the ASA Communication Committee to draft the ASA Newsletter, etc. Meanwhile, I had chats and discussions with some other trainees to see what they think we need to do to provide trainees with better opportunities. My close collaboration with the other Trainee Representative, Luke Simon, has been a very enjoyable experience.
Are you finding that that service as a trainee representative is a big drain on your time?
I see serving as the ASA Trainee Representative as a great training opportunity. Honestly, where else would anyone interested in andrology be able to gain knowledge and experience in teamwork, organization and leadership activities and put those into practice by organizing different activities while being advised by a group of experienced mentors? Add to this, the new people that I meet every year and a large network of specialists and trainees in andrology, which definitely benefits my future career. I feel obliged to dedicate my time as a postdoctoral fellow to research, teaching, and service to ASA as I will be expected to do in the academic and clinical settings later. I see ASA as my home professional society and I advise other trainees to recognize one society, hopefully ASA (!), as their own home society. Attending ASA meetings every year would help build a great deal of connections while gaining more and more experience. I enjoy interacting with other trainees and become satisfied when I work with them and for them.
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