Workshop
Total Quality and Risk Management in your IVF laboratories

From theory to practice: 2nd edition.

March 18-19, 2016

Leuven, Belgium

Total Quality Control and Risk Management (TQM) in the IVF laboratory plays a very important role in the success of any IVF program. Due to high demand, Embryolab Academy is organising a 2nd edition of the TQM Workshop: ‘Total Quality and Risk Management in your IVF laboratories: From theory to practice’ that will be held on March 18-19, 2016 in Leuven, Belgium.

This two-day workshop is designed for reproductive scientists, embryologists, quality managers in IVF, clinicians as well as ART Unit managers who desire to improve their knowledge and understanding of all the recent advances in Total Quality and Risk Management for ART laboratories.

The Workshop Venue, The Park Inn by Radisson, has very easy access from the international airport Brussels Airport by a 15 minutes train ride. The Park Inn by Radisson connects to the Leuven Central Station by a pedestrian bridge. Leuven is a beautiful old university city.

We are looking forward to meeting you in Leuven!!

Workshop Organisers

Martine Nijs | Alexia Chatziparasidou | Nikos Christoforidis

Course Objectives

Delegates will improve knowledge and understanding

in Total Quality and Risk Management for assisted reproduction technologies (ART) laboratories
on all processes performed within ART laboratories and how they will be improved by Total Quality Management (TQM)
on how to organise internal and external quality control for the different departments in an ART Unit
on how to develop a rigid risk assessment and risk analysis method for the ART Unit
on how TQM can be a useful tool to improve efficacy and efficiency, including financial and administrative aspects
on how quality assessment and TQM will provide patients with the best and safest treatments modalities available
on how to develop a patient centred treatment plan

Target Audience

Workshop Directors

Alexia Chatziparasidou

M Clin Embryology, M Sc, Bac Sc, Sr Clinical Embryologist

Martine Nijs

PhD, M Sc, Bac Sc, Sr Clinical Embryologist

Nikos Christoforidis

MRCOG, DFFP, Gyn & Obstet, Fertility Specialist

Your Prominent Speakers

Embryolab Academy strives to provide evidence-based scientific knowledge presented by an international panel of prominent lecturers. Our speakers are carefully selected on the basis of the importance and weight of their scientific work in the specific domains of interest as well as their excellent educational skills.

Alexia Chatziparasidou

M Clin Embryology, M Sc, Bac Sc, ESHRE accredited Sr Clin Embryologist
Laboratory Director Embryolab, Thessaloniki, Greece
Co-founder Embryolab Academy, Greece

Mrs. Chatziparasidou obtained her MSC in Clinical Embryology from the University of Leeds and was certified as senior clinical embryologist by ESHRE in 2008. In 2004, Ms Chatziparasidou founded Embryolab, a modern assisted reproduction unit, which she also directs. Alexia Chatziparasidou has a vast experience of more than 45,000 IVF cycles. Her scientific interest is mainly focused on the application of modern oocyte and embryo cryopreservation methods and treating male infertility and azoospermia. Ms Chatziparasidou is co-founder of Embryolab Academy, an international research and educational non-profit organisation.

Nikos Christoforidis Nikos Christoforidis

MRCOG, DFFP, Gyn & Obstet, Fertility Specialist
Clinical Director of Embryolab, Thessaloniki, Greece; Co-founder Embryolab-Academy, Greece

Dr Nikos Christoforidis is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist with a subspesialisation in human reproduction and assisted reproduction techniques. He is member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, since 2002. He has a special interest in polycystic ovarian syndrome and also in fertility preservation. He is the Clinical Director of Embryolab since 2004. Over the past few years he has supervised the implementation of evidence based guidelines in everyday medical practice and had a main contribution to quality assurance activities since the foundation of the unit. He has collaborated successfully with fellow physicians to produce patient friendly and highly effective ovarian stimulation protocols, with main emphasis on mild stimulation regimes. Dr. Nicholas Christoforidis is co-founder of Embryolab-Academy.

Edith Coonen

PhD , MSc, BacSc, Sr Clinical Embryologist Reproductive Medicine and Clinical Genetics
Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands

Dr. Edith Coonen is a Senior Clinical Embryologist at the department of Reproductive Medicine and heads cytogenetic based diagnosis in PGD at the department of C linical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), in Maastricht, the Netherlands. Edith graduated from Maastricht University in 1989 with a BSc in Health Sciences and completed her PhD at the department of Genetics & Cell Biology from the same institute in 1995. Between 1995 and 1997 Edith was a Research Fellow in the department of Reproductive Medicine, MUMC working on the chromosomal constitution of gametes and preimplantation embryos. In 1997 she completed her specialist training in Clinical Embryology at the department of Reproductive Medicine, MUMC and has since worked there as a Clinical Embryologist. Edith has been involved in the PGD activities at MUMC from the start in 1994 and currently oversees PGD for chromosomal indications. Dr. Coonen is presently the Chair of the ESHRE PGD-Consortium

Emilie Jenssen

Bac Biom Sc, Sr Clin Embryologist
Lab Manager, Quality Manager Copenhagen Fertility Center, Copenhagen, Denmark

Emilie graduated as a Bachelor in Biomedical Laboratory Science in 2012 from the Metropol University in Copenhagen, Denmark, and received a post graduate training in Clinical embryology at the Copenhagen Fertility Center. She is currently Quality Manager and Lab Manager at the Copenhagen Fertility Center, ISO 9001:2008. Emilie was member of the organizing committee for ISIVF 2015 Copenhagen, Denmark

Nicolás Garrido Puchalt

PhD, MSc, M Res Methods, Bac Sc
Director of the Andrology Laboratory and Sperm Bank, IVI Valencia, Spain

Dr. Nicolás Garrido received his Biological Sciences Degree in 1997 from the University of Valencia in Spain. He did a pre-doctoral fellowship at the Frauenklinik, Düsseldorf, Germany and received his Ph.D. Degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2001 from the University of Valencia, Spain, and the Extraordinary Prize for his thesis work in 2002. He also has a Master degree in Research Methods; Design and Statistics from Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain. Since 2000, he is the Director of the Andrology Laboratory and Sperm Bank at the Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (IVI). Dr. Garrido is a member of several scientific societies and has twice received the research award from the Spanish Society of Fertility, and the Prize Paper of the Spanish Society of Urology. The primary areas of his research are the molecular markers of male infertility and sperm survival after freezing/thawing, assisted reproduction in HIV/VHC sero discordant couples, and sperm banking. Dr. Garrido is the recipient of several grants from public and private organizations in Spain. He has published over 100 articles and 40 reviews or book chapters, made almost 300 presentations at national and international congresses. He is also currently the statistics assessor of IVI Valencia the biggest infertility clinic in Spain.. Dr. Garrido iscoordinates the Directorfellowship courses from the Teaching Area of the IVI Learning Center (actually over 30 Infertility clinics worldwide, presenting more than 120 courses and 6 different Master studies)group and is Professor, among others, of the post graduate in the Master in Biotechnology of the Human Reproduction from Instituto Universitario IVI, Valencia University. He is also in charge of IVICO, an IVI group company dedicated to provide with training, consulting and auditing services to assisted reproduction units.

