Professor Darryl Russell leads the Fertility and Conception theme in the Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide.  He is a cell biologist specialising in intercellular communication controlling normal function and pathologies of the ovary.  His research focuses on hormone action and tissue morphogenic mechanisms that collectively establish and regulate ovarian function.  Using genomics methods to understand the molecular endocrine control of cyclic ovarian folliculogenesis and ovulation has produced new insights into the development of improved non-hormonal contraceptives as well as determinants of high oocyte developmental potential.