Caleb Kallen, M.D., Ph.D.

Board Certified Board Certified

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Bethlehem Location Bethlehem, PA
Philadelphia Location Philadelphia, PA
Schedule Appointment or 1-888-761-1967
Patient Testimonial
After our first appointment with Dr. Kallen we knew that he would be the right doctor for us based off of the knowledge, honesty and compassion he showed. We will be forever grateful to Dr. Kallen and his team!

Working with Dr. Kallen and his entire team was an absolute pleasure. They took time in designing a medical plan specific to our situation. Dr. Kallen never gave up on us and constantly reassured us at every step of the way to a successful pregnancy! We are very grateful for Dr. Kallen the SGF team!

Dr. Kallen is very thorough in his methods and I felt fully comfortable in his care.

Not only did we receive the medical support we needed to realize our dream of becoming parents, but Dr. Kallen and the staff were emotionally supportive as well.

The level of care Dr. Kallen and his team puts into each patient is astonishing.

Dr. Kallen and his staff at Shady Grove Fertility were absolutely wonderful! I felt like they really took the time to get to know us and answer all of our questions and concerns.

Dr. Kallen and the entire staff at SGF provided top level patient care with kindness and empathy that resulted in pregnancy after three short months!

When we finally got our positive result, he called me and shared in my joy! We highly recommend Dr. Kallen to any couple struggling to conceive!

I cannot recommend Dr. Kallen highly enough! He was always clear and informative yet compassionate and sensitive.

We are a part of the LGBT community and with Dr. Kallen’s guidance we were able to do reciprocal IVF so both my wife and I had a integral part in the process. It took us 3 tries to conceive our second baby and Dr. Kallen was supportive and empathetic every step of the way!

Biography

Caleb Kallen, M.D., Ph.D., FACOG, earned his medical degree and doctorate in philosophy (Molecular and Cellular Biology) from the University of Pennsylvania. He went on to complete his residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Dr. Kallen completed his subspecialty training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Kallen then served as Assistant Professor at Emory University for 7 years, followed by a position as Associate Professor at Thomas Jefferson University where he was elevated to the position of Director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. During his time as a full time academician Dr. Kallen performed NIH-funded basic biomedical research, received numerous teaching awards, and built active clinical practices.

Dr. Kallen has expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), ovulation induction with intrauterine inseminations (IUI), donor egg treatments, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and preimplantation genetic diagnosis. He applies the latest clinical data, state-of-the-art technology, and his extensive clinical experience to optimize pregnancy rates while minimizing patient stress with his supportive approach to care.

Dr. Kallen is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, the Society for Reproductive Investigation, and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Raised in West Philadelphia, Dr. Kallen is married with three children and enjoys home repair (except painting), woodworking, the NFL, cooking, and eating.

