Brazil
Dr. Roberto de Azevedo Antunes, MD, MSc, PhD
Dr. Roberto Antunes is a gynecologist and reproductive medicine specialist based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He holds a PhD in Endocrinology and a Master's in Endocrine Physiology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), where he also coordinates the Gynecology and Obstetrics Residency Program and leads the Endocrine Gynecology and Infertility Unit at the Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital.
He is board-certified in Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gynecological Endoscopy, and Human Reproduction, with over 80 scientific publications.
Dr. Antunes serves on the boards of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Association of Rio de Janeiro (SGORJ), the Brazilian Society of Assisted Reproduction (SBRA), and the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS). He is also a director of FERTIPRAXIS – Center for Human Reproduction.
Spain
Professional Profile
Dr. Fábio Cruz is a gynecologist at IVIRMA Valencia and serves as professor for master's degree and post-graduate courses at the University of Valencia. With extensive expertise in reproductive medicine and gynecological endoscopy, Dr. Cruz combines clinical excellence with academic distinction in the field of reproductive endocrinology.
Academic Background
Dr. Cruz earned his medical degree from the prestigious Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) in Brazil. His exceptional performance during his residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Perinatology Institute of Bahia led to his election as Chief Resident, reflecting his leadership capabilities and clinical acumen.
His pursuit of specialized knowledge led him to complete a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship at the University of São Paulo (USP), where he cultivated his expertise in fertility medicine. During this period, he also served as Associate Professor at his alma mater, The Federal University of Bahia.
Upon relocating to Spain, Dr. Cruz further enhanced his specialization through a comprehensive Reproductive Medicine fellowship at the Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (IVI) in Valencia. He subsequently obtained a Master's degree in Human Reproduction and completed an additional Master's in Gynecological Endoscopic Surgery, both from the University of Valencia.
Dr. Cruz is currently pursuing his Doctoral degree at the University of Valencia, focusing on ovarian stimulation.
Professional Achievements
As a testament to his contributions to reproductive medicine, Dr. Cruz has served as a board member of the investigation committee at IVI. His leadership qualities and educational commitment are further evidenced by his appointment as coordinator of medical training at IVIRMA Global Education.
For the past decade, Dr. Cruz has been deeply involved in medical training and education. His expertise is widely recognized, leading to frequent invitations as a speaker at both national and international conferences and symposia, where he shares his insights on reproductive medicine and advanced fertility treatments.
Spain
Juan García Velasco, M.D., Ph.D. is a renowned specialist in reproductive medicine, serving as Chief Scientific Officer of IVIRMA Global and Director of IVI Madrid. He is also a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Rey Juan Carlos University, where he leads the Master's Programme in Human Reproduction.
He earned his medical degree from Complutense University, completed his Ob/Gyn training at La Paz Hospital, and obtained his Ph.D. from Autonoma University. He further specialized in reproductive endocrinology during a fellowship at Yale University.
Dr. García Velasco has published over 280 scientific articles and received multiple awards from leading organizations such as ESHRE, ASRM, and the Spanish Fertility Society. His research focuses on IVF, endometrial receptivity, and ovarian aging, making him a key figure in advancing fertility science.
USA
Dr. Norbert Gleicher founded the Center for Human Reproduction (CHR) in New York, NY in 1981. He has been the Chief Scientist and Medical Director of the CHR since 1999 and is President of the not-for-profit Foundation for Reproductive Medicine. He also holds an appointment as a Guest Investigator at Rockefeller University and Professor (Adj.) at Medical University Vienna. Dr. Gleicher has published over 500 peer-reviewed scientific papers, hundreds of abstracts and book chapters in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, relating to medical complications in pregnancy and to the immune system in reproduction. He served as founding Editor-in-Chief for the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology (AJRI), and for 30 years as the founding editor of the Journal of In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer, in 1992 renamed the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics (JARG), which is now an official organ of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Germany
Georg Griesinger was born in 1974 in Salzburg, Austria. After graduation from the Academic Gymnasium in Salzburg, study of human medicine at the Medical University in Vienna 1992 -1998. PhD medicine in 1998 (Title: Regulation of gene expression of alpha chorion gonadotropin during in vitro differentiation of human trophoblasts).
Since 1992 continuous scientific and clinical activity in the department reproductive medicine in Austria, then England and Germany. Scholarship of the Federal Ministry for Science and Research (Vienna) for foreign-language foreign countries 2001. Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Genetics (Preimplantation Genetics and Fetal Medicine) 2002 at University College London.
Since 2002 at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, campus Luebeck, active. Specialist exam gynecology and obstetrics 1/2007 (Medical Association SH). Focus gynaecological endocrinology and reproductive medicine 5/2009 (Medical Association SH). Habilitation in November 2007 at the University of Luebeck. Since July 2010 Professor (W2) for gynaecological endocrinology and reproductive medicine at the University of Luebeck.
Member of Editorial of journals Reproductive Biomedicine Online and regular reviewer for academic journals such as Lancet, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Members of the European Society for Reproductive Medicine (ESHRE).
Israel
Tsafrir Kolatt is a co-founder and the CEO of Fertigo Medical, a company devoted to increase the success rate in In-vitro Fertilization procedures via virtual biopsies.
