Our team spotlights

Meet David Kircher, PhD

Senior Scientist

Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to join Paterna BioSciences?

I earned my BS in Biology and PhD in Oncological Sciences from the University of Utah, where I focused on mechanisms of melanoma metastasis in the Homen Lab. After my PhD, I spent a couple of years as a research scientist in the same lab before moving into the pharmaceutical industry with Sumitomo Pharma America. There, I worked as a preclinical scientist testing small molecules for their potential to eradicate tumors in mouse models of cancer. I decided to join Paterna because I was excited about the opportunity to help build a biotech company from the ground up. I’m also passionate about the company’s mission, which aims to solve a problem that impacts millions of couples who are unable to conceive children of their own.

What is your role at Paterna, and how does your work contribute to the mission of solving male infertility?

As a Senior Scientist at Paterna, my role is to develop a method to guide male germ cells from primary spermatocytes through secondary spermatocytes and into round spermatids. This work is one of many collaborative efforts by our team of scientists, each contributing advances at different stages in the developmental spectrum, which spans from spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) to mature sperm.

What aspect of working in the field of reproductive health are you most passionate about?

I’m passionate about the small victories—making incremental advances in our understanding of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) differentiation. Each breakthrough feels like adding a piece to a puzzle, with the ultimate goal of completing the puzzle and developing a reliable protocol to advance SSCs to mature sperm.

What drives you to innovate in the area of male fertility?

At the most fundamental level, I’m driven by the pursuit of scientific discovery. I find it particularly rewarding when my work contributes to expanding our understanding of how biological systems function. When these discoveries lead to innovative solutions, they have the potential to scale up and impact countless lives. In the case of Paterna, those innovations have the potential to profoundly affect the lives of those struggling with infertility.

Why is fertility and the treatment of infertility so important to you?

Although the source of the growing problem with male infertility is debatable, the fact is that more and more couples are struggling to have children due to dysfunctional sperm. Everyone should have a chance to conceive biological children if desired, and Paterna has the opportunity to make this vision a reality for millions.

Do you have any published papers to highlight your expertise?

The most relevant article that highlights my expertise can be found below—this paper focuses on mechanisms of metastasis using mouse models of melanoma:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31138602/

Also, here is our web page highlighting the incredible publications from our talented team!

Publications

How does collaboration within the team contribute to the success of Paterna?

Collaboration is key to Paterna’s success. By bringing different expertise to the table and sharing ideas, we can solve complex problems and move closer to our goal of addressing male infertility.

What’s unique about the culture at Paterna that differentiates it from other places you’ve worked?

What makes Paterna stand out is the diversity of expertise and backgrounds among the team. This variety fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, allowing fresh ideas to emerge and driving progress towards our goal.

What impact do you hope your work will have in the community?

I hope my work will provide hope and solutions for couples struggling with infertility, enabling them to conceive biological children and fulfill their dreams of starting a family.

Where do you see the future of fertility treatments going, and how is Paterna positioning itself to lead that change?

I believe the future of fertility treatments will be increasingly personalized and tailored to meet individual needs. By identifying the precise environmental conditions required to guide the differentiation of male germ cells at each stage of their development, from spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) to mature sperm, we can potentially address male fertility dysfunction at various stages, customized to the specific challenges of each person. To that end, I believe Paterna is positioning itself at the forefront of the field.

What do you enjoy doing outside of ‘the office’?

In my free time, I enjoy playing sports like volleyball, pickleball, and snowboarding. I love spending time with family and friends and traveling whenever I can. I also have a taste for high-quality beers and wines, and I try to catch as many Utah Jazz and Pittsburgh Steelers games as possible.

Share a ‘fun fact’ about yourself!     

Prior to pursuing a career in molecular biology, I spent 10 years with the Salt Lake City Police Department working as a patrol officer and SWAT.

If you were describing your job to a five-year-old, what would you say you do at work?

Some people have problems with special cells in their body needed to make a baby. We’re trying to figure out how to take these broken cells from people, fix them in a lab, and give them back to the owner and their doctor so that those repaired cells can be put inside of a future mommy and used to make a baby.