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Education

  • Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania
  • Fellowship: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Yale University
  • Suburban Life Magazine Top Physician (2024)
  • Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctor (2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Castle Connolly Top Doctor (2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Main Line Today magazine Top Doctors (2023)
  • George W. Householder, III Memorial Prize, University of Pennsylvania. Awarded to a student in the School of Medicine engaged in original and meritorious work in the area of basic or clinical cardiovascular research.
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)/Organon grant in Reproductive Medicine.
  • National Institutes of Health (and University of California-San Francisco) K12 HD000849/RSDP (Phases I and II, Research Scientist Development Program) from the NIH/NICHD.
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Immunology Special Interest Group’s Prize Paper Award. “Evidence that neither THP1 Monocytes nor THP1 Macrophages have functional Estrogen Receptor-a.”
  • “Golden Apple” award for resident education, Emory University.
  • Mentor for project awarded first prize, Emory University Annual Fellowship Research Award. (Resident and Fellow Research Day, April 20, 2010).
  • Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) and the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory University “APGO Excellence in Teaching Award.”
  • Emory University School of Medicine Excellence in Teaching Award: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
  • Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) National Faculty Award in recognition of outstanding contributions.
  • Federal research funding, NIH/NIDDK, R01-DK09184 (PI: Kallen) Title: The Anti-inflammatory mRNA-binding Protein ZFP36 in Obesity and Metabolism.
  • Dean’s Award for Excellence in Education at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University.
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine
  • Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
  • Reproductive Biologists Professional Group
  • American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Society for Reproductive Investigation
  • American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
  • Georgia Obstetrical and Gynecological Society
  • Ringler GE, Aguirre AU, Kao LC, Nulsen JC, Kallen CB, Kliman HJ, Strauss JF 3rd (1988). Control of Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) by Cyclic AMP: Lessons From Primary Cultures of Cytotrophoblasts. Placental Protein Hormones: Proceedings from the Satellite Symposium on Pacental Biology, (Edited by M. Mochizuki and R. Hussa), Excerpta Medica, Elsevier, starts p183.
  • Strauss JF 3rd, Yamamoto R, Rennert H, Kallen CB, Billheimer JT (1992). Cloning and Expression of Sterol Carrier Protein-2 (SCP-2): A role for SCP-2 in Ovarian Steroidogenesis. Recent Advances in Ovarian Function: Basic and Clinical Researches. Serono Symposia ReviewNo. 28 (Edited by S. Fujimoto, M. Mizuno and S. J. Segal) 173-182.
  • Kallen CB, Arakane FA, Kiriakidou M, Pollack SE, Watari H, Christenson LK, Strauss JF 3rd (2001). Structure, function and regulated expression of the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR): molecular insights into the acute steroidogenic response of the gonads and adrenals. Contemporary Endocrinology: Adrenal Disorders, Edited by Andrew N. Margioris and George P. Chrousos, Humana Press, 107-117.
  • Pollack SE, Arakane F, Kallen CB, Watari H, Kiriakidou M, Strauss JF III. (2002) Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR): The Regulator of the Rapid Steroidogenic Response to Trophic Stimulation. Hormone Resistance and Hypersensitivity States, Edited by George P. Chrousos. Lippencott Williams and Wilkins. Modern Endocrinology, 353-362.
  • Kallen CB, Arici A (2003). Immune testing in fertility practice: truth or deception?Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 15:225-231, PMID: 12858110.
  • Kallen CB (2004). Steroid Hormone Synthesis in Pregnancy. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 31(4):795-816, PMID: 15550336.
  • Nanes, MS and Kallen CB (2010). Osteoporosis. Avoiding Common Obstetrics and Gynecology Errors, Edited by Carla Roberts and Diana Broomfield, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 363-373.ISBN: 978-0-7817-9143-4.
  • Pauli SA and Kallen CB (2011). Endocrine Disorders and Infertility. Gynecology in Practice: Infertility, Edited by Emre Seli. Wiley-Blackwell, Chapter 10, DOI: 10.1002/9781444393958.ch10.
  • Kallen CB (2011). Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) and Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs). Contemporary Endocrinology, Treatment of Menopause: Concepts and Controversies, Edited by S. Berga. Springer Science LLC.
