ART Lab SIG

To view the ART Lab SIG Guidance document pertaining to IVF Labs and the COVID-19 Pandemic, click here.

The ART Scientists Group was formed on September 28, 2002 at the CFAS meeting in Quebec, and an interim committee (Sharon Mortimer, Rod Bycroft and Marie-Claude Léveillé) was appointed to investigate whether the Group would become a CFAS Special Interest Group. At its next meeting on November 8, 2003, the Group voted unanimously to form a SIG. The aim of the ART Lab SIG is to foster consistent improvement in assisted conception outcomes in Canada by promoting the ongoing education of all ART laboratory scientists, and by encouraging practical cooperation between ART Laboratories. Membership Benefits Joining the ART Lab SIG gives you the opportunity to:

• influence the direction of your profession in Canada
• network with other ART lab scientists from across Canada
• stay up to date with issues and events that affect ART lab scientists across Canada and the world

 

Christine Sykas Yeh - Chair

Christine S Yeh is a clinical embryologist who has a diverse and multi-faceted background in fertility and reproductive biology. She is passionate about evidence-based research and integrating laboratory and clinical best practices to provide the best care and experience to patients undergoing IVF.

Her reproductive journey started with a Master’s degree from McGill University where she studied key genetic factors of embryo implantation. Following her thesis work, Christine started working in human assisted reproduction in 2011 as a clinical embryologist and over the course of her career has been on the teams at Procrea Clinique, TCART and TRIO.

Building upon her experiences in embryology, Christine joined Igenomix, a leading genetic testing service provider specialized in fertility and reproductive health. Over the course of her tenure at Igenomix, Christine set up two laboratory sites and was responsible for overseeing Canadian operations, as well as advising physicians across the US and Canada on genetic services, including endometrial receptivity and microbiome testing.

Christine is now the Laboratory Director at Twig Fertility, a member of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS), the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). A mother to two young kids and a dog, Christine is also an avid backpacking camper and a certified yoga instructor and PADI certified SCUBA diver.

Siamak Bashar, MLT, MSc, PhD - Vice-Chair

Siamak Bashar currently works as a Senior Embryologist, Researcher, and PGS specialist at the CReATe Fertility Centre in Toronto, Canada since 2006. He graduated with a Master of Science (M.Sc), majoring in Reproductive Immunology and Endocrinology from the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph (2004). Prior to this, he completed the Assisted Reproductive Technology Post Graduate program from The Michener Institute in 2001. Since 2005, he has been a member of the CFAS ART Lab SIG and he was also an Executive member of ART Lab SIG for two years (2014-2016).

Dr. Bashar has tremendous experience performing the following assisted reproductive techniques: retrieval, embryo culture, embryo assessment, embryo transfer, media preparation, embryo and sperm cryopreservation, oocyte, Day 3 and blastocyst vitrification, assisted hatching, ICSI, conventional IVF, TESA, PESA, quality assurance, and quality control. In addition, he is participating in various research projects which focus on Andrology, Embryology and Molecular Biology of reproduction. On top of this, he also trains IVF laboratory staff and medical students. As a Senior Embryologist, he is involved in preparing the laboratory for CFAS certification, Health Canada regulations, quality control and quality assurance implementation.

May Nguyen, BSc, MSc - Treasurer 

May Nguyen is proudly representing PCRM as the Burnaby's Embryology Laboratory Supervisor in British Columbia. She graduated  with her Bachelor's of Science from Simon Fraser University and received her Master's in Clinical Embryology with distinction at the University of Leeds. May brings her special interests in key performance indicators, fertility preservation programs, and helping juniors to establish a confident career in embryology. When she is not working, she is telling stories to make everyone laugh.

Robert Heudes, BSc, MSc - Executive Member 

Robert Heudes has worked in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) for over 30 years. Robert completed his Masters in Clinical Embryology with Distinction from University of Leeds in 2016, and earned a Baccalaureate in Biology with Honours from Saint Mary’s University in 2000. In 1997, he completed his ICSI training at the Jones Institute of Reproductive Medicine in Norfolk, Virginia. During his years working as an embryologist, he has worked in clinics across Canada; both small and large, public and private clinics. After being away for 12 years, Robert returned to the Maritimes in 2012 and joined Conceptia as Senior Embryologist.  Since 2018, Robert has been the Lab Director at Conceptia in Moncton.

Carlee Bates - Executive Member

Jenny Wu, BMLSc, MSc - Executive Member 

Jenny Wu is a senior embryologist at the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine in Burnaby, BC. She graduated with a Master of Science in Clinical Embryology at the University of Leeds with distinction classification. She has gained special interests in metabolomics, genetics, and epigenetics during embryogenesis that influences implantation potential. As a senior embryologist, she is involved in training junior IVF laboratory staff, liaising between donor egg banks and the clinic, and promoting safe laboratory practices. Outside of work, she likes to lift weights at the gym and try new restaurants.