Robert N. Taylor MD, PhD
Robert N. Taylor
MD, PhD
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Assistant Dean
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Cell growth, differentiation and development; Endocrinology; Infertility; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Neuroscience; Reproductive Endocrinology; Signal Transduction
Professional Summary:
Robert N. Taylor, MD, PhD is Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Assistant Dean and Director of the MD-PhD Program at UB. Previously, he was Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and MD-PhD Program Director at the University of Utah, and prior to that Co-Director of the Molecular Medicine Program at Wake Forest School of Medicine. Taylor received his undergraduate education at Stanford University and the combined MD-PhD at Baylor College of Medicine. His graduate studies focused on the molecular biology of estrogen receptors. He was a resident, fellow and faculty member for 25 years at the University of California, San Francisco, where he developed research interests in the molecular actions of chemokines, cytokines and neuroangiogenic factors in endometriosis and how inflammation impacts endometrial function leading to pregnancy failure and preeclampsia. Taylor is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and reproductive endocrinologist. He served on executive committees of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NIH Reproductive Scientist Development Program, and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He is the immediate past honorary secretary of the World Endometriosis Society and past president of the Society for Reproductive Investigation.
Education and Training:
- Sabbatical, Visiting Scientist, INSERM U-135, Université de Paris XI, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France, Université de Paris XI (1995)
- Fellowship, Postdoctoral fellow, UCSF, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (1987)
- Fellowship, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, San Francisco (1986)
- Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, San Francisco (1985)
- MD, Baylor College of Medicine (1981)
- PhD, Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (1981)
Employment:
- Assistant Dean for Student and Academic Affairs, University at Buffalo (2020-present)
- MD-PhD Program Director, University at Buffalo (2020-present)
- Adjunct Professor, Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2020-present)
- Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2020-present)
- Adjunct Professor, Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine (2019–2020)
- Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine (2018–2020)
- Professor and Associate Chair, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine (2011–2018)
- Professor, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine (2005–2011)
- Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (1997–2005)
- Associate Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (1991–1997)
- Assistant Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (1987–1991)
Awards and Honors:
- Harry Reich Award for pioneering work in the science and treatment of endometriosis, Endometriosis Foundation of America (2015)
- ACOG Mentor of the Year Award (District IV) (2012)
- Distinguished Researcher Award, American Society for Reproductive Medicine (2007)
- Basil O'Connor Scholar Research Award #5-810, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation (1990)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists/Ortho Pharmaceutical Academic Training Fellowship, ACOG (1986)
- Outstanding Ob/Gyn Resident Award, American Fertility Society/Serono Laboratories (1985)
Research Expertise:
- Translational investigator: Professor Taylor received his undergraduate education at Stanford University and completed the combined MD-PhD program at Baylor College of Medicine. His graduate work on the molecular biology of estrogen action was performed under the supervision of Roy Smith PhD and Bert O’Malley MD. Professor Taylor trained as a resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology and subsequently as a fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology with Robert Jaffe MD at UCSF. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship with Lewis (“Rusty”) Williams MD PhD in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at UCSF, where he studied the regulation of angiogenesis by growth factors and their receptors in the placenta. Robert Taylor is a board-certified obstetrician-gynaecologist and reproductive endocrinologist widely published in the areas of endometriosis, endometrial vascularization, embryonic implantation, preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications. His laboratory has been continuously funded by the NIH since 1987 and his team investigates the molecular and cell biology of the human uterus and placenta, with an emphasis on endocrine and paracrine regulation of chemokines, cytokines and neuroangiogenic growth factors in endometriosis. Professor Taylor has served as principal investigator on several clinical and translational grants and also on influential international, national and state executive committees including the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NIH Reproductive Scientist Development Program and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- November 2022–December 2027
NIH Application R01-HD108253-01A1 “The Impact of Hormonal Modulation on Systemic Inflammation and Central Sensitization”
NICHD
Role: Co-Investigator - June 2017–July 2023
NIH Application R01-HD088712 “Peripheral and Central Nervous System Correlates of Persistent Posthysterectomy Pain”
NICHD
Role: Co-Investigator
Journal Articles:
- Yu J, Berga SL, Zou E, Schrepf AD, Clauw DJ, As-Sanie S and Taylor RN. (2022) Neurotrophins and their receptors, novel therapeutic targets for pelvic pain in endometriosis, are coordinately regulated by interleukin-1ß via the JNK signaling pathway. Am J Pathol (Nov)
- Romano A, Guo SW, Brosens J, Fazleabas A, Gargett C, Giselbrecht S, Götte M, Griffith L, Taylor H, Taylor RN, Vankelecom H, Chapron C, Chang XH, Khan K, Viganò P. (2022) ENDOCELL: a Delphi protocol to harmonise methods in endometrial cell culturing. Reprod Fertil (Nov)
- Ma Q, Beal JR, Bhurke A, Kannan A, Yu J, Taylor RN, Bagchi IC, and Bagchi MK. (2022) Extracellular vesicles secreted by human endometrial stromal cells regulate decidualization, angiogenesis and trophoblast differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (Aug), 119: e2200252119.
- Yu J, Berga SL, Meng Q, Xia M, Kohout TA, van Duin M and Taylor RN. (2021) Cabergoline stimulates human endometrial stromal cell decidualization and reverses effects of interleukin-1ß in vitro. J Clin Endocrinol Metab (Feb), 106: 3591-3604.
- Yu J, Berga SL, Zou W, Rajakumar A, Man M, Sidell N and Taylor RN. (2020) Human endometrial stromal differentiation is stimulated by PPARß/d activation: New targets for infertility?. J Clin Endocrinol Metab (Dec), 105: 2983-2995.
