Organizer Description: Started in 2002 and hosted by Bedford Research Foundation, David Albertini, and Ann Kiessling, this will be the 14th Symposium. The gathering is designed to accelerate progress by fostering open exchange, collaboration, and new ideas across disciplines. Researchers share their latest findings, challenge assumptions, and explore how advances in egg biology could lead to new treatments for infertility, genetic disease, and other currently incurable conditions.

This year’s speakers include:

• Evelyn Telfer, BSc, PhD CBE FRSB, Chair of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh

• Dietrich M. Egli, PhD, Associate Professor of Developmental Cell Biology, Pediatrics and Obstetrics, & Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

• Rafael Fissore, PhD, Research Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

• Ehsan Habibi, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Scientist, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa

• Jonathan Van Blerkom, PhD, Research Professor, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder

• Elizabeth Carr (dinner speaker) - America’s first IVF baby is an author and patient advocate in the field of reproductive medicine