For the first time ever, NYRA – the Network for Young Researchers in Andrology – joined forces with the American Society of Andrology (ASA) Trainee Committee to organise a fully trainee-led symposium. This exciting session took place during the joint ASA & International Congress of Andrology (ICA) meeting in Washington, D.C., in March 2025.
Held as part of ASA’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the event marked a real milestone in encouraging collaboration between early-career researchers from both sides of the Atlantic. It also showed the growing influence of the next generation of scientists in the field of andrology.
The trainee-directed symposium took place on Sunday, March 30, 2025. It was moderated by Dr. Karine de Mattos (ASA Trainee Committee) and Dr. Daniel Marcu (NYRA President). The session featured four outstanding talks, each exploring critical challenges in male reproductive health.
Dr. Juliana Perobelli (Brazil) opened the session with a presentation on “Male Reproductive Toxicity: Effects of Environmental Pollutants and the Role of Intestinal Microbiota.” She explored how exposure to environmental chemicals and gut health can influence male fertility – a topic of growing global concern.
Next, Dr. Rita Rahban (Switzerland) presented her research on “Exploring Geographic Variations in Semen Quality Using Spatial Dependence Analysis.” Her work provided fascinating insights into how semen parameters vary across regions, helping to identify environmental and lifestyle factors that may affect male reproductive health.
The session also included two oral abstract presentations from rising stars in the field.
- Nicole Mohajer, MS (USA), discussed how exposure to acetaminophen and genistein can influence gene and protein expression in immature Sertoli cells – key cells in male fertility development.
- Dr. Nick Narinx (Belgium) shared findings from a European survey on how testosterone levels are measured and reported across clinical laboratories. His work highlighted important gaps and challenges in standardising hormonal assessments.
One of the highlights of the symposium was the presentation of the ISA Young Andrologist Award 2025 to Dr. Judit Castillo (Spain). Her talk, “What Sperm Proteomics Tell Us About Paternal Contribution Beyond Fertilization,” showcased cutting-edge research on the role of sperm proteins in reproductive success and early embryo development.
This first-ever NYRA–ASA Trainee Committee symposium not only created space for knowledge exchange but also set the stage for future collaborations between young researchers in andrology. By bringing together scientists from different backgrounds, experiences, and countries, the event underlined the importance of building global partnerships to advance male reproductive health research. It was a powerful reminder that the future of andrology lies in connection, cooperation, and supporting the next generation of researchers.