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.

​Why did you volunteer to be considered for the TR position?
 
I completed my undergraduate and master programs in India, my PhD in the UK, and joined as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Utah, USA. Throughout my studies, I volunteered for extra activities, which provided me an opportunity to find mentors who provided me with valuable advice on my career and to meet like-minded individuals with whom I could associate. As a trainee, the American Society of Andrology is a great opportunity for me to meet prominent scientists and fellow trainees other than my collaborators. When I started my research career in USA (2011), I was not familiar with the American system of funding opportunities and strategies to obtain a successful grant. Although I took coursework at the University to familiarize myself with the grant application process, these courses were too general. It is very important for me to build good collaboration and to master the art of writing and assembling grant proposals, in order for me to develop into an independent investigator. In the beginning, I had a lot to learn, but as I have moved forward in my career, I realized that the knowledge I gained from my experiences could be very valuable to other trainees in the early parts of their careers; therefore, I volunteered to become a trainee representative.
 
 
Is this experience living up to your expectations?
 
Of course! It’s better than I thought tit would be. I had the great opportunity of meeting some of the renowned scientists in Andrology, who were enthusiastic about my research and have provided a network for support. I was also very excited to be part of the inaugural trainee mini-symposium (2015), which provided help and guidance for trainees in the process of making the transition to faculty. Mentors, who have immense experience in this field of Andrology, presented the topics included in the mini-symposium. They were also willing to share their experiences with the trainees that were based on their extensive collaborative research projects and successful grant applications.
 
 
What would you say to convince a trainee to become involved in the society?
 
If you are interested in building your career in Andrology, it is important to be involved in the society. It is wise to learn from those who have immense experience, and are willing to help you transition to a faculty postion.
 
 
Are you finding that that service as a trainee representative is a big drain on your time?
 
I don’t think being a trainee representative is a drain on my time. I am involved in Trainee Affairs Committee meetings (monthly), council meetings (twice a year), the annual conference, and other trainee fund-raising opportunities. The Trainee Affairs Committee is well organized and is always on schedule, and so I don’t feel drained on my part.
 
 
Say a few words about your current job and research interests/your typical day?
 
I love doing research and I enjoy my job. I am a postdoctoral research fellow at the Andrology and IVF laboratories, University of Utah. My research interests are to identify the effect of sperm DNA abnormalities on male reproductive health and assisted reproductive technology outcomes. My projects are focused on specific areas: sperm DNA fragmentation, sperm nuclear proteins, sperm epigenetics, oxidative stress, and sperm selection for assisted treatment. My typical day is flexible and it depends on the number of patients consented for research. Most of the experiments performed are in batches, which provides me plenty of time to read recently published articles, develop grant applications, or write my research papers. I also spend time in reviewing articles submitted to Human Reproduction, Fertility and Sterility, and Andrology. I start my day in the lab about 8:00 am, usually by answering my e-mails. About noon, I take a quick lunch in the kitchen next to my lab and go for a 20-minute walk around the park with my colleagues. I don’t have a fixed time to leave but usually after 4:00 pm, which may vary based on my schedule and workload. Our lab usually meets for journal club or research meetings on Thursday afternoon.
 
 
How was your interest in field of andrology developed?
 
When I grew up, I wanted to become a forest ranger and so I studied biological science as my major at school. During my undergraduate studies, I enjoyed doing research and realized that my interests were shifted towards research and development, so I studied molecular biology for my master’s degree and completed it with a specialization in DNA fingerprinting. I was applying for an opportunity to do PhD in molecular medicine and I received a full scholarship to do my PhD at Queens University, UK, which introduced me to the field of Andrology. I started analyzing sperm DNA fragmentation, and other sperm abnormalities, which made me think that an improvised method of sperm selection prior to assisted treatment, may increase the chances of a positive in vitro pregnancy outcome. My objective was to identify sperm with normal DNA without compromising its structural and functional ability, so such sperm could be successfully used in assisted treatment. This challenge led me to establish a new sperm selection method named ‘micro-electrophoresis’ which utilizes sperm surface charge as a biomarker to identify healthy sperm. I have a strong interest in male reproductive health and my ultimate goal is to improve the quality of patient care by improving the success rates following assisted treatment.
 
 
What has been the impact of ASA membership in your career?
 
