Ravikumar Balasubramanian, M.B.B.S.

Dr. Ravikumar Balasubramanian is a physician-scientist in the Reproductive Endocrine Unit (REU) of the Department of Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).  He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Director of Research Education at the REU. He received his medical degree in Chennai, India and completed clinical and research training in Endocrinology in various teaching hospitals in the United Kingdom and completed his subspecialty training in Reproductive Endocrinology at the MGH REU.

Dr. Balasubramanian is a current recipient of the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) K23 Career Development Award and his current research studies focus on patients with isolated GnRH deficiency (IGD), a rare Mendelian disorder characterized by failure to undergo puberty. Using this human model as a translational bridge, his clinical research activities are directed at discovering novel genes that control human reproduction. Insights from these basic molecular mechanisms will ultimately facilitate development of novel therapies for human infertility and improve clinical care of patients with reproductive disorders. To date, his studies have highlighted the biologic roles of genes regulating neural crest cells (CHD7) and axonal guidance (TUBB3) in the etiology of IGD. Dr. Balasubramanian directs research teaching activities within the REU and organizes the REU’s weekly journal club. He also oversees the REU Shoolman Visiting Professor Research seminar series.

In addition to his research activities, Dr. Balasubramanian sees referral patients, both men and women, with a variety of reproductive problems in the Reproductive Endocrine Associates outpatient service. His main clinical interest is in the diagnosis and management of male hypogonadism, a topic on which he has lectured in national meetings and in several postgraduate courses.