Lynda Kay McGinnisView profile
Assistant Professor
Lynda Kay McGinnis, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Research in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on oocyte and embryo health, specifically investigating how microenvironmental factors and chemotherapy treatments impact fertility outcomes. She collaborates closely with clinicians at USC Fertility Clinic and the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility to develop clinical applications like the KSOMaa culture media, now widely used globally. Current studies include long-term effects of cancer treatments (e.g., Gleevec/Tamoxifen) on ovarian function and the role of exosomes in oocyte signaling. Her work bridges basic science and clinical practice, addressing infertility mechanisms through projects like exosome-mediated cell communication and biomarker development for reproductive health. She explores how extracellular vesicles influence oocyte quality and embryo viability, with implications for improving IVF success rates and fertility preservation strategies for cancer patients. Research areas span reproductive endocrinology, oncofertility, and developmental biology. Key projects include longitudinal studies on antimüllerian hormone correlations with puberty milestones, and predictive models for live birth rates post-embryo transfer. Her lab also investigates molecular mechanisms underlying fertilization signaling pathways and age-related reproductive decline.







