NU Duncan Lab
@nuduncanlab.bsky.social
The Duncan Lab uses mammalian model systems to investigate what underlies the age-associated decline in female gamete quantity and quality.
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Members of the Duncan Lab participated in the 20th Annual Lewis Landsberg Research Day held at Northwestern University on September 10, 2026.
September 11, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Members of the Duncan Lab participated in the 20th Annual Lewis Landsberg Research Day held at Northwestern University on September 10, 2026.
Congrats to Anna Heinrich and collaborators on their paper in Theriogenology Wild which describes age-associated changes in the ovary in the South African Cheetah. This was a tremendous collaborative effort with Dr. Elena Ruggieri and @sandiegozoo.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com
September 4, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Congrats to Anna Heinrich and collaborators on their paper in Theriogenology Wild which describes age-associated changes in the ovary in the South African Cheetah. This was a tremendous collaborative effort with Dr. Elena Ruggieri and @sandiegozoo.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Dr. Francesca Duncan was named one of TIME’s 2026 Longevity Leaders! This list includes 12 trailblazers on a mission to help us live longer, healthier lives.
time.com/collection/l...
time.com/collection/l...
What Ovaries Reveal About the Secret Ways Women Age, According to Francesca Duncan
“Pretty much every organ system you can think of is touched by the ovaries,” says Francesca Duncan, a reproductive biologist at Northwestern University and Buck Institute for Research on Aging
time.com
September 3, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Dr. Francesca Duncan was named one of TIME’s 2026 Longevity Leaders! This list includes 12 trailblazers on a mission to help us live longer, healthier lives.
time.com/collection/l...
time.com/collection/l...
Dr. Francesca Duncan and collaborators Dr. Kara Goldman, and Dr. Elnur Babayev were featured in a Northwestern News article on ovarian aging.
news.northwestern.edu/stories/2026...
news.northwestern.edu/stories/2026...
Northwestern scientists are reshaping how we think about the ovary
Ovaries are one of the first organs to age, and their decline shapes women’s health decades later
news.northwestern.edu
August 17, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Dr. Francesca Duncan and collaborators Dr. Kara Goldman, and Dr. Elnur Babayev were featured in a Northwestern News article on ovarian aging.
news.northwestern.edu/stories/2026...
news.northwestern.edu/stories/2026...
A new Duncan Lab publication: "A National Institute on Aging workshop on sex differences in health across the lifespan"
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
A National Institute on Aging workshop on sex differences in health across the lifespan - Nature Aging
In December 2025, the Division of Aging Biology, National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in collaboration with staff from other NIA divisions, NIH institutes and ...
www.nature.com
August 13, 2026 at 3:11 PM
A new Duncan Lab publication: "A National Institute on Aging workshop on sex differences in health across the lifespan"
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
Members of the Duncan Lab were thrilled to present their research at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction! We enjoyed sharing our work with the broader scientific community, and connecting with colleagues and friends.
August 5, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Members of the Duncan Lab were thrilled to present their research at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction! We enjoyed sharing our work with the broader scientific community, and connecting with colleagues and friends.
Vote for "Ovarian Borderland!"
Dr. Aubrey Converse has a piece in the SSR 2026 ReproBioArt Award contest. Vote for "Ovarian Borderland!" and support the Duncan Lab!
woobox.com/hxah43
Dr. Aubrey Converse has a piece in the SSR 2026 ReproBioArt Award contest. Vote for "Ovarian Borderland!" and support the Duncan Lab!
woobox.com/hxah43
Vote for the ReproBioArt 2026 SSR Award
woobox.com
July 20, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Vote for "Ovarian Borderland!"
Dr. Aubrey Converse has a piece in the SSR 2026 ReproBioArt Award contest. Vote for "Ovarian Borderland!" and support the Duncan Lab!
woobox.com/hxah43
Dr. Aubrey Converse has a piece in the SSR 2026 ReproBioArt Award contest. Vote for "Ovarian Borderland!" and support the Duncan Lab!
woobox.com/hxah43
Check out the Duncan Lab at SSR!
Members of our lab are presenting at the upcoming @ssrepro.bsky.social Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, held July 19-22. We hope to see you there!
Members of our lab are presenting at the upcoming @ssrepro.bsky.social Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, held July 19-22. We hope to see you there!
July 17, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Check out the Duncan Lab at SSR!
Members of our lab are presenting at the upcoming @ssrepro.bsky.social Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, held July 19-22. We hope to see you there!
Members of our lab are presenting at the upcoming @ssrepro.bsky.social Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, held July 19-22. We hope to see you there!
Check out this article featuring the Duncan Lab's recent publication on the post-reproductive ovary shifting from a reproductive to an immune-like organ!
www.newscientist.com/article/2533...
www.newscientist.com/article/2533...
Ovary identity shift after menopause may contribute to inflammation
We used to think post-menopausal ovaries sat inert in the body, but evidence from mice suggests they may instead turn into an organ with a role in inflammation
www.newscientist.com
July 9, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Check out this article featuring the Duncan Lab's recent publication on the post-reproductive ovary shifting from a reproductive to an immune-like organ!
www.newscientist.com/article/2533...
www.newscientist.com/article/2533...
