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James L. Voogt Lecture in Neuroendocrinology

The Annual James L. Voogt Lecture in Neuroendocrinology is sponsored by the James L. Voogt Lectureship Fund, the Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, and the Bohan Visiting Professor Program.

Keynote Lecturers

May 23, 2024

Martin Kelly, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine
Neuroscience Graduate Program, School of Medicine
Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine
Oregon Health & Science University 

"A kiss to set the rhythm: How Kisspeptin neurons control reproduction" 


April 13, 2023

Suzanne Moenter, Ph.D.
Associate Chair, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
Fred J. Karsch Collegiate Professor of Physiology
Professor, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Professor, Internal Medicine
Research Professor, Reproductive Sciences Program
University of Michigan 

"A Tale of Two Cell Types: Estradiol feedback on the reproductive neuroendocrine system"


May 19, 2022

Ursula Kaiser, M.D.
Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension
George W. Thorn, M.D. Distinguished Chair in Endocrinology
Director, Brigham Research Institute
Brigham and Women's Hospital

Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School

"Neuroendocrine Control of Reproduction: Insights from Genetic Studies of Pubertal Disorders"


April 29, 2021

Michael N. Lehman, Ph.D., FAAA
Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Director, Brain Health Research Institute
Kent State University

"Neuroendocrine Basis of Reproduction: KNDy cells and beyond"


May 7, 2020

POSTPONED TO 2021


May 23, 2019

Malcolm J. Low, M.D., Ph.D.
David F. Bohr Collegiate Professor of Molecular Physiology
Director, Michigan Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center
University of Michigan

"Development, differentiation and function of hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin neurons"


May 3, 2018

Jon D. Levine, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Vice Chair, Dept. of Oral Surgery
University of California, San Francisco

"Sex, Drugs, and Pain"


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James L. Voogt Biography

Jim VoogtBorn in Grand Rapids Michigan, Dr Voogt received a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan Technological University, followed by his doctorate at Michigan State University under the mentorship of Joseph Meites. After spending his postdoctoral training with William Ganong at the University of California, San Francisco, he joined the faculty at the University of Louisville. In 1977 Dr. Voogt took a position at Kansas University Medical Center in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, where he served as chair for ten years. During his time at KU, Dr. Voogt did a sabbatical at Erasmus University in The Netherlands.

Dr. Voogt maintained a vigorous research career in reproductive neuroendocrinology for the past 36 years, publishing over 100 peer-reviewed articles as well as numerous reviews. He has maintained his research by obtaining federal grants from both NIH and NSF through-out this time period. During his sabbatical, he learned several new approaches to his research that he was able to convert into a long-standing NIH grant upon his return to KU.

The entire focus of Dr. Voogt's research has been the brain regulation of prolactin secretion. He moved from using whole animals initially to more molecular and cellular approaches as new developments occurred. However, he views what happens in vivo as the most important part of his research, and never gets too far away from these types of experiments. His efforts have focused extensively on how dopaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus are regulated, since it is dopamine secretion into the hypophysial portal blood leading to the pituitary that is the primary regulator of prolactin.

In recognition of his research, he received invitations to present his work at international and national meetings. In addition to service on numerous editorial boards, he served on several NIH study sections and was chair of the Reproductive Biology Study section.

In 2005, Dr. Voogt was appointed Vice Chancellor of Research and President of the Research Institute at KUMC. Following his retirement at the end of 2006, he was named professor emeritus. He currently lives in Colorado with his wife, Mary Jane, where he spends time volunteering, fly fishing, woodworking, golfing, traveling, and hiking and snowshoeing in the Rocky Mountains.