Research - Hertility Health

Why we’re revolutionising research

Knowledge Gap

There is currently a huge void of information within reproductive health.

Lack of funding

Less than 2.5% of publicly funded research is dedicated to reproductive health alone.

Gender Bias

There is 5x more research into erectile dysfunction, which affects 19%, than into Premenstrual Syndrome, which affects 90%.

How we’re doing this

Our research combines four disciplines: endocrinology, reproductive science, clinical gynaecology and machine learning.

We understand that there is no room for a “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to your reproductive health. Using our proprietary algorithm, we take into account all of the relevant biometrics regarding your health, such as age, BMI, medical history, symptoms, cycle history, exercise frequency and ethnic background, to offer tailored testing and a personalised report that yield results and a care pathway that is relevant to you.

50%

Black women are 50% less likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis than white women.

4.35x

Black women are 4.35x more likely to die during childbirth than white women.

14%

14% of UK IVF patients are Asian when Asians actually represent 7% of the whole population.

Diversity and Inclusion

Lack of diversity in study groups persists as a major problem in research, with Black, Asian and minority ethnic women being largely underrepresented. Yet, it is data from these same studies that are used to inform clinical practice, policy and funding. This perpetuates a cycle in which the specific needs of marginalised groups, who are already disproportionately affected by reproductive health conditions, are side-lined during policy formation and, consequently, they are further failed by the healthcare system.

Our aim is to change this by creating research which takes into account those that are currently underrepresented.

Proudly working with

Our research is backed and guided by top-rated and accredited research bodies, dedicated to evidence-based science.

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Meet our research team

Our research team is made up of specialists across fertility, hormone health, reproductive health, sexually transmitted diseases and more.

Dr Helen is a lecturer in reproductive and molecular genetics and a leading expert in reproductive science. She has a Masters in Prenatal Genetics and Fetal Medicine and a PhD in Stem Cell Biology from UCL. Her research focuses on pre-implantation embryo development and the use of CRISPR genome editing to assess understanding and treatment of disorders of infertility.

Dr Helen O’Neill

CEO, Founder

BSc (hons), MSc, PhD

Dr Natalie is an ovarian biologist with expertise in bringing scientific discovery to clinical practice. She has a Masters in Reproductive Science and Women’s Health and a PhD in Fertility Preservation from UCL. Her research focuses on ovarian tissue freezing, which allows women facing cancer treatment to be able to preserve their fertility.

Dr Natalie Getreu

COO, Co-Founder

BSc (hons), MSc, PhD

Dr Tharni is a scientific researcher with a PhD in reproductive science and women’s health from UCL. She is an author of multiple publications on fetal cardiac dysfunction during pregnancy, an oral presenter and award winner at conferences such as RCOG annual academic meetings and British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society. Her research interests are maternal and fetal medicines, metabolic disorders during pregnancy, preterm labour, biosensors in healthcare and assisted reproductive technology.

Dr Tharni Vasavan

Senior Scientific Research Associate

BSc (hons), MSc, PhD

Dr Hardiman is an associate Professor in the Institute of Women’s Health, Director of the Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation Service and honorary Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Royal Free Hospital London. The major focus of his research is on PCOS and his ongoing studies are aimed at understanding the effects on the development and wellbeing of children born to mothers with PCOS. Key areas of investigation include vascular function and structure, neurodevelopment and epigenetic programming in the offspring.

Dr Paul Hardiman

Clinical Advisor

MBChB, PhD, FRCOG, FRCP Edin

Prof Andrew, is a qualified Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and senior University Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, with over 20 years of experience. He has developed major research into fallopian tube and endometrial biology, embryo implantation and early pregnancy problems. He is the current Chair of the Academic Board at the RCOG, a member of the NICE and ESHRE Endometriosis Guideline Committees and an Associate Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetist.

Professor Andrew Horne

Clinical Advisor

MBChB, PhD, FRCOG, FRCP Edin

Dr Adrian is research scientist in the department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment UCL. He is an expert in bespoke statistical modelling, data science and machine learning, with a particular focus in Bayesian inference. He has published in a diversity of disciplines, including past-population dynamics; human cultural and genetic evolution; stable isotope analysis of archaeological material; and the evaluation of forensic DNA at crime scenes.

Dr Adrian Timpson

Machine Learning & Data Scientist

BSc (hons), MSc, PhD

Zoya is a scientific researcher with a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from Fergusson College, Pune and a Masters in Prenatal Genetics & Fetal Medicine from UCL. Her research interests are reproductive genetics, fertility preservation, gynaecological health conditions and sexual health. She has a passion for the utilisation of social media for scientific communication and the implementation of inclusivity in reproductive and sexual healthcare.

Zoya Ali

Scientific Research & Communications Associate

BSc (hons), MSc

Bríd is a Journal specialist and scientific researcher with a Bachelor's degree in Physiology from University College Cork and a Masters in Reproductive Science and Women’s Health from University College London (UCL). Her research interests and focuses are on fertility preservation, tissue cryopreservation, exercise and fertility, fetal and maternal medicine and sex education.

Brid Ní Dhonnabháin

Scientific Research Associate

BSc (hons), MSc

Anja is a scientific researcher with a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Genetics and a Masters in Prenatal Genetics and Fetal Medicine from UCL. She was granted the ESHRE Travelling Fellowship Award in 2021. Her research interests include preconception health, germline genome editing, mosaicism, fertility tourism, bioethics and global health.

Anja Skevin

Scientific Research Associate

BSc (hons), MSc

Meeladah is a senior scientific researcher with a Masters in Experimental Pharmacology & Therapeutics, currently undergoing her PhD in Women’s Health & Reproductive Endocrinology at UCL. She is the winner of the Royal Society of Biology award for her research looking into PCOS treatments. Her research focuses on, Reproductive endocrinology, maternal & fetal medicine, implications of PCOS on the fetus/child, cryopreservation, organ-bath experiments, infertility, vascular health, metabolic syndrome.

Meeladah Ghani

Senior Scientific Research & Communications Manager

BSc (hons), MSc, MPhil

Dr Kirsty graduated from Edinburgh University and did most of her obstetric and gynaecology clinical training in Edinburgh. After obtaining a UK wide competitive entry advanced training post in endometriosis and minimal access surgery, she spent 2 years in Bristol (Southmead Hospital) where she worked in a nationally recognised BSGE Endometriosis Centre.

Dr Kirsty Munro

Consultant Gynaecologist & Endometriosis Specialist

MD MRCOG

Dr Michele is a qualified medical doctor, currently working as an Obstetrics and Gynaecology registrar in London. She is a member of the Royal Collect of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists and is currently completing an advanced specialty training module in Subfertility and Reproductive health at the Reproductive Medicine Unit, UCLH.

Dr Michele Robinson

Obstetrics & Gynaceology Clinician

MBChB, MRCOG

Dr Claudia did her medical degree at the University of Nottingham and has been working as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in London since 2010. She has worked extensively on reviewing the evidence proving that the actions of Progesterone are affected in Unexplained Infertility. She has also written a book chapter and two articles on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and is running a trial investigating the cause of PCOS which she hopes may help indicate ways to prevent this syndrome from affecting future generations.

Dr Claudia Raperport

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Clinician

BMBS, BMedSci, PGCert (MedEd), MRCOG

Katy is a BSc Human Sciences graduate with a Masters in Prenatal Genetics and Fetal Medicine from University College London (UCL). Her research interests include assisted reproductive technologies (ART), policy and ethics, fertility and sex education, recurrent miscarriage and mental health and fertility.

Katy Darke

Scientific Research & Operations Associate

BSc (hons), MSc

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