Session 149: Green IVF III
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Session 149: Green IVF III: Taking Action!
3pm ET/ 7pm UK/ 8pm CET, Tuesday 25th Mar 2025 CHECK REGIONAL TIME
Moderators: Dr Mina Alikani and Dr Jacques Cohen
Panelist: Anna Gorbunova
Presenters:
Preliminary results of the I3 international survey on green views: Fran Farlie
Case study- a greener clinic: Sami Obaya
Ensuring sustainability in IVF: Sabrina Ritossa
Talk kindly sponsored by Vitrolife Group
Q and A
Synopsis
Dr Mina Alikani
Mina Alikani is a Clinical Consultant and a Board-Certified High Complexity Laboratory Director in assisted human reproduction, with many years of experience in the field.
She is an Editor of Reproductive Biomedicine Online, a leading journal in the field. Mina has authored and co-authored more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and lectured around the world on various topics related to assisted reproduction.
She currently holds a position as Director of Scientific Affairs with Conceivable Life Sciences and serves on the Scientific Advisory Boards of TMRW and Conceivable Life Sciences. She was recently appointed Adjunct Assistant Professor in Reproductive Clinical Sciences, at EVMS School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University. Since 2022, she has proudly served as the president of Alpha Scientists in Reproductive Medicine.
Dr Jacques Cohen
Jacques Cohen is a reproductive biologist, clinical embryologist and laboratory product developer. He lives in New York but was born and educated in The Netherlands where he started his career in embryology in 1976. He came to the USA via the UK where he worked at Bourn Hall Clinic with Bob Edwards and Patrick Steptoe in the early 1980s. He directed the embryology laboratories of RBA in Atlanta (1985), Cornell University Medical Center in NYC (1989) and Saint Barnabas Medical Center (1995). He retired from clinical embryology in 2003 and pursued a career in setting up and running startup companies sub-specializing in diagnostic and therapeutic aspects in assisted reproductive technology. Companies he has been associated with as product developer and co-founder are Reprogenetics, the first PGTA company, IVF-online later rebranded as Life Global, and Althea Science with the brand IVFqc. More recently he became the Chief Science Officer (CSO) of IVF 2.0 which specializes in IVF Artificial Intelligence (AI) products and the CSO of CONCEIVABLE which is an IVF Robotics company based in Mexico, the UK and USA.
He has (co-)authored more than 300 publications, several textbooks and 14 patents. He is Emeritus Chief Editor of Reproductive Biomedicine Online. He was one of the founders of Alpha – Scientists in Reproductive Medicine, one of the founders of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis International Society – PGDIS and is a founding member of the International IVF Initiative (i3).
Fran Farlie
Fran is an embryologist with Concept Fertility, where she started her career as a reproductive science practitioner back in 2020. She completed her BSc in Anatomy, Developmental and Human Biology at King’s College London where she was awarded the Hamilton Prize for highest graduating student, followed by her MSc in Human Clinical Embryology and Assisted Conception at the University of Dundee.
While working in the clinical laboratory environment, Fran soon noticed the amount of waste and lack of environmental consideration in medical practice. Inspired by attending an I3 Webinar on Green IVF, Fran had a light-bulb moment and started to challenge the “it has to be that way because that is how it has always been” mindset and sought for more sustainable options. Fran was made the Green Ambassador of her clinic and set up the first Concept Fertility Green Committee. She has since presented at the ARCS Summer Symposium, Fertility UK, ESHRE and ALPHA.
Sami Obaya
Sami Obaya is a Clinical Embryologist with a strong international background in the IVF field. Having worked across multiple clinics, he brings a fresh perspective to laboratory optimization, efficiency, and problem-solving. Passionate about pushing the industry forward, he thrives on tackling complex challenges—whether it’s improving workflows, implementing innovative techniques, or finding sustainable solutions for IVF labs.
Currently based at Aleris Helse in Oslo, Sami combines technical expertise with a strategic mindset, always looking for ways to enhance both patient outcomes and lab performance. Beyond the science, he enjoys engaging with the ART community, sharing insights, and sparking discussions that challenge conventional thinking.
With his energetic and collaborative approach, Sami enjoys exchanging ideas, inspiring new ways of thinking, and fostering innovation—all while keeping a good sense of humor and a great cup of coffee in hand.
Sabrina Ritossa
Sabrina Ritossa Fernandez is the Head of Sustainability at the Vitrolife Group, where she leads the implementation of the company’s sustainability strategy, ensuring alignment with global standards and driving impactful initiatives that integrate environmental and social responsibility into the organisation’s operations. With more than 10 years of experience in sustainability and ESG management, Sabrina has a strong background in sustainable finance, having held key sustainability roles in global investment organisations. Her experience positions her as a leader in driving meaningful change across industries.
Anna Gorbunova
Anna Gorbunova is a clinical embryologist with over 12 years of experience in Russia and Canada. She holds a Master’s degree in Cell Biology and has a background in environmental science. Anna’s passion for sustainability led her to complete a professional course in Corporate Sustainability and Climate Communication.
At the Ottawa Fertility Centre, Anna developed the clinic’s Sustainability Strategy and actively contributes to the Green Team, working to reduce the environmental footprint of fertility treatments. In 2024, she presented research on patient interest in sustainable practices at the CFAS Annual Meeting.
Inspired by her involvement in Green IVF, Anna remains committed to promoting sustainable healthcare within the fertility sector. As a mother of two, she is passionate about helping ensure that the children born through fertility treatments today grow up in a healthier, more sustainable world.
