The idea for developing a cooperative effort among reproductive biologists in the Research Triangle emerged during discussions between John Vandenbergh and Clem Markert. In 1989, they met to discuss preparation of a proposal to the National Science Foundation to establish a "Science and Technology Research Center for Reproductive Biology." There was considerable enthusiasm among the researchers contacted in the Triangle, many of whom are still active members of the TCRB, for such a Center.

    To help prepare the proposal to create a Triangle Science and Technology Center for Reproductive Biology, a meeting was held in December, 1989, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel to discuss each institution's commitment to reproductive biology and to the establishment of a cooperative consortium. Presentations from each institution were made by Drs. Frank French (UNC-CH), Claude Hughes (Duke), Jack Britt (NCSU), John McLachlan (NIEHS), and Ralph Cooper (EPA). The NC Biotechnology Center provided $2,371 start-up funds necessary for the conference to proceed. This was important money to get us started, and the NC Biotechnology Center has continued to provide support in subsequent years.

    Although the Triangle Center for Reproductive Biology was not funded, NSF felt we were a "productive, intellectually rich group of investigators" and the organizers felt the idea of a regional consortium had sufficient merit to proceed even without major funding.

    In 1990, members from NCSU, UNC, Duke, NIEHS, and EPA met and decided to create the Triangle Consortium for Reproductive Biology. The purpose of the Consortium was to hold an annual conference at which researchers and students could present papers and discuss research of common interest.

    The first such conference was held on January 12, 1991 at the Radisson Governor's Inn in the Research Triangle Park. The theme of the conference was "Frontiers of Biotechnology: Molecular Approaches to Reproductive Biology." Neal First was our keynote speaker and presented a paper on "New reproductive biotechnology advances." In addition to 5 other speakers representing local institutions, 45 posters were presented by participants. The steering committee for this conference included Claude Hughes, Ralph Cooper, John McLachlan, Frank French, Debbie O'Brien, David Schomberg and John Vandenbergh. A semblance of organization has developed to maintain the continuity of the TCRB. A planning group meets each year in the summer or early fall to plan the next meeting. A chairperson is selected from the group to serve for a 3-year period, and to organize the annual meeting. John Vandenbergh served as chair for the first several years until Claude Hughes from Duke University picked it up. Frank French and Debbie O'Brien from UNC-CH then organized the meeting for 3 years. Chairmanship was returned to NCSU with Bill Miller and John Vandenbergh serving as the co-organizers. William Wetsel at Duke organized the meeting for 3 years.  The responsibility then returned to UNC-CH, with Frank French and Michael O'Rand serving for 3 years.   The chairmanship has now shifted back to NCSU where John Godwin, Char Farin and Bill Miller are serving as co-organizers.  We are now celebrating our 18th year as a group sharing a common interest in reproductive biology.

Although the TCRB has been in existence for 18 years, it had an informal predecessor in the "Triangle Reproduction Colloquium." Jerry Hulka at Chapel Hill, Dave Schomberg at Duke, and Don Smith at NCSU were able to put together monthly dinners with invited speakers of national stature that attracted many of the active reproductive biologists in the Research Triangle area. Initially, the Ford Foundation and additional industry sponsors provided funds for this event, making it possible to invite pre-doctoral and post-doctoral students for a free meal. Many of these dinners were held at the North Carolina State University Faculty Club. The value of such an event to bring people with common research interests together became apparent, and from these "Triangle Reproduction Colloquiums," we have now become a thriving organization with over 200 members representing 18 institutions from throughout North Carolina.

Themes for TCRB Conferences (1992 - 2009)

1992 - Environmental Influences on Reproduction
1993 - Conception
1994 - Receptors in Reproduction
1995 - Signal Transduction in Reproduction
1996 - Development of Reproductive Systems
1997 - Ligands and Receptors in Reproduction
1998 - Gamete Development and Function
1999 - The Brain and Reproduction
2000 - Breast and Prostate Biology
2001 - Growth and Apoptosis in Reproductive Tissues
2002 - Critical Periods in Reproduction
2003 - Does Sex Matter?
2004 - Reproductive Diseases
2005 - Gene Expression in Reproduction
2006 - Steroid Hormone Receptors in Reproduction
2007 - Molecular Regulation in Reproduction

2008 - Signalling in Reproduction

2009 - Pregnancy and Fetal Development