Emily J. Su, M.D., M.S.

Bruce R. Carr, M.D.

This issue of Seminars in Reproductive Medicine discusses the role of estrogen receptors (ERs), with particular emphasis on ERβ in physiological and pathological processes related to women’s health.

We were fortunate to recruit Dr. Emily Su to develop an issue on ERβ. She is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where she joined the faculty in 2007. Dr. Su received her undergraduate degree from Brown University and her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. She completed her residency and fellowship training at Northwestern. Upon completion of her fellowship, she was awarded the 2007–2010 American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation/Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Scholarship Award to continue pursuing her research interest in the regulation and dysfunction of placental blood vessel function associated with pregnancy-related diseases such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. This resulted in a National Institutes of Health K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award, of which she is in her second year. In addition Dr. Su has received two grants to investigate the role of ERβ in placental cell function and preeclampsia. Although a young investigator, her future as a physician scientist is secure.

Dr. Su has recruited several excellent experts with an interest in ERβ, and I anticipate that this issue will serve as the major reference on this topic.