  • Kallen CB (2012). Androgen Therapy (Chapter 33). Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility: Handbook for Clinicians (2nd Edition). Editors: D. Lebovic, J. Gordon, and R. Taylor. Scrub Hill Press.
  • Ringler GE, Kallen CB, Strauss JF 3rd (1989). Regulation of human trophoblast function by glucocorticoids: dexamethasone promotes increased secretion of chorionic gonadotropin. Endocrinology Apr;124(4):1625-1631, PMID: 2538307.
  • Yamamoto R, Kallen CB, Babalola GO, Rennert H, Billheimer JT, Strauss JF 3rd (1991). Cloning and expression of a cDNA encoding human sterol carrier protein 2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S AJan15; 88(2):463-467, PMCID: PMC50831.
  • Yu K, Bayona W, Kallen CB, Harding HP, Ravera CP, McMahon G, Brown M, Lazar MA (1995). Differential activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors by eicosanoids. J Biol Chem Oct 13; 270(41):23975-23983, PMID: 7592593.
  • Kallen CB, Lazar MA (1996). Antidiabetic thiazolidinediones inhibit leptin (ob) gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 11;93(12):5793-5796, PMCID: PMC39140.
  • Pollack SE, Furth EE, Kallen CB, Arakane FA, Kiriakidou M, Kozarsky KF, Strauss JF 3rd (1997). Localization of the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR) in Human Tissues. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 82(12):4243-4251, PMID: 9398748.
  • Arakane FA, King SR, Yag D, Kallen CB, Walsh LP, Watari H, Stocco DM, Strauss JF 3rd (1997). Phosphorylation of Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR) Modulates its Steroidogenic Activity. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 272(51):32656-32662, PMID: 9405483.
  • Watari H, Arakane F, Moog-Lutz C, Kallen CB, Tomasetto C, Gerton GL, Rio, MC, Baker ME, Strauss JF 3rd (1997). MLN64 contains a domain with homology to the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) that stimulates steroidogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Aug 5;94(16):8462-8467, PMCID: PMC22957.
  • Sugawara T, Kiriakidou M, McAllister JM, Kallen CB, Strauss JF 3rd (1997). Multiple steroidogenic factor 1 binding elements in the human steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene 5’-flanking region are required for maximal promoter activity and cyclic AMP responsiveness. Biochemistry Jun 10;36 (23):7249-7255, PMID: 9188726.
  • Arakane F, Sugawara T, Kiriakidou M, Kallen CB, Watari H, Christenson LK, Strauss JF 3rd (1997). Molecular insights into the regulation of steroidogenesis: from laboratory to clinic and back. Journal of the British Fertility Society, 2 (1), 46-50, ISSN 1363-9579.
  • Kallen CB, Arakane FA, Christenson LK, Watari H, Devoto L, and Strauss JF III (1998). Unveiling the Mechanism of Action and Regulation of the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR). Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology; 145 (1-2):39-45, PMID: 9922097.
  • Kallen CB, Billheimer JT, s SA, Stayrook SE, Lewis M, Strauss JF 3rd (1998). Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR) is a Sterol Transfer Protein. Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 273, 41: 26285-26288, PMID: 9756854.
  • Kallen CB†, Arakane FA†, Watari H, Foster JA, Sepuri NBV, Pain D, Stayrook SE, Lewis M, Gerton GL, Strauss JF 3rd (1998). The Mechanism of Action of Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR): StAR Acts on the outside of Mitochondria to Stimulate Steroidogenesis. Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 273, 26: 16339-16345. (†Equal Contributors), PMID: 9632696.
  • Arakane F, Kallen CB, Watari H., Stayrook SE, Lewis M, and Strauss JF 3rd (1998). Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) acts on the outside of mitochondria to stimulate steroidogenesis. Endocr Res 24, 463-468, PMID: 9888526.
  • Lei H, Furth EE, Kalluri R, Wakenell P, Kallen CB, Jeffrey JJ, Leboy PS, Strauss JF 3rd (1999). Induction of matrix metalloproteinases and collagenolysis in chick embryonic membranes before hatching. Biol Reprod. Jan;60(1):183-9, PMID: 9858504.
  • Strauss JF III, Kallen CB, Christenson LK, Watari H, Devoto L, Arakane F, Kiriakidou M, Sugawara T (1999). The Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR): A Window into the Complexities of Intracellular Cholesterol Trafficking. Recent Progress Hormone Research; 54:369-394, discussion 394-395, PMID: 10548884.
  • Kallen CB †, Hua S†, Dhar R, Baquero MT, Mason C, Shah PK, Liu J, Khramtsov A, Tretiakova MS, Krausz TN, Olopade OI, Rimm DL, and White KP (2008). Genomic Analysis of Estrogen Cascade Reveals a Histone Variant H2A.Z Associated with Breast Cancer Progression. (†Equal Contributors) Molecular Systems Biology, 4(188), 1-14, PMCID: PMC2394496.
  • Brahma KP and Kallen CB (2008).Ovarian hyperstimulation following a short course of an oral contraceptive in a patient with premature ovarian failure. Fertility and Sterility, 90(5):2004.e15-7, PMID: 18554593.
