Ronald J. Wapner

Currently, Dr. Wapner is the Vice Chair of Research in Obstetrics and Gynecology for Columbia University Medical Center and Director of Reproductive Genetics. Prior to Columbia University, Dr. Wapner was a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Drexel University College of Medicine and taught at Thomas Jefferson University for 22 years where he also served as the Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine. Dr. Wapner is an internationally known physician and researcher specializing in reproductive genetics. He pioneered the development of chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and multi-fetal reduction. He has authored or co-authored over 450 publications and he has been an active investigator in the area of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Dr. Wapner is either a principal or co-investigator for a number of NICHD sponsored multi-center studies. He currently serves as the center PI for the National Standards for Fetal Growth study as well as the PI for the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program. Recently, Dr. Wapner led a multicenter study evaluating the accuracy, efficacy, and clinical advantages of prenatal diagnosis using microarray analysis. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine has honored Dr. Wapner with both a Lifetime Achievement Award (2015) and The Dru Carlson Memorial Award for Best Research in Ultrasound and Genetics (2012 & 2017). He has had a significant role in the development of multidisciplinary research studies and clinical research centers throughout his career.