Raneem Awad
Senior Embryologist
Dammam
Summary
My interest in the embryology field started while I was in high school and since then I have cultivated my efforts in learning and practicing procedures in the IVF Lab until this date. I am skilled in performing oocyte and embryo micromanipulation, ICSI ,IVF, Cryopreservation & vitrification and many years of experience participating in the procedures of TESA,IUI,IVF and other ART techniques. I have undergone intensive trainings and insightful updates in modern techniques to add up to my experienced way of handling delicate embryos to contribute to a highly successful IVF laboratory and being the driving force for high success rates.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Senior Embryologist
Mouwasat Hospital
Dammam
04.2022 - Current
- Oocyte retrieval, Oocyte denudation, conventional in vitro fertilization IVF, Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), IMSI, pICSI and Assisted Hatching (Laser).
- Fertilization assessment, cleavage embryo and blastocyst culture, embryo grading and selection for transfer using time-lapse imaging.
- Oocyte, cleavage embryo and blastocyst cryopreservation.
- Embryo Biopsy for genetic testing day 3, 5
- Conduct standard semen analysis (WHO 2010 and 2021) and sperm preparation for assisted Reproductive techniques
- Preparation for ART and freezing of sperm sample from testicular biopsies
- Cryopreservation of embryos and eggs.
- Tracking equipment reports and calibrations and daily quality measures.
- Tracking Media requirements pre-application (PH value and BioAssay testing) and during application (SOP)
- Tracking Lab environment parameters (particle and VOC levels/ Microbiology testing/ atmosphere) ensuring that all parameters are within range
- Investigating and resolving Major and Minor incidences. (examples: equipment failure, calibration issues, media misuse, burn-out staff, Gas rooms, liquid N2 leakage..)
- Creating a workflow that suits best the fertility unit
- Contacting legal departments on creating consents that prevent medicolegal issues.
- Performing Risk Assessments and make sure all staff are adhering to the preventative actions
- Conducting annual clinical statistical data analysis and reports and determining the KPI
- Preventing the risk of Misidentification by using the RI witness system in the Lab.
- Responsible for the distributing duties among staff for ISO accreditation (2014) and CAP accreditation (2016) and Saudi MOH (2022), JCI (2023)
- Creating a serious, professional, and satisfactory relationship with the suppliers and the stakeholders
- Reinforcing the protocol of the organization and creating SOPs/KPI/ PPG/CPG and risk assessment
- Responsible for the internal auditing and the assuring all measure are within the accreditations
- Contacting the accreditation members and agents
- Creating, maintaining and improving the company’s existing Quality Management System.
- Monitoring processes and measurements in order to gain compliance to the aforementioned standards with independent bodies.
- Giving advice and support on a range of quality issues and troubleshooting as required.
- Communicating and ensuring that the Project QA plans are understood and operated by all employees and subcontractors.
- Ensuring that all work is carried out in line with the company’s standards and external regulations.
- Liaising with health professionals and external bodies on QA matters as required.
- Providing technical support to all staff.
- Increase the rating of the fertility unit through applying various aspects regarding patient satisfaction and experience.
- Full acknowledgment of the ISO/CAP/WHO/ASRM/ESHRE/WHO guidelines and protocols.
- Managing the sperm, oocyte, embryo banks, and tracking of patients through consents and renewals.
- Increasing fertilization, blastocytation and success rate through assessing the laboratory needs for each case depending on the history and current stimulation protocol and diagnosis.
- Working with fertility softwares (Meditex and BabyCentry), creating a new software with the IT Team specialized for Fertility unit.
- Fully managing a renovation process of the fertility facility including the embryology lab, and achieving high precautions in regards to the workers PPE and choosing the right MSDS (paint, flooring, cabinets,..) and keeping the best quality of air throughout and after.
Senior Embryologist /Assistant Lab Director
FakihIVF
Beirut
06.2012 - 12.2021
Education
Master of Science - Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction
University of Valencia
Spain 04.2022 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Sciences
Lebanese International University (LIU)
Lebanon 04.2012 - 04.2017
Skills
Internation and National Guidelines
Embryology Lab Procedures
Andrology Lab Procedures
Cryopreservation
Quality Control Management
Excellent Communication
Teamwork and Collaboration
Certification
English Proficiency (IELTS general: 7.5 and IELTS academic: 7)
Affiliations
Active member in European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Middle Eastern Fertility Society (MEFS)
Additional Information
- Embryo Biopsy - Igenomix (2023)
- Vitrification and loading (Origio 2023)
- Annual Meeting for Middle East Fertility Society (2022)
- Embryology Certificate - ASRM (2022)
- “Going through the COVID-19 transition in the IVF lab: how can quality management help?” – ESHRE (2020)
- “Principles of Fertility Preservation for Reproductive Health Providers Certificate Course” – ASRM (2020)
- “The future of Embryology. Technological advant-grades in embryo selection” – SIERR (2020)
- “Implantation: the role of the embryo and the endometrium” – IVF Worldwide (2020)
- “Improving outcomes by targeting the male factor” – Cooper Surgical (2020)
- “Mitochondria” Course – IVF Worldwide (2020)
- “What is new in Mosaicism” – Igenomix foundation (2020)
- “Mosaicism II: Reporting Chromosomes, Clinical impact and genetic counseling” – Cooper Surgical (2020)
- “Development of competence of the oocyte-follicular unit” – ASRM (2020)
- “Optimizing Endometrial Preparation for frozen embryo transfer” – IVF Worldwide (2020)
- “PGT-A in the lab: Improving Outcomes and Techniques” – IVF Initiative (2020)
- “Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies – PGT-A) – IVF Worldwide (2020)
- “Spermatogenesis and Male Fertility” - ASRM (2020)
- “Early Development, Culture and Transfer of the Embryo from Gametes to Blastocyst” – ASRM (2019)
- Attended a training on CAP accreditation, ABU DHABI , 2017
- Attended the training “ISO9001” – LIBNOR, LEBANON ,2016
- Attended training to “Internal Audit according to ISO 19011 and ISO 9001 requirements” – LIBNOR , 2016
- UAE Reproductive Symposium in Dubai, UAE (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- “6th MEA Culture Media” Workshop, Vistasm (Collaboration and Learning Program)and Cook Medical Istanbul, 2013
- “Time-Lapse System and Single Step Solution” Workshop, Life Global Group & UNISENSE FertiliTech Lebanon, 2013
- Completed two months training on ICSI and Embryo Biopsy procedures, embryo hatching, cryopreservation and lab management. FakihIVF Dubai/Abu Dhabi 2014
- Completed two weeks of training on embryo/oocyte vitrification and thawing, embryo biopsy for pre-genetic testing, quality control and management of Laboratories and Clinics. FAKIHIVF Abu Dhabi 2017
- Completed one-month training on CAP accreditation in the IVF Lab. FAKIHIVF Abu Dhabi 2019
Timeline
Master of Science - Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction
University of Valencia
04.2022 - Current
Senior Embryologist
Mouwasat Hospital
04.2022 - Current
Senior Embryologist /Assistant Lab Director
FakihIVF
06.2012 - 12.2021
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Sciences
Lebanese International University (LIU)
04.2012 - 04.2017