Klaus Wiemer, Ph.D.

Klaus E. Wiemer developed his interests in Reproductive Physiology and assisted reproduction while growing up on a cattle ranch in Mexico. He received his Masters degree in Reproductive Physiology with emphasis in Male Physiology from New Mexico State in 1985. Subsequently, he received his PhD in 1989 in Reproductive Physiology with emphasis in Embryology from Louisiana State University (LSU). During his studies at LSU, Klaus developed many culture methods that were successfully used on embryos from many domesticated species. As a result, he was awarded the first runner up in the student competition from the International Embryo Transfer Society for his research.

One of his culture systems known as co-culture mimics the uterine/fallopian tube environment by placing embryos on a layer of cell that are originally found in the uterus or fallopian tube. The co-culture system resulted in superior development of embryos for many species. Dr. Wiemer was the first to apply the co-culture system to assisted reproduction with human IVF. These studies resulted in increased pregnancy rates and Klaus was awarded the overall grand prize by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in 1988. Klaus was one of the first embryologists in the US to achieve pregnancies with human blastocysts.

Dr. Wiemer successfully directed several IVF programs in the United States. Most recently, his program in North Carolina produced some of the highest pregnancy rates in the United States. Klaus conducts research, in addition to his clinical responsibilities, in the following areas: A) improving the developmental potential of human embryos through variations in human embryo culture media; B) exploring the relationship between embryo morphology and pregnancy rates and C) the effects of initial follicular dynamics and follicular stimulation on oocyte and embryo quality.

Incidentally, Dr. Wiemer speaks fluent Spanish. Dr. Wiemer received the LIFE Award for Laboratory Innovations in Fertility and Embryology in 1997. Dr. Wiemer is happily married and is the father of two boys aged 9 and 13.