  • Wang C, Yu J, Kallen CB (2008). Two Estrogen Response Element Sequences near the PCNA Gene Are Not Responsible for its Estrogen-Enhanced Expression in MCF7 Cells. PLoS One, 3(10):e3523, PMCID: PMC2568806.
  • Nanes MS and Kallen CB (2009). Clinical Assessment of Fracture Risk and Novel Therapeutic Strategies to Combat Osteoporosis. Fertility and Sterility, 92(2), 403-412. PMID: 19559412.
  • Mason CE†, Feng-Jue S.†, Wang C.†, Session RM, Kallen RG, Sidell N, Yu T, Liu MH, Cheung E, and Kallen CB (2010). Location analysis for the Estrogen Receptor-a reveals binding to diverse ERE sequences and widespread binding within repetitive DNA elements. Nuc Acids Res 2010 Apr;38(7):2355-68; doi: 10.1093/nar/gkp1188, PMCID: PMC2853111 (†Equal Contributors).
  • Shu FJ, Sidell N, Yang D, and Kallen CB (2010). The Tri-Nucleotide Spacer Sequence between Estrogen Response Element Half-Sites is Conserved and Modulates ERa-Mediated Transcriptional Responses. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 120(4-5) 172-179, PMCID: PMC2891080.
  • Karipcin S, Ensari TA, Kayisli UA, Guzel E, Kallen CB, and Seli E (2010). The mRNA-binding Protein HuR is Regulated in the Menstrual Cycle and Repressed in Ectopic Endometrium. Reprod Sci 2011 Feb;18:145-155, PMCID: PMC3343139.
  • Sidell N, Mathad RI, Shu F-J, Zhang Z, Kallen CB, and Danzhou Yang (2011). Intercalation of XR5944 with the estrogen response element is modulated by the tri-nucleotide spacer sequence between half-sites. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2011 Apr;124(3-5):121-7, Epub ahead of print, doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2011.02.003, PMCID: PMC3072055.
  • Brahma PK, Zhang H, Murray BS, ShuF-J, SidellN, SeliE, and KallenCB (2012). The mRNA-binding protein ZFP36 is up-regulated by b-adrenergic stimulation and represses IL-6 production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Obesity 2012 Jan;20(1):40-7, Epub ahead of print, doi: 10.1038/oby.2011.259. PMCID: PMC4127993.
  • McCarthy TL, Kallen CB, and Centrella M (2011). b-Catenin-independent cross control between the estradiol and Wnt pathways in osteoblasts. Gene 2011Jun;15;479(1-2):16-28, Epub ahead of print, doi:10.1016/j.gene.2011.02.002, PMCID: PMC3094493.
  • Zhang H, Taylor WR, Joseph G, Caracciolo V, Gonzales DM, Sidell N, Seli E, Blackshear PJ, Kallen CB (2013). mRNA-Binding Protein ZFP36 Is Expressed in Atherosclerotic Lesions and Reduces Inflammation in Aortic Endothelial Cells. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2013 Apr 4. Jun;33(6):1212-20. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.113.301496. PMCID: PMC3844532.
  • Karalok HM, Karalok E, Saglam O, Torun A, Guzeloglu-Kayisli O, Lalioti MD, Kristansson H, Kallen CB, Seli E (2014). mRNA-Binding Protein TIA-1 Reduces IL-6 Expression in Human Endometrial Stromal Cells and is Down-Regulated in Ectopic Endometrium. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Dec;99(12):E2610-9. PMCID: PMC4255110.
  • Romero F, Shah D, Duong M, Stafstrom W, Hoek J, Kallen CB, Lang CH, and Summer R (2014). Chronic alcohol ingestion in rats promotes lipid accumulation, alters metabolism, and impairs alveolar macrophage functions. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2014 Jun 18. PMCID: PMC4291549.
  • Nanes MS, and Kallen CB (2014). Osteoporosis. Seminars in Nuclear Medicine. 44(6): 439–450 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2014.06.006) PMID: 25362234.
  • Romero F, Shah D, Duong M, Fessler MB, Madenspacher J,Stafstrom W, Kavuru M,Lu B, Walsh K, Kallen CB, and Summer R (2014). A pneumocyte-macrophage paracrine lipid axis drives the lung toward injury and fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. PMCID: PMC4566113.
  • Kawwass JF, Summer R, Kallen CB (2015). Direct Effects of Leptin and Adiponectin on Human Reproductive Tissues: A Critical Review. Mol Hum Reprod. pii: gav025, PMCID: PMC4518135.
  • Shah D, Romero F, Duong M, Wang N, Paudyal B, Suratt BT, Kallen CB, Sun J, Zhu Y, Walsh K, Summer R (2015). Obesity-induced adipokine imbalance impairs mouse pulmonary vascular endothelial function and primes the lung for injury. Sci Rep. 2015 Jun 12;5:11362. doi: 10.1038/srep11362. PMCID: PMC4464323.
  • Shah D, Romero F, Sun J, Kallen CB, Naik U and Summer R (2017). Obesity-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress causes lung endothelial dysfunction and promotes acute lung injury. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. In Press.
  • Romero F, Shah D, Kallen CB and Summer R (2017). Lipid synthesis is required to resolve ER stress and limit pulmonary fibrosis. In Submission.
  • Myeloid-Specific Deletion of Zfp36 Protects Against Insulin Resistance and Fatty Liver in Diet-Induced Obese Mice (2017).Caracciolo V, YoungJ, Gonzales D, Ni Y, Summer R, Waldman SA, Kim JK, Jung DY, Noh H-Y, Kim T, Blackshear PJ, O’Connell D, Bauer RC, and Kallen CB. In Submission.

