Dr. Robert Jaffe (1933-2020)

Dr. Jaffe was also Past President of SRI (1975-1976).

His research focused on two major disciplines: fetal endocrine biology; and human ovarian biology and pathophysiology. His remarkable career achievements and contributions have made a lasting impact on the fields of reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Dr. Jaffe has been a mentor for more than 100 scholars in the Reproductive Scientist Development Program, which he founded in 1988 to develop a cadre of reproductive physician-scientists across specialties.

Published in the Ark Newspaper, Dr. Jaffe’s obituary features a quote that perfectly encapsulates his passion for research and mentorship, “My greatest joy is to see some of my more than 70 postdoctoral fellows and 82 Reproductive Scientist Development Program scholars having such productive careers, and this fills me with great satisfaction.”

Dr. Jaffe received his medical degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1957. He also served as a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Postdoctoral Fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology at the Karolinska Sjukhuset in Stockholm, Sweden, under the mentorship of the renowned Egon Diczfalusy, MD, from 1963-1964.

For more details on the life of Dr. Jaffe and his lasting contributions to the field of reproductive science, visit the Society for Reproductive Investigation.