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Karen Christine Baker

Associate Professor of Urology
Urology
40 Duke Medicine Circle, Clinic 1G, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


I am a Urologist with fellowship training in male fertility and microsurgery. I utilize surgical, medical, and lifestyle interventions in my practice and I work hand-in-hand with our female reproductive specialists to help couples reach their goal of having a baby.  I arrived at Duke after serving 24 years in the Army as a Urologist and male fertility specialist. During my time in the Army I was a Primary or Associate Investigator for over 30 industry sponsored or investigator initiated clinical and basic science trials.
There is much we do not know about infertility in general and male infertility in particular.  My research interests include quantifying the impact of common medical conditions on male fertility and investigating their pathogenic effects on spermatogenesis and sperm function,  delineating the impact of male factor infertility on outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques, and investigating the efficacy of medical therapy for male factor infertility.  I am also interested in the social, psychological and health impacts of infertility.

Office Hours


Due to my clinical schedule, I do not maintain office hours.  Please contact me via email.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Urology · 2021 - Present Urology, Clinical Science Departments

Recent Publications


Minding the Bathwater: Fertility and Reproductive Toxicity in the Age of Immuno-Oncology.

Journal Article JCO Oncol Pract · December 2022 Immune checkpoint inhibition has resulted in significant efficacy across many cancer types, including melanoma. Melanoma is the second most common cancer among those of reproductive age, yet the reproductive toxicities of adjuvant and first-line immunother ... Full text Link to item Cite

Male-specific late effects in adult hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients: a systematic review from the Late Effects and Quality of Life Working Committee of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research and Transplant Complications Working Party of the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

Journal Article Bone Marrow Transplant · July 2022 Male-specific late effects after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) include genital chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), hypogonadism, sexual dysfunction, infertility, and subsequent malignancies. They may be closely intertwined and cause prolon ... Full text Link to item Cite

Male-Specific Late Effects in Adult Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients: A Systematic Review from the Late Effects and Quality of Life Working Committee of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research and Transplant Complications Working Party of the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

Journal Article Transplant Cell Ther · June 2022 Male-specific late effects after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) include genital chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), hypogonadism, sexual dysfunction, infertility, and subsequent malignancies, such as prostate, penile, and testicular cancer. ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 2022 M.M.C.i.
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine · 1995 M.D.