Your San Diego fertility center: Reproductive Sciences Center & Genetics Institute

where babies come from...

Samuel H. Wood, MD, Ph.D.

Samuel Wood, our Medical Director, is an acclaimed reproductive endocrinologist in San Diego who specializes in infertility.

In addition to being a medical doctor, Dr. Wood's distinguished academic background includes a Master's degree in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics. After a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Carolina, he completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at UCSD and is Board Certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, achieving both certifications in the minimal time possible.

Dr. Wood has been recently named in Marquis' "Who is Who in America 2009", a list of leaders and achievers from all walks of life, whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the political, cultural, business and academic frameworks of America, and around the world.

He also has been mentioned in San Diego Magazine's Top 50 People to Watch in 2009" (San Diego Magazine's January 2009 issue).

 

Meet Dr. Wood in our video fertility success story. Watch the video now.

 

Dr. Wood was interviewed on KPBS Radio about surrogacy on 7/23/08. Hear the interview on the local KPBS Radio website.

As San Diego's fertility expert, he is a member of the clinical faculty in the Department of Reproductive Medicine at the University of California, San Diego and is a member of many societies including the Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. He specializes in the assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and complex laparoscopic procedures. He has a particular interest in male factor, endometriosis-associated and unexplained infertility.

Dr. Wood has been featured in many local newspaper, radio, and television stories as well as several nationally broadcast stories, including Frontline ,Good Morning America, and the Discovery Channel as well as a BBC documentary that has now been seen in over 50 countries.

Dr. Sam Wood's Curriculum Vitae

Present Positions

• Stemagen, Inc, Chief Executive Officer, La Jolla, CA
  Stem cell company utilizing innovative strategies for the creation of stem cell lines having characteristics that we believe will hasten the realization of their therapeutic potential.
• Reproductive Sciences Center and Genetics Institute, Medical Director, La Jolla, CA
  Fertility and reproductive endocrinology treatment and research center. Presently collaborating with Stemagen to provide a readily available source of high quality oocytes and embryos for the creation of stem cell lines.

Present Stem Cell Research Interests

The development of stem cell lines for research and therapeutic uses from fresh oocytes and frozen embryos donated to our facility.

Academic Appointment

Clinical Instructor, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California (7/90-present)

Licensure/Certification

• North Carolina Medical License # 37980, 1989–present
  California Medical License # G-68058, 1990–present
  American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG)-Diplomate (Board Certified)
  ABOG, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility-Diplomate (Board Certified)
  American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)-Fellow

Selected Organizations

• Alpha Omega Alpha
• Mensa
• The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)
• Preimplantation Genetics Diagnosis International Society (PGDIS)
• San Diego County Medical Society
• California Medical Association
• American Medical Association
• American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists
• American Society for Reproductive Medicine
• The Endocrine Society
• Society for the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (SART)
• Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI)

Education

Undergraduate

Loma Linda University, Riverside, California (1/78 - 5/79)
Degree: B.A., Psychology (5/79), Summa Cum Laude

Graduate

• University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia (8/79 - 8/80)
  Degree: M.A., Psychology (8/80)
  Honors: Graduate Research Award
  Thesis: Effects of Causal Attributions of Performance Outcome on Nature of Self-Statements and Self-esteem
• Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia (8/81-5/85)
  Degree: M.D. (5/85)
  Honors: Alpha Omega Alpha
• Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia (8/81-6/86)
  Degree: Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (12/88)
  Dissertation: Matrix-Bound DNA Primase-Polymerase Alpha Complex:
  Detection, Solubilization, and Cell-Cycle Variation.
• San Diego State University, San Diego, California (9/95-9/97)
  Degree: M.B.A. (9/97)
  Final Project: Physician Equity Alliances: Marketing Implications of Partnerships With Practice Management Company
  Networks.

Post Graduate Training

• Residency (Obstetrics and Gynecology)
  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (7/86-6/90)
  Honors: Student Teaching Award (86-87 and 87-88)
  Exams: ABOG Preliminary Certifying Exam: 99.7th percentile
  ABOG Board Certified, Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Fellowship (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility)
  University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California (7/90-6/92)
  Infertility: Advanced Operative Endoscopy, Assisted Reproductive Technologies,
  and Microsurgery.
  Reproductive Endocrinology: Hypothalamo-pituitary Tumors, Disorders of Sexual
  Differentiation, Congenital Enzyme Deficiencies, etc.
  Exam: ABOG Board Certified, Reproductive Endocrinology

