Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D.

Teresa K. Woodruff joined an elite group of Americans who have received two national medals of honor when President Joe Biden announced the latest recipients of the National Medal of Science on Jan. 3.

Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, presented Woodruff with the medal at a ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., on the same date.

Established in 1959 by the U.S. Congress and administered for the White House by the National Science Foundation, the National Medal of Science is the highest recognition the nation can bestow on scientists and engineers. A statement from the White House said that “those who earn these awards embody the promise of America by pushing the boundaries of what is possible. These trailblazers have harnessed the power of science and technology to tackle challenging problems and deliver innovative solutions for Americans and for communities around the world… Continue reading.

Woodruff is the Thomas J. Watkins Memorial Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Feinberg School of Medicine, professor of biomedical engineering in the McCormick School of Engineering, and dean of The Graduate School. She founded and directs the Women’s Health Research Institute and is director of the Center for Reproductive Science. An expert on ovarian biology and reproductive science, she is an internationally recognized leader in fertility research.

Woodruff coined the term “oncofertility” and invented clinical practice management strategies that merged two fields: oncology and fertility. Oncofertility is now a recognized field of medicine and provides reproductive options for young cancer patients around the globe. She has 11 issued patents related to her reproductive research, including for a novel method to connect reproductive tissues in a microfluidic device and a method to increase the fertilization potential of cells in the ovary.

Also assuming role of associate provost for graduate education, effective Sept. 1

EVANSTON – Teresa K. Woodruff, the Thomas J. Watkins Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and director of the Women’s Health Research Institute at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, has been named dean of The Graduate School and associate provost for graduate education at Northwestern, effective Sept. 1.

An internationally recognized expert in ovarian biology, Woodruff is an alumna of Northwestern and of The Graduate School (TGS), and she has spent 32 years as a member of the Northwestern community in various roles. She succeeds former dean Dwight McBride, who left the University this summer to join Emory University as provost.

“This is an amazing opportunity, and I am deeply committed to the mentorship and training of the next generation of scholars,” Woodruff said. “I have firsthand experience with the life of a graduate student at our institution and the opportunities our students have during their training and their career afterward… Continue reading.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has announced the pending induction of Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., The Thomas J. Watkins Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Vice Chair of Research (OB/GYN), Chief of the Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Northwestern University, to its College of Fellows. Dr. Woodruff was nominated, reviewed, and elected by peers and members of the College of Fellows For her outstanding contributions to ovarian biology and championship of policies that reduce gender disparity in clinical research..