Cryostorage Ad-Hoc Committee
The Ad Hoc Cryostorage Committee was established by the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) in response to member requests for greater guidance on cryostorage practices in assisted reproduction. This time-limited committee is tasked with developing evidence-based recommendations, position statements, and updated guidelines to support safe, ethical, and effective cryostorage management within Canadian fertility clinics.
The Committee will examine technical, clinical, ethical, legal, and regulatory aspects of cryostorage, including storage infrastructure, traceability, risk mitigation, patient consent, long-term storage, specimen disposition, and Canadian-specific legal considerations. Drawing on scientific evidence, existing national and international guidance, and stakeholder expertise, the Committee's work will help inform best practices, support regulatory understanding, and advance the CFAS mission of leadership, research, and guidance in reproductive science and medicine across Canada.
Dr. Heather Shapiro, MD, FRCSC
Chair
Dr. Heather Shapiro is a nationally recognized fertility specialist at Mount Sinai Fertility. A professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto (U of T), Dr. Shapiro is known for her unique integration of clinical care, education and research.
She served as Vice-Chair of Education for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at U of T and has held several key leadership roles, including President of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS). She continues to influence national practice standards through her work on clinical guidelines for fertility care.
Dr. Shapiro is a visionary behind Canada’s first master of health science (MHSc) in clinical embryology, designed to train the next generation of IVF laboratory specialists. She co-directs the MHSc program in laboratory medicine.
Her research covers many areas of reproductive health. She has led groundbreaking studies on fertility access for individuals with blood-borne viral infections, predictors of success in frozen embryo transfers and the impact of laboratory environments on embryo outcomes. She is also deeply engaged in exploring the family planning needs of medical trainees and advocating for better institutional supports to help them achieve their reproductive goals.
Dr. Shapiro is celebrated for her dedication to advancing fertility care, her excellence in medical education and her commitment to equitable access for all patients.
Abimbola Ajayi, MSc, B.Tech
Abimbola Ajayi is the Laboratory Director at Care Women Clinic and a Consultant Senior Embryologist with over eight years of extensive experience in IVF laboratory management, cryostorage auditing, and quality systems oversight within leading fertility clinics in Nigeria.
He possesses advanced expertise in establishing and optimizing embryology laboratories, implementing robust cryobank management systems, and conducting comprehensive internal and external audits to ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence. Abimbola has a proven track record in protocol development, risk management, inventory control, and continuous quality improvement, demonstrating a strong commitment to patient safety, laboratory efficiency, and high clinical performance standards in assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Michael Neal, BSc. (Honors), MSc.
Michael Neal is the Scientific Director and co-founder of ONE Fertility (www.onefertility.com). He is also the Gynecologic Reproduction Endocrinology and Infertility (GREI) Fellowship Research Coordinator and an Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at McMaster University. Mike has special graduate faculty status in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph and sits on several graduate committees in that department. He also mentors and is a guest lecturer for the Foundations of ART program at the University of Toronto. Mike has over 2 decades of experience in clinical Assisted Reproductive Technologies; has numerous peer-reviewed publications and is a frequent reviewer for many major scientific journals related to reproduction. He is a recipient of the Laboratory Innovation in Fertility and Embryology (LIFE) Award and other honors such as: Best Basic Science Paper, Best Clinical Paper, Alpha Exchange, and the R.T. Weaver Award, among other acknowledgements. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Mike has research interests in: (a) the effect of environmental contaminants on fertility, (b) non-invasive measurements of embryo quality, and (c) fertility preservation for oncology and transgender patients.
Andrew Thomson, FRCPath FAHCS ANSHCS
Andrew Thomson is the Chief Scientific Officer at Twig Fertility, where he oversees scientific strategy, laboratory excellence, and innovation across the organisation, ensuring that Twig’s scientific practices meet the highest standards of quality and performance.
He is also the Founder of IVF Scientific Advisory Service Ltd, through which he is widely known for his leadership in IVF clinic design, laboratory optimisation,and long‑term scientific strategy. Originally from Scotland, he is one of only three reproductive scientists in the UK to hold Fellowships from both the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) and the Academy for Healthcare Science (FAHCS), reflecting his clinical expertise, professional leadership, and significant contributions to the advancement of reproductive science. In 2020, he was awarded the Claire Gillott Memorial Prize for Outstanding Contribution by the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists.
Andrew provides strategic and technical guidance to fertility clinics and emerging companies worldwide, with expertise spanning embryology, laboratory
development, genomics, digital transformation, workforce training, and regulatory compliance. He has led the creation of cutting‑edge fertility laboratories across four continents, grounded in evidence‑based practice, global standards, and a commitment to expanding access and improving outcomes in reproductive healthcare. He also advises early‑stage companies in healthtech and reproductive medicine, supporting scientific innovation, product development, and regulatory strategy.
Marty Sullivan, MSc, BSc - Embryology Lab Director
Marty Sullivan is the Director of the Embryology and Andrology Laboratories at the Calgary Regional Fertility Program, where he has been a member of the team since 1987. He began his career in the Andrology Laboratory before transitioning to Embryology in 1990. In 2005, he was appointed Embryology Laboratory Manager and subsequently became Laboratory Director in 2010. In 2020, oversight of the Andrology Laboratory was integrated into his leadership portfolio after many years under the University of Calgary.
