Session 152: Unstoppable
Donate
At the International IVF Initiative, we are committed to providing free access to our educational sessions, webinars, and resources for professionals and individuals passionate about advancing reproductive medicine. We believe that cost should never be a barrier to knowledge and collaboration. By contributing, you’re ensuring that valuable educational resources, expert insights, and collaborative opportunities remain open to all without financial barriers. Together, we can continue to foster a global community dedicated to innovation and excellence in the field of IVF.
Your Donation
Thank you!
Session 151: Unstoppable
Tuesday 20 May, 3pm EST / 8pm UK / 9pm CET
Moderators:
Dr. Carol Loscher, Charissa Watchorn, Dani Wild
Presenters:
Prof. Ariel Hourvitz: Precisely the difference: technology that enables change.
Kindly Sponsored by FertilAI
Prof. Darren K Griffin: Engendering trust in new innovations
in the IVF lab: Let’s play games!
Dr. Gary Harton: Of embryos and algorithms: A PGT story yet to be told
Kindly Sponsored by Nova Genomics
Q and A
Synopsis
The webinar *UNSTOPPABLE* explored how emerging technologies are redefining the IVF laboratory and the broader field of fertility care. Moderated by embryologists Dr. Carol Loscher, Charissa Watchorn, and Dani Wild, the session featured leading experts discussing the integration of precision tools, algorithmic decision-making, and innovative strategies to improve both laboratory function and patient experience.
Professor Ariel Hourvitz opened the event with a talk on how precision technology is enabling transformative change in IVF practices. He highlighted how AI-driven insights are streamlining decision-making and improving outcomes by tailoring treatment plans more effectively.
Professor Darren K Griffin brought attention to the importance of building trust in new technologies through engagement and gamification. His presentation examined how novel, interactive approaches can help bridge the gap between innovation and clinical acceptance in the IVF lab.
Dr. Gary Harton offered a forward-looking perspective on preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), discussing how algorithms are beginning to shape the future of embryo selection. His talk emphasized the evolving interplay between data science and genetics in reproductive medicine.
The webinar concluded with a lively Q\&A session, moderated by a team with extensive clinical and scientific experience. Dr. Carol Loscher, Laboratory Manager at Therapie Fertility in Ireland, brings a background in pharmacology and genetics and is committed to improving efficiency and access in fertility treatment. Charissa Watchorn, Laboratory Manager at Complete Fertility Centre in the UK, recently led the development of a state-of-the-art IVF lab within the Virtus Health network. Dani Wild, a locum embryologist and clinical illustrator, contributed her insights into the diversity of lab practices and the role of creative communication in science.
Together, the speakers and moderators offered a comprehensive and dynamic view of where IVF is headed—from lab innovation to patient care—highlighting how digital tools and AI are not only transforming workflows but also reshaping the very nature of clinical decision-making in reproductive health.
Prof. Ariel Hourvitz
Professor Ariel Hourvitz heads the IVF Unit at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center and directs the Reproduction Laboratory at Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer; he is also a full professor at Tel Aviv University's Sackler School of Medicine. After earning his medical degree from Sackler in 1985 and completing his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Tel Hashomer, he obtained Master's degrees in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Health Administration from Tel Aviv University. Professor Hourvitz pursued postdoctoral research in reproductive sciences at the University of Utah and a fellowship at Cornell's CRMI. His research centers on ovarian physiology, folliculogenesis, and the ovulatory cascade. A frequent speaker, he has co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications. He is the Chief Medical Officer at FertilAI, a company harnessing learning from lifetimes of data, deploying precision technology to help doctors predict the day and dose for the best chance of pregnancy, while smoothing the fertility journey.
Prof. Darren K Griffin
Professor Darren Griffin received his BSc and DSc degrees from the University of Manchester and his PhD from University College London. After postdoctoral stints at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Cambridge he landed his first academic post at Brunel University, before joining the University of Kent. He was Professor of Genetics for over 20 years before assuming the same title in an honorary capacity this year. He holds honorary positions at University College London, the Royal Veterinary College and Kasetsart University. He now operates as a freelance professor sitting on the advisory boards of several companies.
He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, the Royal Society of Biology and the Royal Society of Arts and is President of the International Chromosome and Genome Society.
A world leader in cytogenetics, he performed the first successful cytogenetic preimplantation genetic diagnosis and played a significant role in the development of Karyomapping, a universal genetic diagnostic test for IVF embryos. He has co-authored nearly 400 scientific publications, mainly on the cytogenetics of reproduction and evolution, recently providing insight into the karyotypes of dinosaurs.
He is a prolific science communicator, a part time TV presenter and an enthusiastic proponent of interdisciplinary research endeavour. He has supervised around 50 PhD students to completion and his work appears consistently in the media. He ran a vibrant research group including a programme of externally supervised students and maintains commercial interests relating to the outcomes of research findings.
Dr. Gary Harton
Dr. Harton received his Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University and his Ph.D. at the University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
He is a Founder and Principal Consultant at Grow Consulting Fertility & Genetics and co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at NOVA Genomics.
Gary has spent over 30 years in the IVF and PGT fields, both in the laboratory and on the commercial side. He is certified by the ABB in Molecular Diagnostics and is a member of ASRM, ESHRE, and PGD-IS. Dr. Harton is currently the Chair of the PGT Special Interest Group for ASRM, a past Board Member for PGD-IS, a past Chair ESHRE PGD Consortium, and he currently holds teaching positions at Bryant University (Smithfield, RI) and Assumption University (Worcester, MA).
Dr. Carol Loscher
With a background in Pharmacology and a PhD in Genetics, Dr. Loscher entered the field of Embryology and has gathered a wealth of experience within Ireland’s leading fertility clinics. During the past three years, she has served as a Laboratory Manager of Therapie Fertility and played a pivotal role in the establishment of its clinic in Dublin. In her recent role as Laboratory Manager, she led the establishment of Therapie Fertility Laboratory, the first MyGreen Lab certified IVF facility, emphasizing sustainability and also technological innovation for optimized efficiency and improved patient outcomes.
Dr Loscher is committed to enhancing the working environment for embryologists, ensuring that they are empowered to deliver affordable and accessible IVF care to couples in need.
.
Charissa Watchorn
Charissa is the Laboratory Manager and Senior Embryologist at Complete Fertility Centre, part of the Virtus Health global network of Fertility Clinics.
An HCPC-registered and ESHRE-certified Embryologist with over 15 years of experience across both the public and private sectors, she has a proven track record of leadership and innovation. Charissa previously served as an Executive Committee member and Committee Treasurer for ACE (now ARCS), the UK’s professional body of Reproductive Scientists.
In 2023, Charissa successfully led the relocation of Complete Fertility, designing and establishing a state-of-the-art IVF laboratory that integrates cutting-edge technologies to enhance patient outcomes and laboratory efficiency. Under her leadership, Complete became one of the first clinics in the UK to implement the novel TMRW cryostorage robot in early 2024.
Dani Wild
After completing an MSc in Clinical Embryology at Oxford University, I started training as an embryologist at CARE Fertility London. At CARE, I undertook several small research projects, including looking at the environmental impact of IVF, mainly plastic use. These ideas have followed me to different clinics where I suggest various combinations of consumables or procedural changes to limit the volume of plastic used. Additionally, I have been fortunate to present my research as posters at Fertility.
In 2021, I left full-time employment to become a locum embryologist, and I love travelling to different clinics and seeing how they work. I am at the start of my career, and I am excited to see that people are working together to make this industry more sustainable.
