Michael Griswold

Biography

Dr. Michael D. Griswold, Regents Professor of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University (WSU), is world-renowned for his contributions to our understanding of Sertoli cell structure and functions and the crucial role of Vitamin A in spermatogenesis and a loyal member of Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR). Mike joined the faculty of WSU in 1976 as an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences, was promoted to Associate and then full Professor, appointed Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics in 1994, Director of the School of Molecular Biosciences in 1999, and Dean of the College of Sciences, a position he held from 2003-2010. Mike became a Regents Professor of Molecular Biosciences in 2008, and in 2011, received the WSU Eminent Faculty Award, the highest faculty honor at WSU.

Mike’s research has been continuously funded by the NIH since 1977 (with the same grant “Hormonal Control of the Maturation of Sertoli Cells”), including a Research Career Develop Award (1979-1984) and MERIT Award (1997-2007). He has published more than 230 original scientific articles, book chapters, and review articles. Mike received the WSU Sahlin Excellence in Research Award (1999) and the SSR Research Award (2006), and became an AAAS Fellow in 2009. In addition, he was the 2013 recipient of the Carl G. Hartman Award, one of the most prestigious award conferred by the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR) and in 2021 he was named as one of the first 15 distinguished fellows of SSR.

Mike is an exemplary mentor. He trained more than 30 Ph.D graduate students and 27 postdoctoral fellows and research associates. Mike received the Frontiers in Reproduction Beacon Award in 2008 for his outstanding mentoring. One of his former students, Leslie Heckert wrote: “His high expectations returned dedication, creativity and independence from the members of his laboratory, which in turn produced a vibrant and exciting research environment. He led by example, support and occasionally by providing unsolicited words of encouragement…”.

Mike has unselfishly served his profession, SSR, the Andrology Society, and the Testis Workshop. . He served the NIH on the Reproductive Biology Study Section (1983-1987, and continues to do ad hoc reviews for the NIH. Mike has also served as an Editorial Board Member for Endocrinology, Journal of Andrology, Biology of Reproduction, Endocrine Journal, Molecular Cellular Endocrinology, and Spermatogenesis.

Mike’s contributions to Sertoli cell physiology and spermatogenesis are extensive. His lab demonstrated in 1980 that vitamin A modulated Sertoli cell function, in 1987 that vitamin A altered Sertoli cell gene expression, and in 1987 in a landmark publication with Carlos Morales, that retinol induced synchronization of seminiferous tubules in vitamin A-deficient rats. The crucial role that vitamin A plays in regulating germ cell entry into meiosis is still being investigated today not only by the Griswold lab but also by many others in the field.

Mike’s lab pioneered microarray/gene profiling analyses of FSH-treated Sertoli cells, beginning in 2002, followed by analysis of spermatogonial stem cells, testis, seminiferous epithelium, epididymis, spermatogenesis, and embryonic development of the testis. These databases are freely available to the scientific community. The number of investigators across the world that have used these data bases is remarkable.

As evidenced from the comments above, Mike has been at the forefront of research in male reproductive biology for the past three decades. Leslie Heckert wrote: “His ideas, approaches, and results have enhanced our understanding of Sertoli cell and gamete function, improved animal models and methodologies for the study of spermatogenesis, and precipitated new concepts in testis biology, contraception and infertility. Because of Dr. Griswold, more is known about the role of retinoic acid in regulating meiosis and the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium, the actions of FSH and testosterone, Sertoli cell function, and the characteristics of spermatogonial stem cells.”

Education

• PhD, Biochemistry, University of Wyoming, 1969
• BS, Chemistry, University of Wyoming, 1966

Research Interests

• Spermatogenesis with emphasis on the function of Sertoli cells and retinoic acid (vitamin A)

Publications

• PubMed.gov

Professional Service

• Andrology Society, 1988-present
• Society for the Study of Reproduction, 1981-present

Honors and Awards

• Society for the Study of Reproduction Distinguished Fellows (one of initial15), 2021
• Society for the Study of Reproduction Carl Hartman Award, 2013
• AAAS Fellow, 2009
• WSU Eminent Faculty Award (highest faculty honor at WSU), 2009
• Frontiers in Reproduction Beacon Award, Woods Hole, MA, 2008
• Asdell Lecture, Cornell University, 2008
• Society for the Study of Reproduction, research award, 2006
• Visiting Scholar, Melbourne, Sidney, Brisbane Australia, 2005
• Larry Ewing Lecture, Johns Hopkins Univ, October 2001
• WSU Sahlin Excellence in Research Award, 1999
• Society for the Study of Reproduction- President, 1998-99
• NIH Reprod. Biol. Study Section, 1997-2001
• NIH. MERIT Award, 1997
• Edward R. Meyer Professorship in Science, WSU, 1995-1998
• Andrology Society- Program Chairman, 1996 meeting
• Second International Clusterin Workshop- Chairman and organizer, 1994
• Andrology Society- Serono Lecturer, 1994
• WSU-Distinguished Faculty Address, 1994
• Alexander Nalbandov Lecturer, U of IL, 1993
• WSU, College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Achievement Award,1992
• NIH Reproductive Biology Study Section, 1983-1987
• NIH Career Development Award, 1979-1984
• E.M.B.O. Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1972-1973 (European Mol. Biol. Assoc.)
• NIH. Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1969-1972 (P.H.S.)
• N.D.E.A. Predoctoral Fellowship, 1967-1969