Marjan Happel

BSc
Biovigilance coordinator, TRIP Hemovigilance and Biovigilance office, Leiden, Netherlands

Marjan Happel has been working in the field of biovigilance since 2008 as biovigilance coordinator at TRIP, the hemovigilance and biovigilance office for the Netherlands. TRIP receives and analyses reports of adverse reactions and events associated with blood transfusion, human tissues or cells and promotes hemovigilance and biovigilance in the widest sense. This throughout the chain from donor to recipient, in order to contribute to improved safety of transfusion and transplantation in the Netherlands. Marjan was actively involved in several EU projects: EUSTITE, SOHO V&S and recently the report on the Economic landscapes of human tissues and cells for clinical application in the EU. Her background is in obstetrics, and assisted reproductive technology is here speciality.

Katleen Hostens

PhD, M Sc, Bac Sc Sr Clin Embryologist
Academic Hospital St Jan, Brugges, Belgium

Katleen Hostens studied Chemical sciences, specialty Biotechnology) at the Ghent University in Belgium. She obtained her PhD at the Free University of Brussels. She was trained as a clinical embryologist at the IVF Unit of the Catholic University of Leuven. She started her work in the fertility unit in Roeselare and is currently working as a senior clinical embryologists at the Academic Hospital St Jan in Brugges-Ostende. Dr. Hostens trained as an external auditor for ISO15189 for BELACBelac, the Belgian Accreditation Organiszation. She visited several IVF Unites for inspection. Katleen is a lecturer for thea course in Reproductive Medicine at VIVES in Brugges, Belgium.

Martine Nijs

PhD, M Sc, Bac Sc, ESHRE accredited Sr Clin Embryologist
Scientific Director Nij Geertgen, Elsendorp; Netherlands; Research and Development Consultant Embryolab, Greece; Co-founder and Director Embryolab Academy, Greece

Martine Nijs has been working in the field of reproductive biology for over 20 years; first as a senior clinical embryologist and later as IVF lab director. She obtained her PhD in Medical Sciences at the Free University of Brussels in Belgium. She is also an ESHRE certified Senior Clinical Embryologist. Delivering high quality laboratory work as well as research in reproductive medicine have always been one of her passion. Martine is first author of 17 peer reviewed publications, 6 chapters in books and co-author in 75 publications. Martine has presented over a hundred lectures as an invited speaker at national and international meetings. She has been actively involved in organising International Meetings, Workshops and one-on-one Hands-on workshops. Martine Nijs is member of the Editorial Board Faculty 1000 Research and ad hoc Board member of 9 international Journals in reproductive biology. She is an active member of 8 professional societies. Martine is Scientific Director at Nij Geertgen, a fertility center in the Netherlands and co-founder and Director of Embryolab-Academy, a non-profit foundation in Greece.

Jane Saxton

PhD, Senior Clinical Embryologist
Senior Embryologist , Jessop Fertility, Sheffield, UK

Jane Saxton is Senior Embryologist at Jessop Fertility in Sheffield, UK and in 2006 practiced as a locum working in Sydney, Australia. She completed her PhD in Developmental Biology at the University of Warwick in 1999 and has published several papers including work on quality control and sperm DNA fragmentation. Jane has had an active role at Jessop Fertility for 14 years, during which time she was part of the team that designed and validated the UK’s first EUTCD compliant IVF laboratory. Her current interests include sperm/embryo cryopreservation and time lapse culture. Jane has presented work at conferences worldwide and lectures students on the MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine in Sheffield. Jane is a member of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology International Journal editorial board and runs the independent website Embryonews.

Ingrid Segers

PhD, M Sc, Bac Sc, Sr Clinical Embryologist
Center for Reproductive Medicine, VUB, Brussels, Belgium

Ingrid Segers started her career in reproductive biology in 2002 as a PhD student in the Follicle Biology Laboratory at the Free University of Brussels (Belgium). Research interests were the antral follicle phase, follicle culture, in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization, cumulus-oocyte interactions, … in the mouse animal model and in the human. In 2011, she made the transition to the fertility clinic and started as a clinical embryologist in the IVF laboratory of the Centre for Reproductive Medicine UZ-Brussel Belgium. In her current position as embryologist, she is responsible for the laboratory activities of in vitro maturation and ovarian cortex cryopreservation. She is member of the multidisciplinary oncofertility team at UZ Brussel.

Marieke Schoonenberg

MD, Obs&Gynae Medical Director,
Nij Geertgen, Elsenndorp, Netherlands

Dr. Marieke Schoonenberg is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist . Marieke subspecialised in Human reproduction and Assisted reproduction techniques at the Department of Reproductive Medicine of the University of Ghent. She is member of the Nederlandse vereniging voor Obstetrie en Gynecologie. Dr. Schoonenberg is the Medical Director of Nij Geertgen, the largest private fertility center in the Netherlands. Marieke is currently preparing her PhD at the University of Ghent.

Kelly Tilleman

PhD, MSc, BacSc
Quality Manager, Department of Reproductive Medicine of the University of Ghent

Dr Tilleman’s obtained her PhD in biomarker research in inflammatory arthritis at the University of Ghent in 2007. At the time, Kelly combined her scientific enthusiasm in research in proteomics with the responsibility of quality manager for an accredited DNA fingerprinting laboratory. In November 2009, Kelly joined the Department of Reproductive Medicine of the University of Ghent. Her main scientific research interests are in the area of fertility preservation. Dr Tilleman is the Quality Manager of this large University fertility centre in Belgium.

Katherine Whalley

BSc, HCPC registered Clinical Scientist Lead Clinical Embryologist
Assisted Conception Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK

Katherine Whalley moved into an embryology Unit in 1986 from a molecular genetics background and has essentially developed with the profession. Katherine was appointed Lead embryologists of the Assisted Conception Unit in Dundee, UK in the mid 1990s when her mentor David Edgar moved to Melbourne. The Clinic was upgraded in 2011 and a new lab was built to meet the requirements of the EU Tissue Directive. The facility has continued to evolve over the last few years with the introduction of blastocyst culture and more recently time-lapse incubation. The clinic has collaborative links with the University of Dundee and teaching of the MSc in Human Clinical Embryology and Assisted Conception. Katherine is also the training scheme lead in Scotland for embryologists working towards HCPC registration.

Workshop Program – Theoretical Sessions

The theoretical session will give an overview of the recent advances in Total Quality and Risk Management for ART laboratories.

