Dr. Stephen Downs
Wehr Professor of Biological Sciences

Ever since working on his master's thesis at Augustana College in South Dakota, Dr. Stephen Downs, Wehr Professor of Biological Sciences, has been interested in the process of normal egg maturation in mammals. He specifically studies the metabolic pathways that help regulate -development of oocytes – unfertilized egg cells.

For his dedication to research and scholarship, Marquette awarded Downs the Lawrence G. Haggerty Award for Research Excellence. The annual award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated scholarly distinction and an all-encompassing belief in excellence.

"I am humbled and touched by this award, which honors the intrinsic interest I have in my area of research," said Downs. "I have an extremely supportive department and I am grate--ful to everyone for being so easy to work with."

Downs strives to understand how the signal transduction function – the communication system – of oocytes drives production of normal eggs to complete maturation. While Downs said he focuses mainly on the most basic, scientific level of understanding egg maturation, he is inspired by the applications of his research, which range from optimizing fertility treatments to understanding how to treat and prevent diabetes. The results of his studies are instrumental in understanding what causes fertility problems, since successful reproduction depends on proper egg maturation. His research has also been applied to maximizing fertility efficiency in domestic livestock by perfecting in vitro procedures.

A major goal of Downs' research is to identify the specific molecules and metabolic pathways that regulate egg maturation, which is of prime importance in preventing errors in chromosome segregation and in promoting the production of high-quality oocytes that are capable of normal fertilization and embryo development. Understanding how these metabolic pathways regulate normal maturation is important because abnormalities in the process can lead to abnormal development of eggs, manifested in chromosomal irregularities such as Down syndrome.

Most recently, Downs' work has focused on the effects of a stress-response protein on regulating oocyte maturation in mice. Results of these studies could show a connection between physical, chemical and metabolic stress and abnormalities in development.

Other scientists throughout the country have used Downs' research to gain a better understanding of the damaging effects of diabetes on reproductive cell development, as some of the same metabolic pathways are used in both processes.

For Downs, research is more than just a big part of his job. It's his chance to be an explorer. "There's nothing like coming into the lab and finding out that the data you've collected matches what you hypothesized would happen," he said. "It's that excitement of discovery that keeps me coming back for more."

Downs plans to keep exploring how signal transduction function affects other areas of human development. He is also studying the role of certain enzymes in embryonic development to see if similar signaling systems operate following fertilization of oocytes.

 

Past Recipients

2008 - Patrick Carey, Ph.D., William J. Kelly, S.J., Chair in Catholic Theology
2007 - Charles Wilkie, Ph.D., Chemistry
2006 - James T. Buchanan, Ph.D., Biological Sciences
2005 - Chieu D. Tran, Ph.D., Chemistry
2004 - Gerald F. Harris, Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering
2003 - Rev. Roland J. Teske, S.J., Ph.D., Philosophy
2002 - Athan Theoharis, Ph.D., History
2001 - Robert H. Fitts, Ph.D., Biology
2000 - James R. Kincaid, Ph.D., Chemistry

 

PÈRE MARQUETTE
DISCOVERY AWARD

HONORARY DEGREES

FACULTY AWARDS FOR
TEACHING EXCELLENCE

LAWRENCE G. HAGGERTY AWARD
FOR RESEARCH EXCELLENCES

WAY KLINGLER FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Quick Facts About Marquette

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