As a trainee, being part of ASA is a great opportunity for me to meet and interact with eminent scientists, lead researchers, and mentors, for their encouragement and advice are valuable to my career development. ASA also helped me to share my work and identify like-minded researchers, which lead me to collaborative projects and grant applications. In particular, I received extensive advice and support from established members of ASA during my K-series (career development) NIH grant application. Finally, I have made some good friends and it’s always nice to meet them during the annual ASA conference. 

Mary K. Samplaski, MD, served as Trainee Representative to the ASA Executive Council from April 2013 to April 2014. Dr. Samplaski is a specialist in Male Reproductive Medicine, Microsurgery and Andrology. She completed her medical school education at the George Washington University School of Medicine, urology residency at the Cleveland Clinic, and specialty fellowship at the University of Toronto.  Professional home page: http://www.keckmedicine.org/doctor/mary-k-samplaski/

How has your career changed transitioning from the ASA Trainee Representative to an Assistant Professor?

My career has evolved from trainee/fellow to an independent practitioner. It has not been an easy transition, but the mentors that I have developed (many of which were through the ASA) have given me the support network that I needed to build a practice. The primary reason that this transition has not been "easy" is because I am the first person to do male fertility at USC, so I am building from the ground up. I would not be able to do this without my mentors. 

As a clinician, why do you think it is important to have clinicians in leadership roles in the society?

The foundation of the ASA is based on joining clinicians and basic scientists. Being involved in leadership roles is a whole different degree of engagement in professional societies than simply being a "member" or attending the meeting. It is my opinion that having clinicians involved in the ASA is imperative to the long-term viability of the society. Without making the ASA a translational society, it will become stagnant; instead of living up to the amazing potential that it has by having both clinicians and basic scientists involved.

What do you think was the high point of your service as the ASA Trainee Representative? 

The high point of my service as Trainee Representative was the Mini-Symposium. I think this was so exciting; the concept of responding to the requests of the trainees, giving them a symposium with ideas generated by them, hopefully stimulating discussions and connections; I am so hopeful that this will engage the younger members of the ASA to maintain involvement by the younger clinicians and scientists. I truly believe that we need to engage the younger members of the ASA in order to maintain the long-term viability of the ASA, as well as maintain it as a diverse, innovative society.

Did you encounter any low points/disappointments? What did this experience teach you?

We had some money-handling and product quality issues with a fund-raiser. This taught me to be more careful. Maintain control of funds and goods within a small group of people, with an established protocol for maintaining control of these. Regardless, the experience taught me the importance of planning for fundraising events, attention to detail, maintaining a protocol for items involving funds.

Say a few words about your current job and research interests/your typical day?

I am presently an Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology, and the Director of Male Infertility, Andrology and Microsurgery at the University of Southern California. I am primarily clinically based, and divide my time between clinic and the operating room. In short, I help couples achieve their reproductive and sexual goals (usually, to have babies). That is what motivates me. My research interests include fertility in spinal cord injury patients, testicular trauma, testosterone, Klinefelter syndrome, and effects of recreational substances on male fertility.

How was your interest in field of andrology developed?

I initially became interested in Male Fertility. I enjoy the multiple facets of it: genetics, hormones, microsurgical, social work, and the joy of seeing the faces of couples when they find out they are pregnant. Nothing is more professionally satisfying for me than receiving a photo of a baby that I was involved in. Andrology covers many of the same areas as Male Fertility (both are centered around the functions of the testis) but also includes testosterone replacement and male sexual function. As my career has evolved, I am increasingly interested in all aspects of male testicular function. The role of testosterone on multiple organ systems is interesting to me personally and also plays a major role in patients’ lives, and with the increase in direct to consumer marketing, this is a growing part of my practice.

What has been the impact of the ASA membership in your career?

The ASA has continually reinforced the importance of clinican and basic scientist collaborations. Physicians/scientists tend to fall under one group or another, but collaborations between the two are really where the major advancements are to be made. The ASA has also been my largest source of professional networking. It is such a supportive society, where there truly is a fostering of ideas that for the young clinician or scientist, there is a sense of both being challenged and nurtured. The more established generation of Andrologists has been incredibly supportive of me- delivering neverending advice and mentoring (professionally and personally). These relationships have provided me with the vision and support I needed to build a Andrology and Fertility program at USC, with both clinical and translational components. The translational aspect is multi-institutional, both locally and internationally, largely based on relationships formed through the ASA.