Joseph G. Schenker (IL)

President of International Academy of Human Reproduction. Professor
of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Hebrew University
of Jerusalem.
Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Emeritus), Hadassah-University Hospital, Jerusalem. His research has involved experimental and clinical studies in the endocrinology of human reproduction, development of methods for contraception, and development of technologies in practice of assisted reproduction. He is interested in the ethical aspects of reproduction and gynecological and obstetric practice, and has chaired the Ethical Committee of IFFS and the FIGO Committee for the Study
of Ethical Aspects on Human Reproduction He has produced publications in medical journals and several books in the field of obstetrics & gynecology and reproduction.

Liselotte Mettler (DE)

Professor Dr. Med. Liselotte Mettler was born in Vienna, Austria. From 1959-1981 she did her medical studies, doctorate, medical specialist training in Obstetrics – Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, habilitation, and professorship in Tübingen,Germany, Vienna, Austria and Kiel,Germany
Her main fields of activity are Reproductive Medicine, Gynaecological Endoscopy, Endometriosis and Gynaecological Endocrinology. Prof. Mettler is actively participating in many societies and organizations.
She has written over 700 publications, 20 books and 4 textbooks. The last one of 2012 with the Kiel School of Gynecological Endoscopy entitled practical manual of laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery. She has 3 sons. She is General Secretary of the International Academy of Human Reproduction (IAHR)

Andrea R. Genazzani (IT)

Full Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and nominated Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Cagliari.
From 1° November 1982 he was nominated Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Modena and since 1994 up to 2012 he become Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Pisa.
In 1994 he was awarded with the Honoris Causa Laurea by the University of Wroclaw in Polonia, in 2005 he was awarded with the Honoris Causa Laurea by the University “Ovidius” of Costanta in Romania, in 2007 he was awarded with the Honoris Causa Laurea by the University of Bucharest in Romania and in 2009 he was awarded with the Honoris Causa Laurea by the University of Athens in Greece. In 2011 he was entitled Professor Emeritus of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russian Federation.

John J. Sciarra (US)

John J. Sciarra, MD, PhD is Professor and Chair Emeritus of the Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Medical School.
In Relation to international activities, Dr. Sciarra served as the president of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and is editor emeritus of the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. At the world health organization (WHO), he served as Chair of the scientific and ethical review committee of the special
program for research, education and research training in human reproduction. Dr. Sciarra is the founding Editor of the Global Library of Women’s Medicine (GLOWM) and is currently the Editor Emeritus. GLOWM provides open-access educational information for physicians in over 170 countries and contains no advertising.

Martin Birkhäuser (CH)

Martin H. Birkhaeuser gained his MD
in 1969 from the Univ. of Basel (Switzerland), and specialized first in endocrinology (Univ. of Geneva), then in Gynaecol. Endocrinol. & Reprod. Medicine (ass. prof., Univ. of Basel).
In 1993, he became professor and Head of the div. of Gynaecol. Endocrinol. & Reprod. Medicine at the Univ. of Berne. His special interests concern menopause (bone/lipid metabolism, quality of life, impact of HRT) and of the PCO-Syndrome. He retired on December 31th, 2008.
Martin H. Birkhaeuser is an Honorary Founding President of the Europ. Menopause & Andropause Society and has been a member of the Executive Committee of the IMS (Treasurer 2005-2008).

Pedro N. Barri (ES)

He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Barcelona in 1971. He had his trainning in Obstetrics and Gynecology was in Barcelona and in France and England. He received his doctorate in 1993 writing the thesis “Respuesta Anómala a la Estimulación de la Maduración Folicular en Fecundación In Vitro” with qualification Cum Laude. In December, 2003 he is nominated A Corresponding Academician of the Reial Acadèmia of Medicine of Catalonia. He has published 102 articles and he has presented 283 lectures and 172 scientific conferences and has participated as guest professor in many national and international congresses.
At present, he is the Director of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction of the Institut Universitari Dexeus. From January, 2011 he is The Director of the Chair of Investigation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Institut Universitari Dexeus of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

Henning M. Beier (DE)

Professor and Chairman, Institute of Anatomy and Reproductive Biology, RWTH University of Aachen, Germany (1974-2007).
Visiting Scientist, NIH (USA), NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, NC (1975-1976).
Research Consultant, Special Programme on Human Reproduction, WHO, Geneva (1972-2000).
Honorary Member of German Society of Reproductive Medicine (2007).
Professor Emeritus, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, University Hospital Aachen (since 2008). German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (ML), current responsibilities for task forces on Stem Cell Research, Legislation of Reproductive Medicine in Germany, Legislation of PGD in Germany, Collaboration of Leopoldina and Korean Academy of Sciences and Technology.

