Keynote lectures

Certified as Senior Clinical Embryologist in 2008 by ESHRE, she is currently involved in academic activities at various Italian universities. Her clinical activity as embryologist started in Paris in 1994 with Jacqueline Mandelbaum and Michelle Plachot at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Necker. 

In 1996, during one of the first workshops on ICSI, Laura met gynecologist Filippo Maria Ubaldi. This encounter would be the turning point in her career. Together with Ermanno Greco, they collaborated for more than 10 years at the European Hospital of Rome. In 2008, they fulfilled their dream and founded the GENERA Centres for Reproductive Medicine of which she is the Laboratory Director.
After the introduction of Italian’s restrictive ART Law in 2004, Laura’s research focused on oocyte evaluation and cryopreservation. Numerous invitations to speak at scientific meetings and the many original papers and reviews she has either authored or reviewed as Associate Editor of Human Reproduction are evidence for her expertise in clinical embryology.

Her lecture will focus on biophysical aspects of oocyte vitrification, and how the procedure has been tested and established in the laboratory. Major interest is dedicated to Laura’s findings most probably because the technique may help to avoid controversial legal situations related to cryostored embryos and may provide new opportunities for fertility preservation.

In her spare time Laura enjoys walking among the beauties of Rome and driving to the Tuscan countryside together with her husband and children, Carolina 8 and Alessandro 5 years old.
  

Keynote Lecture Monday 4 July 2011, 8:30 – 9:30, Hall A1    ‘Aneuploidy in humans: what we know and what we wish we knew’ Terry Hassold, Professor at the School of Molecular Biosciencesand Director of the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Washington, USA Terry has a long standing interest in the biology of chromosome abnormalities in humans. Over 50% of all miscarriages are due to such abnormalities and, of those pregnancies that make it to term; they are the most important cause of congenital defects and mental retardation.

One of the primary aims of Terry’s laboratory is to use cytogenetic and molecular techniques to study the origin and etiology of these abnormalities.

Ultimately, the goal is to uncover the basic mechanisms responsible for human chromosome abnormalities and to devise methods to reduce, or eliminate, their occurrence. Terry is recognized as one of the world’s leaders in this area, and serves or has served on several scientific advisory boards (such as for example the National Down Syndrome Society, Support Organization for Trisomy 18, 13 and related disorders) and NIH scientific review panels.

Additionally, Terry has been or is an editor or editorial board member of seven scientific journals (American Journal of Human Genetics, American Journal of Medical Genetics, Chromosoma, Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Down Syndrome Quarterly, Genetic Epidemiology, and Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics).

Terry has published over 175 scientific articles on meiosis or meiotic chromosome abnormalities in mice or humans and has edited three books. Terry enjoys (his wife would say is addicted to) golf. Additionally his hometown of Moscow, Idaho is in the foothills of the Bitterroot Mountain Range, and provides wonderful opportunities for hiking and biking, cross-country skiing and white water rafting - none of which Terry is very good at but all of which he enjoys.