In the’ Brains-on’ sessions, delegates are invited to present a specific problem/trouble/issue they have or are encountering in their laboratories. In an interactive way, the expert team and the participants will investigate the problem and design a route for solving and preventing these (and other) problems in the future.

18 & 19 March 2016

Program 18th of March 2016
8:00-8:30	Registration with coffee and tea.
8:30-8:40	Welcome by the Director of the Embryolab Academy Martine Nijs, Netherlands
8:40-9:20	What is quality and why does it matter? What is total quality management – TQM? Edith Coonen, Netherlands
9:20-10:00	ISO 9001 or ISO 15189 for your ART Unit? A detailed update on both systems and what it all involves for the ART Unit. Alexia Chatziparasidou, Greece
10:00-10:40	What does a quality manager in ART actually do? Let’s hear it from the expert! Katleen Hostens, Belgium
10:40-11:00	Coffee break
11:00-11:35	So much data! How to collect, manage and learn from them. Nicolás Garrido Puchalt, Spain
11:35-12:15	What is validation and how to validate new media, methods and equipment – a challenge or actually so simple? Emilie Jenssen, Denmark & Jane Saxton, UK
12:15-13:15	Lunch Break
13:15-13:45	Traceability and witnessing in ART, is so important? Really? Martine Nijs, Netherlands
13:45-14:15	Audits – why, how and who will do them. Katleen Hostens, Belgium
14:15-14:45	Setting up a new ART Unit: Planning, building, validating and starting: TQM challenges Katherine Whalley, UK
14:45-15:15	Transport of fresh and frozen reproductive cells and embryos and TQM: what it all involves. Martine Nijs, Netherlands
15:15-15:45	Coffee Break
15:45-16:15	How to assess and minimise risk in ART. Alexia Chatziparasidou, Greece
16:15-16:45	Serious adverse events and reactions for reproductive tissues and cells: report from Europe – what do we learn from it? Marjan Happel, Netherlands
16:45-17:15	How does TQM impact your day to day work in the ART laboratories- the embryologists view. Jane Saxton, UK
17:15-17:30	Summary of the day. Martine Nijs, Netherlands
19:30	Workshop Reception and Dinner

Program 19th of March 2016 – Morning Session
8:45 – 12:15	Chair: All invited speakers will take part of the expert panel This session is always the highlight of our Embryolab Academy workshop. In this interactive session, delegates are invited to present a mini-poster describing a specific problem/trouble/issue they have or are encountering in their laboratories. Collectively, the expert team and the participants will investigate the problem and design a route for solving and preventing this (and other) problems in the future. Mini-poster examples: We thawed the wrong embryo for the patient. What went wrong? How do I perform a root cause analysis? Since the last two days I am observing repetitive failed fertilisation in IVF but not in ICSI. Nothing changed in my procedures. How can this be? We are moving to a new operating IVF Unit for our egg collections and embryo transfers. How do I validate this? What do I need to test? I think that one my embryologists is performing poorly? How do I test in an objective way? Session Includes coffee break
12:15 – 12:30	Summary of ‘Brains-on’ session Jane Saxton, UK & Ingrid Segers

Program 19th of March 2016 – Afternoon Brains-on session
12:30-13:15	Lunch Break
13:15-16:00	All about internal and external quality control, KPI’s, quality assurance and more for your laboratories . Practical examples! Edith Coonen & Martine Nijs
13:20-13:40	Andrology department Jane Saxton, UK
13:40-14:00	Cryobiology unit Katherine Whalley, UK
14:00-14:20	IVF laboratory Martine Nijs, Netherlands
14:20-14:40	Patients records and data management. Alexia Chatziparasidou, Greece
14:40-15:00	PGD/PGS department . Edith Coonen, Netherlands
15:00-15:20	Ovarian Tissue banking unit. Ingrid Segers, Belgium
15:20-15:40	Donor bank. Jane Saxton, UK & Martine Nijs, Netherlands
15:40-16:00	Coffee Break
16:00-16:25	Total Quality Management in the clinical department. Kelly Tilleman
16:25-16:50	Patients satisfaction: what do patients expect and what can we offer by TQM. Marieke Schoonenberg, Netherlands
16:50- 17:00	Knowledge sharing on TQM: past participants from EA TQM Workshop 1 reporting on what knowledge sharing in TQM in ART brought to their daily practice in ART. Emilie Jenssen, Denmark
17:00-17:15	Summary of the TQM-2 Workshop Martine Nijs, Netherlands
17:15	Fare well

Certificate of attendance

A Certificate of attendance will be awarded to the delegates after attending the full workshop program. After completing the on-line evaluation form of the workshop, all certificates can be downloaded.

Accreditation

The Workshop program is submitted for Ethical Med Tech compliance

The Embryolab Academy Workshop is under the auspices of ASEBIR

Ethical Med Tech assessment concluded that the Embryolab Academy Cryo Workshop is: COMPLIANT
To visit the Ethical Med Tech website, please click here

Workshop Venue

Park Inn by Radisson Leuven

Martelarenlaan 36, 3010 Leuven, Belgium
www.parkinn.com/hotel-leuven

The Venue has very easy access from the international airport Brussels Airport by a 15 minutes train ride. The Park Inn by Radisson connects to the Leuven Central Station by a pedestrian bridge.

‘Brains-on’ session with Mini posters

In the ‘Brains-on’ sessions’ delegates are invited to present a specific problem/trouble/issue they have or are encountering with cryopreservation in their clinic or laboratory as a Mini Poster.

After registration, participants will receive an invitation with instructions for the preparation of their Mini Poster.

Deadline for Mini-Poster submission is 25th of August 2015.

Workshop language

The official language of the Workshop is English.

Time zone

The time zone in Belgium is Eastern Europe Time Zone : UTC/GMT +1 hour.

Dress Code

Dress code for the Workshop is business casual.

Visas

International participants to the Workshop may require visas in order to enter Belgium. Participants are requested to check with their consulate or diplomatic mission in their home country or with their travel agency for visa requirements. It is the responsibility of the participant to obtain a visa if required.

Letter of Invitation

Upon request, the Secretariat of the Workshop will send a personal invitation to participants. This invitation is meant only to help visitors to raise travel funds or to obtain a visa, and is not a commitment on the part of the organisers to provide any financial support. The letter of invitation can only be send when payment of registration fee is completed.

About Leuven

Leuven is a very vibrant and pleasant city in the center of Belgium, Flemish Brabant. It is located about 25 kilometres (16 miles) east of Brussels. It is home to Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewing group and one of the five largest consumer-goods companies in the world; and to the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, the largest and oldest university of the Low Countries and the oldest Catholic university still in existence.

Travel to Leuven

By Plane

Direct flights are available to Brussels-Zaventem national airport from many cities around the world. Brussels National Airport is an international airport (11 km; 6.9 mi) northeast of Brussels, the capital of Belgium.