Previous Employment

• Mental Health Worker, Westbrook Psychiatric Hospital, Richmond, Virginia
  (Summers 1975-1979)
• Graduate Teaching Assistant (Statistics and Experimental Design) U of Rich (8/79-8/80)
• Psychometrist, University of Richmond Psychological Testing Center (8/79-8/80)
• Laboratory Technician (Biochemistry), Medical College of Virginia (6/81-8/81)
• Graduate Teaching Assistant (Biochemistry), Medical College of Virginia (8/81-5/86)
• Chief Extern, Henrico Doctor's Hospital, Richmond, VA (7/85-6/86)
• Resident Coordinator, Family Planning Clinic, Wake County Health Department, Raleigh, North Carolina (1/87-6/90)

Presentations

Wood, SH , Jaremko, ME. Effects of self-preoccupation on social interaction. Research presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association, Washington, D.C., 1980.

Wood, SH. Effects of causal attributions of performance outcome on nature of self-statements and self-esteem. Master's Thesis, University of Richmond, 1980.

Wood, SH, Ettighi, PG. Perceived effects of running on self-concept in obligatory and non-obligatory runners. Research presented at the Kinlock Nelson Honor Society Richmond, VA, 1985.

Wood, SH, Collins, JM. Preferential binding of DNA primase to the nuclear matrix. Research presented at the American Society of Biological Chemists, Washington, D.C., June 1986.

Hulka, JF, Wood, SH. Disposable trocar: A cost-effective approach to laparoscopic entry. Research presented at the International Congress of Gynecologic Endoscopy/AAGL 19th Annual Meeting, 1990.

Fischer, UG, Wood, SH, Bruhn, J, Roseff, SJ, Mortola, J. Effect of human corticotropin-releasing hormone on gonadotropin secretion in cycling and post-menopausal women. Research presented at The Endocrine Society, 1991.

Wood, SH, Chan, A, Moossadeh, F, Mortola, JF, Yen, S.S.C. Treatment of premenstrual syndrome with fluoxetine: A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Research presented at The Society for Gynecologic Investigation, March, 1992.

Chan, YF, Wood, SH, Holden, JP. Yen, SSC. Psychosocial history of women with premenstrual syndrome. Research presented at The Pacific Coast Fertility Society, April, 1992.

Chan, YF, Wood, SH, Parry, BL, Cagnacci, A, Mortola, JF. Effects of fluoxetine on 24h rhythms of melatonin and prolactin secretion in patients with premenstrual syndrome. Research presented at The Endocrine Society, 1993.

Wood, SH, Smotrich, D, Schmidt, LS, Adams, CA, Anderson, LA, Terry J, Hansen, B, Chan, S. The use of donor oocytes and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in couples with both male and female reproductive dysfunctions. Research presented at the International Conference on Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: Basic and Clinical Aspects, Thessaloniki, Greece, September, 1996.

Adams, CA, Anderson, LA, Montgomery, C, Hansen, B, Wood, SH. Gestational surrogacy greatly enhances pregnancy and implantation rates in both fresh and frozen embryo transfers. Research presented at the Pacific Coast Fertility Society, April, 1999.

Adams, CA, Anderson, LA, Hansen, B, Wood, SH. Immediate insemination of human oocytes by IVF or ICSI does not reduce fertilization rates. Research presented at the Pacific Coast Fertility Society, April, 1999.

Adams, CA, Anderson, LA, Wood, SH. Activation of human oocytes using calcium ionophore after ICSI increases fertilization and number of embryos for couples with low ICSI fertilization rates. Research presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, Tours, France, June, 1999.

Adams, CA, Anderson, LS, Wise, PG, Wood, SH. Intracytoplasmic injection of testicular sperm results in higher fertilization rates than ejaculated sperm from oligoteratozoospermic males. Research presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), San Diego, 2000.

Adams, CA, Anderson L, Scroop LA, Wood SH. Cryopreservation has no detrimental effect on implantation and pregnancy rates in egg donation cycles. Research presented at the Alpha Society Scientific Meeting, Antwerp, Belgium, 2003.

Adams, CA, Anderson, LS, Wood, SH. Gestational surrogacy enhances implantation rates in egg donation cases. Research presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), San Antonio, 2003.

Adams, CA, Anderson, LS, Juanengo, JC, Wood, SH. Effect of medications on semen analysis and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) parameters. Research presented at the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB), Los Vegas, 2004.

Adams, CA., Anderson, L. Wood, S. High, but not moderate, levels of sperm DNA fragmentation are predictive of poor outcome in egg donation cycles. Research presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Philadelphia, 2004.

