Session 133: Uninvited
3pm ET/ 8pm UK/ 9pm CET, Tuesday 4th June, 2024.
Synopsis:
The International IVF Initiative hosted a practical IVF lab-based webinar titled "Uninvited" on 4th June 2024. This session provided an in-depth insight into microbial contamination, embryotoxicity, batch variations in media, and other uninvited guests that can negatively impact success rates. The panel of experts shared the latest strategies for detecting, managing, and troubleshooting these unwelcome intruders to ensure that labs remain a fortress against these undesirable guests.
The webinar was moderated by embryologists Edel Roche, Yaren Yilancilar, and Giles Palmer. Esteemed presenters included Lab Director Dr. Kimball Pomeroy, who addressed "IVF microbial contamination." Product specialist and scientist for IMT, Matt Pettit, presented "Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" discussing lot recalls, mistakes, and traceability in the lab. Leading researcher and culture media specialist, Dr. Lotte Stroebech, talked about "The role of embryo assays in ensuring media manufacturing quality," comparing mouse embryo assays with bovine embryo assays. The webinar concluded with a Q&A session.
Moderators:
Edel Roche, Yaren Yilancilar and Giles Palmer
Presenters:
Dr. Kimball Pomeroy "IVF microbial contamination”
Matt Pettit "Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!"
A talk kindly sponsored by IMT Matcher
Dr. Lotte Stroebech "The role of embryo assays in ensuring media manufacturing quality"
A talk kindly sponsored by ARTSMedia Denmark
Q and A
Edel Roche
Hello, my name is Edel Rocher and I am a Scientific Product Expert at IMT Matcher.
I have been working as Clinical Embryologist for more than seven years around the world, so I could combine both of my passions, learning from different ART systems and getting to know different environments and cultures.
My journey started with an internship at the age of 21 in a public hospital in Italy, where I have learned the basics of Reproductive Science. Then forward, I have started my training in Clinical Embryology in Ireland, continuing and gaining experience in London. In the middle of this journey, I have been lucky to travel all the way to the other side of the world to experience and live in wonderful Australia, where I have met influential people in the IVF field.
Now, working for IMT Matcher, in a different setting, gives me the chance to enhance the things I have learned on my journey to improve the quality systems of labs all around the world for the same purpose, ensuring the security and safety of patient samples in IVF clinics.
Yaren Yilancilar
Yaren Yilancilar is an Embryologist at Ventus IVF Center in North Cyprus, with a keen interest in Clinical and Laboratory Quality Control Management Systems. She holds a First-Class Honours BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics from University of East Anglia. She initiated her professional career as a Junior Embryologist at Vita Altera IVF Center in North Cyprus. In 2022, Yaren was awarded the European Union Scholarship for the Turkish Cypriot Community and studied the Master in Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies, a program conducted by the renowned Eugin Fertility Group and affiliated with Pompeu Fabra University.
During her Master's studies, she interned as Clinical Embryologist at FecunMed Fertility and Assisted Reproduction Clinic in Granollers, Spain, affiliated with the Eugin Fertility Group. She actively engaged in numerous applied clinical training sessions at the Eugin Barcelona Clinic.
Yaren is also a member of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).
Giles Palmer
Giles is a clinical embryologist, skilled in laboratory, business, and quality management. After graduating in Genetics at Leeds University, UK he worked as a research officer at London's Hammersmith Hospital's acclaimed IVF unit working with Professors Lord Winston and Alan Handyside. In the following years he worked as laboratory manager and clinic director in IVF clinics in Greece while consulting in several countries including Iceland, Nigeria, Albania, Bulgaria, and Romania. His research collaboration with St. Sophia' s Children's Hospital (Athens University) resulted in the first births in Greece following embryo-biopsy and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and the first ever PGT cycles screening for Beta Thalassemia.
