ART Lab SIG
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
Siamak Bashar, MLT, MSc, PhD
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.
Jenny Wu, BMLSc, MSc
Vice-Chair
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.
Robert Heudes, BSc, MSc
Treasurer/Secretary
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.
Zheng Yan, PhD
Executive Member
Zheng Yan is a distinguished embryologist and scientist currently serving as the Embryology Lab Director at ReproMed Fertility in Toronto, Canada. With over 12 years of experience in assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and reproductive genetics, both internationally and in Canada, Dr. Yan has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in a wide range of IVF laboratory techniques and management.
Dr. Yan earned his Ph.D. in Genetics in China and began his professional career in the field of human assisted reproduction in 2012. Before relocating to Canada, he held pivotal roles as a clinical embryologist and IVF lab supervisor at one of the pioneering IVF centers in China for ten years. During this time, he refined his skills in supporting thousands of IVF procedures and was actively involved in training new staff and graduate students.
In addition to his expertise in IVF laboratory management, Dr. Yan has extensive experience in scientific research, focusing on reproductive genetics. He completed a one-year visiting scholarship at Harvard University in 2017 and served as an associate professor at Shanghai Jiaotong University from 2020 to 2022. Dr. Yan has presided over two scientific foundations and has made significant contributions to the field through the discovery of key pathogenic genes associated with infertility, publishing numerous academic articles in esteemed journals.
As a CFAS-certified embryologist, Dr. Yan brings substantial experience in establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) in ART labs, managing laboratory operations, and conducting training programs. He is committed to providing outstanding patient care and takes great pride in supporting families on their journey to successful pregnancies.
Abdul Munaf Sultan Ahamed, PhD
Executive Member
Dr. Munaf is a Consultant IVF Laboratory Director and Scientific Director at Tripod Fertility. He holds an MS from the University of Central Lancashire, U.K.; a Postgraduate degree in Assisted Reproductive Technology from the University of Warwick, U.K.; an MSc in Clinical Embryology from the University of Valencia; and a PhD from the University of Kentucky, USA. He received embryology training at Bourn Hall in Cambridge, UK, under Prof. Robert Edwards and PGD training from the University of London, U.K. Additionally, he is a postgraduate of Mind-Body Medicine from Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Munaf has extensive experience setting up and directing IVF laboratories. He has worked as the IVF Clinical Scientific Director at CReATe Fertility, the Director of the IVF Lab/Scientific Director at Anova Fertility and Reproductive Health in Toronto, Canada; Hartland Fertility & Gynecology Clinic in Winnipeg, MB; and the Group of Procrea Fertility Centers in Montreal, QC. He has also served as a Senior Embryologist at TCART in Toronto, Canada, and the Kentucky Center for Reproductive Medicine, KY, USA, and as a Consultant Embryologist at the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Robotic Surgery in St. Louis, USA. Dr. Munaf has mentored co-op students from the University of Toronto and McMaster University. He is currently pursuing an MBA in Healthcare at the University of London.
Dr. Munaf has published his research findings in numerous peer-reviewed journals and presented at various conferences worldwide. He has also co-authored several IVF textbooks. His current research interests include morphometric analysis of oocytes and embryos using AI systems, transcriptomic profiling of cumulus cells as non-invasive biomarkers for predicting oocyte and embryo competence, and DNA methylation in eggs and sperm.
He serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics and was the Scientific Co-Chair in Andrology SIG at CFAS. Dr. Munaf is a member of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB), the American College of
Embryology (ACE), the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), and the College of Homeopaths of Ontario.
In his free time, Dr. Munaf enjoys photography and playing golf.
Christine Sykas Yeh, BSc, MSc
Past 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.