The Park Inn by Radisson Leuven is ideally located next to the Leuven railway station with a direct connection to the airport (15 minutes train ride). The airport train station is located below the terminal (basement level-1). The train to Leuven runs twice an hour. Tickets can be bought in the train station in the airport. Taxi will take more time and are more expensive.

The Park Inn by Radisson connects to Leuven Central Station by a pedestrian bridge.

By train

The Park Inn by Radisson Leuven is ideally located next to the Leuven railway station with a direct connection to the national airport (15 minutes train ride). The Park Inn by Radisson connects to Leuven Central Station by a pedestrian bridge.

You can check the Timetable and buy tickets online: www.belgianrail.be/en/stations-and-train/search-a-station/4/leuven.aspx. If you come from the airport, select BRUSSEL-NATIONAAL-LUCHTHAVEN to LEUVEN, Diabolo fee.

By car

Leuven is located at the junction of two important motorways: the E40 and the E314.

From E40: Keep toward Leuven and take exit 23A (Haasrode-Research) to the N24 toward Bierbeek. Follow the N25 about 3.4 kilometres until you reach a T-junction. Turn left toward the city centre, and then follow the N3 1.5 kilometres. Take the sixth exit, to Martelarenlaan. You will find the hotel on your left-hand side.

From E314: Take exit 20 (Wilsele), and head to Kessel-Lo. Continue straight. At the third roundabout after 2.6 kilometres, turn right. After about 300 metres, turn right toward Diestsesteenweg (N2). Then, after 60 metres, turn right toward the Martelarenlaan (N292). Follow the road and you will find the hotel on your right

The Park Inn by Radisson does not provide private parking. However, parking is available for a maximum of EUR 20 per day in the public parking garage under the hotel. During weekends, the cost is EUR 10 per day.

Liability

The Workshop secretariat and organisers cannot assume liability for personal accidents, loss of or damage to private property of participants, either during, or directly arising from the Workshop. Participants should make their own arrangements with respect to health and travel insurance.

Embryolab Academy cannot be held accountable for cancellation of participation because of air strikes or serious adverse events.

Registration and Fees

Online registration can only be done through the Embryolab Academy Website.

Fees are to be paid by Bank transfer or Pay Pal. Bank transfer costs or Pay pal transfer costs endured during payment are to be covered by the delegate.

Early bird Registration Fee before 1st of February 2016: 360 Euro

Normal registration Fee as of 1st of February 2016: 400 Euro

Registration fee includes Workshop registration and social program:

Theoretical sessions
‘Brains-on’ afternoon session
Workshop Syllabus
Certificate of attendance
Refreshments
Lunches
Friday evening Workshop reception and dinner

Accompanying person

An accompanying person can be registered for a fee of 100 Euro. The accompanying person is entitled to attend the evening Workshop reception and dinner. The accompanying person is not entitled to attend the workshop lecture sessions.

Cancellation fees

All cancellations must be faxed or e-mailed. Refund of registration fees will be the as follows:

Until February 15: 100% refund (minus 60 Euro administration cost)
After February 15: no refund on cancellations

Accommodation

The Workshop event will take place at the Park Inn by Radisson Leuven, Martelarenlaan 36, 3010 Leuven, Belgium. The hotel welcomes Embryolab Academy participants with a special offer:

Breakfast and wifi included Exclusive City tax €1.06/night	Single	Double
Thursday – Friday	€129.00	€139.00
Friday – Saturday	€85.00	€95.00
Saturday – Sunday	€85.00	€95.00

You can make your reservation on-line at http://www.parkinn.com/hotel-leuven/hotel-deals/embryolab-academy

Please mention the reduction code EATQM2 when you make your reservation by phone or e-mail.

Availability of rooms in Leuven is limited and early booking is strongly recommended.

Leuven has hotels and B&B’s with different price ranges. For more information and on-line hotel room bookings, you can go to this website: http://www.booking.com/city/be/leuven.html (available in different languages).

Availability of rooms in Leuven is limited and early booking is strongly recommended!

Workshop Secretariat

Embryolab Academy
At Embryolab
173-175 Ethnikis Antistaseos, 551 34 Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece
info@embryolab-academy.org
www.embryolab-academy.org

Leuven information

Download Tourist Guide

SO MUCH IN ONE CITY

Capital city of beer, good taste and shopping enjoyment, but also the guardian of religious and cultural heritage and centre of expertise and innovation. How to sum Leuven up in a single word? Frankly, it’s impossible. Regardless of whether you are a seasoned city-tripper, a cultural values hunter or a fervent shopper, you will always nd your needs more than adequately met in Leuven. Enjoy everything that the city has to offer…and then return again and again to repeat the experience. The city will surprise you anew with every return visit.

www.visitleuven.be

Education and Training:

B.Sc.	Biology. University of Valencia, Spain (1990)
Master Degree	Biology of Reproduction. University of Valencia, Spain (1991)
Ph.D (Biology)	Valencia School of Medicine. University of Valencia, Spain (1996)
Fellowship	Postdoctoral fellowship on Immunology of Reproduction at Fearing Research Laboratory. Harvard Medical School, MA, USA (1996-1999)

Roberta Maggiulli, PhD, MSc

GENERA Lab Supervisor, Senior Clinical Embryologist (ESHRE certified)

Panelist

Roberta Maggiulli is an ESHRE-certified senior clinical embryologist.

She obtained her MSc in Biotechnology and post-graduate school of specialization in Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Parma, then she worked as Research Staff Associate at the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility of Weill Cornell Medical College of New York.

Since 2009 she is the lab supervisor of the GENERA center in Rome. At present she is a member of the scientific board of the Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR).

Her interests encompass the validation and standardization of laboratory practices in IVF.

Alessandra Alteri, PhD, MSc

Embryologist at San Raffaele Hospital, Senior Deputy of the SIG SQART - ESHRE

Panelist

ALESSANDRA ALTERI

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

January 2021: Review Editor of Frontiers Reproductive Health Journal.
June 2019- at present: Senior Deputy of the Special Interest Group on Safety and Quality in ART (SIG SQART) of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).
January 2019- at present: Member of the Editorial Board of the Notify Library
June 2018: Principal Investigator of the study: Does partial zona pellucida removal from vitrified-warmed human blastocysts improve delivery rate in in vitro fertilization? A multicentric RCT on Laser Assisted Hatching. IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
July 2017-June 2019: Junior Deputy of the Special Interest Group on Safety and Quality in ART (SIG SQART) of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).
September 2015-present: Embryologist at San Raffaele Hospital, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
November 2011- 2015: Embryologist at Ferticlinic-Villa Margherita, Rome, Italy.
January 2011-September 2011: Postdoctoral fellowship at Development and Therapy of the Muscle Lab, Division of Regenerative Medicine, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.

