A Historic Commitment to a Vastly Understudied Disease
In Spring of 2025, the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound) and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) combined forces to establish the first dedicated endometriosis research center within a premier U.S. basic science institution, the Seckin Endometriosis Research Center for Women’s Health. This collaboration is powered by a momentous $20 million total commitment, which includes a $10 million commitment from EndoFound, and a matching $10 million gift from CSHL Board Chair Marilyn Simons, PhD. This unprecedented $20 million investment will fund 10 years of breakthrough science, providing the state-of-the-art resources and long-term stability required to conduct groundbreaking, large-scale, and interdisciplinary research into the disease. The partnership between the EndoFound and CSHL marks a pivotal moment in the history of endometriosis research.
Unraveling Endometriosis at the Molecular Level
By applying CSHL’s unparalleled expertise in genomics and quantitative biology to the complex biological questions of endometriosis, the Seckin Endometriosis Research Center for Women’s Health promises to change the field from one of management to one of fundamental understanding and cure. The center stands as not only an innovation hub to drive the foundational science that leads to clinical solutions, but also as a symbol of hope and a promise that endometriosis will be transformed from an often-overlooked clinical issue to a central, high-priority problem for foundational, curiosity-driven bioscience.
From Discovery to Impact: Our SERC@CSHL Research Roadmap
THE RESEARCH TEAM
More than a collaboration, The Center is a convergence of purpose and a shared commitment to solving a problem that has affected millions of lives for centuries.
Leadership
A Legacy Honored: The Vision of Tamer Seckin, M.D.
The research center is named in honor of Tamer Seckin, M.D., an internationally renowned endometriosis surgeon, patient advocate, and the co-founder and president of EndoFound. For more than 35 years, Dr. Seckin has devoted his career to surgical excellence and to validating the experiences of patients who were often dismissed by the broader medical system. He is a pioneer in the field, recognized for his expertise in complex cases of deep infiltrating endometriosis. His patented Aqua Blue Contrast™ technique has improved the visualization of subtle, non-pigmented peritoneal lesions that are often missed by other surgeons, demonstrating his commitment to precision and a deep understanding of the disease.
The establishment of this center is more than a tribute; it is the ultimate fulfillment of Dr. Seckin’s core philosophy. His surgical approach was always about understanding the disease at a cellular level and mapping its progression, not just excising lesions. By co-founding EndoFound, he created a platform to champion research and education, and the new center represents the next logical and most significant step in this mission. It is a manifestation of his vision to move beyond the scalpel as a diagnostic tool and to create a world where a patient can be diagnosed without surgery. The center, in his words, is a "promise" and a "symbol" that the work he started will now continue with unprecedented resources and a focus on fundamental discovery.
The Scientific Architect: Dr. Semir Beyaz
The Seckin Endometriosis Research Center is led by Dr. Semir Beyaz, an Assistant Professor and lead investigator at CSHL. Dr. Beyaz’s work is specifically centered on the intricate connection between genetics, metabolism, and the immune system as it relates to female reproductive health. This area of focus is a direct scientific parallel to the complex, multi-system nature of endometriosis, which is often associated with other inflammatory and immunological diseases.
The leadership team at CSHL, including Dr. Leemor Joshua-Tor, who oversees all basic science research, and Dr. David Tuveson, who leads the cancer center, provides robust cross-disciplinary support for the new initiative. This internal support network reflects CSHL’s unique ability to not only make groundbreaking discoveries in basic biology but also to translate those findings into tangible clinical impacts.
Scientific Team
Marie-Thérèse Bammert, PhD / Postdoctoral Fellow, Seckin Endometriosis Research Center for Women’s Health
Dr. Bammert is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Seckin Endometriosis Research Center for Women’s Health at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, working in the lab of Dr. Semir Beyaz in collaboration with the Endometriosis Foundation of America. She recently completed her PhD in Natural Sciences at the University of Konstanz and brings expertise in cell and molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, and pharmaceutical biotechnology. Her research focuses on advancing the understanding and treatment of endometriosis with the mission of improving the lives of millions affected by this disease.
Clinical Collaborators
Hakan Kula, MD / Research Fellow, Endometriosis Foundation of America
Dr. Kula is a board-certified obstetrics and gynecology specialist from Turkey with a strong focus on endometriosis. He completed his residency at Dokuz Eylul University in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, where he gained significant clinical and academic expertise. Upon completing his residency in August 2024, Dr. Kula transitioned to a research focus on endometriosis and female reproductive health. He is involved in ongoing studies on endometriosis, including its surgical management and broader impacts, and is designing new research projects in collaboration with his colleagues. Dr. Kula is dedicated to advancing endometriosis care, sharing surgical knowledge, and raising awareness about women's health issues.
Clare Murphy, BS / Research and Development Manager, EndoFound
Ms. Murphy is a clinical research assistant at Seckin Endometriosis Center, where she helps drive new projects to improve understanding and care for endometriosis. She has experience in both clinical and laboratory research settings. Her background also includes roles at Stryker and founding a student-athlete wellness program at UMass Amherst where she received her degree in Public Health and Psychology. She is passionate about advancing women’s health and supporting patient well-being.
Amanda Chu, MD / Endometriosis Surgeon
Dr. Chu is a Board-Certified Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon who joined the Seckin Endometriosis Center in 2021. She trained at SUNY Stony Brook, Lenox Hill Hospital, and completed a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Penn State Health. Dr. Chu specializes in complex, multi-organ endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, fertility, and robotic surgery. She is active in clinical research, passionate about whole-body care, and dedicated to advancing education through publications and surgical fellowship training.
Operations
Charlotte Frank Sage, PhD / Director, Research Initiatives, EndoFound
Dr. Frank Sage is the Director of Research Initiatives at the Endometriosis Foundation of America, where she leads programs that advance scientific discovery and foster collaborations to drive progress in endometriosis research. She brings extensive experience in managing cross-functional teams, building partnerships with academic and industry leaders, and guiding preclinical programs from strategy through execution. Before joining the Foundation, Dr. Frank Sage served as Vice President of Scientific Program Management at Celmatix Inc., a biotechnology company focused on ovarian health. She earned her BA in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Wesleyan University and her PhD in Microbiology from Yale University.
External Resources & Further Reading