Giuseppe Benagiano (IT)

Professor Emeritus, University “la Sapienza”, Rome and Senior Consultant to the President, University Campus Biomedico, Rome.
Formerly: Director, UNFPA, UNDP, WHO, World Bank Special Programme of Research in Human Reproduction. Professor, Director of the First Institute of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Dean the 1st Post-graduate School in Gynaecology & Obstetrics, University “la Sapienza” in Rome. Director General, the Italian National Institute of Health. Secretary general, FIGO. Visiting Professor, Ohio State University and Peking Union Medical College University, Guest Professor, Health Science Centre of Peking University. Honorary Fellow the American, Indian and Royal (British) Colleges of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Honorary Senator, Szeged University, Hungary. Past-President, International Society for the Advancement of Contraception.

Zion Ben-Rafael (IL)

Prof. Zion Ben-Rafael, Board certified in ObGyn Israel (1983) and USA (1992).
Previously: Professor- “Tarnesby Chair of Fertility regulation” Tel Aviv University and Chairmen, Dept of OBGYN and IVF, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson and Hasharon Campuses. Currently: IVF unit Laniado Hospital.
Publications: over 400 Scientific Publications, 340 original articles, 2 books written, 13 Books edited. Founder and Chairman: COGI- World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility; Founder-Mediterranean Club Congress, that predecessor of COGI.
Editorial Board Fertility Sterility 1993-1994; Founder and editor of a Series of debates entitled “Controversy” in the “J of IVF and Genetics” 1989

Tina Buchholz (DE)

Doctor Tina Buchholz is a clinical specialist in Reproductive Genetics. During her training, Tina specialized in Human Genetics and in Gynecology and Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine. She is head of a private Centre for Reproductive Genetics in Munich, Germany as well as head of the Cytogenetics Unit of the Institute of Human Genetics at the Technical University in Munich. Her major interest is identifying the genetic background, interactions and alterations in human reproduction as well as facilitating solution for genetic issues in reproduction worldwide.
Currently she is the President of the German Society of Reproductive Medicine. Recently Tina has been appointed as Scientific Director for IFFS. With regard to her interdisciplinary expertise, she is the editor for Genetics for the Journal of Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology.

Christos Coutifaris (US)

Christos Coutifaris, M.D., Ph.D. is the Nancy and Richard Wolfson Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Epigenetics in Reproduction at the University of Pennsylvania. He has directed research programs in reproduction under continuous NIH grant support for more than 20 years. He has served on the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was President of the Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and was on the Executive Board of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is currently on the Board of Directors of ASRM.

George K. Creatsas (GR)

George K. Creatsas is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Chairman of the 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Athens, Greece. He served as a Dean of the University of Athens Medical School for the years 2003-2007 and as a Vice Rector of the University of Athens Greece (2006 – 2010). Professor Creatsas has published more than 376 papers with more than 3234 citations ( h index 33) in international peer review Journals in the fields of corrective gynecologic surgery, menopause, pediatric and adolescent gynecology and family planning. He is the Editor of 15 proceedings and 5 books in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is Honorary Chief Editor of the European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, Chief Editor of the Journal of Adolescent Gynecology – Reproduction and Menopause (Greece) as well as member of the Editorial Board of the Journals: Acta Obstetrica Gynecologica Scandinavica, Gynecological Endocrinology.

Alan De Cherney (US)

