VINCENT FELLOWS IN REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY AND INFERTILITY
Solving Infertility
The goal of experts in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility is to turn patients into parents. The Vincent Department of OB/GYN has one of the highest success rates in helping couples have children including offering in-vitro fertilization (IVF) technologies for more than 25 years. During their research year, Vincent fellows are exploring ways to improve fertility for a wide range of patient conditions.
Does Anti-Müllerian Hormone Affect Human Pre-Implantation Embryos? Do Human Pre-Implantation Genetics Differ Amongst Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Christopher Ke Arkfeld, MD, a Vincent fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, is participating in both translational basic science and clinical research. In the basic science lab, he is building on the foundation of past fellows by investigating the role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) on human pre-implantation embryos across different infertility diagnoses, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, a common hormonal disorder of women of reproductive age that causes ovarian cysts, irregular periods and infertility. His work will help provide one of the largest cohorts of genetically sequenced human embryos in the published literature. Clinically, his research interests are aimed at improving patient experiences and outcomes at Mass General’s Fertility Center. He is currently researching the indirect costs of fertility treatment and re-evaluating the World Health Organization’s guidelines regarding semen sample production.
Faculty Mentors
Basic Research
David Pepin, PhD, Associate Professor, Associate Molecular Biologist, Mass General Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories
Patricia Donahoe, MD, Director, Mass General Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories
Clinical Research
Charles Bormann, PhD, Embryology Lab Director, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology
Victoria Fitz, MD, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Career Path
MD: University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2015–2019
OB/GYN Residency: Yale University, 2019–2023
Vincent Fellowship: 2023–2026
Publications
- In vitro gametogenesis in oncofertility: a review of its potential use and present-day challenges in moving toward fertility preservation and restoration
- Deep infiltrating endometriosis with mucinous metaplasia of Müllerian origin
- AMH predicts miscarriage in non-PCOS but not in PCOS related infertility ART cycles
How Does Anti-Müllerian Hormone Affect the Pre-implantation Embryo? How Do Markers in Follicular Fluid Correlate with IVF Outcomes?
Evelyn Minis, MD, a Vincent fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, is focusing on two areas of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) research. One of her basic science projects is looking into anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) signaling in the pre-implantation embryo. Previously it has been shown that AMH plays a crucial role in fetal development and sexual differentiation, however its role in the pre-implantation embryo has not been investigated. To investigate this question, she is culturing mouse embryos with AMH and without AMH, comparing gene expression between the two groups. In another research project, she is studying markers of ovarian stimulation in follicular fluid collected from patients at the time of oocyte retrieval. Specifically, she is looking into markers that differ between different phases in the mouse estrous cycle. She is investigating how these markers vary between patients with different infertility diagnoses and how they correlate with response to stimulation during IVF.
Faculty Mentors
Basic Research
David Pepin, PhD, Associate Professor, Associate Molecular Biologist, Mass General Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories
Patricia Donahoe, MD, Director, Mass General Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories
Clinical Research
Irene Souter, MD, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Charles Bormann, PhD, Embryology Lab Director, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology
Shruthi Mahalingaiah, MD, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Irene Dimitriadis, MD, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
John Petrozza, MD, Division Chief, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Career Path
MD: University of Crete School of Medicine, 2008–2014
General Surgery Residency: KAT General Hospital, Athens, 2015–2016
Research Fellowship: Weill Cornell Medicine, 2016–2018
OB/GYN Residency: Lincoln Medical Center, 2018–2019; Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 2019–2022
Vincent Fellowship: 2022–2025
Publications
Are Different Genes Expressed in the Follicular Fluid of Patients with PCOS?
Hadi Ramadan, MD, a Vincent fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, is studying genetic markers found in follicular fluid of patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF). During IVF, patients are given medication to stimulate the ovary to produce oocytes (eggs), which are surrounded by follicular fluid. These oocytes then are retrieved and fertilized by sperm in the lab to produce an embryo. By comparing gene expression in the follicular fluid of IVF patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition in which small cysts develop along the outer edge of the ovaries, with IVF patients who do not have PCOS, his research aims to explain why these populations respond differently to ovarian stimulation as well as have different metabolic profiles. This understanding may lead to improved IVF outcomes in both PCOS and non-PCOS patients.
Faculty Mentors
Basic Research
David Pepin, PhD, Associate Professor, Associate Molecular Biologist, Mass General Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories
Patricia Donahoe, MD, Director, Mass General Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories
Clinical Research
Irene Souter, MD, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Shruthi Mahalingaiah, MD, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Charles Bormann, PhD, Embryology Lab Director, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology
John Petrozza, MD, Division Chief, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Career Path
MD: American University of Beirut, 2014
Research specialist: University of Chicago, 2015–2017
OB/GYN Residency: Eastern Virginia Medical School, 2017–2021
Fellowships in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility: SUNY Downstate and Vincent Fellowship, 2021–2024
Publications
- Cryopreservation does not affect the clinical pregnancy rate of blastocysts eerived from vitrifed oocytes
- A systematic review of the plasminogen activator system in the endometrium and its role in menstruation and abnormal uterine bleeding
- Myocardial performance index in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: the relationship between blood pressures and angiogenic factors
What is the Role of Anti-Müllerian Hormone in Pre-implantation Embryo Development?
Victoria S. Jiang, MD, a Vincent fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, is studying the role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in early pre-implantation embryo development. This protein, which is produced by the endometrium and the ovaries of reproductive-age women, plays key roles in fetal development and sexual differentiation. However, little is known about its role in embryo development. Dr. Jiang is studying the effects of AMH in mouse and human embryos, characterizing the expression and downstream gene changes associated with varying concentrations of exposure. These findings may lead to a better understanding of role of AMH in embryogenesis and ultimately to improving in-vitro culture environments.
Faculty Mentors
Basic Research
David Pepin, PhD, Associate Professor, Associate Molecular Biologist, Mass General Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories
Patricia Donahoe, MD, Director, Mass General Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories
Clinical Research
Irene Souter, MD, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Charles Bormann, PhD, Embryology Lab Director, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology
Shruthi Mahalingaiah, MD, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Irene Dimitriadis, MD, Vincent OB/GYN Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Career Path
MD: Wake Forest School of Medicine, 2017
OB/GYN Residency: Emory University School of Medicine, 2017–2021
Vincent Fellowship: 2021–2024