About
April Binder is a Professor at Central Washington University specializing in reproductive biology and endocrinology, teaching courses including Endocrinology (BIOL 446/546), Cell Biology (BIOL 430), and Human Physiology (BIOL 201). Her research investigates hormonal control of ovarian function and infertility mechanisms through molecular and animal model approaches.
Her educational background includes:
- Postdoctoral Fellowship at National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), 2010-2013
- Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Washington State University, 2009
- B.A. in Biology from University of Redlands, 2003
Dr. Binder's research focuses on female reproductive biology with emphasis on estrogen/androgen signaling pathways, ovarian dysfunction, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Her laboratory employs molecular techniques to examine gene regulation in ovarian cells and utilizes mouse models to study metabolic-ovarian interactions in PCOS, aiming to identify causes of infertility through steroid hormone receptor mechanisms.
Analysis of her 2007-2023 publications reveals consistent investigation of reproductive endocrinology mechanisms, progressing from gonadotrope cell signaling (β-catenin/GnRH pathways) to whole-organism PCOS models. Her work demonstrates interdisciplinary integration of molecular biology, endocrinology, and metabolic physiology with emphasis on translational applications for infertility treatment.
Dr. Binder actively mentors students including graduate researcher Peecher DL and undergraduates Qvigstad AJ and Gutierrez SD, who contributed to her PCOS studies. Her laboratory maintains dual experimental approaches using in vitro cell culture systems and in vivo mouse models to dissect hormonal regulation of ovarian function, with recent work highlighting strain-dependent metabolic responses in PCOS.