Under his direction, the Andrology Laboratory continues to provide semen analysis services for the Calgary region and has maintained its longstanding partnership with Alberta Precision Laboratories for more than 30 years. Throughout his career, Marty has been committed to advancing laboratory excellence, quality assurance, and patient care within assisted reproductive technology.
Marty holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a graduate degree in Biochemistry from the University of Calgary. He also earned a Master of Science (MSc) in Clinical Embryology and Andrology from Eastern Virginia Medical School. With nearly four decades of experience in reproductive laboratory medicine, he is recognized for his expertise in embryology, andrology, laboratory operations, and cryostorage management.
Dr. Scot Hamilton, MSc, PhD, HCLD, CFAS-Certified Laboratory Director
Dr. Scot Hamilton is the Laboratory Director at Mount Sinai Fertility and an Associate Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. He earned his PhD in Physiology from the University of Western Ontario and completed postdoctoral research focused on placental biology and reproductive science.
With more than 25 years of experience as a Scientific and Laboratory Director for fertility programs across Canada, Dr. Hamilton is a recognized leader in clinical embryology, laboratory quality, accreditation, and professional education. He serves as a surveyor for Accreditation Canada and contributes his expertise to numerous national standards, accreditation, and professional committees.
In addition to his clinical leadership, Dr. Hamilton is dedicated to advancing the education and professional recognition of Clinical Embryologists in Canada. He directs the Clinical Embryology Skills Development Laboratory at the University of Toronto and plays a key role in training the next generation of reproductive laboratory professionals through the MHSc Clinical Embryology program.
Dr. Hamilton's areas of expertise include assisted reproductive technologies, laboratory operations, quality management, accreditation, cryostorage practices, and embryology education. His work reflects a longstanding commitment to excellence in patient care, laboratory standards, and innovation in reproductive medicine.
Dr. Siamak Bashar, M.Sc., PhD, HCLD (ABB), CFAS-Certified Laboratory Director
Dr. Siamak Bashar brings over two decades of expertise in assisted reproductive technologies and laboratory leadership to his role as Laboratory Director at Anova Fertility. Previously, he worked as the Laboratory Director at Generation Fertility Waterloo and Senior Embryologist at CReATe Fertility Centre. With a PhD in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from Tehran Beheshti University Medical School (1992) and a graduate of the University of Guelph with a Master of Science in Reproductive Immunology and Endocrinology (2004), Siamak also holds a postgraduate diploma in Assisted Reproductive Technology from The Michener Institute (2001). Siamak also studied a PhD in Reproductive Clinical Epidemiology in Walden University, USA (ABD). Throughout his accomplished career, he has contributed extensively to advanced embryology techniques, laboratory quality management, and research in andrology, embryology, and reproductive molecular biology. His dedication to high standards led to his certification as an Assisted Reproductive Technology Laboratory Director by the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS).
Salina Kanji, MD, FRCSC
Dr. Salina Kanji is a Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist at Markham Fertility Centre and Co-Founder of DREAM Fertility in Whitby, Ontario. She completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Ottawa, followed by fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Toronto through Mount Sinai Fertility.
Dr. Kanji is dedicated to providing personalized, evidence-based fertility care and works closely with individuals and families to develop treatment plans tailored to their unique goals and circumstances. Her clinical interests include infertility, reproductive endocrinology, recurrent pregnancy loss, and improving access to fertility services across Ontario. Through her work at both Markham Fertility Centre and DREAM Fertility, she has helped expand access to specialized reproductive care for patients in the Greater Toronto and Durham regions.
In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Kanji has a strong commitment to medical education and professional development. She has been recognized for her contributions to teaching, including receiving the Undergraduate Medical Teaching Award during her training. Her research and academic interests have included curriculum development in third-party reproduction and advancing education within reproductive medicine.
Dr. Kanji is known for her collaborative, patient-centered approach to care and her dedication to supporting patients throughout their fertility journey. Her work reflects a commitment to clinical excellence, compassionate care, and the continued advancement of reproductive medicine in Canada.
Dr. Art Leader, MD, FRCSC, Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology - REI Physician
Dr. Arthur Leader is an Emeritus Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Over the past 45 years, he has been committed to the application of science guided by standards to the improvement of safe, effective and accessible fertility care. He has served on many CFAS boards and committees and was CFAS President in 1998-99 when he piloted the introduction of special interest groups. He has worked with Accreditation Canada, the Canadian Standards Association, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Ontario Premier’s Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption and federal Health Ministers in the development and acceptance of standards to improve fertility care. As a founding member of Conceivable Dreams, he lobbied for improved access to fertility services in Ontario. He was a founding member of and spokesperson for CIHR’s Stem Cell Oversight Committee and continues to serve on the Institute’s New Investigators Grant Committee on reproductive health. He was a founding partner of two successful academic IVF clinics (Calgary, Ottawa) and the Ottawa Fertility Centre. The author of over 120 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Leader is the recipient of awards for excellence from the CFAS, Faculty of Medicine, UOttawa, Canadian Standards Association, Fertile Futures and King Charles III. Dr. Leader’s personal journey with infertility has made him acutely sensitive to the needs and concerns of patients.