LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Dr. Samuel Prien, a professor of reproductive physiology and obstetrics and gynecology at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, is retiring at the end of this month after nearly 50 years.<\/p>\n
Prien has taught at least 10,000 students over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know we averaged for quite a while 100 babies a year,\u201d Prien said.<\/p>\n
First ART birth at Texas Tech<\/p>\n
The first successful birth through assisted reproductive technology, or ART, at the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center occurred in the late 1980s. The name of the baby, now an adult, was kept private for privacy reasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cOutside of watching people take home a baby that is by far the most rewarding thing I do, because you get to see people finally get it\u2026 That\u2019s the most exciting thing in the world,\u201d Prien said.<\/p>\n
Sanjana Akula, a graduate student in the Texas Tech University Department of Animal and Food Sciences, said Prien\u2019s influence extends throughout the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like everyone that I have been taught by for reproductive physiology specifically has either been Doctor Prien or been taught by Doctor Prien,\u201d Akula said.<\/p>\n
Patents and inventions<\/p>\n
Prien has been elected to the National Academy of Inventors. His innovations in fertility treatments are estimated to have helped bring about 3,800 births.<\/p>\n
Four years ago, Prien and graduate student Dustie Johnson redesigned a semen collection cup for use at home. The redesign accounted for the possibility that patients in rural areas could face long drives to reach the nearest fertility clinic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis right here was designed for urine. It was never designed to hold a semen sample,\u201d Prien said in the earlier story. \u201cAnd this one may be as much as 48 hours or more.\u201d<\/p>\n
The redesigned cup was named Protex and is now widely available. Prien currently holds four U.S. patents, 20 international patents and three copyrights, with others pending.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t look at things as limitations out here. You know, West Texans have to look at things as how do I get around the challenge,\u201d Prien said.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead<\/p>\n
Prien\u2019s retirement takes effect at the end of this month.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything has a season. My season here has come. It has gone after almost 50 years. But I\u2019ve already had a number of people approach me about all kinds of crazy things, and who knows what I\u2019ll get involved in next,\u201d Prien said.<\/p>\n
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