EDUCATION

January 2021- at present: School of Specialization in Microbiology and Virology, University of Pavia, Italy
July 2018: ESHRE Senior Clinical Embryologist Certification
June 2015: ESHRE Clinical Embryologist Certification
February 2014 - June 2014: “Course of Biology and news technologies in Assisted Reproductive Technology” at Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
November 2007 - February 2011: PhD in Cellular Biology and Development at Department of Cellular Biology and Development, Sapienza-University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Thesis title: “Role of differentiation associated-microRNAs in the regulation of myogenesis and the control of cell transformation”.
February 2005 - May 2007: Master degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology at Sapienza-University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Thesis title: "MicroRNAs in muscle differentiation control” (110/100 cum laude).
September 2001 - February 2005: Bachelor degree in Biological Sciences at Sapienza-University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Thesis title: "Interaction between early adenoviral products and cell functions" (110/100 cum laude).

Keshav Malhotra, MBBS MCE

Rainbow IVF Director

Panelist

Dr. Keshav Malhotra holds a masters degree in Clinical Embryology and is one of the few ESHRE certified Clinical Embryologists in INDIA. He is the Lab Director of Rainbow IVF and now the Director of Malhotra Embryology training Academy. Dr. Malhotra is on the board of ISAR and ISPAT and has worked on Key projects pertaining to Embryology in the country like the Occupational Standard for Embryologists and the Embryology Consensus.

Dean Morbeck, PhD, HCLD (ABB)

Scientific Director at Fertility Associates New Zealand

Speaker

Dr. Morbeck is the Scientific Director at Fertility Associates New Zealand, Sunfert International Fertility Centre, and an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Auckland. He oversees science in IVF clinics throughout New Zealand and Malaysia that annually perform >4000 fresh cycles. Prior to moving to NZ, Dean was an Associate Professor at the Mayo Clinic. He has a keen interest in quality of care, as evidenced by his publications on media composition and laboratory KPIs. He has also completed an MBA, which he is putting to use to improve both the science and patient experience at Fertility Associates and Sunfert.

Kelly Tilleman, PHD, MSc

Director IVF lab and Quality Management Team member– Post-doctoral fellow in the G-FAST research team at UGhent

Speaker

My research experience started in the field of proteomics where I obtained a PhD in biomarker research in inflammatory arthritides at the University of Ghent in 2007. At that time, I combined my scientific enthusiasm with the responsibility of quality manager for an accredited DNA fingerprinting laboratory. As a post-doctoral fellow, I got in touch with the group op Petra De Sutter, as we joined forces in several research projects. Because of my experience as a quality manager and my interest in the wonderful world of reproductive medicine, I started a new career at the department of Petra de Sutter in November 2009. I combined the task of quality manager of the fertility centre with scientific research in the area of fertility preservation. During the years, I combined quality management with project and laboratory process management.

Currently, I am the director of the Ghent University Hospital IVF lab, where I have the privilege to work with a very dynamic and enthusiastic team.

I am coordinator of the special interest group SQART at ESHRE, Belgian representative for EDQM at the Council of Europe and board member of international organization ICCBBA (ISBT-128).

Miki Belenky MSc

Male Fertility Center, Lab deputy director.

Speaker

Miki Belenky is a Clinical biologist and embryologist specializing in male infertility. After graduating from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and more than 12 years of medical laboratory experience, completed his M.Sc. degree in Bar-Ilan University with a thesis on sperm function. Since 2015 has been working at Male Fertility Center, a highly specialized andrology laboratory dealing with severe cases of male infertility. Currently, holds the position of deputy director of the lab. Also, works as an embryologist at the IVF department of Shamir Medical Center. Participated in several research projects focusing on sperm morphology, function and cryopreservation, including a development of a novel technique for cryopreservation of individual spermatozoa. Member of the Israeli Fertility Association (IFA) and ESHRE.

Matthew Feldman MSc, MA

Marketing Director at ZyMōt Fertility

Speaker

Matthew Feldman began his career as a biochemist, studying the molecular mechanisms of colon cancer progression in mouse models and human disease. He continued studying therapeutic strategies to mitigate RNA decay in classes of genetic disease.
Leaving research to become an advocate for vaccine-preventable diseases, he began a career at the intersection of scientific innovation and digital communications. Speaking these two different languages, he became an effective champion of improving health through new solutions to critical challenges: first in the fight against childhood pneumonia and then in combating the global tuberculosis epidemic through the development of new, effective vaccines.Through cross-functional and international collaborations across therapeutic areas and industries, his work educated new audiences and sparked meaningful actions.
In his current role as Marketing Director at ZyMōt Fertility (DxNow, Inc.), Matt thinks about the challenges facing reproductive medicine and the need for transformative innovations to reach people, to improve and create lives.
Through his experiences as a scientist, communicator and as a patient, Matt is focused on how focusing on sperm health can help clinics, healthcare providers and patients in their fertility journey.

Aimilia Vorniotaki, BSC,

Medical Laboratory Technologist

Hands-On Expert

Aimilia Vorniotaki is a Technologist in the Medical Laboratory with many years of experience in the IVF laboratory.
She graduated in 2009 from the Department of Medical Laboratory Technologists of the Technological Educational Institute of Larissa where she gained a distinction in her diploma thesis on ‘Estrogen-Prolactin'
From 2009 to 2011, she worked in microbiology laboratories in both state hospitals and private diagnostic centers in Thessaloniki.

Since 2011, she has been a member of the laboratory team at Embryolab, while in 2017 obtained the certificate in specialized education in the branch of Human Reproduction at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Eleni Taki, BSC, M.Res.

Biologist,

Hands-On Expert

Eleni Takis is a biologist. She graduated from the Aristotle University School of Biology in 2009, pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Newcastle (MRes in Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine), and in 2017 completed his Master's Degree Program in Human Behavioral Therapy. .
She has worked at a Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Cryopreservation Bank, as well as a research fellow at the National Research Foundation.

She has been a member of Embryolab's laboratory team since October 2017.

Hatzianastasiou Athina, BSC

Biologist,

Hands-On Expert

Athina Chatzianastasiou is a biologist specialized in research methods in male infertility. She graduated from the Department of Biology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2010.
From 2011 she worked in private companies in Thessaloniki with a specialization in Biology.
In 2014, she completed her internship at Embryolab and since than she has officially joined the laboratory group of the Clinic.