Q&A

I have always been interested in science and discovery and remain ever curious about how things work (whether considering the human ovary or the garbage disposal in our kitchen). Centuries of research and experimentation have shaped our current understanding of human physiology and have enabled us to develop improved treatments for many conditions. While advances in basic science can be thrilling, these are often incremental and riddled with false turns and roadblocks; in contrast, the practice of medicine often yields immediate and highly gratifying results for our patients. In my career I have been fortunate to experience both sides of this equation…the methodical slog of research and the immediate reward of, say, removing an ovarian cyst or helping a couple to become pregnant; which is to say that I find my job to be both a privilege and personally gratifying.

I’m inspired by people who succeed against great odds and especially by those who, given the choice to take the easy road, instead just “do the right thing.” Think Raoul Wallenberg or Oskar Schindler; men who could have looked the other way but, instead, risked their lives to save innocents during the second World War. I value persistence and hard work…especially when it goes unrecognized or unrewarded. I think that this world could use a little more civility, compassion, patience, and empathy.

Woodworking, home repair, cooking, eating, spending time with my family, and Eagles football (in no particular order). Then eating, again.

I’m a Type-A personality with a Type-B sense of fashion. I love order. I check and double check. I clean. That said, I don’t like to shave and I prefer to dress casually (for my patients, I suppose this comes as no surprise). I’ll try any food…twice.

I am deeply impressed with the intelligence and commitment of my colleagues and staff at Shady Grove Fertility. Beyond this, I observe an insistence on evidence-based and state-of-the-art care. This is coupled with a focus on the patient and his/her experience from the time that care is initiated to the successful completion of his/her sometimes frightening journey. Our team approach to healthcare is personalized for each couple and benefits from our vast clinical experience, ongoing discovery, and our cadre of world-class providers who genuinely care.

I’d like to visit the Tsukiji market in Japan, the largest seafood market on earth. Then, I’d like to taste “one of everything” in the market…including Puffer Fish/Fugu.

2024 Shady Grove Fertility

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