Prior to that Kolatt has led a few medical device and bio-medical companies, private and public, where he developed and brought to market new, successful devices for both therapy and diagnosis.
Dr. Kolatt got his Ph.D. in theoretical astrophysics from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and was a researcher at Harvard University and UCSC. Kolatt published a few books, dozens of scientific papers, issued patents and many popular articles. He won numerous scholarships and prizes for research, innovative product development, poetry and playwriting. He also serves as the chairperson of IYAR – the Israeli Institute for Advanced Research and a member of the general council of the Open University, Israel.
Hong Kong
Prof. Milton Ka Hong Leong was brought up in Hong Kong, finished his basic school years, and then went to attend McGill University in Montreal Canada. He did Honours Biochemistry as an undergraduate, and then Medical School. Further postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology followed, and he obtained his specialists degree in 1974. He then went to London on a McLaughlin Fellowship granted by the Canadian Royal College where he studied under Professors Richard Beard and Stuart Campbell. Returning to Montreal, he joined the McGill University Department as academic staff, and was active in teaching and also headed the High Risk Obstetric Unit.
In 1979 Prof. Leong returned to Hong Kong and engaged in private practice. Seeing a need at that time, he started to concentrate in the study and treatment of Infertility. He set up the IVF Centre at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, a private hospital, in joint venture form, and with his partner Dr Clement Leung, they built it up to be one of the most successful IVF clinics in Asia and the world. He "made" and delivered the first IVF baby in Hong Kong in 1985,and in the last 20 years had researched, published, and taught the art and science of infertility and the assisted reproductive techniques.
Prof. Leong is a member of the various reproductive medicine societies, and various international committees. He lecture widely, and still plays an active academic role, and remains to be an Adjunct Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in McGill University. His current interest is how to provide the optimal treatment for infertile patients using a patient orientated, more holistic approach.
Mexico
Gerardo Mendizabal is a force in computational science as applied to reproductive technology and brings unique AI abilities to Conceivable's innovation initiatives and the production of our automated IVF lab AURA. After earning his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Houston, Gerardo joined the University of Guadalajara faculty where he established and directed the Computational Perception Lab and was instrumental in developing the City Science Lab in collaboration with MIT.
Prior to Conceivable, Gerardo led technology development at the fertility AI pioneer IVF2.0 where he translated that technology into industry leading algorithms for sperm selection and embryo ranking. Following Conceivable Life Sciences' strategic acquisition of key IVF2.0 technologies, he transitioned to his current leadership role at Conceivable where he now oversees a team of nearly 50 engineers, scientists, and mechatronics experts. Gerardo is named in more than 10 patents with numerous additional applications in progress.
Gerardo's multidisciplinary background spans scientific research, computer vision, artificial intelligence, machine learning, genetic algorithms, and numerical optimization—skills he leverages to transform complex fertility challenges into technological solutions. His work continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in reproductive technology through computational approaches.
Australia
Ben (Willem) Mol is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Monash University. He concentrates on the organisation of multi-centric evaluative research in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Fertility. His research focuses mainly upon everyday practices. Born and trained in the Netherlands, Ben was instrumental in setting up a nationwide research consortium in women's health that produced many landmark studies.
Ben came to Australia in 2014 and works as Professor Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Monash University since 2018. Ben is holding continuous NHMRC funding since 2014, including a prestigious investigator grant. He continues to develop extensive relations with Asian universities whilst continuing to collaborate within European networks. Ben has mentored >110 PhD students and has published >1500 papers, many in high impact journals. A publication in Nature acknowledged Ben as one of the most prolific medical scientists. His professional adage is 'A day without randomisation is a day without progress.
Greece
Mr. Costas Panayotidis was born in the United Kingdom in 1973. He studied Medicine at the Louis Pasteur University in Strasbourg, France, graduating in 1997. After completing his General Practice qualification in 2000, he conducted clinical research in infertility and intrauterine insemination, earning an MD in Reproductive Science with the distinction Très Honorable.
In 2001, he returned to the United Kingdom, where he completed full specialty training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, receiving his Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in 2008. He went on to complete two postgraduate degrees: an MSc in Advanced Gynecological Endoscopy at the University of Surrey in 2011, and an MSc in Advanced Gynecological Ultrasound at Cardiff University in 2017, graduating with distinction.
Mr. Panayotidis has worked as a Consultant in Reproductive Medicine and Minimally Invasive Gynecology in NHS hospitals and private fertility clinics across the UK. Since 2021, he has been based in Athens, Greece, where he runs a private practice focusing on infertility, gynecological ultrasound, and hysteroscopy.
His MSc dissertation on ultrasound practice contributed to the foundation of the 2019 ESHRE international guidelines for the use of ultrasound in assisted reproduction (ART). He was a member of the expert working group that drafted these guidelines and continues to serve as a member of ESHRE's SWAT (Special Interest Group on Standards and Quality in ART).