Adams, CA, Juanengo, JC, Workman, N, Anderson, LS, Scroop, A, Wood, SH. No Deleterious Effect of IVF on Singleton Birth Weight and Pre-term Delivery Rate in Oocyte Donation Cycles for Either Infertile Recipients or Fertile Gestational Surrogates. Research presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Montreal, 2005.

Adams, CA, Anderson, LS, Juanengo, JC, Wood, SH. Sperm DNA Damage as Measured by the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA) Does Not Predict Sperm Survival Rate. Research presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Montreal, 2005.

Adams, CA, Anderson, LS, Juanengo, JC, Wood, SH. Response to Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH), as Measured by Peak Estradiol Levels and Number of Follicles, Does not Correlate with Singleton Birth Weight in Oocyte Donation Cycles. Research presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Montreal, 2005.

Evenson DP, Wixon R, Tritle D, Adams C, Wood S. Characterization of four sperm cell populations resolved and flow cytometry sorted by the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA®). Research presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), New Orleans, 2006.

Anderson, L, Adams, C, Wood, S. Aneuploidy rates in young egg donors are highly variable and may be related to the presence of a male factor, but are not predictive of cycle outcome. Research presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), New Orleans, 2006.

Adams C, Juanengo J, Anderson L, Wood S. Use of GnRH antagonists in egg donation cycles is associated with reduced serum estradiol and LH levels compared to agonist cycles with and without LH supplementation, but has no effect on implantation or pregnancy rates. Research presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), New Orleans, 2006.

C. Adams, L. Anderson, L. Wheeler, S. Wood. Relationship between sperm survival assay results performed for quality control (QC) testing of plastic cultureware and IVF outcome. Research presented at the Pacific Coast Fertility Society, 2007.

Adams, C, Anderson L, Wood S. Paternal factors, specifically low sperm motility and high levels of moderate DNA damage, predict increased rates of aneuploidy in embryos from egg donor cycles. Research presented at the Pacific Coast Fertility Society, 2007.

French, AJ, Adams, CA, Anderson, L, Wood SH. Efficient derivation of xeno-free human embryonic stem cell lines from fresh embryos following preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Research presented at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), Cairns, Australia, 2007.

Wood, SH, Jimenez, RJ, French, AJ, Belch, MA. Attitudes of reproductive oocyte donors towards donating oocytes for embryonic stem cell research. Research presented at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), Cairns, Australia, 2007.

Adams, C, Anderson L, Wheeler L, Wood S. Early administration of additional vaginal progesterone support has a detrimental effect on implantation rates in embryo recipient cycles. Research presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Washington, D.C., 2007.

Publications

Wood, SH , Jaremko, ME, Williams, D. Self-oriented culture: measurement, nature, and effects of self-preoccupation. Sociological Research Symposium 1980; 10: 44-47.

Wood, SH, Collins, JM. Preferential binding of DNA primase to the nuclear matrix in HeLa cells. J Biol Chem 1986; 261: 7119-7122.

Collins, JM, Wood, SH, Chu, AK. Nucleoids, a subnuclear system capable of chain elongation. Biochem Biophys Acta,1989; 1009: 264-276.

Wood, SH, Chan, A, Moossadeh, F, Mortola, JF, Yen, S.S.C. Treatment of premenstrual syndrome with fluoxetine: A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Obstet Gynecol, 1992;80: 339-44.

Fischer, UG, Wood, SH, Bruhn, J, Roseff, SJ, Mortola, J., Yen, SSC. Effect of human corticotropin-releasing hormone on gonadotropin secretion in cycling and postmenopausal women. Fertil Steril, 1992;58: 1108-1112.

Chan, AF, Mortola, JF, Wood, SH, Yen, SSC. Persistence of premenstrual syndrome during low-dose administration of the progesterone antagonist RU 486. Obstet Gynecol, 1994;84: 1001-1005.

French AJ, Wood SH, Trounson AO. Human therapeutic cloning (NTSC): applying research from mammalian reproductive cloning. Stem Cell Rev. 2006;2(4): 265-76.

French AJ, Adams CA, Anderson LS, Kitchen JR, Hughes MR, Wood SH. Development of Human cloned Blastocysts Following Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) with Adult Fibroblasts. Stem Cells. 2008 Jan 17; [Epub ahead of print]

Book

Lavin, ER, Wood, SH (Contributor). The essential over 35 pregnancy guide: everything you need to know about becoming a mother later in life. New York:Avon Books, 1998.