Zoya Ali

My name is Zoya Ali. I am a reproductive health scientist training to be a fertility counsellor. I studied Biotechnology with a specialisation in genetics in India and moved to London to study an MSc in prenatal genetics and fetal medicine at University College London (UCL).

I have always been a biology buff, but genetics and developmental biology truly had my heart. I originally started my MSc with the goal of becoming an embryologist. However, while at university, I had the opportunity to delve deeper into reproductive genetics, and decided to focus my research on Preimplantation Genetic Testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). I conducted my research on the effects of insemination techniques on the genetic constitution of an embryo within an IVF clinic. While my time there, I was introduced to the fascinating world of reproductive medicine. I quickly realised that while I loved being in the lab, working with patients was actually what I wanted to do. I am trying to use my skills to help patients feel empowered and make informed decisions about their reproductive health choices and options.

While at university, I realised that many of my peers had no idea of essential information about their reproductive health. I was lucky enough to find a fem-tech company that
shared a similar passion for fertility awareness, and currently, also intern with them to promote awareness about reproductive health. Reproductive autonomy can only come
from making informed decisions about our reproductive health, and that’s why I firmly believe and try and actively advocate for fertility education.

I am currently trying to combine my passion for reproductive genetics, patient care and fertility education into my training as a fertility counsellor. 

In science, the only way ahead is to keep learning and being updated continuously, and that is what I’m trying to achieve at ESHRE 2020 . I look forward to using my role as a Young Ambassador to highlight some of the fantastic work being done in the field of reproductive medicine and hopefully inspire someone to join the sci-comm bandwagon.

In my free time, I love to cook, garden and volunteer with animal shelters and community kitchens.