Ira and Ester Rosenwaks New Investigator Award

Jennifer Kawwass, MD

Dr. Jennifer Kawwass, Professor and REI Division Director and Emory Reproductive Center Medical Director, board-certified in Ob/Gyn and REI, is a Virginia Beach native, a former Division I field hockey player, and a graduate of Davidson College, UVA Medical School, and Emory Gyn/OB Residency and REI Fellowship.

As a fellow, Dr. Kawwass initiated a collaboration with the CDC Assisted Reproductive Technology Team which led to an ongoing symbiotic research partnership that dovetailed with her roles on the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) Executive Council, such as Chairing the SART Registry Committee and remaining an active member of the SART Research Committee.  Her early research and participation on the ASRM Zika and COVID-19 Task Forces contributed to her current roles on the ASRM Ethics Committee, the F&S Reviews and F&S  Editorial Boards, as an AGOS fellow, and as a contributor to several ASRM Practice Bulletins.

Dr. Kawwass has published 95 peer-reviewed publications on a broad range of topics from reproductive rights to national IVF trends and outcomes.  Her most impactful contributions include JAMA publications regarding oocyte donation, ICSI use, ART safety, and gestational carrier trends in the United States.  She also co-authored MMWR CDC publications regarding Zika in reproductive-aged individuals and male-positive HIV discordant couples desiring conception that impacted national practice. Many of her publications have received national press.

Dr. Kawwass speaks English, French, Spanish, and Lebanese Arabic. Jennifer’s interests include distance running, foreign travel, and spending time with her husband, Peter Thompson, MD, a reconstructive plastic surgeon, and their two children.

Previous recipients of the Ira and Ester Rosenwaks New Investigator Award:

2024 Jennifer Kawwass, MD
2023 Kate Devine, MD
2022 Audrey J. Gaskins, ScD
2021 Amanda N. Kallen, MD
2020 Ranjith Ramasamy, MD
2019 Samuel Zev Williams, MD, PhD
2018 Michael L. Eisenberg, MD
2017 Helen G. Tempest, PhD
2016 Marla E. Lujan, PhD
2015 Erica E. Marsh, MD
2014 Jorge E. Chavarro, MD, ScD
2013 Nathan R. Treff, PhD
2012 Clarisa R. Gracia, MD, MSCE
2011 Lubna Pal, MBBS, MS
2010 Ayman Al-Hendy, MD, PhD
2009 Emre Seli, MD
2008 William H. Catherino, MD, PhD
2007 Elizabeth A. McGee, MD
2006 Anuja Dokras, MD, PhD