Dr Hassan Bakos

Biography/ Background

Hassan Bakos commenced a Bachelor of Health Sciences at the University of Adelaide in 2002. Following the completion of his second year, he was awarded an Adelaide Research Vacation Scholarship to undertake a research project within the Department of Anatomical Sciences. In 2005, Hassan was awarded an Honours Research Scholarship from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Research Foundation to complete his Honours Degree within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Following a brief period of work at Repromed and the University of Adelaide, Hassan decided to return to the same department to undertake his PhD. Throughout his PhD, Hassan has won a number of awards, published in refereed journal articles and presented at many national and international conferences. He has recently completed his PhD thesis, entitled "The effect of paternal obesity on sperm function, embryo development and subsequent pregnancy outcomes".  He is currently employed to develop and curriculum design new courses/ programs within the School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health. He is also actively involved in the supervision of Honours and PhD Students within the School.

Current Appointments:

• Lecturer, Level B, School of Paediatrics & Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide.   
• Andrology Laboratories Supervisor/Embryologist, The Adelaide Fertility Centre, Repromed. 

• Honorary Treasurer, Scientists in Reproductive Technology, Fertility Society of Australia.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Medicine, The University of Adelaide (2006-2010)
• B.Hlth.Sc.(Hons.), (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), The University of Adelaide (2005)
• B.Hlth.Sc., (Reproductive Biology and Physiology), The University of Adelaide (2002-2004)

Awards & Achievements

• Semi Finalist (Top 10) - South Australia's Channel 9 Young Achiever Award. Science and Technology Category. Awards Australia (2011) 
• Special Commendation from the Dean of Graduate Studies for the quality of work conducted during the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. University of Adelaide (2010)  
• Named a Future Leader within the Adelaide Fertility Centre, Repromed (2010) 
• Robert Seamark Postgraduate Award for the most outstanding graduating postgraduate student in the Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. University of Adelaide (2009) 
• International Student Research Forum Best Presentation Award. Hosted by Griffith University (2009) 
• Society for Reproductive Biology Oozoa Student Award for the best presentation (oral or poster) given by a student working on gametes (oocytes or sperm) (2009) 
• Finalist in the Society for Reproductive Biology New Investigator Award (2009) 
• Society for Male Reproduction and Urology Travelling Scholar Award for outstanding contribution to the advancement of knowledge for the members of this society. American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. (2007) 
• Clinical Research Oral Presentation Award for the most outstanding presentation of clinical research at the South Australian Scientific Meeting. Australian Society for Medical Research (2007) 

Teaching Interests

Hasssn is currently involved in the development of new Repruductive Biology/Medicine courses and programs within the School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health.  

He has lectured in a number of Health Sciences/Science courses including Comparative Reproductive Biology of Mammals as well as Ethics, Science and Society.  

Hassan has also worked as Tutor in the Problem Based Learning (PBL) component of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program and Practical Class Demonstrator in the Human Biology class of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program.

 

Research Interests

Hassan's current research aims to determine some of the causes behind oxidative sperm DNA damage, specifically to identify metabolic markers commonly associated with obesity and their effect on sperm quality and male fertility. Hassan has also been examining the effects of male obesity on subsequent embryo and pregnancy outcomes. Hassan has recently published some novel findings in relation to obesity and male fertility, both in a mouse model as well as the human. These publications represent the first steps in elucidating the effects of paternal obesity, not only on sperm function, but also on subsequent embryo health and development.

 

He is also interested in clinical laboratory research, particulary in relation to Andrology diagnostic techniques and gamete selection procedures. Hassan has also published in this area.  

Publications

6. Tunc O, Bakos HW and Tremellen K. Impact of body mass index on seminal oxidative stress. Andrologia; Fully accepted: 2009 Nov 12. [In press].

5. Bakos HW, Henshaw RC, Mitchell M and Lane M. Paternal body mass index is associated with decreased blastocyst development and reduced live birth rates following assisted reproductive technology. Fertility and Sterility; 2010 Dec 7. [Epub ahead of print].

4. *Mitchell M, *Bakos HW and Lane M. Paternal diet induced obesity impairs embryo development and implantation in the mouse. Fertility and Sterility; 2010 Nov 1. [Epub ahead of print]. * Equal contribution.

3. Bakos HW, Mitchell M, Setchell BP and Lane M. The effect of paternal diet induced obesity on sperm function and fertilisation in a mouse model. International Journal of Andrology; 2010 Jul 23. [Epub ahead of print].

2. Matson PL, Myssonski K, Yovich S, Morrison L, Irving J and Bakos HW (2010) The density of human semen, and the use of weight as an indicator of volume: a multicentre study. Reproductive Biology; 10(2): 141-153.

1. Bakos HW, Thompson JG, Feil D and Lane M (2008) Sperm DNA damage is associated with assisted reproductive technology pregnancy. International Journal of Andrology; 31: 518-526. Times Cited: 7. Received a journal highlight for the year of 2008.

Professional Associations

Member of the following scientific societies:

2006-   Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) (AUS)

2006-   Fertility Society of Australia (FSA) (AUS)

2006-   Scientists In Reproductive Technology (SIRT) (AUS)

       Committee Member and Assistant Treasurer 2007-2009

       Committee Member and Honarary Treasurer 2009-2011

2007-   American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) (U.S.A.)

2007-   Society for Male Reproduction & Urology (SMRU) (U.S.A.)

2008-   Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB) (AUS)

2009-   European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) (BEL)

2009-   Andrology Special Interest Group (ESHRE)

 

Member of the following professional groups:

2005-   Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Adelaide (AUS)

2005-   Network in Genes & Environment in Development, Adelaide (AUS)

2008-   Healthy Development Adelaide Research Cluster, Adelaide (AUS)

2008-   The Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men’s Health, Adelaide (AUS) 

2008-   Centre for Stem Cell Research, Adelaide (AUS)

2008-   Centre for Intergenerational Health, Adelaide (AUS)

2009-   The Robinson Institute, Adelaide (AUS)

2009-   The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists & Managers (AUS)

 

Professional Interests

Hassan continues to work at Repromed where he has gained significant clinical laboratory experience. He is currently the Andrology Laboratory Supervisor at Repromed where he has been involved in the management of Andrology services including the establishment of a new Andrology laboratory.

He is currently Committee Member and Honorary Treasurer of Scientists in Reproductive Technology of the Fertility Society of Australia.

 

Community Engagement

University Community Engagement

• Sessional Lecturer, Health School Education Program, Healthy Development Adelaide (2007-2010)
• Group Leader and then Captin, Siemens Science Experience (2005-2007)
• Student Ambassador, University of Adelaide (2004-2006)
• Peer Mentor, University of Adelaide (2005)

Media Reports

• 18/10/2010, Medical Observer, Obesity reduces fertility in men
• 23/10/2010, The Age, Overweight men may face fertility issues
• 24/10/2009, The Advertiser, It takes two to make a baby
• 25/08/2009, Lateline, Male fertility linked to obesity: study
• 25/08/2009, ABC 7:30 Report, Male fertility linked to obesity: study

Entry last updated: Tuesday, 22 Mar 2011