Ricardo Bertolla

Ricardo Bertolla is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Wayne State University School of Medicine, based at the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development in Detroit, MI. He holds a DVM from Sao Paulo University (Brazil) and a PhD in Urology from Paulista Medical School of Sao Paulo Federal University (Brazil). Previously, he served as a professor and Andrology Laboratory director at Sao Paulo Federal University, where he held administrative roles including Graduate Program Chair and Associate Vice-president of Research.

Research Interests: Dr. Bertolla's work focuses on molecular mechanisms of male infertility, including sperm DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and proteomic/lipidomic profiling of semen. His lab investigates how conditions like varicocele, obesity, and spinal cord injuries disrupt fertility biomarkers and proposes clinical interventions (e.g., protein-based sperm selection).

Key Contributions: Demonstrated that varicocele impairs fertility despite normal semen analysis; identified seminal proteins (e.g., ELSPBP1) as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets; established a CLIA-certified male infertility lab at Wayne State for advanced diagnostics.

Advising & Leadership: Mentored multiple Master’s and PhD students in Brazil. Currently relocating his research program to expand cellular/molecular studies of infertility at Wayne State.