New Duncan Lab Publication!
Congratulations to Dr. Jeff Pea and co-authors for their amazing tour de force - a drug discovery screen of 818 bioactive compounds to identify positive hits that block meiotic progression in mouse oocytes!
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42359270/
Congratulations to Dr. Jeff Pea and co-authors for their amazing tour de force - a drug discovery screen of 818 bioactive compounds to identify positive hits that block meiotic progression in mouse oocytes!
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42359270/
A phenotypic in vitro assay of mouse oocyte maturation identifies reversible blockers of meiotic progression for non-hormonal contraceptive discovery - PubMed
This work was supported by the Gates Foundation [INV-003385]. Under the grant conditions of the Foundation, a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Generic License has already been assigned to the Author A...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
June 30, 2026 at 3:32 PM
New Duncan Lab Publication!
Congratulations to Dr. Jeff Pea and co-authors for their amazing tour de force - a drug discovery screen of 818 bioactive compounds to identify positive hits that block meiotic progression in mouse oocytes!
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42359270/
Congratulations to Dr. Jeff Pea and co-authors for their amazing tour de force - a drug discovery screen of 818 bioactive compounds to identify positive hits that block meiotic progression in mouse oocytes!
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42359270/
Reposted by NU Duncan Lab
For @science.org, I reported on fascinating research from @nuduncanlab.bsky.social that has found that the ovaries undergo a surprising transformation after menopause.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
After menopause, ovaries may transform into organs with immune powers
Mouse and human data suggest ovaries develop a new function after reproductive duties end
www.science.org
June 24, 2026 at 6:46 PM
For @science.org, I reported on fascinating research from @nuduncanlab.bsky.social that has found that the ovaries undergo a surprising transformation after menopause.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Exciting coverage of our recent publication, "The post-reproductive ovary shifts from a reproductive to an immune-like organ."
Congratulations to Dr. Aubrey Converse and team!
www.science.org/content/arti...
Congratulations to Dr. Aubrey Converse and team!
www.science.org/content/arti...
After menopause, ovaries may transform into organs with immune powers
Mouse and human data suggest ovaries develop a new function after reproductive duties end
www.science.org
June 24, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Exciting coverage of our recent publication, "The post-reproductive ovary shifts from a reproductive to an immune-like organ."
Congratulations to Dr. Aubrey Converse and team!
www.science.org/content/arti...
Congratulations to Dr. Aubrey Converse and team!
www.science.org/content/arti...
Congratulations to Dr. Aubrey Converse and team for our latest Duncan Lab publication on the post-reproductive ovary which was selected as Editor's Choice in Molecular Human Reproduction! @mhr-reprodsci.bsky.social
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42271623/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42271623/
The post-reproductive ovary shifts from a reproductive to an immune-like organ - PubMed
Reproductive aging in females is characterized by the irreversible depletion of ovarian follicles, yet the structure and function of the post-reproductive ovary remain poorly defined. Using paired his...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
June 15, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Congratulations to Dr. Aubrey Converse and team for our latest Duncan Lab publication on the post-reproductive ovary which was selected as Editor's Choice in Molecular Human Reproduction! @mhr-reprodsci.bsky.social
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42271623/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42271623/
Major Milestone Achieved!
Congratulations to our newest MS-RSM cohort in the lab who have all successfully passed their thesis proposal defenses!
Congratulations to our newest MS-RSM cohort in the lab who have all successfully passed their thesis proposal defenses!
June 11, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Major Milestone Achieved!
Congratulations to our newest MS-RSM cohort in the lab who have all successfully passed their thesis proposal defenses!
Congratulations to our newest MS-RSM cohort in the lab who have all successfully passed their thesis proposal defenses!
A new Duncan Lab publication authored by Dr. Shweta Dipali when she was a graduate student in the lab! This is a comprehensive chapter in Current Topics in Developmental Biology on the role of the ovarian stroma across the reproductive lifespan.
Check it out: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42236057/
Check it out: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42236057/
June 10, 2026 at 3:03 PM
A new Duncan Lab publication authored by Dr. Shweta Dipali when she was a graduate student in the lab! This is a comprehensive chapter in Current Topics in Developmental Biology on the role of the ovarian stroma across the reproductive lifespan.
Check it out: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42236057/
Check it out: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42236057/
Dr. Duncan and collaborator Dr. Doug Vaughan recently participated in a City Club of Chicago panel on healthspan, the future of longevity, and Illinois’s position in this important field.
Learn more: ibio.org/healthspan-i...
Learn more: ibio.org/healthspan-i...
June 9, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Dr. Duncan and collaborator Dr. Doug Vaughan recently participated in a City Club of Chicago panel on healthspan, the future of longevity, and Illinois’s position in this important field.
Learn more: ibio.org/healthspan-i...
Learn more: ibio.org/healthspan-i...
