Andrew J. Watson
Senior Scientist, Division of Genetics and Development, Children’s Health Research Institute
Associate Dean Research, Graduate and PostDoctoral Affairs, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
Professor, Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Physiology & Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
Scientist, Lawson Health Research Institute
Primary Research Interests
Dr. Watson’s research, conducted at the University of Western Ontario since October 1992, is focused on understanding the earliest stages of development which includes the period from fertilization to implantation to the uterus and the beginnings of pregnancy. All of his studies use animal models to investigate this early period of development. The results from animal studies can be translated to the human and help clinicians develop better ways of helping couples with fertility problems conceive and have their families. Research has demonstrated that the very beginning of development has a major impact on not only whether pregnancy will occur but also on the health of the fetus, newborn, child and even on susceptibility to disease in advanced life. Thus it is important to ensure that safe and efficient methods are applied in the clinic. This will ensure that the assistance provided to couples with fertility challenges not only allows them to start their family but also ensures that their family will enjoy the best health possible throughout their lifetime.
Academic Activities
Dr. Watson’s research investigates the mechanisms controlling development of the fertilized oocyte through the first week or preimplantation period of development, which prepares the early embryo for uterine implantation and initiation of pregnancy. He has supervised or co-supervised the research of 24 graduate students; 34 honors students and 7 postdocs. Dr. Watson’s research has been supported by over $10 million dollars in funding since 1992. He has co-authored over 100 peer reviewed publications and has presented 78 invited lectures to date. Dr. Watson presents lectures to medical students, science undergraduate students, graduate students and residents and fellows.
Bibliometrics (October 2017)
- web of science H-Index 42
- 4454 citations
- 9 papers cited 100 or more
- 32- 50 or more times
- Top paper cited 661 times; 2nd 297 times;
- Google Scholar H-index 51; since 2012 - 23
- Google Scholar Citations 6419; since 2012 - 1588
- Google Scholar i10 index 81; since 2012 - 50
Life-time summary (count) according to the following categories:
Papers Submitted or in Preparation to Referred Journals: 3; Research papers in Peer Reviewed Journals: 72; Invited Review articles in Peer Reviewed Journals: 21; Book Chapters: 10; Books: 1; Peer Reviewed Abstracts: 75; Non-Peer Reviewed Abstracts: 59; Seminars and Invited Presentations: 78.
Recent Publications
Abraham, T., Pin, C.L., & Watson A.J. 2012. Embryo Collection induces transient activation of XPB1 arm of the ER stress response while embryo vitrification does not. Mol. Hum Reprod. 18: 229-242.
Watson A.J. 2012. Outer Space and Oocyte Developmental Competence: A Commentary. Biol Reprod. 86: 1-2.
Bell, C.E., & Watson, A.J. 2013. P38 MAPK regulates cavitation and tight junction function in the mouse blastocyst. PLOSone . Apr4; 8(4):e59528.
Beraldo, F.H., Soares, I.N., Goncalves, D.F., Fan, J., Thomas, A.A., Santos, T.G., Mohammad, A.H., Roffe, M., Calder, M.D., Nikolova, S., Hajj, G.N., Guimaraes, A.L., Massensini, A.R., Welch, I., Betts, D.H., Gros, R., Drangova, M., Watson, A.J., Bartha, R., Prado, V.F., Martins, V.R., & Prado, M.A. 2013. Stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1 has unique co-chaperone activity during development and regulates cellular response to ischemia via the prion protein. FASEB J 27 (9): 3594-35607.
Mann, M.R., & Watson, A.J. 2013. Endogenous folate accumulation in oocytes and preimplantation embryos and its epigenetic implications: A Commentary. Biol Reprod. 89(3); 62.
Calder, M., Chan, Y.M., Raj, R., Pampillo, M., Elbert, A., Noonan, M., Gillio-Meina, C., Caligioni, C., Berube, N.G., Bhattacharya, M., Watson, A.J., Seminara, S.B., & Babwah, A.V. 2014. Implantation failure in female kiss1 (-/-) mice is independent of their hypogonadic state and can be partially rescued by leukemia inhibitory factor. Endocrinology 155(8): 3065-3078.
Rose, K.L., Watson, A.J., Drysdale, T.A., Cepinskas, G., Chan, M., Rupar, C. A., & Fraser, D. D., (2015). Simulated diabetic ketoacidosis therapy in vitro elicits brain cell swelling via sodium-hydrogen exchange and anion transport. Am J. Physiol Endocrinol Metab Jun 26 (6): 940-947 6:ajpendo.00107.2015. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00107.2015.
Belanger, D., Calder, M.D., Gianetto-Berruti, A., Lui, E.M., Watson, A.J., & Feyles, V. (2016) Effects of ginseng extract treatment on preimplantation development in vitro and pregnancy in the mouse. American Journal of Chinese Medicine 44(5): 981-995.
Edwards, N.A., Watson, A.J., & Betts, D.H. (2016). P66Shc, a key regulator of metabolism and mitochondrial ROS production is dysregulated by mouse embryo culture. Molecular Human Reproduction. 22: 634-647.
Calder, M.D., Edwards, N. A., and Watson, A.J. 2017. Activation of AMPK, a stress sensing kinase inhibits blastocyst development and regulates trophectoderm tight junction expression and function. Molecular Human Reproduction. Doi:10.1093/molehr/gax050 pp1-15.
