Alexander Quaas, M.D., Ph.D. 

Board Certified Board Certified

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Languages Languages

  • English, Spanish, French, Italian, German
Solana Beach Location Solana Beach, CA
Schedule Appointment or 1-888-761-1967
Patient Testimonial
Amazing care! Dr. Quaas and his team are so proficient, professional, caring and understanding.

Biography

Alexander Quaas, M.D., Ph.D., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Dr. Quaas completed his residency in OB/GYN at Brigham and Women’s / Massachusetts General Hospital in the Harvard Integrated OB/GYN Residency Program. He completed his REI fellowship at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.  

Prior to joining SGF, Dr. Quaas was the Division Chief, Section of REI, Department of OB/GYN at the University of Basel in Switzerland. Passionate about educating the next leaders in REI and advancing the field through research, he has served in numerous academic positions and contributed to many peer-reviewed journal articles. His research interests include geographic and international variations in fertility care, ovarian stimulation protocols, endometrial receptivity and third-party reproduction.  

Dr. Quaas provides patient care at SGF California’s San Diego location. As a dedicated trail runner, he reminds patients that fertility treatment is often a marathon, not a sprint.  

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Education

  • Residency: Obstetrics and gynecology, Brigham and Women’s / Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Integrated OB/GYN Residency Program)  
  • Fellowship: Reproductive endocrinology and infertility, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles 
  • President-Elect, Pacific Coast Reproductive Society (PCRS), 2023  
  • Interactive Associate Editor of the Year, awarded by the Editors of “Fertility and Sterility”, 2019 
  • Program Chair, PCRS Annual Meeting, 2017  
  • Medical Student Faculty Teaching Award, University of Oklahoma Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2014 – 2017  
  • Reproductive Endocrine Award, PCRS Annual Meeting, 2012  
  • Most Outstanding Paper, PCRS Annual Meeting, 2011  
  • Harvard Medical School Resident Teaching Award, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2005 – 2008  
  • Honours Award, Victoria University Medical School, 2002  
  • Hoelderlin Scholarship, German National Merit Foundation, 2001 
  • ASRM Task Force “subclinical hypothyroidism in the infertile female population: a guideline” (guideline development / practice committee) Member  
  • ASRM Education Committee Member, SREI Representative  
  • Abstract Review Committee, Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Annual Meeting, October 2014 – Present  
  • Awards Chair, Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Annual Meeting, October 2014 – 2018  
  • Director, Pacific Coast Reproductive Society, 2016 – 2021  
  • Program Chair, Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Annual Meeting, 2016 – 2017 
  • Gill ME, Quaas AM. Looking with new eyes: advanced microscopy and artificial intelligence in reproductive medicine. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2023 Feb;40(2):235-9. [Review] PMID: 36534231 
  • Brayboy LM, Quaas AM. The DIY IVF cycle—harnessing the power of deeptech to bring ART to the masses. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2023 Feb;40(2):259-63. [Editorial] PMID: 36515801 
  • Quaas AM, Penzias AS, Adashi EY. The role of growth hormone in assisted reproduction. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2022 Dec 2;13:1055097. [Review] PMID: 36531455 
  • Quaas P, Quaas AM, Fischer M, De Geyter C. Use of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) results in monofollicular ovulation and high cumulative live birth rates: a 25-year cohort. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2022 Nov 15:1-8. [Original Research] PMID: 36378460 
  • Quaas AM. Avocados, bananas, and pancakes: Does the oocyte maturity ratio predict live birth rates in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection?. Fertility and Sterility. 2022 Oct 1;118(4):688-9. [Editorial] PMID: 36070984 
  • Curchoe CL, Chang TA, Trolice MP, Telfer EE, Quaas AM, Kearns WG, Stern JE, Albertini DF. Protecting life in a time of war. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2022 Mar 28:1–3. [Editorial] PMID: 35344142  
  • Quaas AM. Ovarian and intellectual hyperstimulation. F S Rep. 2021 Sep 4;2(4):374-375. [Editorial] PMID: 34934976  
  • Zhou B, Anglin HP, Quaas AM. Molar pregnancy after in vitro fertilization with euploid single embryo transfer. F S Rep. 2021 Jan 22;2(2):146-149. [Case report / Review] PMID: 34278345  
  • Quaas AM. Ovarian stimulation protocols: Don’t immediately change a losing team. Fertil Steril. 2021 Sep;116(3):664-665. [Editorial] PMID: 34261603.  
  • Trolice MP, Curchoe C, Quaas AM. Artificial intelligence-the future is now. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021 Jul;38(7):1607-1612. [Editorial] PMID: 34231110   
  • Fox CW, Stanhiser J, Quaas AM. Evidence of profound ovarian suppression on combined hormonal contraception resulting in dramatically different ovarian reserve testing and oocyte retrieval outcomes: case report and review of the literature. F S Rep. 2020 Sep 2;1(2):94-98. [Case report / Review] PMID: 34223224  
  • Quaas AM, Paulson RJ. Is the endometrial receptivity analysis batting high enough to warrant widespread-or at least selective-use? Fertil Steril. 2021 Aug;116(2):341-342. [Editorial] PMID: 34176587.  
  • Quaas AM. Triggering change in stimulation protocols: a matter of oocyte maturation and beyond. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021 Jun;38(6):1285-1287. [Editorial] PMID: 33970369   
  • Quaas AM, Manoj M. Infertility: still a largely uncovered and undertreated disease. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021 May;38(5):1069-1070. [Commentary] PMID: 33909177  
  • Pier BD, Havemann LM, Quaas AM, Heitmann RJ. Frozen-thawed embryo transfers: time to adopt a more “natural” approach? J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021 Aug;38(8):1909-1911. [Commentary] PMID: 33738681  
  • Aydogan Mathyk B, Quaas AM. Obesity and IVF: weighing in on the evidence. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021 Feb;38(2):343-345. [Commentary] PMID: 33447951  
  • Quaas AM. ICSI for non-male factor: do we practice what we preach? Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2020 Nov 20:1-3. [Editorial] PMID: 33215354  
  • Quaas AM, Kearns WG. Antenatal antioxidants to avert autism?. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2020 Oct 20:1-3. [Editorial] PMID: 33083862  
  • Quaas AM, Gavrizi SZ, Peck JD, Diamond MD, Hansen KR et al. Endometrial thickness following ovarian stimulation with gonadotropin, clomiphene, or letrozole for unexplained infertility, and association with treatment outcomes. Fertility & Sterility, 2020. [Original research] PMID: 32972733  
  • Quaas AM. Social media in ART—# power or# peril? Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2020 May 28. [Editorial] PMID: 32468332  
  • Harrison TN, Quaas AM, Chang RJ. Dose-Dependent Ovulation Rates and Endocrine Correlates of Ovulation in PCOS Patients Undergoing Letrozole Ovulation Induction: A Secondary Analysis of the PPCOSII Trial. In: Reproductive Sciences 2020 Mar 1 (Vol. 27, Suppl. 1, pp. 103A-103A). [Published Abstract]  
  • Quaas AM, Legro RS. Pharmacology of medications used for ovarian stimulation. Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2019 Feb 1;33(1):21-33. [Review] PMID: 30470497  
  • Weedin E, Kort J, Quaas AM, Baker V, Wild R, Hansen K. Luteal-phase progesterone supplementation in non-IVF treatment: a survey of physicians providing infertility treatment. Human Fertility. 2019 Jan 9:1-7. [Original Research] PMID: 30628506  
  • Meldrum DR, Quaas AM, Su HI. Why is growth hormone underutilized for our most difficult IVF couples? Fertility and Sterility. 2018 Dec 1;110(7):1261-2. [Editorial] PMID: 30503118  
  • Quaas AM, Pennings G. The current status of oocyte banks: domestic and international perspectives. Fertility and Sterility. 2018 Dec 1;110(7):1203-8. [Review] PMID: 30503106 

