Our team

Reproductive Biology and Medicine

Profile

PhD in biomedical sciences from the Free University of Brussels, Belgium. With strong knowledge in the physiology and biology of ovarian follicle. Experience in basic and clinical research in the area of reproductive biology, specially in oocyte development and oocyte maturation. Expertise on human assisted reproduction technologies. Development and optimization of in-vitro oocyte culture in order to provide treatment options and to preserve female fertility.

Co-Inventor of the patent "In Vitro maturation of a mammalian cumulus oocyte complex" (CAPA-IVM).

CV

Cell Biologist and Geneticist (Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Peru 1999 - 2004)
Master of Medical and Pharmacological Research at the Free University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussels), Belgium 2005 - 2007
PhD in Medical Sciences at the Free University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussels), Belgium 2007 - 2012
Post- Doctoral position at the Laboratory of Follicle Biology, Free University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussels), Belgium 2012 - 2014: Project on Oocyte In vitro ovocyte.

Flor Sánchez, PhD

Biologist - Embryologist, Researcher, consultant

Sergio Romero, PhD

Biologist - Embryologist, Researcher, consultant

Profile

Biologist, embryologist and researcher with interest in physiological processes related to the development of the female gamete as well as the engineering of in vitro culture environments to reproduce this type of processes.

I am also interested in the design and validation of new laboratory techniques for human assisted reproduction.

Co-Inventor of the patent "In Vitro maturation of a mammalian cumulus oocyte complex" (CAPA-IVM).

CV

Cell Biologist and Geneticist (Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Peru 1996-2000)
Master in Medical and Pharmaceutical Research at the Free University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussels), Belgium 2003 - 2005
PhD in Medical Sciences at the Free University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussels), Belgium 2005 - 2011
Post- Doctoral position at the Laboratory of Follicle Biology, Free University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussels), Belgium 2012 - 2014: Project on Oocyte In vitro ovocyte.

Profile

Specialist in Gynecology, Obstetrics and Human Reproduction. Her practice focuses on evidence-based fertility treatments and assisted reproduction, and focused on the patient.

She stands out for her interest and commitment to oncofertility and Fertility preservation.

CV

Diploma of encocrinology in gynecology and obstetrics (UNMSM), 2023 - 2024
Medical Audit Diploma (UNMSM), 2015
Training in assisted reproduction. Clinical fellow: training in reproductive techniques. CRG (Center for Reproductive Medicine) UZ brussel. Brussels. Belgium. 2013
University master in genetic, nutritional and environmental conditions of growth and human development, University of Granada, Spain 2010 - 2011 (60 credits etcs)
Specialization in gynaecology and obstetrics (medical resident), 2009 - 2013; in university hospital San Cecilio - Unit for clinical management of obstetrics and gynaecology. Granada, Spain.
Medical surgeon, by UNMSM, 1999 - 2005

Nadya Manrique, MD, MSc

Specialist in Gynecology / Obstetrics and Infertility. Consultant

Our latest publications

Smitz, J., Sánchez, F., Romero, S., Van Ranst, H., Anckaert, E., Gilchrist, R. B., Ho, T. M., Vuong, L. N., & Morimoto, Y. (2025). Human oocyte capacitation culture: Essential step toward hormone-free assisted reproductive technology. Reproductive medicine and biology, 24(1), e12640. https://doi.org/10.1002/rmb2.12640

Gilchrist, R. B., Ho, T. M., De Vos, M., Sanchez, F., Romero, S., Ledger, W. L., Anckaert, E., Vuong, L. N., & Smitz, J. (2024). A fresh start for IVM: capacitating the oocyte for development using pre-IVM. Human reproduction update, 30(1), 3–25. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmad023

Akin, N., Le, A. H., Ha, U. D. T., Romero, S., Sanchez, F., Pham, T. D., Nguyen, M. H. N., Anckaert, E., Ho, T. M., Smitz, J., & Vuong, L. N. (2021). Positive effects of amphiregulin on human oocyte maturation and its molecular drivers in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Human reproduction (Oxford, England), 37(1), 30–43. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deab237