Mehmet Engin Enginsu, MD, PhD

IVF Consultant

Speaker

Enginsu was born in Turkey in 1962. After finishing his studies in University of Ankara Faculty of Medicine and became a Medical Doctor in1988, he moved to The Netherlands and started to work as research assistant in University of Limburg Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics department, Maastricht, He started to work in the IVF unit due to his research on “Male Infertility” and his Ph.D. thesis titled “Morphology and function of human spermatozoa” was accepted on April 1988. He was invited to work on “Micromanipulation with laser” project to Brussels, Catholic University of Leuven, St Luc Hospital in Belgium in May 1994.
In March 1995 he was invited to Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department as IVF laboratory director for the set up of micromanipulation unit and worked as an instructor. In January 1996 he moved to Istanbul to set up an IVF laboratory in American Hospital and worked there as the laboratory director. He then worked in International Hospital, Metropolitan Florence Nightingale Hospital, Şİşli Memorial Hospital as laboratory director between 1997 and 2004.
Dr. Enginsu have also worked in setting up the IVF unit for Kalamış Tıp Merkezi Istanbul.
Between March 2005 to January 2017 he worked as the director of the IVF unit in KadıköyŞifa Hospital Istanbul.
Between March 2018 to March 2019 he worked as the Laboratory Director in LIV Hospital Ulus in Istanbul.

He is currently working with Femina Women’s Health Clinic for IVF patients. Dr Enginsu has his own consultanting firm and working as a consultant for medical companies and IVF clinics both in national and international terms.

Aikaterini Moutou, BSc, PHD

Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Biotechnology UoT

Speaker

Katerina Moutou holds a Bachelor of Biology from Aristotle University of Technology (1991) and a PhD in Fish Physiology from Aberdeen University, Great Britain (1996).
Dr Moutou has been an EU Research Fellow at the University of Algarve, Portugal (1997-1998) and subsequently a lecturer in Teaching Science 4040/80 at the University of Thessaly (1998-2003) where he has served as a faculty member of the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology from 2003 until today.
Dr Mutu has participated in 12 COST Research Programs and Actions and has contributed to 37 publications in peer-reviewed journals with more than 500 cross-references and h-index 11.
She is a reviewer of a number of international scientific journals and research funding bodies such as the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, UK and the European Research Framework Programs (FP7, H2020).
She has been a member of the Committee of Experts of the European Commission on the Evaluation and Evaluation of the Impact of FP7-funded Research Programs on the EU-funded KBBE Projects' Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Biotechnology in the area of “Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Biotechnology” (FAFB) and is currently a member of the Committee of Experts of the European Commission on the evaluation and evaluation of the impact of research programs that are funded within the program of Societal Challenge 2 “Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy”.

Astrid Stecher, MSC, ESHRE certified Clinical Embryologist

Lab Director of NextClinic IVF Centers Prof. H. Zech Bregenz

Speaker

Mrs Astrid Stecher is an ESHRE-certified Senior Clinical Embryologist and has a long experience in ART, both in practical work and organizational issues and topics.
She has been working in IVF Center Prof. H. Zech since 1995, which has been steadily expanding through all the years.
She is member of a team that has already established several laboratories.
A main focus is the cooperation with other laboratories for optimization and standardization, trouble shooting and comparison of KPIs, but also scientific cooperation.
Since 2008 she is certified as ESHRE Senior Clinical Embryologist.
Her main interest is the optimization of embryo culture, severe male factor infertility and quality management in the ART laboratory.
She has co-organized several national and international workshops on various ART topics.
She is a board member of the Austrian Society for Reproduction and Endocrinology and of the "EmbryologenForum Austria".
She is a member of the Swiss Society for Reproductive Medicine (SGRM, SWICE), the European Society of Human Reproduction (ESHRE) and inspector for the ESHRE ART Center Certification for Good Clinical Practices.
Astrid has been invited to speak at national and international conferences and is the author and co-author of many scientific articles, conference papers and book contributions.
She is still fascinated of ART and enjoys the progress in this field.
It is one of the best tasks in the world to help people become parents.

Alpesh Doshi, BSc (Hons), MSc, DipRCPath, UK

Co-Founder/ Director/ Consultant Embryologist IVF London

Panelist

Alpesh is a consultant Clinical Embryologist and a co-founder of IVF London. He is also a co-founder and director of the Embryology and PGD Academy. Alpesh previously worked at the Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health in the leading capacity as a Director of Embryology for 19 years and was pivotal in optimising the success rates. He was also an honorary consultant at the Reproductive Medicine Unit at UCLH NHS Trust. He holds a postgraduate degree in Human Reproductive Medicine and has qualified from the prestigious Imperial College School of Medicine.

Alpesh is a Diplomate of the Royal College of Pathologists and also a ESHRE certified Senior Embryologist. He has been an executive committee member of several international embryology societies and holds a very active interest in promoting education platforms through these professional bodies. He was among the first scientists to bring the egg and embryo freezing technology of ‘vitrification’ to the UK in 2007. He is a world renowned expert in the biopsy of human embryos for genetic testing.

Alpesh has authored several papers in high impact journals and written several book chapters in addition to being an honorary lecturer at University College London where he teaches embryology on two of the Masters courses. He has been an invited speaker in many international conferences and workshops as well as several Health chat shows on television including Zee TV and ITV’s This morning. Alpesh has a special interest in fertility preservation, preimplantation genetic diagnosis and genome editing of embryos.

Bryan Woodward, FRCPath, PhD

Director of X & Y Fertility, Leicester, UK

Speaker

Dr Bryan Woodward is a free-lance reproductive scientist who specializes in trouble-shooting fertility clinics to improve andrology and embryology services. He has worked as a consultant for over 50 IVF clinics in countries across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. He offers hands-on andrology and embryology training as required and also advises on Quality Management.

In 2008, he was awarded a PhD (University of Nottingham, UK) entitled ‘Trans-species study of factors affecting ICSI’. In the same year he was certified by ESHRE as a Senior Clinical Embryologist and by the Royal College of Pathology (UK) as a Fellow.
In 2016, he established X&Y Fertility in Leicester, UK, as a clinic to help treat male fertility. He is also the HFEA Person Responsible at the London branch of the European Sperm Bank.
In the UK, Bryan has served on the Executive Committees of the Association of Clinical Embryologists (ACE) and the Association of Biomedical Andrologists (ABA). He is currently the Coordinator of the ESHRE Steering Committee for Embryologist Certification.
He has co-edited books in the field of ART including “Troubleshooting and Problem Solving in the IVF laboratory”; “Male Infertility Sperm Diagnosis, Management and Delivery”; and “Female Infertility: Core Principles and Clinical Management”.
Bryan Woodward is also a keen mountaineer, having climbed two of the world’s highest peaks: Mt Aconcagua (Argentina) and Mt Elbrus (Russia).

Achilleas Papatheodorou, PhD., M.Med.Sc.

Embryolab Lab Director, Senior Clinical Embryologist, ESHRE certified,

Speaker

Mr. Achilleas Papatheodorou is a senior clinical embryologist with an experience of more than 20.000 cycles in assisted reproduction (ART), among which a great number of cases with severe male infertility and application of embryo biopsy for Preimplantation Genetic Testing.

