John C. Marshall, MD, PhD
Outstanding Leadership in Endocrinology Award
John C. Marshall is a world-renowned, highly innovative reproductive endocrinologist. After developing the first gonadotropin radioimmunoassays in the UK, John’s initial studies elucidated the physiology of luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion in health and disease. John published the first gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor assays using nondegradable GnRH analogs. His group defined factors regulating GnRH receptor expression and role in LH/FSH secretion. John first described quantitation of gonadotropin subunit mRNAs, allowing novel insights into regulation of subunit genes by GnRH pulse secretion and intra-pituitary follistatin/activins. He developed the first primary transcript assays for the LH and FSH α- and β-subunit genes, allowing real-time quantitation of subunit expression and elucidating of the pivotal role of GnRH pulse frequency in the differential biosynthesis of LH and FSH.
John’s clinical investigation first focused on mechanisms of pubertal maturation and the roles of pulsatile GnRH/steroid regulation. He was the first to administer physiologic GnRH pulses in anorexia nervosa to reproduce hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle. He also first demonstrated differing sleep/wake sensitivity to progesterone inhibition of GnRH secretion in girls, explaining the transition from nocturnal prepubertal to the 24-hour GnRH adult pattern. John identified polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as a GnRH frequency disorder, demonstrated impaired steroid feedback in PCOS, hyperandrogenemia impairing progesterone inhibition, allowing persistently rapid GnRH/LH secretion – a hallmark of PCOS.
John C. Marshall is a world-renowned, highly innovative reproductive endocrinologist.
John’s innovative contributions have been recognized by election to the ASCI and AAP, the Clinical Endocrinology Trust Medal, the Transatlantic Medal of the Society for Endocrinology [UK] and the Clinical Investigator Award of the Endocrine Society and by continuous funding from the NIH.
John has contributed extensively to education, directing NIH training grants for 30 years, training 42 MD/PhDs, many pursuing NIH-supported academic careers with five achieving professor status. He has been chief of endocrinology at Michigan and Chair of Medicine and Director of the Center for Research in Reproduction at the University of Virginia. He has served as a journal and textbook editor, ABIM board member, NIH reviewer/scientific counselor, and secretary/treasurer of the Endocrine Society.
Presented in recognition of outstanding leadership in fundamental or clinical endocrinology as exemplified by the recipient’s contributions and those of his or her trainees and associates to teaching, research, and/or administration.
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