Alan Hersh DeCherney, M.D., received his Medical Degree from Temple University School of Medicine, where he was AOA and awarded the Henry Laughlin Alumnus of the Year Award in 2005. Dr. DeCherney also holds honorary degrees from, Aristotle University, Greece, University of Bucharest, Romania, and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. DeCherney completed a research fellowship in Immunology at the Lister Institute in London, England, followed by an internship in Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, Dr. DeCherney is serving as Director of the Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology and Chief, Reproductive Biology and Medicine Branch of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) of the National Institutes of Health. A position he has held since 2006. A pioneer when IVF was first performed successfully in the U.S, he was among a handful of physicians who treated some of the earliest patients. Dr. DeCherney has mentored more than 100 Reproductive Endocrinologists over the years. Previously, Dr. DeCherney was the John Slate Ely Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine and the Division Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Women’s Health Services; Dr. DeCherney was the Phaneuf Professor and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tufts University School of Medicine where he received the Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award. He was the Director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) from 1996 to 2006 and was Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1996 to 2002. He is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Past President of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine; a Past President of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, the Society of Reproductive Surgeons, and the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology. He is a Member of the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society and a Past President of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation. He is the recipient of the President’s Achievement Award from the Society of Gynecologic Investigation, now the Society of Reproduction Investigation. He was the Editor–in-Chief of the journal, Fertility and Sterility, from 1996 to 2011. He was an Associate Editor and Editorial Board Member of the New England Journal of Medicine and a Member of the Editorial Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. DeCherney served as a Member of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and is a Fellow Ad Eundem of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, London. Dr. DeCherney has been a Member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM) since 2004 and was Chairperson of the IOM Interest Group on Maternal & Child & Human Development 2008 to 2010.

Luigi C. Devoto(CL)

Dr Devoto was one of the founding director of Institute for Maternal and Child Research at the Faculty of Medicine University of Chile. Devoto has been national and internationally recognized for his research and post graduate research training programs in human reproduction which have been sponsored continuously by the Chilean Research Council, WHO, Rockefeller Foundation and Pharmaceutical companies. He has served as elected member of many national and international medical science organization.
Dr Devoto´s research interest:
Molecular regulation of steroid biosynthesis by the human corpus luteum, Molecular mechanisms involved in human ovulation, Assisted Reproduction technology, Gynecological endoscopy.
He has published over 103 original publication in international peer review journals.

Prof Klaus Hermann Rolf Diedrich received his Ph. D. in obstetrics and gynaecology in 1981. Since then he has been, first consultant at the department of OB/GYN of the university clinic of Bonn, founding member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and held the offices of secretary, chairman-elect and president of (ESHRE). Prof Diedrich is a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and vice-president of the Foundation of the German-Greek Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Prof Diedrich is currently medical director of the University Hospital of Lübeck. Prof Diedrich is a member of 18 national and international editorial boards and has published over the years 480 papers in national and international journals.

Gian Carlo Di Renzo (IT)

Prof Gian Carlo Di Renzo is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Perugia, and Director of the Reproductive and Perinatal Medicine Center, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital in Perugia, in addition to being the Director of the Permanent International and European School of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine in Florence, Italy. He has been principal investigator of numerous research projects for the National Research Council and for the Ministries of University and Health of Italy and of the European Union Research Projects. He has served as General Secretary of the Italian Society of Perinatal Medicine and President of the Italian Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Prof Di Renzo has co-authored over 1100 papers and 70 books and has been invited as speaker/chairman to more than 1200 international and national congresses, meetings and courses in 90 different countries. He is a member of the Editorial Board of several international journals

Linda C. Giudice (US)

Linda C. Giudice, MD, PhD is Distinguished Professor and Chair of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. She is a biochemist and reproductive endocrinologist specializing in endometriosis and infertility. Her research focuses on endometrial function and regeneration, placental-uterine interactions and environmental impacts on reproductive health. She has mentored over 200 students, fellows and faculty, authored > 275 peer-reviewed publications and co-editor of 5 textbooks on women’s health, reproductive environmental health, endocrinology, endometrium and endometriosis. She is ASRM Past-President and current President of the World Endometriosis Society. Dr. Giudice is on the March of Dimes Scientific Advisory Council and was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the US National Academies.

Former Head & Professor Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology University of British Columbia.
President of the International Society of IVF. Recognized for pioneering work in both microsurgery and operative laparoscopy. Author of several books and numerous scientific articles published in international journals. Served on the editorial boards of numerous prestigious international journals. Served in the executive and served as president of several societies. Received honorary membership and awards of excellence from numerous international scientific societies including ESHRE, and universities, including his own, UBC.
Awarded, Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, 2003, Elected, Fellow World Academy of Art and Sciences, 2008, Doctor of Science Honoris Causa, Simon Fraser University, 2009, Awarded the prize Salat-Baroux, in reproduction, by the National Academyof Medine of France, 2013.