His scientific interests focus mainly on the aspects of vitrification technique on human oocytes, embryos and the cryopreservation of human spermatozoa.
In 2004, Mr. Achilleas Papatheodorou graduated from school of Biology, in Aristotle’s University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
In 2005 he received his Master of Medical Sciences (M.Med.Sci.) degree in Assisted Reproduction Technology (University of Nottingham, UK).
In 2016 he was awarded with a PhD Degree from the Medical School of University of Ioannina. His PhD research project was the Clinical application of vitrification technique for cryopreserving human oocytes.
In 2017 he was certified by ESHRE as senior Clinical Embryologist.
Achilleas Papatheodorou has worked as a clinical embryologist in Thessaloniki, Athens, Albania and Italy. Additionally, he has worked as a scientific consultant of the IVF laboratory of San Carlo Hospital in Potenza, Italy. He has visited plenty of IVF clinics in Italy sharing his knowledge and technology with their embryology and andrology stuff.
Achilleas has done numerous oral presentations in conferences and hands on workshops and at he same time is involved in research projects and training for all the modern ART lab techniques and is the author of a number of scientific articles, posters and chapters.
He is a member of the European Society of Human Reproduction (ESHRE), the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and the Greek Association of Clinical Embryologists (PEKE) in which currently he serves as a vice-president.
From 2019 he is working in Embryolab, Fertility Clinic as Senior Clinical Embryologist.

Stella Sgoura, BSc

Laboratory Technologist

Medical Laboratory Technologist

Sgoura Stella is a Medical Laboratory Technologist, who specialises in vitro fertilisation techniques.

Stella has graduated from the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences of the University of Thessaly, in 2005. During her final year she completed her practice in the Heamatology Department of the Hippocratio General Hospital of Thessaloniki, where she continued to work voluntarily until 2006.

In 2006 she became a member of the laboratory team of Embryolob where she was gradually trained in all aspects of the laboratory techniques.

Stella is an active member of the Embryolab Academy and has participated in all workshops held in Greece by the Academy (“Fluorescent in Situ Hybridisation on human Sperm”, “Cryopreservation of gamete, embryos and reproductive tissue: daily practice in your lab and clinic”, “Quality and Risk management in your IVF laboratories: from theory to practice”, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis”).

During the academic year 2014/2015 Stella attended and received qualification for the supplementary program of specialized education of the National and Kapodistraiko University of Athens, titled “Human Reproduction”.

Ioannis Papoulidis, BSc, MSc, ErCLG

Speaker

Clinical Laboratory Geneticist

Mr. Ioannis Papoulidis hold a Biotechnology degree from the University of Abertay Dundee in Great Britain, an MSc degree in applied genetics and biotechnology and a Clinical Laboratory Geneticist specialty title recognised by the European Board of Medical Genetics (EBMG).
His scientific and research interests focus on molecular diagnostics which is the subject of his doctoral thesis and has been retrained in numerous domestic and abroad laboratories in implementing methods for the diagnosis of genetic diseases.
He has participated in several national and international conferences related to genetics as a guest speaker as well as with written and oral presentations, and has been a member of relevant committees.
His scientific work has been published in numerous articles of internationally recognized scientific journals.
In April 2006 has been the founder and chairman of the board of the company Eurogenetica S.A. and director of molecular genetics laboratories, cytogenetic and biochemical genetics of the same company, until December 2014.
From December 2012 until December 2014 was vice president of the board and chief executive of the scientific services company NEOLAB S.A.
Today he is the director of laboratories in Thessaloniki and legal representative of the genetic center “ATG – Access To Genome“.

Marianna Papadopoulou, BSc

Speaker

Biologist, Clinical Embryologist ESHRE Certified

Marianna Papadopoulou is a clinical biologist. She graduated in 2012 from the Department of Biology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. In 2011, she started her internship at Embryolab.
In 2012, she conducted her research project on male infertility at the Institute of Reproductive Sciences of the University of Oxford in Great Britain.
Upon completing her studies she became a member of the Embryolab laboratory team, where she was trained in all up-to-date laboratory techniques of IVF and cryopreservation.
Marianna attends scientific conferences and is briefed on all the latest developments in assisted reproduction. She actively participates and supports all the actions and conferences organized by the Embryolab Academy.
Since 2016 she has been certified by ESHRE as a Clinical Embryologist.

Mary Karagianni, BSc, MSc

Speaker

Biologist, Clinical Embryologist

Mary Karagianni graduated from the Department of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed her Master degree in ‘Reproductive-Regenerative Medicine’ in the Department of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
Her theses in each degree are related with a) DNA fragmentation of human spermatozoa and b) in vitro maturation of oocytes (IVM) and vitrification of oocytes.
She has been working in medically assisted reproduction Clinics since 2010 in Thessaloniki and Athens and was Lab director of the embryology and andrology laboratory for 6 years. In 2017 she became a member of the Embryolab team.
She is a member of the Pan-Hellenic Association of Clinical Embryologists (PEKE) as well as European Society of Human for Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) from 2013.

Chara Oraiopoulou, BSc, MRes

Speaker

Biologist, Clinical Embryologist ESHRE Certified.

Chara Oraiopoulou is a clinical embryologist with long experience in the field of assisted reproduction. She is specialized in the kinetic analysis of embryonic development using a time-lapse system and in preparing embryos for PGT.
Chara graduated in 2006 from the Department of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed her postgraduate studies in “Reproductive Biology” at the Medical College of the University of Glasgow, Great Britain.
Between 2009 and 2010, she worked at a company specializing in the isolation and cryopreservation of human stem cells in Thessaloniki.
Since 2010, she has been a member of the laboratory team of clinical embryologists at Embryolab. In 2013 she obtained certification as a clinical embryologist from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).
She is a member of the Pan-Hellenic Association of Clinical Embryologists (PEKE) as well as the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).

Chara participates actively as a trainer in all of Embryolab Academy’s activities.

Glykeria Samolada, BSc, MSc

Co-Founder

Biologist, ErGenetic counselor, Molecular Cytogenetics

Glykeria Samolada is a Biologist specialized in molecular cytogenetics, genetic counselling with experience in the field of assisted reproduction and low fertility.

Glykeria’s scientific interests focus mainly on male infertility, special chromosomal rearrangements which may affect fertility as well as counselling on preimplantation genetic diagnosis and prenatal checks. Also, the management of genetic examinations and information concerning hereditary abnormalities and diseases and counselling of similar cases and families represents an important area of activity.

She is a member of EBMG (European Board of Medical Genetics/EuroGenetic Counsellor).

She is Head of the Cytogenetic Laboratory at Embryolab and is an accredited Genetic Counselor.

Glykeria is married with 2 children. Her interests include genetics, poetry and philosophy. She enjoys travelling and nature. She is always on the move, being a creative and enquiring person; this is the reason why she passionately seeks out answers to fundamental questions of human existence, using with precision the tools and potential of the science of genetics. She supports the science that supports people!