Mr. Panayotidis is internationally recognized for his work in developing ultrasound protocols for optimal embryo transfer techniques. He is a frequent invited speaker at international congresses and educational events. In October 2023, he presented at the IVF worldwide on-line congress on optimizing ultrasound imaging and oocyte retrieval. In 2024, he was a speaker and trainer at the ESHRE Educational Campus in Kraków, where he lectured on Embryo Transfer: Setting the Ultrasound Standards. He has also been invited as a faculty member for the upcoming ESHRE Campus on "Top Quality Ultrasound in ART" to be held in Sofia, May 2026, further confirming his continued role in training and international collaboration.
He has authored multiple scientific articles and contributed chapters to academic books on reproductive medicine, ultrasound, and minimally invasive surgery, and remains dedicated to advancing evidence-based, patient-centred fertility care.
Spain
Training
Graduate in Medicine from the Complutense University of Madrid (1993). PhD in Medicine and Surgery, Department of Molecular Biology, from the Completense University of Madrid (1998). University Specialist in Assisted Reproduction (2003).
Care activity
Specialist physician in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Fundación Jiménez Díaz in Madrid (2004).
Teaching activity
Clinical Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the Autonomous University of Madrid (2002-2003). Honorary Professor of Maternal Nursing at the Fundación Jiménez Díaz (2001-2005).
Awards and merits
Numerary member of the SEF (Spanish Fertility Society).
Research and scientific activity
Numerous presentations at seminars. Several courses and publications.
Israel
Professor Shoham was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel. He received his M.D. degree from the Hadassah Medical Center in 1981. Later completing, his residency at Kaplan Hospital in Rehovot, and his fellowship in infertility and in vitro fertilization at Tel – Hashomer Hospital and MIDDLESEX Hospital in London, UK. Since 1988 he has specialized in a wide range of treatments including:
Fertility treatments, in vitro fertilization, oocyte retrieval preservation and freezing, donor eggs and sperm, care for women during pregnancy and follow-up and treatment of postmenopausal women.
In 1991 Prof. Shoham received an award from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology for the best scientific research that year in Europe for his work on stimulating sperm production by adding GH to treatment with gonadotropins in patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
Professor Shoham has published over 140 papers in the field of Reproductive Medicine, and his publications had won international awards. In addition, he has contributed chapters to numerous books. He is the editor/ author of the textbook, Female Infertility Therapy: Current Practice (1999), and one of the four editors of the textbook, Assisted Reproductive Techniques, which is at its sixth edition.
Professor Shoham is the co-founder of IVF-Worldwide the most comprehensive website on in-vitro fertilization. Professor Shoham has been organizing internationals medical conferences for the past 18 years and is a lecturer in many conferences in the field.
Belgium
Emeritus Prof Johan Smitz MD PhD is based at the Free University Brussels (VUB), Belgium. He graduated as M.D. in 1980 and obtained his specialty in Clinical Pathology/Biochemistry/ Radio-Isotopes in 1986. He sub-specialised in Reproductive Medicine and got his PhD in 1993. In 1986 he has been director of the Endocrine Laboratory of the University Hospital. He became Professor of Endocrine Physiology and Reproductive Medicine in 1997 at VUB. He founded the Follicle Biology (FOBI) Research Laboratory in 1997 and was a member of the Steering Committee of the Centre for Reproductive Medicine at UZ-Brussel. His main activities are directed towards the implementation of innovative techniques related to oocyte and follicle biology from the research laboratory into the clinical activities in ART clinics.
Prof Smitz co-founded Fertiga NV and Lavima Fertility Inc, two biotech start-up companies from VUB, in which he functions as the Scientific Director.
Poland
Piotr Wygocki – Polish researcher, innovator, founder and CTO at MIM Fertility, the Polish best-in-class deeptech company specialising in AI solutions for IVF industry. A graduate of the University of Warsaw, a PhD in computer science with a double master's degree in computer science and mathematics. Assistant Professor at the University of Warsaw.
In 2022, MIM Fertility was awarded with CeBioForum Award 2022, Innovator Award by SoDA 2022, Rookie of the Year 2022 by My Company Poland, the Eagle of Innovation 2022 by Rzeczpospolita, and has been invited to InCredibles Acceleration Program. In 2023, it received the Fertility Care Awards and Deloitte Fast 50.
Israel
Prof. Yaron is a graduate of the Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine. He trained in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Tel Aviv Medical Center and was certified in 1995. He did a clinical fellowship in Reproductive Genetics at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and received certification from the American Board of Medical Genetics in 1998. He is also board certified in Clinical Genetics by the Israeli Board.
For over 25 years he has served as the Director of the Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis Unit at the Tel Aviv Medical Center. Prof. Yaron is a Full Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine.
He is the former Chairman of the Israeli Society of Medical Genetics. He is the Founder and Chairman of Controversies in Genetics (COGEN) World Congress. He is a past board member of the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD) and is currently an Editorial Board member of Prenatal Diagnosis.
In his current position he now heads the Bioinformatics Team at the Genome Center at the Tel Aviv Medical Center, focusing on the use of Exome and Genome Sequencing in prenatal diagnosis with particular interest in fetal brain anomalies. Prof Dr Yaron has authored more than 200 publications in peer-reviewed Journals and dozens of chapters in textbooks.
