Research Interests
The research in Shikanov lab aims to preserve and restore reproductive and endocrine function for at-risk populations, with a specific focus on engineering supportive environments for ovarian follicles. Ovarian follicles are multicellular aggregates in the ovary responsible for a woman’s fertility and ovarian endocrine function. Currently, young women and prepubertal girls diagnosed with cancer and facing ovotoxic treatments have limited options to preserve their fertility, resulting in premature depletion of the non-renewable ovarian reserve, inability to have children and significant alterations in endocrine function.