Session 78: I3 GOES MAVERICK

Dr. Gerry Celia is Associate Professor and Clinical Laboratory Director for the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He has also been the Clinical Laboratory Director for Dominion Fertility and Endocrinology in Arlington Virginia for over 10 years, and manages a small consulting.
Gerry received his Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut and his PhD in Molecular Physiology and Biophysics from the University of Vermont. He began his clinical career in 2005 and has been an active member of the ART community since, serving as president of both the College of Reproductive Biologists (2016-17) and the Society for Reproductive Biologists and Technologists (2018-19). If it actually existed (which can’t be proven), Gerry would also be considered a founding member of the Maverick Reproductive Biologists group. He is motivated by a desire to connect people and remove barriers which limit both growth – individually and as a community - for the benefit of our industry and of our patients.
In his spare time Gerry and his wife breed and raise Warmblood Dressage horses, run, snowboard, surf (terribly), scuba dive, sail, and chase their 5yo son around.
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Liesl Nel-Themaat, Ph.D., HCLD, is a certified High-complexity Clinical Laboratory Director and Technical Supervisor with a specialty in Embryology by the American Board of Bioanalysis.
She earned her undergraduate degree in agriculture (physiology and biochemistry) from the University of Stellenbosch. As her next move, Dr. Nel-Themaat left her native South Africa to pursue her Doctor of Philosophy in animal reproductive physiology from Louisiana State University. During her Doctoral studies, Dr. Nel-Themaat was a Graduate Research Assistant for the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species where she worked in assisted reproductive technologies in various exotic species. Her research included intergeneric nuclear transfer cloning for use in conservation and she managed the Frozen Zoo biomaterials resource bank, a collection of cell lines from endangered species as an insurance against extinction. After graduating with her Ph.D., Dr. Nel-Themaat did a postdoctoral fellowship and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, where she continued her studies of the reproductive system using transgenic animal models.
All her zoology-based groundwork laid the foundation for Dr. Nel-Themaat’s expertise in embryology, andrology, and endocrinology. Since joining the University of Colorado Advanced Reproductive Medicine in 2017, she has not only been a key player in all lab activities, but also participates as faculty for the REI Fellowship Program.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Nel-Themaat has contributed to dozens of professional publications, covering topics such as development of new technologies for use in the reproductive lab, cryopreservation of sperm, embryos and eggs, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and diminished ovarian reserve. She is an active member of professional organizations including the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB), American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Colorado Association of Reproductive Technologists, College of Reproductive Biologists (CRB), and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (SRBT) where she is the president elect. Dr. Nel-Themaat is among the founding members of the International IVF Initiative (i3), a non-profit global educational project for the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) community.
Today, Dr. Nel-Themaat is the IVF Lab Director for SGF Colorado. When she is not overseeing the labs, you can find Dr. Nel-Themaat outdoors running, snowboarding, mountain biking, and scuba diving. She is also currently working on her Executive MBA.

Ashley earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science from the University of Minnesota and a Technical Supervisor Certification from American Association of Bioanalysts. She is a member of ASRM, College of Reproductive Biology (CRB), and Society of Reproductive Biologists and Technologists (SRBT). Her initial training included large animal IVF and systems development. After graduation in 1999 she began working in the human embryology field.
Ashley has worked in varied embryology settings in her career including a single physician practice, a large hospital based system and per diem care. This broad range of experiences has shown her that each system is unique and has challenges and successes. She loves to teach and train and introduce new people to the field.
Ashley works for Kindbody and lives in Minnesota with her husband, three kids and her dog. The love and joy she receives from her family is what inspires her to work with couples to create their own family.
sident in Obstetrics and Gynaecology twice in this period (2000-2004).
Graduated with Honours from Medical School at Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico (1998)

DR. BETSY CAIRO

Betsy Cairo PhD, HCLD, CSES is a Reproductive Biologist and is the founder/owner and director of CryoGam Colorado, the only cryobank in Colorado. She also taught graduate and under- graduate courses at University of Northern Colorado(1995-2017). Dr. Cairo’s experience in the field and classroom have fueled her passion and created a vision for educating Colorado’s youth, its educators and its communities about reproductive health. Dr. Cairo is a board certified Reproductive Biologist from the American Association of Bioanalysis as a High Complexity Clinical Laboratory Director (HCLD). She is also certified as a supervisor by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapist (CSES).

HUEY HUYNH

Huey pursued his undergraduate and graduate work in Biological Sciences and Developmental Biology at Temple University. In addition, he earned a master of science degree at the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in health education. He received micromanipulation (ICSI and AHA) training at the Jones Institute of Reproductive Medicine, in Norfolk, VA.
In addition to his responsibilities as an embryologist, Huey was an active participant in FDA clinical trials and ongoing research studies and served as a consultant to both colleagues throughout the country and to several biomedical companies. Huey excels in improving the protocols and preimplantation environment of the IVF laboratory such that the highest level of patient care can be offered.

DR. MICHAEL BAKER 

Salu is a Senior Embryologist at the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF), and currently the President of the College of Reproductive Biology (CRB), and Chair of the nominations’ committee at the Society of Reproductive Biologists and Technologists (SRBT). He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology from the University of California at Davis. Upon completion, Salu joined the IVF Lab at the Reproductive Science Center (RSC). During the years working at RSC, Salu continued his studies and received his Master’s degree in clinical Embryology and Andrology from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. Salu then joined the UCSF IVF lab where in addition to his daily embryology duties, he is pursuing several of his research interests such as artificial intelligence, microfluidic technology, and transgender reproductive health in IVF. In addition, Salu has co-authored a chapter in Reproductive Biology (Yen & Jaffe's Reproductive Endocrinology, 8th Edition) with his fellow IVF Laboratory members which is currently used as a didactic learning material for UCSF School of Medicine. Salu has participated in several advisory board memberships and is currently an active board member of Northern California Association of Reproductive Biologists (NCARB), College of Reproductive Biology (CRB) – Legislative Committee Member, AAB Board of Registry, AAB Associate Member Section, and West Africa Village Education (WAVE).