He has published in leading scientific journals on a variety of topics including pre-implantation genetic testing for Cystic Fibrosis and B-thalassaemia, Morpho-kinetics, Quality Management and laboratory technology. He is a certified HCPC clinical scientist in the UK and has been accredited with Senior Embryologist Status by ESHRE. More recently, Giles, has become a consultant for IVF clinics, Institute of Life, Athens and Nordica Fertility Centre in Lagos and product developer in a wide range of areas within the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) industry.
He is the executive director for the non-profit global educational project the International IVF Initiative (I3) which supports the ART community with webinars and lectures and Director of Global Communications for IVF 2.0 Ltd.
In his spare time, he spends with his family and perfecting playing the Toubeleki.
Dr. Kimball Pomeroy
Kimball O Pomeroy is the Chief Science Officer for Ivy Fertility. He has worked in reproduction for over 40 years and 30 years as a clinical embryologist. He has served as a consultant for IVF clinics in the US, South America, The Bahamas and China to both construct new laboratories and troubleshoot. He has written research papers and chapters dealing with Covid-19 and the IVF laboratory, best practices for nitrogen storage tanks, risks of cross-contamination of microbes during storage of tissue in liquid nitrogen, embryo morphology and the source of microbial contamination during embryo culture. Prior to Ivy Fertility, Dr Pomeroy served as the Science Director for The World Egg and Sperm Bank.
He has served on the SART Executive Board and is a founding member of The Southwest Embryology Summit
Matt Pettit
Matt is Chief Scientific Officer for Matcher Technologies Ltd, responsible for development and implementation of ‘Matcher’, a barcode-based electronic witnessing, labelling, scheduling and traceability system with interactive dashboards for visualisation, analysis and reporting of Matcher data Insights.
Since gaining a degree in Biology at the University of Wales in 1990, Matt has worked in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology, including roles managing laboratories, R&D and quality control at the UK’s leading bovine breeding companies and cryo-storage facilities.
Matt’s primary focus is now on developing simple-to-implement, practical solutions to error prevention, traceability and cryo-stores management in human IVF clinics, donor banks and genetics Labs. This role involves designing systems that can be easily integrated and fitted around existing SOPs and advising on the validation required for electronic witnessing systems.
Matt is also a Trustee and scientific advisor to ‘Nature’s Safe’, a new initiative working in collaboration with the world’s zoos for the long-term storage of live cells from animal species that are at the greatest risk of extinction
Dr. Lotte Stroebech
Lotte Stroebech, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in media manufacturing and IVF, is a prominent figure in the realms of veterinary and human reproduction. As a Veterinarian with a PhD in Veterinary Physiology and extensive academic background, Lotte has made significant contributions to the field through her work as an Associate Professor and her involvement in numerous international research projects. Her expertise in media manufacturing and IVF is unparalleled, with a track record that spans over two decades.
In the commercial arena, Lotte's entrepreneurial spirit shines through her founding of EmbryoTrans Biotech, a pioneering venture that introduced the world's first commercial serum-free and ready-to-use media range for Animal IVF. This groundbreaking achievement positioned her as a leader in the industry, culminating in the successful acquisition of the company by IVF Bioscience. Building on this success, Lotte went on to establish ARTSMedia Denmark and Stroebech Media, further solidifying her reputation as a trailblazer in human and veterinary IVF media production.
Lotte's accomplishments extend beyond business ventures, as she has a rich academic background that includes a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and certification as a Business Coach. With a multidisciplinary education in Law, Business Economics, and Marketing, Lotte brings a diverse skill set to her work in the reproductive sciences. Her impact is felt not only through her own research and laboratory directorship but also through her mentorship of international PhD students and postdocs, as well as her role in attracting substantial research funds.
As a consultant, Lotte has shared her wealth of experience with over 300 IVF laboratories worldwide, guiding them towards establishing best practices and achieving optimal results. Her leadership in various board positions, such as Chairman of the board of DSRF and board member at IETS and AETE, underscores her commitment to advancing the field of assisted reproductive technology. Lotte's passion for innovation and excellence has left an indelible mark on the industry, cementing her legacy as a pioneering figure in IVF and media manufacturing.
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