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Danny J Schust

Edwin Crowell Hamblen Distinguished Professor of Reproductive Biology and Family Planning
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility

Research Interests


Dr. Schust has an active NIH-funded laboratory.  His scientific research interests center around understanding human placental development, both normal and dysfunctional.  The Schust laboratory uses 2D and 3D stem cell-derived models to study human implantation and placentation. HThese models have been leveraged to better understand viral infection of the placenta and vertical transmission (Zika Virus, SARS-CoV-2, chlamydia, HSV, HIV) basic placental biology and diseases of abnormal placentation, including preeclampsia.  His laboratoty is currently collaborating to study the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on placental development and peri-implantation events in humans.

Clinically, Dr. Schust studies female reproductive system imaging using ultrasound and hysterosalpingography and recurrent early pregnancy loss.

Selected Grants


Duke University Program in Environmental Health

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2019 - 2029

RSDP - American Society for Reproductive Medicine - Liz Rubin

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by American Society for Reproductive Medicine · 2024 - 2028

Reproductive Scientist Development Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2023 - 2028

Modeling Normal and Abnormal Trophoblasts

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Missouri - Columbia · 2023 - 2028

Reproductive Scientist Development Program - ASRM Scholar

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by American Society for Reproductive Medicine · 2023 - 2027

Reproductive Scientist Development Program - March of Dimes

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by March of Dimes · 2023 - 2026

Endometrial Basis For Infertility in Women with Recurrent Implantation Failure and Pregnancy Loss

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Missouri - Columbia · 2023 - 2026

Reproductive Scientist Development Program - GOG Foundation

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by GOG Foundation · 2023 - 2025

Reproductive Scientist Development Program - SRI

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Society for Reproductive Investigation · 2023 - 2025

Reproductive Scientist Development Program - ABOG

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology · 2023 - 2025

Reproductive Scientist Development Program - BWF Meeting Support

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Burroughs Wellcome Fund · 2023 - 2024

Reproductive Scientist Development Program - BWF Scholars

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Burroughs Wellcome Fund · 2023 - 2024

Effect of Gestational Diabetes on Placenta Development

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Missouri · 2022 - 2023

External Relationships


  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine
  • Nihon University Tokyo Japan
  • Univfy

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies, institutions, or organizations listed above. This information is available to institutional leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.