Wolfgang Holzgreve (DE)

He is since 1991 Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as board certified in genetics and since 2012 the Medical Director and CEO of the University Medical Hospital Bonn in Germany. In 2011 he was on a sabbatical at the Institute for Advanced Study in Berlin, where he was doing research on Maternal-/Child Health in Low Income Countries. For 14 years he was the Chair and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Basel Medical Center. Prof. Holzgreve´s main research has been in the area of prenatal diagnosis and therapy where he is a pioneer in the area of Non-invasive Prenatal Testing with a patent and numerous awards. His research of the past 30 years resulted in more than 600 original papers in high-ranking journals, more than 10 books, Editorial Board memberships of 15 journals and Editorship of 3 international journals. For many years he was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, Associate Editor of the International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics and International Editor of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He received many prizes and received five honorary doctoral degrees. He was President of the German Societies of Reproductive Medicine and of Perinatal Medicine as well as President of the Swiss Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He served as Treasurer of the European Board and College of Ovbstetricians and Gynaecologists (EBCOG) and of the International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for six years, respectively.

In 1997, at his initiation, Georgia officially introduced medical Discipline “ Reproductology”. He is the founder and the President of Georgian Association of Reproductive Health, Head of Department of Reproductology, Obstetrics and Gynecology in Tbilisi State University and was the initiator of introduction of Contraception, Endoscopic surgery and IVF in Georgia. He pioneered the introduction of Mifepristone in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology in the USSR and Georgia. Since 1985, under his guidance, Zhordania Institute started the study and introduction into practice of Mifepristone ant this process continues today.
Prof. A. Khomassuridze is an author of more than 450 scientific publications, 6 monographs, 5 manuals, 3 Patents.

Ordinary professor of Jagiellonian University Cracow
Editor, author and co-author of over 550 publications (papers, reviews and 53 books in gynecology, obstetrics, oncology, endocrinology, internal medicine, sexuology and physiology).
Main scientific achievements: Introduction for the first time in the world of hypothalamic hormones in medicine and synthetic ACTH in obstetrics, elaboration of enzymatic monitoring of pregnancy (oxytocin-oxytocinase system) and hormonal management of delivery, description of hypothalamic post-pregnancy syndrome, demonstration of different reactions of cervical vessels to the hypothalamic hormones in precancerous and cancerous stages of uterine cervix, description of neoplasms as natural, biological dissipative structures, thermodynamic theory of health and disease, introduction into gynecological practice new methods with nuclear magnetic resonance and immunotherapy of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, description of informatonoses as a new kind of social diseases, including blameful anti-humanitarian socially tragic advertisement or action syndrome.

Reproductive Gynaecologist, Subspecialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and infertility.
Director Monash IVF.
Professor of O & G Monash University
35 years experience in IVF, Ovulation Induction, Male subfertility , Donor Insemination and fertility surgery.
Authored/co-authored more than 160 articles, and edited/co-edited eleven textbooks (seven for Cambridge University Press). Also authored/co authored five books for the public.
Past President of a Planning Australia and The Fertility Society of Australia, Past Chair of IVF Directors’ Group Australia , and Councillor RANZCOG 1995 to 2001. Currently, Board Member Monash IVF, Isis Fertility Canberra, Carl Wood Foundation, and Northern Hospital Honorary Consultant to Family Planning Victoria.

Sanja Kupesic Plavsic (USA)

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Assistant Dean for Faculty Development at Paul L Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso, Texas, USA.
Dr. Kupesic has published 198 peer-reviewed articles and authored/coauthored 383 book chapters. Her work was cited 4,360 times. She has edited 17 books, four slide atlases, two video tapes and three educational DVDs. In a capacity of invited speaker she attended 277 national and/or international meetings. For her accomplishments in research and teaching Dr. Kupesic received major local, national and international scientific awards including the international award William Liley for contribution to the field of human reproduction, perinatal medicine and ultrasound.

Professor (Emeritus) of OB/GYN at Universities of Zagreb and Sarajevo.
Publications: peer review articles – more than 400; books (written or edited) – 113.
President of International Academy of Perinatal Medicine; Coordinator of Educational Committee of WAPM; Fellow of World Academy of Art and Science; Fellow of European Academy of Sciences and Arts; Fellow of Academy of Science and Art of Bosnia and Herzegovina; director of Ian Donald Inter-University School of Medical Ultrasound. Editor-in-chief of Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Doctor Honoris causa – Universities of Banja Luka, Budapest, Barcelona, Bucharest, Athens, Montevideo, Tomsk, Buenos Aires, St. Petersburg, Moscow and Tirana.

