Centre for Reproductive Health

2022

Archive news and public engagement updates from the Centre for Reproductive Health in 2022.

‘PhD Integrated Studies in Medical Sciences with Engagement’ presentations

The CRH’s Francesca Hearn-Yeates (Horne lab) and Grace Forsyth (Mitchell lab) are students on the Integrated Studies in Medical Sciences with Engagement PhD programme and their end of year presentations took place on 13.12.22

Dr Varsha Jain’s new podcast episode

The CRH’s Dr Varsha Jain features in this fascinating episode of The Vagina Museum’s podcast, discussing all things periods, heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual health and space gynaecology.

Osmosis by Elsevier Announces Raise the Line Faculty Award Nominees

The CRH’s Professor James Boardman is recognized for his efforts and achievement as an outstanding educator (02.12.22)

Triumph for EXPPECT

​​​​​​​The EXPPECT clinical and research teams were delighted to win a 2022 Scottish Healthcare Award for their work on endometriosis and pelvic pain in the ‘Developments in Female Health’ category. 

Dr Jackie Maybin stars in new NHS Inform video

Dr Jackie Maybin, Senior Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant Gynaecologist at MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, appears in a new NHS Inform video to raise awareness of periods, problem periods, and menstrual health.

Women in STEM session at Castlebrae Community High School

Two associate researchers at MRC CRH, Professor Evelyn Telfer and Dr Roseanne Rosario, visited Castlebrae Community High School on 16.11.22 to facilitate a Women in STEM session with a group of female students.

No increased miscarriage risk due to vaccine

There is no evidence of higher risk of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy following vaccination against Covid-19 or infection with the disease, according to a new study.

Medals and Menstruation

The CRH’s Dr Jackie Maybin collaborated with Scottish athlete Eilish McColgan to create this valuable resource. Please have a read and share it with your networks.

Winter vaccines in pregnancy

Usher Institute Professor (and CRH Associate) Sarah Stock is encouraging pregnant women to take up the offer of the Covid-19 and flu vaccines before winter sets in.

Vaccines ruled out in neonatal deaths spike

​​​​​​​CRH Associate Professor Sarah Stock provided expert commentary within this Herald article, from October 2022.

Endometriosis article and Live Q&A in The Times

Professor Andrew Horne contributed expert commentary to this impactful article in The Times, published 13.10.22

CRH takes part in Midlothian Schools STEMFEST

CRH researchers visited Beeslack High School as part of the October STEMFEST Festival running across schools in Midlothian.

Male contraceptive coverage in The Times

Research into male contraception is led by the CRH’s Professor Anderson and Dr Reynolds-Wright.

CRH researchers feature in renowned Physiological Reviews podcast

The MRC CRH’s Co-Director Professor Hilary Critchley and CRH Associates Sarah Stock and Rebecca Reynolds all feature in this brilliant Physiological Reviews podcast episode which has a focus on pregnancy and Covid-19.

Young scientists from Liberton take part in CRH workshop

Ginnie Clark (Comms and Public Engagement Manager), Rocio Martinez Aguilar (Maybin lab), Francesca Hearn-Yeates (Horne lab) and Grace Forsyth (Mitchell lab) visited Liberton High School on Tuesday 27 September to offer students the chance to take part in our reproductive health themed scientific workshop.

The Mitchell lab visits Portobello High School

On Tuesday 6 September 2022 Professor Rod Mitchell and his PhD student Grace Forsyth visited Portobello High School to speak to a group of S5 / S6 science students.

CRH Workshops at Castlebrae Community Campus

Ginnie Clark, Rocio Martinez Aguilar (Maybin lab), Nikki Graham (Pollard lab) and Grace Forsyth (Mitchell lab) visited Castlebrae Community Campus on Thursday August 25 to facilitate our ‘Ready, Steady, Grow’ scientific workshop.

CRH takes part in Science Insights

There was great excitement as CRH staff welcomed S5 students back into the labs in July for Science Insights 2022.

Motherhood after breast cancer doesn’t lower survival chances

Giving birth to a child after having breast cancer has no detrimental effect on the woman’s prospects of surviving the illness, according to a new study led by Professor Richard Anderson at MRC Centre for Reproductive Health.

CRH’s Jackie Maybin joins prestigious AMS FLIER programme

This unique programme is developing leaders of the future who can create collaborations across academia, industry, the NHS and government to drive innovation.

Most stillbirth certificates are inaccurate

More than 80 per cent of UK medical certificates recording stillbirths contain errors, research reveals.

Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory celebrates 20 years of helping to save premature babies

The research laboratory founded in memory of the daughter of Sarah and Gordon Brown is marking its 20th anniversary with a powerful short film celebrating its groundbreaking work. 

'Imaging Inside-Out' - Castlebrae High School

The CRH's Triin Ounapuu (PhD), together with imaging experts visited the Castlebrae High School to deliver the ‘Imaging Inside-Out’ public outreach activity.

