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Geraldine Delbes is an Assistant Professor at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre INRS – Institut Armand-Frappier. The focus of her research is to investigate the impact of environmental compounds and chemotherapeutic drugs on immature male gem cells and the long-term consequences on male adult fertility.

The impact of chemicals found in our environment on human reproductive health has grown to be a major public health concern. Recent evidence suggests that exposure early in life has resulted in increasing male reproductive problems, including testicular cancer, disorders of sex development, cryptorchidism, hypospadias and poor semen quality. Perinatal development is indeed critical for male germ cell fate as it is at this time that the precursors of spermatogenesis are established. Dr. Delbes’ research focuses on understanding how environmental and therapeutic chemicals, relevant to human exposure during perinatal life, can affect the programming of male germ cells and have long-term consequences on spermatogenesis. Using in vivo and in vitro models in rodent and humans, her research team investigates the cellular and molecular responses to endocrine disruptors and anti-cancer drugs, assessing the epigenome, gene expression, DNA damage and oxidative stress.

Her work has involved collaborations with research groups in Canada, Europe and Tunisia and has resulted in over 25 publications in peer-reviewed journals and books as well as over 50 presentations at national and international meetings.