Salama, M., Ataman-Millhouse, L., Braham, M., Berjab, K., Khrouf, M., Rodrigues, J. K., Reis, F. M., Silva, T. C., Sánchez, F., Romero, S., Smitz, J., Vásquez, L., Vega, M., Sobral, F., Terrado, G., Lombardi, M. G., Scarella, A., Bourlon, M. T., Verduzco-Aguirre, H., Sánchez, A., A.,... Woodruff, T. K. (2020). Installing oncofertility programs for common cancers in limited resource settings (Repro-Can-OPEN Study): An extrapolation during the global crisis of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 37(7), 1567–1577. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-020-01821-7

Rashedi, A. S., de Roo, S. F., Ataman, L. M., Edmonds, M. E., Silva, A. A., Scarella, A., Horbaczewska, A., Anazodo, A., Arvas, A., Ramalho de Carvalho, B., Sartorio, C., Beerendonk, C. C. M., Diaz-Garcia, C., Suh, C. S., Melo, C., Yding Andersen, C., Motta, E., Greenblatt, E. M., Van Moer, E., E., K., K., and Wowroff. Survey of Fertility Preservation Options Available to Patients With Cancer Around the Globe. JCO global oncology, 6, JGO.2016.008144. https://doi.org/10.1200/JGO.2016.008144

Rashedi, A. S., de Roo, S. F., Ataman, L. M., Edmonds, M. E., Silva, A. A., Scarella, A., Horbaczewska, A., Anazodo, A., Arvas, A., Ramalho de Carvalho, B., Sartorio, C., Beerendonk, C. C. M., Diaz-Garcia, C., Suh, C. S., Melo, C., Andersen, C. Y., Motta, E., Greenblatt, E. M., Van Moer, E., E., K., and... (E.). Survey of Third-Party Parenting Options Associated With Fertility Preservation Available to Patients With Cancer Around the Globe. JCO global oncology, 6, JGO.2017.009944. https://doi.org/10.1200/JGO.2017.009944

Vuong, L. N., Le, A. H., Ho, V. N. A., Pham, T. D., Sanchez, F., Romero, S., De Vos, M., Ho, T. M., Gilchrist, R. B., & Smitz, J. (2020). Live births after oocyte in vitro maturation with a prematurity step in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 37(2), 347–357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-019-01677-6

Sanchez, F., Le, A. H., Ho, V. N. A., Romero, S., Van Ranst, H., De Vos, M., Gilchrist, R. B., Ho, T. M., Vuong, L. N., & Smitz, J. (2019). Biphasic in vitro maturation (CAPA-IVM) specifically improves the developmental capacity of oocytes from small antral follicles. Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 36(10), 2135–2144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-019-01551-5

Saenz-de-Juano, M. D., Ivanova, E., Romero, S., Lolicato, F., Sánchez, F., Van Ranst, H., Krueger, F., Segonds-Pichon, A., De Vos, M., Andrews, S., Smitz, J., Kelsey, G., & Anckaert, E. (2019). DNA methylation and mRNA expression of imprinted genes in blastocysts derived from an improved in vitro maturation method for oocytes from small antral follicles in polycystic ovary syndrome patients. Human reproduction (Oxford, England), 34(9), 1640–1649. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dez121

Sánchez, F., Lolicato, F., Romero, S., De Vos, M., Van Ranst, H., Verheyen, G., Anckaert, E., & Smitz, J. E. J. (2017). An improved IVM method for cumulus-oocyte complexes from small follicles in polycystic ovary syndrome patients enhances oocyte competence and embryo yield. Human reproduction (Oxford, England), 32(10), 2056–2068. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dex262

Romero, S., Sánchez, F., Lolicato, F., Van Ranst, H., & Sitz, J. (2016). Immature Oocytes from Unprimed Juvenile Mice Become a Valuable Source for Embryo Production When Using C-Type Natriuretic Peptide as Essential Component of Culture Medium. Biology of reproduction, 95(3), 64. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.116.139808

Sánchez, F., Romero, S., De Vos, M., Verheyen, G., & Sitz, J. (2015). Human cumulus-enclosed germinal vesicle oocytes from early antral follicles reveal heterogeneous cellular and molecular features associated with in vitro maturation capacity. Human reproduction (Oxford, England), 30(6), 1396–1409. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dev083