On May 26-29, Dylan Hakken and Dr. Hannes Campo traveled to The Microphysiological Systems (MPS) World Summit in Washington DC.
Dylan presented a poster entitled "Development of a Vascularized Microphysiological System Compatible with Complex 3D Cultures."
Dylan presented a poster entitled "Development of a Vascularized Microphysiological System Compatible with Complex 3D Cultures."
June 2, 2026 at 2:24 PM
On May 26-29, Dylan Hakken and Dr. Hannes Campo traveled to The Microphysiological Systems (MPS) World Summit in Washington DC.
Dylan presented a poster entitled "Development of a Vascularized Microphysiological System Compatible with Complex 3D Cultures."
Dylan presented a poster entitled "Development of a Vascularized Microphysiological System Compatible with Complex 3D Cultures."
Dr. Duncan had the amazing opportunity to meet Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton and discuss with her and colleagues Dr. Doug Vaughan, Dr. Kara Goldman, Dr. Lisa Dhar, and Jennifer Kunde the importance of healthy aging among all to our overall quality of life, well being, economy, and state!
May 26, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Dr. Duncan had the amazing opportunity to meet Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton and discuss with her and colleagues Dr. Doug Vaughan, Dr. Kara Goldman, Dr. Lisa Dhar, and Jennifer Kunde the importance of healthy aging among all to our overall quality of life, well being, economy, and state!
Save the date for the 2026 Reproductive Aging - PSRM Satellite Joint Conference!
July 16-17, 2027, CHA Bio Complex, Korea
This event is co-organized by Dr. Francesca Elizabeth Duncan.
Registration link coming soon!
July 16-17, 2027, CHA Bio Complex, Korea
This event is co-organized by Dr. Francesca Elizabeth Duncan.
Registration link coming soon!
April 9, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Save the date for the 2026 Reproductive Aging - PSRM Satellite Joint Conference!
July 16-17, 2027, CHA Bio Complex, Korea
This event is co-organized by Dr. Francesca Elizabeth Duncan.
Registration link coming soon!
July 16-17, 2027, CHA Bio Complex, Korea
This event is co-organized by Dr. Francesca Elizabeth Duncan.
Registration link coming soon!
Members of the Duncan Lab presented at the 2026 Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Meeting in Palm Springs, CA on March 18-22, 2026.
Visit our lab website to learn more about their presentations! labs.feinberg.northwestern.edu/duncan/news/...
Visit our lab website to learn more about their presentations! labs.feinberg.northwestern.edu/duncan/news/...
March 26, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Members of the Duncan Lab presented at the 2026 Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Meeting in Palm Springs, CA on March 18-22, 2026.
Visit our lab website to learn more about their presentations! labs.feinberg.northwestern.edu/duncan/news/...
Visit our lab website to learn more about their presentations! labs.feinberg.northwestern.edu/duncan/news/...
Congratulations to Anna Heinrich on receiving an F31 grant from the NICHD for her project "The requirement and function of metabolic activity in cumulus cells during late stages of ovulation." We are so proud of Anna for this well-deserved accomplishment!
March 20, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Congratulations to Anna Heinrich on receiving an F31 grant from the NICHD for her project "The requirement and function of metabolic activity in cumulus cells during late stages of ovulation." We are so proud of Anna for this well-deserved accomplishment!
Congratulations to Prianka Hashim on this honor!
The Graduate School is proud to announce the 2026 Northwestern University Inductees to the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society:
March 17, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Congratulations to Prianka Hashim on this honor!
Dr. Francesca Duncan and Dr. Elnur Babayev have published a Perspectives article in Science on "The ovarian stroma as a therapeutic target." Check it out!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The ovarian stroma as a therapeutic target
A drug with antifibrotic properties may improve fertility
www.science.org
February 25, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Dr. Francesca Duncan and Dr. Elnur Babayev have published a Perspectives article in Science on "The ovarian stroma as a therapeutic target." Check it out!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Congratulations to the newly minted Reva Marwah, MS, and Tania Castro Modesto, MS on expertly defending their theses projects!
We look forward to watching their career trajectories soar!
We look forward to watching their career trajectories soar!
February 24, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Congratulations to the newly minted Reva Marwah, MS, and Tania Castro Modesto, MS on expertly defending their theses projects!
We look forward to watching their career trajectories soar!
We look forward to watching their career trajectories soar!
Reposted by NU Duncan Lab
@mhr-reprodsci.bsky.social is seeking an Associate Editor for Social Media and Engagement!
This position is open to senior graduate students (MS or PhD levels), post-doctoral fellows, early career scientists
Apply by March 1
This position is open to senior graduate students (MS or PhD levels), post-doctoral fellows, early career scientists
Apply by March 1
February 6, 2026 at 3:44 PM
@mhr-reprodsci.bsky.social is seeking an Associate Editor for Social Media and Engagement!
This position is open to senior graduate students (MS or PhD levels), post-doctoral fellows, early career scientists
Apply by March 1
This position is open to senior graduate students (MS or PhD levels), post-doctoral fellows, early career scientists
Apply by March 1