Neri Laufer (IL)

Chairman of the Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hadassah-University Hospital
He studied at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School. He was a research fellow at the Department of Hormone Research at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot Israel and in 1982-1984 was an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in Reproductive Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine.
Between 1986-1988 he served as Director of the IVF Program at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.
Upon his return to Israel he was Director of the IVF unit at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem and from 1993-1998 Chairman of the Deptartment Ob/Gyn at Hadassah University Hospital on Mount Scopus.
In January 1999 he also became Chairman of Department Ob/Gyn at Hadassah University Hospital in Ein Kerem. Since 1993 he is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Frederick Naftolin (US)

Frederick Naftolin, MD, D. Phil. was Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at McGill University, 1975-8 and Yale University, 1978-2000. He has been Professor and Head of Reproductive Biology Research at New York University since 2005. Dr. Naftolin’s scientific contributions include the observation of gonadotrophin binding by the ovary, response to sheep gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), that the blood pre-ovulatory estrogen peak precedes the gonadotrophin surge, discovery of estrogen synthesis by brain tissue, discovery of the pulsatile pattern of gonadotrophin in men and women, discovery of estrogen-induced hypothalamic synaptic plasticity (EISP) and its role in GnRH/gonadotrophin feedback control, and, the existence and action of the ovarian renin-angiotensin system (OVRAS). Most recent contributions include DHEA- and sex steroid-regulated NCAM polysialylase in human blood vessel endothelium inhibits NCAM’s tethering of monocytes to human vascular endothelium, and, the role of ezrin in cell transformation and cancer pathogenesis and treatment.

Pasquale Patrizio (US)

Dr. Pasquale Patrizio is a board certified specialist in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Andrology and master in Bioethics. He is Professor and Director, Yale University Fertility Center. He is an associate Editor for Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, section editor of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biomedicine on Line and editorial board of Fertility & Sterility. Currently is the Vice President of the International Society for Fertility Preservation (2013-2015). He has authored 3 books, 393 scientific papers (60 book chapters, 135 peer-reviewed publications and 198 abstracts) and holds 2 issued US patents (diagnostics and therapeutics). He is Honorary member of Italian Society of Fertility and Sterility, Mexico and Chile and has received prize paper awards from ASRM and ESHRE. His research interests include: Improving the efficiency of ART, reducing multiple pregnancy, fertility preservation strategies, simplify the IVF laboratory and methods to lyophilize gametes and stem cells.

Lesley Regan is Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Imperial College and Heads the Department at St Mary’s Hospital, London. Her principal clinical interests are recurrent miscarriage and fertility sparing therapies for uterine fibroids. As Deputy Head of Surgery & Cancer she chairs the Academic Opportunities Committee, is Athena Swan champion and Director of the Women’s Health Research Centre.
Professor Regan is Vice President for Strategic Development at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and chairs the FIGO Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Rights Committee. Lesley is also a member of the Royal Society of Medicine’s Global Health Steering Group, the Institute of Global Health and Innovation at Imperial College and has chaired the RCOG Global Health Policy Advisory and Advocacy Committees. She is using the natural synergy of these appointments to help make a sustainable contribution to Global Women’s Health.

Shoham Zeev (IL)

Professor Shoham has been a specialist in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine for over 30 years. He is the Director of the Reproductive Medicine and IVF Unit at the Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, Israel. Prof. Shoham has published over 130 papers in the field of Reproductive Medicine, has contributed chapters to numerous books and has edited two books. In the mid-1990s he established and developed Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility, an international congress committed to excellence in gynecology and infertility. He also launched a number of Reproductive Medicine congresses and is Co-Founder and Secretary of the Academy of Clinical Debates and Controversies in Medicine; he also co-directs IVF-Worldwide.com.

Tommaso Simoncini (IT)

Tommaso Simoncini is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Pisa. He has extensively studied the mechanisms of actions of sex hormones relevant to cardiovascular disease, cancer metastasis and brain disorders. TS has published over 120 high-impact original papers.
TS is an officer of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology and European Menopause and Andropause Society and serves on the Board of the European Society of Gynecology and International Menopause Society. TS is Editor of Maturitas, Journal of Endocrinological Investigation and Vascular Pharmacology. TS has received prestigious international Scientific Awards from the leading Societies in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology.

Jerome F. III Strauss (US)

Jerome F. Strauss, III is the Dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs of the VCU Health System. He sits on Board of Scientific Counselors of NICHD and the Discovery Expert Group of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He has authored over 290 original scientific articles, and holds 12 issued U.S. patents for discoveries in diagnostics and therapeutics. His honors include the President’s Achievement Award from the Society for Gynecologic Investigation (SGI), of which he is past President; the Society for the Study of Reproduction Research Award; election to the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences; the Transatlantic Medal of the British Endocrine Society, the Distinguished Graduate Award from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and the Distinguished Scientist Award from SGI. He received the Rector’s Medal from the University of Chile and shared the Fondo Nestle Award for Investigations in Nutrition.

