Congratulations to the Recipients of the 2025 ASRM Society Awards

Each year, ASRM honors exceptional contributions to reproductive medicine by recognizing individuals whose research, clinical care, teaching, or service have advanced the field in meaningful ways. Celebrating innovation, leadership, and lasting impact, each award reflects the legacy of distinguished pioneers in reproductive science and provides ongoing recognition that inspires future generations to push the boundaries of reproductive health and medicine.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Catherine Racowsky, PhD, HCLD

“Both clinically and in her research, Catherine has been at the forefront of moving the field of embryology to day two, then day three, and then blastocyst culture,” says ASRM President Dr. Elizabeth S. Ginsburg. For more than two decades, Dr. Racowsky directed the IVF laboratory at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she spearheaded improvements in quality control, embryo culture techniques, and laboratory validation processes.

DISTINGUISHED RESEARCHER AWARD

Denny Sakkas, PhD

Dr. Sakkas has extensive experience in clinical IVF and reproductive research, publishing in the fields of sperm DNA damage, fertilization, early embryo development, and male infertility. His research has more recently led the way in live imaging of human embryos, increasing our understanding of embryo metabolism and cell lineage.

SUHEIL J. MUASHER, MD, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

CDC’s Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance and Research Team

For over 30 years, this small and dedicated group managed the Congressionally mandated National ART Surveillance System and used strategic partnerships, creative analytic solutions, and effective health communications to improve clinical practice, advance knowledge of ART effectiveness and safety, reduce health disparities, and save healthcare costs.

ARNOLD P. GOLD FOUNDATION HUMANISM IN MEDICINE AWARD FOR PRACTICING PHYSICIANS

Jennifer Hirshfeld-Cytron, MD

Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron’s professional interests include fertility preservation, which involves preserving fertility for women facing diseases for which treatment could impair ovarian function, as well as women choosing to delay fertility for social or personal reasons. Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron is well-published in the areas of fertility preservation and cost analysis of fertility therapies.

KAVOUSSI FAMILY OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD

Alan DeCherney, MD

Alan Hersh DeCherney received his Medical Degree from Temple University School of Medicine, where he was Alpha Omega Alpha. He was a resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania. While at Yale, Dr. DeCherney was a pioneer when IVF was first performed successfully in the United States.

IRA AND ESTER ROSENWAKS NEW INVESTIGATOR AWARD

Min Yang, PhD

Dr. Min Yang is an Assistant Professor in developmental and stem cell biology. She established her independent research group in 2023 at the University of Washington, where she holds appointments in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), and the Department of Genome Sciences. Her lab uses stem cell and animal models to study early human development and the molecular mechanisms underlying pregnancy failure and disorders affecting reproductive and maternal–fetal health.

CARLOS SIMÓN EXCELLENCE IN TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AWARD

Prof. David K. Gardner

Professor David K. Gardner, AM, FAA, is a pioneer in human IVF. He is the Scientific Director of Melbourne IVF, the Scientific, Innovation and Research Director for Virtus Health, and a Distinguished Professorial Fellow in the School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Australia