Welcoming Dr. Rita Vassena to our Scientific Advisory Board!

We’re humbled to announce the latest addition to our Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Rita Vassena! Future Fertility is committed to developing innovations and fertility science insights that address real clinical challenges. Through the growth of our scientific advisory network, we can further complement our in-house expertise in reproductive science and embryology, bringing valuable external clinical perspectives from scientific leaders in the fertility industry.  

Dr. Vassena brings over 20 years of experience in biomedical and fertility research and is a key opinion leader on the global fertility stage. She has gained recognition in the fertility industry through her leadership as the long-serving Global Scientific Director at Eugin Group, an international network of fertility clinics, and as a two-term Executive Member of ESHRE. Throughout her tenure, Rita has co-authored over 110 fertility research papers, featured in high-ranking journal networks such as Nature, Human Reproduction, and Fertility & Sterility.  

“We’re elated to welcome Rita to our Scientific Advisory Board,” says Jullin Fjeldstad, Future Fertility’s Head of Clinical Embryology & Scientific Operations. “Her extensive professional experience as a reproductive scientist will provide invaluable insights to our organization’s scientific strategy, thought leadership and product development. We look forward to working with Rita and learning from her wealth of knowledge.” 

Currently, Dr. Vassena is the founder and CEO of Fecundis, a new company dedicated to the development of innovative treatments for human infertility. She is also the Co-Director of the international Master in Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies program at the University Pompeu Fabra. Dr. Vassena’s own robust academic background includes receiving her PhD in Biotechnology of Reproduction from the University of Milan, an MBA from ESADE (Spain), and post-doctoral training at the Fels Institute for Cancer Research in Philadelphia.  

“The oocyte plays such a critical role in the fertility journey,” says Dr. Vassena. “I’m excited to partner with Future Fertility on furthering the science behind understanding oocyte quality and its application in clinical scenarios.”   

In her new role with Future Fertility, Dr. Vassena is joining our current Scientific Advisory Board, which includes longstanding member Dr. Jim Meriano, Director, Embryology Laboratory at TRIO Fertility in Toronto. From Future Fertility’s inception, Dr. Meriano’s expertise in the fertility lab has played a critical role in shaping and piloting our evolving AI-based oocyte assessment solutions, as well as our research and academic insights to date. Jim is an experienced embryologist and lab director, with over 25 years of experience in the field of fertility and numerous articles published in international peer-reviewed journals. His leadership in the Canadian fertility community also extends to membership within several CFAS committees and special interest groups focused on assisted reproductive technologies and embryology.