Martha Moysidou, BSc, MSc

Speaker

Biologist, Senior Clinical Embryologist ESHRE Certified, Deputy Laboratory Manager

Martha Moysidou is a biologist - clinical embryologist with both clinical and research experience. Her clinical work counts up to 15,000 cycles so far.
Martha has completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Essex, Colchester, UK in 1998. She completed her master’s degree in Human reproductive Biology at Imperial College, London, UK and graduated with Distinction in 1999.
She has received her basic embryology training at the Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK until the summer of 2002. During that time she was also actively involved in the chromosomal screening of pre-implantation embryos for patients undergoing PGD/PGT-A using the FISH method.
In 2002 Martha returned to Greece and has worked as a clinical embryologist in both Athens and Thessaloniki expanded her knowledge and expertise on the field of assisted reproduction. Her main field of interest has been the clinical application of PGD/PGT-A and severe male infertility (TESE, FNA and OAT).
In 2008 she became a member of the Embryolab team and in 2015 she has become the Deputy Laboratory manager. During that time she haw also actively participated in the Embryolab Academy workshops (both in the organizing committee and as an instructor) and in numerous publications and oral presentations.
Martha is an active member of ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) since 2002, PEKE (Pan-Hellenic Association of Clinical Embryologists) since 2005 and ACE (Association of Clinical Embryologists, UK) since 2018.

Nicholas Christoforidis, MD, MSc, FRCOG

Co-Founder and Board Member of Embryolab Academy

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Embryolab's Clinical and Scientific Director.

Dr Nicholas Christoforidis is a Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist with a sub-specialization in Reproductive Medicine and Assisted Reproductive Techniques.

He graduated the School of Medicine of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Greece in 1995 and trained thereafter in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the United Kingdom from 1995 until 2003. In 2001 he was appointed as a Fellow in the Imperial College, London, in the IVF Unit of Hammersmith Hospital, where he trained extensively in the investigation and management of infertility and assisted reproduction techniques.

He is the Clinical and Scientific Director of Embryolab Fertility Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece, since 2004 with a considerable and long experience in all aspects of investigation and treatment of fertility disorders, focusing on evidence-based practices and highlighting critical aspects of risk management. He is co-founder of the Embryolab Academy, a nonprofit organization, which aims to guide Fertility specialists and IVF units to grow in a systematic, effective and safe way, through continuous training and sharing of sound practices.

He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK, and a member of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Alexia Chatziparasidou, MSc, PMI-RMP

Co-Founder and Director of Embryolab Academy

Consultant Clinical Embryologist, Co-Founder of Embryolab Fertility Clinic.

Mrs. Alexia Chatziparasidou is a Consultant Clinical Embryologist with an experience of more than 45.000 cycles in assisted reproduction (ART). Her scientific interests focus mainly on the application of modern oocyte and embryo freezing methods and treating male sub-fertility and azoospermia. Since 2007 she has developed a special interest in efficient Total Quality Management (TQM) and Risk Management (RM) in ART units in the context of process optimization and standardization and the implementation of risk mitigation strategies.

In 2004, Mrs Chatziparasidou co-founded Embryolab, a well-known and modern state of the art fertility clinic, located in Thessaloniki Greece.

In 2007 she was awarded with her Master degree (MSc) on Clinical Embryology (Leeds University) and in 2008 she was certified by ESHRE as senior Clinical Embryologist.

In 2013 she co-founded Embryolab Academy and co-organized a series of international workshops on TQM and RM for ART units, cryopreservation and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGT).

In 2020 she was certified with the PMI Risk Management Professional diploma.

Alexia Chatziparasidou travels the world as invited speaker in conferences and hands on workshops, is actively involved in research projects and training for all the modern ART lab techniques and is the author of a number of scientific articles, posters and chapters.

Her latest project is her thesis under the title: “The genetic basis of Azoospermia- The mystery that needs to be unraveled” in collaboration with the University of Thessaly. The aim of this project is to shed light in the genetic basis of azoospermia and set the basis for the development of personalized therapeutic options for men suffering from azoospermia.

Alexia Chatziparasidou enjoys to spend time with family and friends. She regards herself as very fortunate for being able to live her passion for science and be a part of all the latest scientific developments in the field of assisted reproduction but above all she feels extremely blessed for being able to serve and support men and women in their most wonderful journey. The journey to parenthood!

Workshop Total Quality and Risk Management in your IVF laboratories

From theory to practice: 2nd edition.

March 18-19, 2016

Leuven, Belgium

Course Objectives

Target Audience

Workshop Directors

Alexia Chatziparasidou

Martine Nijs

Nikos Christoforidis

Your Prominent Speakers

Alexia Chatziparasidou

Nikos Christoforidis Nikos Christoforidis

Edith Coonen

Emilie Jenssen

Nicolás Garrido Puchalt

Marjan Happel

Katleen Hostens

Martine Nijs

Jane Saxton

Ingrid Segers

Marieke Schoonenberg

Kelly Tilleman

Katherine Whalley

Workshop Program – Theoretical Sessions

18 & 19 March 2016

Certificate of attendance

Accreditation

Workshop Venue

Park Inn by Radisson Leuven

‘Brains-on’ session with Mini posters

Workshop language

Time zone

Dress Code

Visas

Letter of Invitation

About Leuven

Travel to Leuven

By Plane

By train

By car

Liability

Registration and Fees

Accompanying person

Cancellation fees

Accommodation

Workshop Secretariat

Leuven information

SO MUCH IN ONE CITY

Sponsors

Michalis Kyriakidis MD, M.Sc.

Polyzos

F. Malamas

Marina Dimitraki M.D., MSc., M.H.A., PhD, EFOG-EBCOG

Sotirios Saravelos

Prof Benedictus (Dick) Schoot MD, phD

Prof Panagiotis Drakopoulos, MD, pHD

Inmaculda Moreno, pHD

Alexis Adler, USA

MARÍA JOSÉ DE LOS SANTOS, PhD

Education and Training:

Roberta Maggiulli, PhD, MSc

Alessandra Alteri, PhD, MSc

Keshav Malhotra, MBBS MCE

Dean Morbeck, PhD, HCLD (ABB)

Kelly Tilleman, PHD, MSc

Miki Belenky MSc

Matthew Feldman MSc, MA

Aimilia Vorniotaki, BSC,

Eleni Taki, BSC, M.Res.

Hatzianastasiou Athina, BSC

Mehmet Engin Enginsu, MD, PhD

Aikaterini Moutou, BSc, PHD

Astrid Stecher, MSC, ESHRE certified Clinical Embryologist

Alpesh Doshi, BSc (Hons), MSc, DipRCPath, UK

Bryan Woodward, FRCPath, PhD

Achilleas Papatheodorou, PhD., M.Med.Sc.

Stella Sgoura, BSc

Ioannis Papoulidis, BSc, MSc, ErCLG

Marianna Papadopoulou, BSc

Workshop
Total Quality and Risk Management in your IVF laboratories