We are excited to introduce you to Rod Mitchell, a coordinator of ORCHID-NET. Currently, Rod is Professor of Developmemtal Endocrinology at the University of Edinburgh and a Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist (or children’s hormone doctor!) at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh.

How did you find your way into the field of fertility preservation? 

I did a PhD on testicular biology when I was a young (I was young once!!) doctor and I loved it. I realised that there were lots of boys in my clinic who had been treated for cancer and had testicular damage as a result of their treatment. I wanted to use what I had learned about testicular development and function to find ways to help them have children of their own in the future. I have been working on this ever since.

If you had to choose a different field than fertility preservation, which field would you choose and why? 

I would choose a career in public engagement. I have always enjoyed communicating science and medicine to the public and I recently had the pleasure of performing a stand up comedy show called ‘Talking Bollocks’ at the Edinburgh Fringe festival. It was a great experience and an opportunity to educate and engage the public in a way that really appeals to me. 

What moment in your career had the biggest impact on you? Or which achievement are you most proud of? 

The most important moment in my career was definitely doing my PhD. Until that point I thought that I was going to have a career as a full time clinician. However, doing my PhD in the lab of Richard Sharpe, a living legend of testicular biology changed my view on research and I knew very quickly that I wanted to be a clinical academic.

I am proud to have been able to start a programme for fertility preservation in boys receiving gonadotoxic therapy. This offers real hope for their future fertility. My dream is to be able to restore their fertility in the future.

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

I enjoy so many parts of the job! The research offers the freedom to explore and the excitement of discovering something new, whilst getting to know my patients and families and being able to make a small difference in their lives is a real pleasure two. I really do have the best of both worlds.

What advice would you give to your younger self (or to early-career researchers/clinicians)? 

Do what makes you happy, enjoy the journey and try not look too far ahead. You don’t always take the path you thought you would but good things will come in time :-)