Seang L. Tan (CA)

Dr. Tan is Dodds Professor and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at McGill University.
He is an internationally recognized infertility expert and a pioneer in the simplification of in-vitro fertilization (IVF). He led the team that produced the world’s first air transport IVF and ICSI pregnancies and is a pioneer in Canada in the use of IVM of human oocytes for the treatment of infertility.
Dr. Tan has published 7 books and over 240 original scientific papers and review articles. He has been on the editorial board of 9 medical journals and is a member of the FIGO and Gynecology Expert Advisory Panels on Reproductive Medicine and Ultrasound and a fellow of the International Academy on Human Reproduction. He has also been awarded the Howard Eddey Gold Medal by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the MRCOG Gold Medal by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in the United Kingdom.

Hugh S. Taylor (US)

Doctor Hugh S. Taylor is the Anita O’Keeffe Young Professor of Women’s Health and chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. He is also Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at Yale University and Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He is a board certified specialist in Obstetrics/Gynecology and in Reproductive Endocrinology.
His basic science research focuses on uterine development, the regulation of developmental gene expression by sex steroids, endocrine disruption and on stem cells. Dr. Taylor has published more than 50 articles in leading medical journals. He serves on several editorial boards and as a reviewer for numerous scientific journals and is frequently invited as a speaker at national and international medical meetings.

Alan Trounson (AU)

B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. University NSW, Ph.D. Sydney University, Australia; Dr Honoris Causa, Vrije Universiteit Brussels; Hon LLD Monash University
Appointed the Dalgety Postdoctoral Fellow ARC Institute of Biochemistry and Reproductive Biology (1974-6), Cambridge, UK. His scientific accomplishments include; the pioneering of human in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and associated reproductive technologies; the diagnosis of inherited genetic disease in preimplantation embryos; the discovery and production of human embryonic stem cells and their ability to be directed into neurones, prostate tissue and respiratory tissue.
In Jan. 2008-present, he was appointed President of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, responsible for the management of the fund for stem cell research in California (CIRM). He has overseen and extraordinary development of basic science which has led to more than 1000 publications (24% in high impact factor journals) in peer reviewed journals in the 4 years of his tenure as President.

Petrache Vartej (RO)

Professor and head of the Department of Ob/Gyn in the Bucharest University Hospital.
He is Author and co-author of 14 monographies and over 400 scientific articles.
He was an active participant at several Medical Congresses in Romania and abroad.
He serves on the editorial boards of several medical journals.
He is President of the Romanian Society of Ob/Gyn, of the Romanian Society of Endocrinological Gynecology, and member of the: Romanian Academy of Medical Sciences, International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, European Society of Investigations in Ob/Gyn, Society for the Study of Pathophisiology of Pregnancy – Organisation Gestosis, World Society of Labour and Delivery, European Society of Gynecological Oncology, Medical Balkan Union, Honorific Member of the Hungarian Society of Ob/Gyn, Member of International Academy of Human Reproduction, and Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Kishinew (Moldavia).

Leyla Adamyan (RU)

Professor Adamyan is running the department of operative gynecology of the Scientific Center for
Obstetrics, Gynecology and perinatology of RAMS ( Director – Academician Kulakov V.I. ) .
Being one of the leading gynecologic surgeons of Russia Prof. L. Adamyan is practicing all conventional
(laparotomic and vaginal) and advanced operating techniques, carrying out and coordinating
scientific research, and is actively developing and introducing into practice new modalities of vaginal
and combined operations, minimally invasive technologies (laparoscopy and hysteroscopy), new
instrumentation, energies (electric, laser, ultrasonic, cryo, radiowave), and adjunctive materials,
for treatment of most gynecologic conditions: endometriosis, tumors, dispositions and malformations
of genitalia, pathology of endometrium, stress urinary incontinence.
Prof. L.Adamyan personally contributes to research on the epidemiologic, genetic, neuroendocrine and
immunologic aspects of genital endometriosis and has already resulted in classification of retrocervical
endometriosis, programmes of preoperative examination, and surgical and combined treatment, based
on the own techniques, including combined laparoscopic-vaginal procedures for severe infiltrative
endometriosis of recto-vaginal septum.