Testosterone and Male Health: The Elixir of Life?

This event was held on Thursday 8 November 2018

Development of the male reproductive system, secondary sexual characteristics and fertility all depend on testosterone. Failure of testosterone production or action in the developing foetus can increase the risk of male reproductive disorders, while problems with testosterone action during puberty or in adulthood can impact male fertility and wider male health.

Professor Smith will explore the science behind testosterone, look at some of its more esoteric roles, and how recent increases in our understanding may lead to improved therapies to promote fertility and lifelong male health.

About the Speaker

Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science, Professor Lee Smith is responsible for science education and research innovation at the University of Newcastle. He leads an active portfolio of research projects looking at the role of cells inside the testis, including manipulating androgens as tools to benefit male health.

Professor Smith’s contributions have fundamentally changed our understanding of testicular development and function - and have literally rewritten the textbooks. He is perhaps best known for his work examining the role of androgen signalling in male reproductive and other tissues.

Professor Smith was named the American Society of Andrology’s ‘2016 Young Andrologist of the Year’, which is awarded to a scientist under the age of 45 who has made a fundamental change or impact on the field of male research.

Having begun his career with a PhD in Molecular Genetics at the University of Warwick, UK, Professor Smith led a program of research within the Medical Research Council, Human Reproductive Sciences Unit at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. In 2012 Professor Smith was the youngest full tenured Professor at the University of Edinburgh at the time of appointment (aged 37).

The lecture recording is now available to stream here on soundcloud.