SP2A: ARCS Post-reg short papers
Lean management in the IVF clinic: Using technology to eliminate wasted time in IVF lab processes whilst maximising value to patients Cristina Hickman, VP of Clinical Affairs, Fairtility, UK
Are vitrified donor oocytes an option for patients with high sperm DNA fragmentation? Lydia Ruddick, Senior Clinical Embryologist, Manchester Fertility, UK
Lydia studied in Cambridge and Nottingham, completing projects at the Gurdon Institute, Cambridge and the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA). Lydia completed the Scientist Training Programme at Birmingham Women’s Hospital before moving north to join Manchester Fertility. She passed the RCPath Part 1 Exam in 2020 and has now started the HSST. Alongside research interests including sperm DNA fragmentation, she manages the clinic’s expiring sperm and embryos and has a special interest in LGBTQ+ family building, including being part of the clinic’s surrogacy team.
Utilisation of monopronucleated (1PN) embryos and potential clinical benefits for patients Charlotte Moore, Senior Embryologist, Lister Fertility Clinic, UK
Poor quality blastocysts diagnosed as euploid have a higher chance of achieving a live birth than untested poor-quality blastocysts Balsam Al Hashimi, Senior Embryologist , London Women’s clinic, UK
Balsam Al Hashimi is a registered clinical scientist by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and certified senior embryologist by the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS). She obtained a Master’s degree in clinical embryology from the University of Leeds. Currently she is senior embryologist working at the London Women’s Clinic (LWC). Balsam is the lead for preimplantation genetic testing program, senior clinical biopsy practitioner and Officer trainer- Scientist Training Program (STP)/ Association of Clinical Embryologists (ACE). Balsam has extensive experience in oocyte vitrification and had worked in Canadian fertility clinics where she developed solid practical skills. She is currently registered as a PhD student at University of Kent.
Assessment of the power of single variables to predict blastulation, embryo utilisation and livebirth and how this may help both time-lapse algorithm development, and standard selection practices, Alison Campbell, Chief Scientific Officer, CARE Fertility Group, UK
Alison is Chief Scientific Officer of the Care Fertility Group which currently consists of 14 IVF laboratories, predominantly in the UK. Alison is a Consultant Embryologist, Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists and has published widely in the field of clinical embryology. Alison has a passion for the training and development of embryologists and has established a dedicated practical training centre for embryologists which is now home to the UK’s first university-industry joint Masters degree in Clinical Embryology. Alison is a developer, implementer and author of time-lapse algorithms to predict ploidy and live birth and is currently celebrating the introduction of artificial intelligence, following in house development, to support embryo selection across the Care clinics. Alison actively shares her knowledge and experience, lecturing worldwide and participating on scientific advisory board including the scientific and clinical advances advisory committee for the UK’s regulator (HFEA).
Analysis of cumulative PGT-M data from embryos for primary ciliary dyskinesia suggests gene duplication in consanguineous reproductive partners, Vladimir Ovsyankin, Senior Embryologist, ARGC, UK
Vladimir Ovsyankin is a senior HCPC registered clinical embryologist currently working for the ARGC clinics in the United Kingdom. He graduated as a veterinarian doctor, and his professional journey as an embryologist beginning in 2003 at the Reproductive Genetics Institute in the USA under the supervision of Dr Yury Verlinsky. Since then, Vladimir has obtained the ACE certificate, qualified as an ESHRE senior embryologist and RCPath associate. Since 2006 he has worked as a lead clinical scientist for Preimplantation Genetic Testing.