Kenneth I. Aston

Ki Aston, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery and Adjunct Associate Professor in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He serves in the Division of Urology at University of Utah Health, specializing in andrology, embryology, and the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. Dr. Aston combines cutting-edge research with compassionate patient care, focusing on optimizing fertility treatments and developing personalized infertility care approaches.

Dr. Aston completed his PhD in Animal Science: Reproductive Physiology at Utah State University in 2007, with dissertation research on somatic cell nuclear transfer efficiency and nuclear reprogramming. He then joined the University of Utah's Andrology lab as a Postdoctoral Fellow, contributing to the pioneering team that successfully cloned the first equine species. Appointed to the faculty in 2011, he has established himself as a leader in male reproductive health research.

His research program centers on the genetics of male infertility, male infertility and comorbid health conditions, the impact of paternal health and lifestyle on offspring outcomes, and improving sperm diagnostics and fertility treatment protocols. Dr. Aston employs advanced genomic and epigenetic methodologies to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying infertility, with particular focus on DNA methylation patterns, genetic variants, and single-cell analysis of testicular tissue.

Analysis of Dr. Aston's publication record reveals a strong emphasis on translational research, with recent work bridging basic science discoveries to clinical applications. His publications frequently involve large-scale genomic studies and international collaborations, particularly through the consortia he co-founded, demonstrating a consistent focus on identifying genetic markers and molecular pathways involved in male infertility.

• Co-founder of the Genetics of Male Infertility Consortium (GEMINI)
• Co-founder of the International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC)
• Board Certified by the American Board of Bioanalysis

Dr. Aston's research program has generated numerous high-impact publications in leading journals including Human Molecular Genetics, Fertility and Sterility, and the American Journal of Human Genetics. His leadership in establishing major international research consortia has facilitated significant advances in understanding the genetic basis of male infertility through collaborative, multi-center studies.

His laboratory work focuses on male fertility diagnostics and the genetic underpinnings of infertility, utilizing advanced genomic techniques including single-cell RNA sequencing (as evidenced by the Human Infertility Single-Cell Testis Atlas project). This research directly informs clinical practice by improving diagnostic capabilities and developing more personalized treatment approaches for male infertility patients.