Research - Hertility Health

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Join us in shaping the future of women’s health.

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Why we’re doing it

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 it

Where the data doesn’t exist, we collect it. Where analysis hasn’t happened, we find answers. Where solutions aren’t available, we build them. And every single person in our Hertili-team community is playing their part too.

With every test taken, we’re one step closer to bridging the gender data and care gap and streamlining routes to care for the most prevalent, difficult-to-diagnose reproductive health conditions like endometriosis and PCOS.

50%

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

3.7x

Black women are 3.7x 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 & 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.

We’ve presented at world-renowned conferences

We presented over 20 abstracts at national and international conferences in 2022. Our team of experts lead these projects, including clinicians, scientists and statisticians with years of experience in genetics, obstetrics, gynaecology, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and more.

Some of our past publications

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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 an MSc in reproductive science and women’s health from University College London and a PhD in women’s health from King’s College London. 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

Head of Scientific Product Research

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

Senior Scientific Research 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

Senior 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 Research Associate

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

Mr Saso is an NHS consultant gynaecologist and gynaecological cancer surgeon. His practice focuses on the diagnosis and management of several gynaecological issues in women of all ages, but with a particular focus on women who have not started or completed their families. Commonly treated conditions include fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, problems with the menstrual cycle and period, and pelvic pain. Mr Saso also sits on the Scientific Board of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Dr Srdjan Saso

Consultant Gynaecologist and Gynaecological Cancer Surgeon

MRCS MRCOG DIPM PhD

Ruby is a scientific researcher specialising in reproductive science and women’s health. She holds a BSc in Biomedical Science from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and an MSc in Reproductive Science and Women’s Health from University College London. Ruby's research areas of focus include inequalities and diversity in reproductive health, diverse experiences of menopause and sports gynaecology.

Ruby Relton

Senior Scientific Research Associate

BSc (Hons), MSc

Sofia is a data analyst with an engineering background. She holds a BSc and MSc in Engineering Physics from Instituto Superior Tecnico in Lisbon. Sofia is particularly interested in using data as a tool to create positive change and improve people’s lives.

Sofia Rodrigues Vaz

Data Analyst

BSc, MSc

Lucinda is a data analyst with a special interest in health data, particularly the field of reproductive health. She holds a BSc in Statistics from Newcastle University. Lucinda is passionate about using data to make positive real world changes and to close the gender data gap.

Lucinda Lawrie

Data Analyst Manager

BSc (Hons)

Dr Lorraine Kasaven is a Specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecology Doctor and has been a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists since 2019. She completed a PGCert in Medical Leadership, Research and Education at the University of Cambridge in 2021. She is currently a Clinical Research Fellow, undertaking a PhD affiliated with Imperial College London. Her ongoing research interests include fertility sparing surgery, intra-operative ultrasound and elective oocyte cryopreservation.

Dr Lorraine Kasaven

Clinician

BSc (Hons) MBChB MRCOG PGCert

Dr Benjamin is a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and has more than a decade of experience working in obstetrics and gynaecology. He undertook a PhD at Imperial College London on fertility preservation and restoration, which focused on uterus transplantation, endometrial transplantation and social egg freezing.His research specifically explored the reproductive aspirations of women, how such treatment impacts quality of life, and assessed outcomes following treatment.

Dr Benjamin Jones

Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Fertility specialist

MBChB BSc (Hons) MRCOG PhD

Dr Jen is a Specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecology Doctor, with a passion for reproductive medicine. She was awarded the Gold Medal in the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist Membership examinations (MRCOG). Her current research focus and the topic of her PhD is on the applications of machine learning within gynaecology, particularly whether implementing a data driven approach could enable the earlier detection of gynaecological diagnoses.

Dr Jennifer Barcroft

Clinician

MBChB BMedSci MRCOG

Bethan is a research and development scientist with an MSc in Analytical and Forensic Science from University of South Wales. Bethan is a registered scientist with the Science Council with a specialism in analytical chemistry and toxicology. Bethan is currently coming towards the end of her PhD at Bournemouth University under the specialism of toxicology. Bethan’s research areas are investigating different analytical methods which can provide the best analysis for female sex hormones with accurate and reproducible results.

Bethan Davies

Research and Development Scientist

BSc (Hons), MSc, RSci

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