Dr. Roger Pierson MS PhD FEAS FCAHS is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences in the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. The Distinguished Professorship Program was created to honour and celebrate outstanding achievement in research, scholarly, or artistic work by University of Saskatchewan faculty. He received his BS and MS degrees from Purdue University and a PhD in Reproductive Endocrinology/Physiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Pierson is a Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and a Past-President of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS). Dr. Pierson’s research has generated more than 550 papers, technical reports, book chapters and abstracts, in addition to more than 40 copyrighted computer programs and 6 patents.
Dr. Pierson’s research is multi-disciplinary and revolves around ovarian follicular development in natural cycles, ovarian stimulation, ovulation and ovulation induction, uterine receptivity and hormonal contraception. Studies on ovarian function in women by Dr. Pierson and colleagues at the University of Saskatchewan were heralded as one of the Top 100 scientific discoveries of 2004 by Discover magazine.
Imaging and image enhancement tools have been developed in Dr. Pierson’s laboratory to explain physiological changes over time developed for the analysis of high-resolution ultrasonographic images. They have proven innovative in determining endometrial receptivity, the assessment of ovarian function, as well as, the assessment of ovarian and breast masses. Other areas of research include development of computer software for tissue characterization and analysis of ultrasonographic and MR images, 3-dimensional ultrasonography, early embryo development, automated detection of embryonic anomalies and development of animal model systems for investigation of human reproductive dilemmas.
Dr. Pierson has held executive positions in several professional organizations. He served as President of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) in 1999-2000 and Chaired the Communications Committee for the Society from 1998-2014. He has held Executive Board positions in the Association of Professors of Obstetrics and Gynecology (APOG), Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOCG) and the Society of Investigators in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was awarded the University of Saskatchewan Distinguished Researcher award in 2000.
Dr. Pierson has received numerous awards that include: Award of Excellence in Reproductive Medicine for lifetime research achievements from the CFAS, APOG Medical Education Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award for outstanding contributions to the teaching of obstetrics and gynecology; Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan for his outstanding achievements and significant contribution to society; and, Chatelaine Women’s Health Hero Award with citation for ‘Dedication to advancing women’s health in Canada’.
Dr. Pierson was inducted into the Inaugural W. Brett Wilson Center’s Innovator’s Hall of Fame at the University of Saskatchewan in 2009. This award recognizes innovators whose work has transformed the way in which people live, work and play around the world and who have reinforced the traditions of success and innovation originating from University of Saskatchewan people.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Pierson is the founder and Chief Scientific Officer of the Synergyne Group of Companies. He is the innovator of Matris™, an image analysis tool for assessing endometrial receptivity when undergoing assisted reproductive treatment.