We are an academic center located on the UCLA campus.  We are committed to improving reproductive health and access to care through science, education and workforce development.  To meet this goal the Center hosts regular events on the UCLA campus and provides educational content to improve literacy and understanding of the reproductive system, pregnancy and birth. Through these activities, the Center serves as a one-of-a kind resource in the United States to demystify reproductive, maternal and sexual health concerns.  The center also creates a platform of events and offerings to engage students in STEM activities focused on reproductive health and justice.  The overall goal of what we do is to improve reproductive health and care for all.

Activities

1. Distinguished Speaker Series
   
   The goal of this biannual event is to host influential people to elaborate on their work to advanced reproductive equity and positively change the course of reproductive, maternal or sexual health and care. Our 2024 inaugural speaker was LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, a champion for black maternal health, and advocate for the role of doulas in improving maternal care. Our Fall 2024 speaker was Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, a pioneer in the field of stem cell-based embryo models. For more information, please refer here. 
   
2. Reproductive Health and Science Research Fellowship
   
   This is an annual competitive funding program administered by the Center to support innovative research or educational projects focused on reproductive, maternal and sexual health.  This call is open to students or fellows performing original research in the biomedical or social sciences.  For previous winners please refer here.
   
3. Re-imaging Education in Reproductive Science and Health
   
   Due to significant gaps in knowledge of young adults, the Center offers a 10-week course called ‘Reproductive Science and Health’.  Through this course, learners develop a detailed understanding of the reproductive system in different types of bodies.  We also teach the science of in vitro fertilization, hormone action and therapy, as well as current research and treatments for major reproductive diseases including polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, germ cell tumors and infertility. The course also covers areas of reproductive policy and how policy impacts society.  For more information, please refer to the syllabus here.
   
   The center is currently piloting the ‘Educational Fact Sheet’ program which is designed for UCLA students to create a scientifically accurate fact sheet around a topic or career in reproductive, maternal or sexual health.  The goal of the fact sheet program is for students to generate a creative piece that is accessible to young adults and publicly available.  For more information, please refer here. 
   
4. Reproductive Health and Science Career Development Group
   
   Students and trainees from across the UCLA campus are invited to attend the career development group where you will be exposed to a variety of careers in reproductive, maternal and sexual health through one-on-one interactions with scientists, educators, healthcare providers and reproductive care workers in the community.  For a list of previous speakers, please refer to our events page. 
   
5. Reproductive Health and Science Seminar Series
   
   Faculty, students, trainees and fellows are invited to present their original research a part of a monthly seminar series to build a community of innovators on the UCLA campus interested in improving reproductive health and care.  If you would like to present your research, please contact us at crshe@ucla.edu.  For a list of previous topics, please refer to here.

Special Interest Projects

1. Art and Science Project
   
   To develop community engagement and conversation in reproductive, maternal and sexual health, the Center commissioned recent UCLA graduate, Saskia Baden MFA to create provocative art pieces as a mechanism towards community and public engagement in reproductive maternal and sexual health.  For more information, please refer here.