- Neff AM, Yu J, Taylor RN, Bagchi IC and Bagchi MK. (2020) Insulin signaling via progesterone-regulated insulin receptor substrate 2 is critical for human uterine decidualization. Endocrinology (Nov), 161: bgz021.
- Richardson LS, Taylor RN and Menon R. Reversible EMT and MET mediate amnion remodeling during pregnancy and labor. Sci Signal 13, eaay1486, 2020. (2020) Reversible EMT and MET mediate amnion remodeling during pregnancy and labor. Sci Signal 13, eaay1486, 2020. Sci Signal (Nov), 13: eaay1486.
- Donnez J, Taylor HS, Taylor RN, Akin MD, Tatarchuk TF, Wilk K, Gotteland J-P, Lecomte V and Bestel E. (2020) Treatment of endometriosis-associated pain with linzagolix, an oral GnRH-antagonist, a randomized clinical trial. Fertil Steril (Nov), 114: 44-55.
- Burgess BR, Levine B, Taylor RN and Kelly MG. (2020) Preoperative circulating lymphocyte and monocyte counts correlate with patient outcomes in type I and type II endometrial cancer. Reprod Sci (May), 27: 194-203.
- As-Sanie S, Black R, Giudice LC, Gray Valbrun T, Gupta J, Jones B, Laufer MR, Milspaw AT, Missmer SA, Norman A, Taylor RN, Wallace K, Williams Z, Yong PJ and Nebel RA. (2019) Assessing research gaps and unmet needs in endometriosis. Am J Obstet Gynecol (Nov), 221: 86-94.
- Yu J, Berga SL, Zou W, Taylor RN. (2019) Interleukin-1β inhibits estrogen receptor-α, progesterone receptors A and B and biomarkers of human endometrial stromal cell differentiation: implications for endometriosis. Mol Hum Reprod (Oct), 25(10): 625-637.
- Yu J, Francisco AMC, Patel BG, Cline JM, Zou E, Berga SL, Taylor RN. (2018) IL-1β Stimulates Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Production in Eutopic Endometriosis Stromal Cell Cultures: A Model for Cytokine Regulation of Neuroangiogenesis. Am J Pathol (Oct), 188(10): 2281-2292.
- Yu J, Berga SL, Zou W, Yook DG, Pan JC, Andrade AA, Zhao L, Sidell N, Bagchi IC, Bagchi MK, Taylor RN. (2017) IL-1β Inhibits Connexin 43 and Disrupts Decidualization of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells Through ERK1/2 and p38 MAP Kinase. Endocrinology (Dec), 158(12): 4270-4285.
- Yu J, Berga SL, Johnston-MacAnanny EB, Sidell N, Bagchi IC, Bagchi MK, Taylor RN. (2016) Endometrial Stromal Decidualization Responds Reversibly to Hormone Stimulation and Withdrawal. Endocrinology (Jan), 157(6): 2432-2446.
- Yu J, Berga SL, Zou W, Sun HY, Johnston-MacAnanny E, Yalcinkaya T, Sidell N, Bagchi IC, Bagchi MK, Taylor RN. (2014) Gap junction blockade induces apoptosis in human endometrial stromal cells. Mol Reprod Dev (Jul), 81(7): 666-675.
- Menon R, Yu J, Basanta-Henry P, Brou L, Berga SL, Fortunato SJ, Taylor RN. (2012) Short fetal leukocyte telomere length and preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes. PLoS One (Feb), 7(2): 31136-31136.
- Fauser BC, Laven JS, Tarlatzis BC, Moley KH, Critchley HO, Taylor RN, Berga SL, Mermelstein PG, Devroey P, Gianaroli L, D'Hooghe T, Vercellini P, Hummelshoj L, Rubin S, Goverde AJ, De Leo V, Petraglia F. (2011) Sex steroid hormones and reproductive disorders: impact on women's health. Reprod Sci (Aug), 18(8): 702-712.
- Wieser F, Cohen M, Gaeddert A, Yu J, Burks-Wicks C, Berga SL, Taylor RN. (2007) Evolution of medical treatment for endometriosis: back to the roots?. Hum Reprod Update (Sep), 13(5): 487-499.
Professional Memberships:
- American Gynecological Club; senior leadership in US academic Ob Gyn, past chairs and vice chairs (2011–present)
- Society for Reproductive Investigation (formerly Society for Gynecological Investigation); premier reproductive biology and medicine society in US; I was President 2010-2011 (1990–present)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; major US clinical Ob Gyn organization, junior Fellow (1982-89), Fellow since 1989 (1989–present)
- Endocrine Society; The major US clinical and scientific society for endocrinology (1989–present)
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine; major society for clinical research and care of couples with infertility; elected Distinguished Researcher Award, 2007 (1985–present)
Presentations:
- "Vesicles secreted by uterine decidual cells carry critical information for establishment of pregnancy." Society for the Study of Reproduction, (2021)
- "Cabergoline stimulates human endometrial stromal cell decidualization and reverses inhibitory effects of interleukin-1ß in vitro. #H-218" Society for Reproductive Investigation (2021)
- "Efficacy and Safety of linzagolix on heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) due to uterine fibroids (UF): Results from a placebo-controlled, randomized, phase 3 trial." European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (2021)
Service Activities:
- NICHD Special Emphasis Panel, Chair, ZRG1 EMNR-E (55), April 2021; Study section Chair and Reviewer (2021)
- JSMBS; MD-PhD Program director (2020–present)
- NICHD Reproductive Scientist Development Program (K12); Chair, evaluation committee; Member, executive committee (2001–present)