Empowering physicians and healthcare professionals to transform women's health through education, research and innovation.
Duquesne University Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Center for Fertility Awareness Education and Research (C-FAER) is committed to advancing women’s health by providing our medical students and allied health students, as well as current physicians and healthcare professionals, with an in-depth understanding of Fertility Awareness-Based Methods (FABMs) and their role in Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM).
FABMs are natural, evidence-based tools that allow women to monitor and interpret their hormonal health by tracking observable and measurable signs of their ovarian menstrual cycles. These cycles are a vital sign of a woman’s overall health, and irregularities can often signal underlying conditions such as infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome, infertility and more.
By training future physicians and healthcare professionals to teach patients how to track and understand their cycles, we aim to improve health outcomes, empower women with knowledge, and enhance their reproductive health and overall well-being.
The Future of Women's Health Begins Here
Education & Clinical Training: Restorative Reproductive Health
Here, we are educating the next generation of physicians and healthcare providers on the power of Fertility Awareness-Based Methods (FABMs) and teaching them how to use these methods to restore reproductive health and improve overall health outcomes for women.
Restorative reproductive medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating the root causes of reproductive health challenges, rather than merely masking symptoms. By understanding and correcting underlying issues like infertility, hormonal imbalances, and menstrual irregularities, this approach promotes long-term health and well-being. FABMs play a crucial role in this process, offering personalized, patient-centered care that supports the body’s natural rhythms and restores optimal reproductive function.
Research: Pioneering Women’s Health Innovation
Our research priorities are designed to deepen our understanding of the menstrual cycle as a critical indicator of overall health and to create evidence-based practices that improve women's health outcomes.
- Identifying Biomarkers of Menstrual Health and Fertility: We are dedicated to identifying and investigating biomarkers that will help improve the understanding of menstrual health and fertility. This knowledge can be leveraged to optimize care for women throughout their lives.
- Advancing Menstrual Health as a Vital Sign: By developing standardized, evidence-based methods for tracking menstrual cycle data, we aim to incorporate this information into screening and treatment protocols. Our goal is to enhance reproductive health outcomes by integrating menstrual health as a key component of women’s healthcare.
$2.5 Million Gift to Duquesnes Medical School to Create Center for Modern Fertility Awareness Education
In May 2022, a Pittsburgh-based anonymous donor provided Duquesne University a $2.5 million gift to support its Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine. The gift funds the Center for Fertility Awareness-Based Education and Research, which provides medical students with fertility-awareness training as part of their overall medical education.
Center for Fertility Awareness Education and Research Scholars Program
The Center for Fertility Awareness Education and Research (C-FAER) invites scholars and researchers in the United States to apply for a one-year research scholar program beginning May 1, 2026. The goal of the C-FAER Research Scholars Program is to cultivate a research cohort and to generate new and innovative research paths that align with the mission and research priorities of the center.
About the Center for Fertility Awareness Education and Research
Duquesne University Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Center for Fertility Awareness Education and Research (C-FAER) is committed to advancing women’s health by providing medical students and allied health students, as well as current physicians and healthcare professionals, with an in-depth understanding of Fertility Awareness-Based Methods and their role in restorative reproductive healthcare.
Research Priorities
The center’s current research priorities are 1) To leverage ovulatory-menstrual health data to identify novel biomarkers of reproductive health and fertility for the purposes of improving the diagnosis and management of common female reproductive health conditions and 2) To develop and validate clinical interventions to promote the integration of novel evidence-based approaches to address the underlying root causes of male and female hormonal and reproductive conditions.
Who is eligible?
The Center for Fertility Awareness Education and Research seeks four scholars with an MD, DO, PA, NP, or PhD in a health-related field. Scholars may come from the academy or from clinical practice, as long as the individual has a research interest and a plan to develop their research.
Financial Incentive
These four scholars will receive a stipend of $5000 to complete their proposed research study.
Expectations
Scholars will meet virtually once per month throughout the year (May 2026-May 2027). Each scholar will be expected to attend every meeting, to facilitate one of the monthly meetings with their own in-process research and participate in a virtual or in-person conference at the end of the year.
Application and Deadline
Applications should be limited to three pages, excluding references. The deadline for all applications is March 27, 2026. Once completed, applications can be sent to Dr. Theresa Stujenske at stujensket@duq.edu. The following information should be included:
1. One-page personal statement, including goals for participation in the program
2. Two-page research plan including background/significance, purpose, methods, expected impact, budget, and project timeline.
Questions?
Email Theresa Stujenske, PhD, RN at stujensket@duq.edu
Contact Us
We are happy to provide more information about The Center for Fertility Awareness Education and Research at the Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Marguerite Duane, MD, MHA, MSPH, FAAFP
