Overview

Cohort: 8
PhD Start Date: October 2024

I am a registered Clinical Embryologist, interested in how the in-vitro culture environment may affect the health and pregnancy potential of the human embryo.

I graduated in 2014 with a BSc in Medical Sciences, and in 2015 with an MSc in Clinical Embryology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, both from the University of Leeds. I then moved to Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge to embark on the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP), receiving my HCPC registration in 2019.

Post-clinical training, I moved to a Clinical Embryologist position at the Hewitt Fertility Centre, Knutsford, and sought research collaboration with The University of Manchester. This allowed me to undertake an NIHR Pre-Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship (PCAF) in 2022 across both institutions. I was awarded the 4Ward North PhD Fellowship in 2024, working with the University of Manchester, Newcastle University and Hull York Medical School.

PhD title

How does the duration of in-vitro culture affect the health and pregnancy potential of the human embryo?

Summary of the project

The clinical pregnancy rate of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) remains relatively low. Accepted ART clinical practice assumes that embryos reach the blastocyst stage on day 5, and that this is the optimal day in which to transfer into the patient. In reality, there is wide variance in blastocyst development rate, with some evidence suggesting that those developing faster (by day 4) may have an improved chance of success. However, embryos are not routinely monitored on day 4 and there is no consensus on whether these fast embryos should be transferred into the patient or left for an additional 24 hours. This is a significant decision because mounting evidence suggests that prolonged culture may affect the health of the pregnancy.

I seek to address this knowledge gap by (1) Comparing pregnancy and neonatal outcomes after transfer of a day 4, 5, 6 or 7 blastocyst (2) Analysing the culture media, and thus embryo metabolism, after a day 4, day 5 or day 6 blastocyst has been removed from culture in the clinical IVF laboratory (3) Investigating the intricate impact of the in-vitro culture period length (4-7 days), using metabolic and scRNA-seq analysis of a novel stem cell based embryo model (SCBEM).

The results of my project have the potential to improve ART pregnancy success and increase the safety profile of IVF treatment.

Supervisors and key collaborators

• Prof Daniel Brison, The University of Manchester (Lead Supervisor)
• Dr Peter Ruane, The University of Manchester (Supervisor)
• Prof Judith Rankin, Newcastle University (Supervisor)
• Prof Roger Sturmey, Hull York Medical School (Supervisor)

Specialty interests and techniques

• IVF pregnancy outcome analysis (HFEA Data)
• In-vitro culture conditions within human IVF
• Embryo metabolic analysis
• Stem cell based embryo models (SCBEM).
• Single Cell RNA Sequencing (scRNA-seq)

Career aspirations

My long-term goal is to establish myself as an internationally-leading researcher and eventually Consultant Embryologist and Professor of Clinical Embryology. I am passionate about a career which combines my clinical role with academic research.

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