Q&A

My father was an obstetrician and gynecologist and loved his work. When I studied medicine, I tried for a long time to avoid doing the same specialty as him because I wanted to go my own way. But after initially pursuing other specialties (cardiology and orthopedics) I finally admitted to myself that given our similar personalities his passion could also be my calling.

When I chose to follow in my father’s footsteps, I at least wanted to choose a unique subspecialty. When I was applying for OB/GYN residency, it seemed to me that the field of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) was evolving the fastest of all subspecialties, with new major discoveries every month. In addition, the idea of helping people create and complete their families appealed to me. The exciting research and the interactions with patients still motivate me every day. 

After spending many years in academic medicine, I am excited to work for a dynamic organization with many smart and positive people who pursue a shared mission. Through the strength in numbers and extensive experience of the network, processes run very smoothly. In addition, SGF and US Fertility lead the way in research, moving our field forward. 

Every day patients inspire me with their resilience, and it is hard to single out one particular patient. Recently it gave me great joy when a dear patient conceived whose infertility journey was particularly challenging. After countless embryo transfers and other obstacles including Asherman’s syndrome, she almost lost hope and was ready to give up on her dream of having a baby. I believed in her, and we worked together to find success. 

Every day I try to give hope and positivity to patients who are going through tough times in their fertility journey. I listen to their concerns and alleviate them wherever possible. From experience, I convey to patients that patience pays off, and that the fertility journey is, for many, a marathon, not a sprint. I also consider it my responsibility to be realistic and honest with patients and manage expectations. My goal is to provide a good patient experience regardless of the eventual outcome and treat patients the way that I would expect to be treated.

My wife who is patient, flexible, and supportive throughout our shared journey. My parents who taught me to be kind and treat everyone equally. My children who ask me great questions as they discover the world. And my patients who are resilient and motivated to do whatever it takes to reach shared goals.

Energetic, glass half full, positive, empathetic, down to earth.

Attending a World Cup soccer final, ideally with Germany and/or the US in it. 

I have always loved sports and a day without some form of activity is not a good day. I love running, biking, and playing soccer. Running through the beautiful surroundings of San Diego with my trail running group gives me the energy to be productive, and the mental balance to be a positive influence for my patients and family.

In addition to exercising and playing sports myself, I love to watch competitive sports live or on TV, especially European soccer and US sports. I am a huge fan of the soccer team SC Freiburg for which I played as a boy/teenager. In addition, I love to spend time with family and to travel.

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