Session 135: How we operate
3pm ET/ 8pm UK/ 9pm CET, Tuesday 25th June, 2024.
This webinar is kindly sponsored by Future Fertility
Synopsis:
The webinar produced by the International IVF Initiative was an insightful discussion on the latest trending topics amongst clinical embryologists. Moderated by experienced embryologists and lab managers Sharon Corcoran and Dr. Catello Scarica, along with AI expert Jullin Fjeldstad, the event addressed current concerns about the use of technology in the workplace, the growing issue of maintaining adequate staff for the complex duties performed in the IVF laboratory, and the ongoing pursuit of improved oocyte assessment.
Dr. Dan Nayot presented a comprehensive review of AI adoption in medicine worldwide, discussing the phenomenon of "AI anxiety." Following him, USA embryologist Dr. Jason Swain explored the changing face of the embryology profession, focusing on "IVF staffing." Lastly, Prof. Mara Simopoulou reviewed the literature and shared personal lab experiences regarding the role of oocyte morphology in preimplantation embryo development. The webinar concluded with a Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with the presenters
Moderators:
Sharon Corcoran and Dr. Catello Scarica
Panelist:
Jullin Fjeldstad
Presenters:
Dr. Dan Nayot “AI anxiety”
Dr. Jason Swain “IVF staffing”
Prof. Mara Simopoulou "The role of oocyte morphology in preimplantation embryo development"
Q and A
Sharon Corcoran
With an extensive background in Biology, Medical and Molecular Cytology and a Master’s degree in the Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, Sharon is a certificated ESHRE Clinical Embryologist and has a wealth of experience in the field of Embryology in Ireland. She is the Laboratory Manager of Beacon CARE Fertility Clinic, the National Institute for Reproductive Genetics in Ireland.
Sharon is devoted to her dedicated, diligent, highly trained and hard-working team and provides as much support as required to assist all embryologists and all embryos!
Sharon and CARE Fertility are committed to providing their patients the most advanced range of treatments available internationally. Beacon was the first clinic in Ireland to offer Egg Freezing with AI Technology.
With a special interest in embryo biopsy, Sharon is proud that Beacon CARE had Irelands first baby born using PGT-A testing.
Dr. Catello Scarica
Lab Manager at Villa Salaria Clinic (Rome) in partnership with Instituto Marques (Barcelona). He took his Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences in 2006 and his Master’s Degree full marks with honors in Biology of Reproduction and Cell Differentiation at the University of Naples "Federico II” (Italy) in 2009. In 2015 he took the PhD in Biology and Molecular Medicine (BEMM) at the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. \rHighly specialised in the study and treatment of infertile couples, he actively participates in the scientific and research activities conducted at the GENERA Center as well as the organization and delivery of training in reproductive medicine. Specialized in the organization and delivery of workshops about oocytes and embryo vitrification at national and international level.\rHe is co-author of several papers and he has been participating as speaker to many national and international congresses (ESHRE).
Jullin Fjeldstad
Jullin Fjeldstad began her fertility career at the Victoria Fertility Centre in 2007, quickly becoming a senior embryologist and successfully holding the position of laboratory director for several years. She has a BSc. in Biology from the University of Victoria, Canada and a MSc. in Clinical Embryology from the University of Leeds, UK; achieving distinction in both areas. She has always held a passion for innovative ART technologies aimed to improve the fertility journey and patient IVF outcomes. Today, Jullin is the Head of Clinical Embryology and Scientific Operations for Future Fertility. She works closely with partnering clinics to ensure smooth onboarding of innovative AI-based tools within their laboratories. Additionally, she oversees Future Fertility’s scientific project collaborations, bringing research findings to international fertility conferences.
Dr. Dan Nayot
Dr Dan Nayot is a practicing Reproductive Endocrinologist & Infertility (REI) Specialist at The Reproductive Care Centre in Canada and the Medical Director at The Fertility Partners, a North American network of IVF clinics. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Future Fertility. Dr. Nayot completed his BSc Mathematics at University of Toronto, MD at Western University, Master of Clinical Epidemiology at Harvard, FRCSC in ObGyn at University of Toronto, and REI Fellowship at McGill University. He is committed to innovation and data-driven research to optimize the patient experience and expand access to fertility care. With Future Fertility, he brings his extensive knowledge in medicine and mathematics together to solve the gaps he has experienced in over a decade of clinical practice.
Dr. Jason Swain
Jason E. Swain, PhD, HCLD is the Chief Laboratory Officer and President of Lab Operations of the CCRM IVF Laboratory Network, overseeing a growing network of 16 clinical IVF laboratories in North America. He is responsible for laboratory design, protocol/procedure implementation, as well as staff training and ongoing quality control monitoring for the network embryology, andrology and endocrinology laboratories. Jason also oversees quality control of the CCRM Donor Egg Bank.
Dr. Swain is an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Rutgers University as well as at the University of Minnesota. He completed his BSc at Hillsdale College in his native Michigan, his MSc in Animal Science at Purdue University and his PhD in Molecular & Integrative Physiology at the University of Michigan in the lab of Dr. Gary Smith, PhD, HCLD. He then had clinical embryology training with Thomas “Rusty” Pool in San Antonio, TX, before becoming a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of OB/GYN and IVF lab director at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Swain has published over 45 peer-reviewed articles, edited and authored several book chapters and contributed to various other publications within the field of assisted reproduction. Dr. Swain has served on various committees for ASRM, ESHRE, PCRS and other organizations focused on assisted reproduction.
He has given numerous regional, national and international invited lectures on various topics related to the IVF laboratory, is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, sits on the editorial board for six journals and acts an ad hoc reviewer for over 25 others. His primary research interests include pursuit of methods to improve in vitro embryo culture conditions through reduction of environmental stressors via modification of both the physical and chemical culture environment.
Prof. Mara Simopoulou
Dr. Mara Simopoulou is an Associate Professor of Physiology and Embryology at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a Deputy Laboratory Manager at Aretaieio University Hospital IVF Unit in Athens in Greece. She holds the position of an Honorary Associate Professor at the Institute for Women’ Health of the University College London (UCL).
She is a Certified Senior Clinical Embryologist from ESHRE and has over 20 years of experience in the field of Assisted Reproduction and Clinical Embryology. She serves as the Head of the “Research Unit of Physiology of Reproduction and Clinical Embryology” in the University of Athens Medical School.
She represents Greece at the ΄΄International Reproductive Health Education Collaboration (IRHEC)΄΄ and has been elected as member of the ESHRE Committee of National Representatives (CNR) representing Greece. She also serves as an Appointed Assessor for ESHRE’s Centre Accreditation of Training Program in Clinical Embryology.
Professor Simopoulou is personally invested in Education and Training of Clinical Embryologists. She is the Founder, Scientific and Academic Director of the International Postgraduate Program “Advanced Course in Clinical Embryology” offered by the Medical School of the University of Athens.
.