Session 173: Reset
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 173: Reset
Tuesday, 23rd June 2026, at 3 pm EST/8 pm UK/9pm CET.
Moderators:
Bill Venier & Dr Giovanni Coticchio
Presenters:
Dr Eirini Bellou, PhD: New Approaches to Prevent Meiotic Aneuploidy
Kindly sponsored by U-Ploid Biotechnologies
Cynthia Hudson: Total Recall
Kindly sponsored by Matcher & TMRW - proudly part of Reprotech
Dr Matthew “Tex” VerMilyea, PhD, HCLD/CC: 6 Clicks to Success: The Quick Start Guide to AI Readiness
with Dr Tricia Adams
Kindly sponsored by Alife Health
Q and A
Synopsis:
This webinar examined how emerging technologies and scientific advances are transforming modern clinical embryology, bringing together internationally recognised experts to discuss innovations spanning chromosome segregation, laboratory traceability, and artificial intelligence.
Dr Eirini Bellou opened the session by presenting new approaches to preventing meiotic aneuploidy, exploring the biological mechanisms underlying chromosome segregation errors and discussing novel strategies aimed at improving oocyte quality and reducing aneuploid embryo formation.
Cynthia Hudson then focused on the critical role of witnessing and traceability within the IVF laboratory. Her presentation demonstrated how modern digital witnessing systems can strengthen patient safety, improve operational efficiency, and provide complete sample traceability throughout the assisted reproduction process.
The final presentation, delivered by Dr Matthew "Tex" VerMilyea together with Dr Tricia Adams, provided a practical roadmap for laboratories beginning their AI journey. The session explored the organisational, technical and cultural foundations required for successful AI implementation, highlighting the importance of data quality, workflow optimisation, staff engagement, and realistic expectations when introducing artificial intelligence into routine clinical practice.
The webinar concluded with an interactive panel discussion and live audience Q&A, during which the speakers addressed questions on implementing emerging technologies, maintaining laboratory quality and governance, and preparing IVF laboratories for the next generation of digital transformation.
Bill Venier
Bill has over 35 years’ experience in human embryology. Holds a M.Sc. in Human Reproductive Biology from Imperial College, University of London and is certified by the American Board of Bioanalysis as an Embryology Laboratory Director, ELD (ABB). He has been the IVF Laboratory Director for San Diego Fertility Center since 2000. Bill is also the co-founder of World Embryology Skills and Training (WEST). Member of ASRM/SART since 1991. Other professional organizations include SCARB (Founder), SRBT, ABB.
Dr Giovanni Coticchio
Giovanni Coticchio holds a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology and a qualification of full professor. He is Science and Research Manager of IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVIRMA Italia.
Among others, his professional and research interests include clinical embryology, cryopreservation, oogenesis, oocyte maturation, oocyte cytoskeleton, fertilization and blastocyst formation mechanisms.
He has published over 150 papers, numerous book chapters and two books. He has served as Executive Committee Member of ESHRE.
He has co-authored numerous international Good Practice Recommendation papers and Guidelines in the field of assisted reproduction. He has also contributed to the “Guide to the quality and safety of tissues and cells for human application” of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare on behalf of the Council of Europe.
Dr Eirini Bellou
Eirini is a cell and reproductive biologist with expertise in mammalian oocyte biology. She is currently a Senior Applications Scientist at U-Ploid Biotechnologies, where she works within a multidisciplinary team developing novel therapeutics aimed at improving oocyte quality and reproductive outcomes in women of advanced maternal age.
Prior to joining U-Ploid Biotechnologies, Eirini received her scientific training in Greece and Germany, including at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences (MPI-NAT). She completed her PhD at the University of Göttingen, where her research focused on chromosome-specific aneuploidy in mammalian oocytes.
Cynthia Hudson
With 25+ years of experience spanning IVF laboratory operations, embryology, company building, and strategic advisory, Cynthia has founded and operated fertility centers, tissue banks, and genomics ventures, and advises fertility technology and reproductive health companies globally. She holds an MSc in Clinical Embryology from the University of Leeds, serves as Past President of the New England Fertility Society, and has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications on topics including cryopreservation, PGT, and embryo transfer outcomes.
Dr Matthew “Tex” VerMilyea
Tex received his PhD in Epigenetics from The University of Birmingham. He completed his first post-doctoral fellowship in the chromatin and gene expression laboratories at the Institute of Biomedical Research in Birmingham, UK. He completed a second fellowship in the Laboratory of Mammalian Molecular Embryology at the RIKEN institute in Kobe, Japan.
He returned to the United States as an embryologist at Shady Grove Fertility in Maryland. He then became the Director of Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Andrology laboratories at The University of Pennsylvania Fertility Care. From there, Tex moved to Auckland to serve as Scientific Director at Fertility Associates of New Zealand.
After 17 years, Matthew was recruited to return to Texas as the Scientific Director of Texas Fertility Centers. He is currently the Vice President of Scientific Advancement for Ovation Fertility and remains the Laboratory and Operations Director of Ovation’s Austin and San Antonio IVF laboratories. Matthew remains active on multiple professional committees and scientific advisory boards. He is VP of Scientific Advancement for US Fertility responsible for innovation implementation and best-practice identification
Dr Tricia Adams
A Louisiana native, Dr. Adams earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Southeastern Louisiana University. During her undergraduate studies, she conducted transgenic research at the Louisiana State University Reproductive Biology Center, an experience that ignited her passion for reproductive science and led her to pursue graduate training at LSU.
She subsequently earned a Master of Science in Animal Sciences with a concentration in Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology. Her graduate research focused on bovine fetal fibroblasts and cellular transfection using synthetic mRNA, with the goal of inducing pluripotent stem cells from differentiated somatic cells.
Dr. Adams later completed her PhD in Biomedical and Veterinary Clinical Sciences at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Her doctoral research centered on improving equine oocyte vitrification by evaluating developmental competence, chromatin configuration, and microtubule distribution through modifications to cryopreservation protocols.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Adams has developed extensive expertise in embryology, cryobiology, reproductive physiology, stem cell biology, and laboratory quality systems. As both a scientist and laboratory leader, she is committed to translating research into meaningful clinical advancements that improve patient outcomes and strengthen laboratory performance. Her work continues to support innovation within reproductive medicine while helping individuals and families achieve their dreams of parenthood.
