Ann Kiessling

Ann A. Kiessling (born Ann Anderson, March 29, 1942) is an American reproductive biologist and is currently one of the leaders in human parthenogenic stem cell research at The Bedford Stem Cell Research Foundation. Dr. Kiessling also has an appointment in the Department of Surgery at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Kiessling is noted for her discovery of reverse transcriptase activity in normal human cells (Kiessling & Goulian). This report pioneered the importance of naturally occurring retrovirus sequences in human genes, now thought to be important to the genetic plasticity involved in human evolution and biology. Prior to this discovery, it had been assumed that reverse transcriptase was an enzyme found only in retroviruses(such as HIV). To understand the normal biologic role of reverse transcriptase, Dr. Kiessling began to study eggs and early cleaving embryos.

Her dual interests in virology and reproductive biology led to research in semen transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and the creation of the first laboratory for Human In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in Oregon in the early 1980’s. Harvard Medical School recruited Dr. Kiessling in 1985, where she continues her research today.

The need to conduct biomedical research in areas not funded by the federal government led to the incorporation of the Bedford Stem Cell Research Foundation. The Foundation’s controversial Special Program of Assisted Reproduction (SPAR) has helped more than 70 couples affected by HIV disease have healthy babies. Because of this success, more than two-dozen fertility centers throughout the country have implemented the SPAR program, allowing couples to seek care close to home.

The techniques developed for the Special Program of Assisted Reproduction have now been extended to other diseases of the male genitourinary tract, such as prostatitis and bladder infections. Expertise in human egg biology led Dr. Kiessling to develop the country’s first human egg donor program for stem cell research in 2000. It remains a research focus today.

Dr. Kiessling has published more than 100 scientific papers and given more than 60 lectures to audiences around the world. Her writings can be found in publications such as Nature, Lancet, proceedings of the National Academy of Science. Among her noted publications is the first comprehensive look at the influence of accurate science terminology on laws titled, "What is an Embryo," published by the Connecticut Law Review along with rejoinders by Dr. Harold Shapiro, Prof John A. Robertson, Prof Lars Noah, and Father Kevin P. Quinn. The law review specifically addresses the controversy of all of the entities that are currently called embryos with regards to embryonic stem cell research legislation around the wold. Additionally, Dr. Kiessling has been the focus of articles in The Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press and Newsweek. In 2003, Dr. Kiessling wrote Human Embryonic Stem Cells: An Introduction to the Science and Therapeutic Potential, the first textbook on the controversial topic.

Dr. Kiessling is a current member of the California (California Constitution Article XXXV) and Connecticut Stem Cell Research Advisory Boards, and a member of the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committees (ESCROS) for Harvard University , Joslin Diabetes Center and Children's Hospital.

Dr. Kiessling was born in Baker, Oregon. Her father, Col. William C. Anderson, was a decorated squadron commander in the US Air Force during World War II. She graduated from Klamath Falls High School in 1960 and attended University of Virginia where she received the first of her two bachelor's degrees in Nursing. In 1966 she received her second bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Central Washington University where she also received her master’s in Organic Chemistry in 1967. In 1971 she earned her PhD from Oregon State University in Biochemistry and Biophysics. She did postdoctoral research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and University of California, San Diego.

Dr. Kiessling is the mother of three daughters and a son.