Pioneering the science of hope

Six years ago a revolutionary technique to restore fertility in women rendered infertile by cancer treatments brought the prospect of life into the darkest of times. Its success - decades in the making - is paving the way to even more breakthroughs.

‘Voices and Visions’ endometriosis podcast with Professor Horne

The new ‘Voices and Visions’ podcast has been created by the World Endometriosis Society (WES).

Research rankings confirm Edinburgh as world leader

Edinburgh’s position as one of the UK’s leading research universities has been reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

Dr Varsha Jain wins the IRR Early Career Innovator Competition 2022

​​​​​​​The IRR Early Careers Innovators competition final took place on 10.05.22 and Dr Varsha Jain was selected as the winner (CRH Critchley and Roberts).

CRH success at SRI conference

Many congratulations to Dr Mike Rimmer (Mitchell lab) and Aleks Tsolova (Critchley lab) who had great success at the 69th Annual Scientific Meeting of the SRI, in Denver Colorado.

Endometriosis Awareness Month (March 2022)

Extensive awareness raising and fundraising activity took place over the month of March.

Telemedicine Abortion – editorial in BMJ

Ahead of the vote in the Commons on 30.03.22 to make a decision to approve home abortions in England (for pregnancies of 12 weeks or less) CRH’s Dr John Reynolds-Wright and Professor Sharon Cameron created an impactful editorial for the BMJ.

CRH contributes to the Global Research and Learning Agenda for Contraceptive Induced Menstrual Changes

CRH's Professor Hilary Critchley and Dr Jackie Maybin are two members of the contraceptive-induced menstrual changes (CIMC) Task Force.

CRH researchers contribute to acclaimed BBC Sounds series

A brilliant new series has been created for BBC Sounds called 28(ish) Days Later which focuses on the menstrual cycle.

Dr Jackie Maybin features on Long Covid Podcast

​​​​​​​MRC CRH’s Dr Jackie Maybin spoke to the Long Covid Podcast about the research she is doing at CRH into Long COVID and the menstrual cycle.

CRH creates workshop activity for EISF 2022

Vaccine-building workshops, a guide to the mathematics of pizza, and hands-on activities exploring good and bad bacteria are among events involving University experts at the Edinburgh Science Festival.

Research Insights event with Dr Maybin: Too much blood - when periods are a problem

In her work as a gynaecologist, MRC CRH’s Dr Jackie Maybin helps people whose menstrual bleeding is so heavy it affects their daily lives.

Edinburgh Pregnancy Research Team launches new website

Edinburgh Pregnancy Research Team (EPRT) is a group of health/science professionals working together in pregnancy research across the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian.

CRH success at 2022 RCOG / Blair Bell meeting

​​​​​​​The RCOG holds an Annual Academic Meeting each year to showcase the best of research in obstetrics and gynaecology in the UK, from basic science to clinical trials.

Obituary for Professor Emeritus David Baird

David Tennent Baird CBE, BA, MBChB, DSc, FRCOG, FRCP Edin, FMedSci, FRSE

Tam Dalyell prize win

Andrew Horne, Professor of Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences in the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, and Philippa Saunders, Chair of Reproductive Steroids in the Centre for Inflammation Research have won the Tam Dalyell prize for excellence in engaging the public with science. 

Why talking more about periods benefits everyone

A crippling taboo still hangs over periods. Women are constantly adjusting their lives in the face of a society that remains uncomfortable with menstruation, leaving many unsupported and isolated. This has to change.

Awareness raising: periods

On 26 January 2022, CRH’s Dr Varsha Jain was a panelist in the popular Wellbeing of Women event called Let’s Talk Periods: Fibroids and Adenomyosis.

New guidelines launched for diagnosis and management of Endometriosis

The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) publishes today its new clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and management of Endometriosis - a chronic condition that causes severe pelvic pain and reduced fertility for millions of women worldwide. 

​​​​​​​Ferring Corporate Giving Programme funds CRH research

The CRH’s Professor Richard Anderson has been awarded €345,000 by the Ferring Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health Corporate Giving Programme.

Endometriosis care in Scotland

CRH’s Professor Horne works tirelessly to improve diagnosis times and treatment options for endometriosis patients.

Obituary: Dr Rodrigo Rodrigues

Dr Rodrigo Rodrigues, a member of Professor Jeffrey Pollard’s group at the Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health (MRC-CRH) at the University of Edinburgh, tragically passed away from natural causes over the New Year. 

Fertility 2022

Fertility 2022 was the 15th Joint Fertility conference hosted by the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists, British Fertility Society and the Society for Reproduction and Fertility.

Covid-19 linked to complications during pregnancy

Women who have Covid-19 towards the end of their pregnancy are vulnerable to birth-related complications.

Obituary: Professor Fiona Denison

The CRH remembers with great fondness the many attributes and achievements of our colleague Professor Fiona Denison who very sadly died on Saturday 8th January 2022.

Death of Professor Fiona Denison

We are very saddened at the passing of our much-loved colleague.