Teresa K Woodruff, Ph.D.

Founder of the Oncofertility Consortium; President Emerita and MSU Research Foundation Professor, Michigan State University.

Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D. is a leader in higher education and an internationally recognized biologist specializing in reproductive science. Woodruff, President Emerita of Michigan State University (MSU), most recently served as interim president of Michigan State University, and prior to that, as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. As chief academic officer, Woodruff provided leadership for matters related to academic programs, research and outreach involving faculty, students and academic staff. She oversaw the quality instruction, scholarship and leadership development at the university through collaborative work with deans, faculty and student leaders. As interim president, Woodruff focused on advancing the university’s strategic initiatives, building trust, enabling excellence and affirming transparency, clarity and authenticity. Dr. Woodruff is an MSU Research Foundation Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Michigan State University. In 2006, she coined the term “oncofertility” to describe the merging of two fields: oncology and fertility preservation. Working at the national level, Woodruff championed a new National Institutes of Health policy mandating the inclusion of both male and female biological variables in fundamental research.

As a leading research scientist, teacher and mentor, Woodruff was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Joe Biden (2025) and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mentoring by former President Barack Obama (2011). She is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2020); the National Academy of Medicine (2018); the National Academy of Inventors (2018); the American Institute for Medical and Biomedical Engineering (2017); the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation (2017); and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2006). In 2022, Woodruff was named a Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership by the Michigan Chapter of the American Council of Education and most recently, was named 2023 Newsmaker of the Year by Crain’s Detroit Business. Woodruff holds honorary degrees from Bates College and the University of Birmingham School of Medicine and has delivered commencement addresses at numerous institutions.