Meet Varykina (Kina) Thackray, PhD, a Reproductive Sciences Leader, and her Research Team Investigating the Role of the Microbiome in Women's Health
April 2023
Fimbria amplifies voices of inspiring women leaders in the reproductive sciences. Dr. Varykina Thackray's 21 years at UC San Diego encompass groundbreaking discoveries in reproductive endocrinology and pioneering work on the intersection between the gut microbiome and polycystic ovary syndrome. Through collaborative publications, research conference presentations, seminars, and podcasts, Dr. Thackray works with her trailblazing lab team to explore and inform the public about her scientific passion: the connection between women's health and the microbiome.
Dr. Thackray's Journey in Science
Dr. Thackray was born in Ontario, Canada and moved to Indianapolis, IN with her mother and twin sister for high school. A key mentor, AP Biology teacher, Mr. Stahly, fostered interest in science. Via federal loans and work-study, she earned her B.A. in Biology/Psychology from Middlebury College, VT and spent 5 years in research, first as a lab technician at Cornell University, NY and then at Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals in Boulder, CO where she developed interest in the regulation of gene expression. Dr. Thackray obtained her PhD in molecular biology with Dr. Steven Nordeen, PhD at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. Her studies investigating how sex steroid receptors are influenced by the 3D chromatin environment introduced her to the fascinating field of reproductive sciences.
Dr. Thackray with Dr. Pamela Mellon's Lab at UC San Diego in 2006
In 2002, Dr. Thackray moved to San Diego and joined the Mellon lab for post-doctoral training in reproductive endocrinology. A brilliant scientist and inspirational leader, Dr. Pamela Mellon, PhD was an ideal mentor and galvanized interest in mechanistic research. In this supportive environment, Dr. Thackray combined interests in understanding how steroid hormones regulate gonadotropin gene expression using in vitro/cell-based models with experience working with animal models. She received an NIH F32 Postdoctoral Fellowship & NIH K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development award which facilitated her transition to Assistant Professor.
In 2008, Dr. Thackray established her lab in the Leichtag Biomedical Research Building. She became Associate Professor in 2014 and Professor in 2020. She netted the Young Investigator Award from Women in Endocrinology and the Early Investigators Award from the Endocrine Society. Her research has been funded by NIH through R01 grants, P50 Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine at UCSD and the UCSD/UCLA Diabetes Research Center. She has also collaborated with the Ferring Research Institute and Onegevity Health.
Dr. Thackray's research initially focused on cross talk between metabolism and the reproductive axis. Her lab showed insulin signaling in pituitary gonadotrope cells activates a specific factor called FOX01 which results in export from nucleus of the cell and increases transcription of gonadotropin beta subunits, thereby providing a mechanism by which fertility can be regulated by metabolic cues. Her interest in the impact of metabolism on reproduction was furthered by collaborative efforts within the REI division to develop a mouse model that recapitulated both reproductive and metabolic phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Women with PCOS have increased risk of infertility, pregnancy complications, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Given studies that demonstrated a link between the gut microbiome and obesity, Dr. Thackray initiated studies to determine if the gut microbiome plays a role in PCOS. Using 16S ribosomal gene sequencing to identify gut bacteria without having to culture them, her lab was the first to report that changes in gut bacteria were associated with PCOS using a mouse model of the disorder. Dr. Thackray worked with colleague, Dr. Antoni Duleba, MD and researchers at San Diego State University and Poznan University of Medical Sciences to show that women with PCOS also exhibit gut dysbiosis linked with elevated androgens. More recent studies from her lab demonstrate gut metabolites including bile acids are also altered in PCOS and that exposure to a healthy gut microbiome improved both metabolic and reproductive phenotypes in a PCOS mouse model. These studies demonstrate that androgens can regulate gut microbes in females and modulation of the gut microbiome could provide a therapeutic opportunity to treat PCOS. Preclinical studies in the Thackray lab focus on how androgen signaling regulates the gut microbiome and on discovering novel pre- and probiotics to treat PCOS.
Relationship between the gut microbiome and PCOS from Intersection of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Gut Microbiome | Journal of the Endocrine Society
The Bigger Picture
Studying the intersection of the microbiome with PCOS led Dr. Thackray to the realization that any condition where sex hormone levels change could affect the gut microbiome and human health including puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. Diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes, which can lower levels of sex hormones, or medications, which can alter sex hormone levels, could also affect the gut microbiome. Thackray lab is beginning to explore the mechanisms involved in sex steroid differentiation of the gut microbiome. PhD student, Laura Sisk-Hackworth, is using a genetic mouse model to understand the role of the reproductive axis in regulating bacterial communities in different locations within the small and large intestine. Dr. Thackray and Laura are presenting emerging Thackray Lab work at the Society for the Study of Reproduction Conference summer 2023 in Ottawa, Canada.
MEET THE THACKRAY LAB TEAM
Dr. Thackray Lab Team Picnic Lunch at Kate Sessions Park in La Jolla, CA
Mentoring Philosophy
Dr. Thackray is passionate about mentoring the next generation of reproductive scientists. She has mentored 5 post-doctoral fellows, 14 graduate, 2 medical, and 22 undergraduate students; all have gone on to successful science or medicine careers. Thackray firmly believes in a supportive, collaborative team approach to science and ensures contributions of students and technicians are recognized on conference abstracts & publications. She is Co-Director of San Diego IRACDA Post-doctoral Fellowship Program which trains a diverse group of biomedical scientists for academic faculty positions in research and teaching.
Research Philosophy
With over 30 years of meritorious involvement in biomedical research, Dr. Thackray's philosophical approach to research is rooted in a strong belief in the value of basic science. She observes:
"many key discoveries have occurred in biomedical research because people were interested in understanding how things work at a fundamental level instead of trying to cure a particular disease or develop a specific treatment. Since we can't always predict ahead of time the knowledge needed for new treatments or cures for reproductive diseases, it is important to fund and support research in basic reproductive sciences."
Giving Back
Outside the lab, Dr. Thackray is a vocal advocate for the equity and advancement of women in science. She is a long-term member of UCSD Women in Health Sciences, Women in Endocrinology, and the San Diego Chapter of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS). She served on the AWIS-SD Scholarship & Outreach Committees. Her work with the community was recognized with the AWIS-SD Achievement in Outreach Award. She served as Board Member-at-Large, President, and Past President. Extensive contributions were recognized with the AWIS-SD Leadership Service Award, Board Special Award and President's Award in 2022.
Science Fair Judging with AWIS-SD Outreach in 2023
In Her Spare Time
Dr. Thackray recognizes that women and children, particularly from marginalized communities, are vulnerable to heat stress from a warming planet and pollution from the burning of fossil fuels. She is a founding member of the Green New Deal at UC San Diego organization and has served on the Steering Committee for 4 years. She has worked tirelessly with other faculty, staff, and students to advocate for climate action and justice at UC San Diego and across the University of California. Due in part to the efforts of the Green New Deal at UC San Diego, the Academic Senate Faculty Passed a Memorial in 2022 on Reducing Campus Fossil Fuel Combustion. In Fall 2022, President Drake declared that the UC leading on climate change is one of his top priorities and, as a first step, the UC funded electrification plans and established a Fossil Free Task Force to guide the implementation of this green transition to renewable energy.
Thank you, Dr. Thackray and Thackray Lab team for your tremendous contributions to reproductive science, UC San Diego and the San Diego community. Visit the Thackray Lab website to learn more and stay current on their award-winning research.
