Faculty – COGI – The Multidisciplinary Gynecology Congress

Gemma Fabozzi, Italy

Dr. Gemma Fabozzi currently holds the position of Head of B-Woman, Nutrition Department for Reproductive Health, part of the IVIRMA Group.
She graduated in Cellular and Molecular Biology with Cum Laudem at the University of Rome Tor Vergata in 2008. Then, she obtained a Master degree in Clinical Embryology from the University of Leeds (UK) in 2011 and a further Master degree in Dietetics and Nutrition in 2018. Currently, she is completing her PhD in Medical-Surgical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.
Dr. Gemma Fabozzi is an ESHRE-certified Senior Embryologist with over 15 years of experience in embryology and quality/risk management serving as IVF Laboratory Director and Quality Manager. In the last years, her area of research and interest is mainly focused on the study of modifiable factors affecting fertility, particularly nutrition and microbiota.
She is Member of the Directive Board of the Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Coordinator of the Specialist Interest Group Nutrition and Reproduction of the Italian Society of Fertility and Sterility and Reproductive Medicine (SIFES-MR) and Adjunct Professor at the University of Rome La Sapienza.

Elene Asanidze, Georgia

Elene Asanidze
Elene Asanidze, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University “Geomedi” in Tbilisi, Georgia, and serves as the President of the Georgian Association of Reproductive and Sexual Health. She is a practicing Obstetrician-Gynecologist and Pediatric Gynecologist, with expertise in endoscopic surgery at the Center for Reproductive Medicine “Universe.”
Dr. Asanidze is the author of numerous articles and research studies, with a focus on advancing knowledge in reproductive health. Her primary interests encompass endocrine disorders affecting female reproduction, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), disorders of sexual development, menopausal transition, and hormone replacement therapy.
In addition to her clinical and academic work, Dr. Asanidze leads grants and scholarship initiatives, supporting doctoral and medical students in their academic and professional development. She is widely recognized for her dedication to advancing reproductive health through research, education, and mentorship.

Christopher Barratt, UK

Professor Barratt is Head of Post Graduate Medicine, Head of the Reproductive Medicine Group at the University of Dundee as well as a clinical scientist (Hon) with NHS Tayside. He graduated with an Honours degree in Zoology and then completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (University of Wales, Swansea). His PhD, also in Zoology, was under the supervision of Jack Cohen at the University of Birmingham.
His formative post-doctoral studies and ART experience was gained at the University of Sheffield [with Ian Cooke] where they specialized in natural cycle IVF. From 1997-2005 he was the Scientific Director of the ART Centre at the Birmingham Women’s Hospital.
Professor Barratt has been awarded a number of honors for outstanding contributions to the discipline e.g. Young Andrologist of the Year (American Andrology Society), the Professor Sir Robert Edwards keynote lecture at ESHRE. Professor Barratt is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh

He is a regularly invited speaker at national and international scientific conferences/workshops. He was a member of the WHO Male Fertility Semen Analysis Taskforce (for both the 4th and 5th editions) and director of the WHO (2012-2017) Male Fertility Expert Working Group which devised a new system for the diagnosis and treatment of the infertile male.
He was a member of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for 6 years.
Professor Barratt has recently been appointed to editorial board of WHO for development of new Semen Analysis manual (6th edition).
He has been on the Editorial Board of Human Reproduction, Human Fertility, Biology of Reproduction, Human Reproduction Update, Journal of Andrology and is currently Editor-in-Chief of Molecular Human Reproduction (Impact factor 5 year 3.6)
His life’s ambition is to see – live – Wales comprehensively beat the All Blacks.
Research
We are primarily focused on understanding the function of the human spermatozoa and identifying the key factors in the process of sperm egg interation.
Our research uses cutting edge technology combined with selected samples from patients with well-defined pathology. As such the research has a very strong translational focus.
Our primary collaborators in Dundee are the IVF clinic at NHS Tayside, Abertay University’s Dr Sean Brown, Professor Paul Wyatt (Drug Discovery Unit, SLS), and National Phenotypic Screening Centre, SLS
We are funded by NHS Tayside, MRC, Chief Scientists Office (Scotland), Astra Zeneca and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
We regularly contribute to public debates on reproductive issues: e.g. impact of male age.
Zion Ben Rafael, Israel

Prof. Zion Ben Rafael graduated from Tel Aviv University (TAU), Board certified in Ob/Gyn in Israel and USA.
1983;1992: Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, in Israel and USA
1984-1987, NIH Fellow in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, Department of Ob/Gyn, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia
2009: Member of world College of Reproduction; Chairmen of Scientific Program, Venice, Italy
Medical Experience
1989: Professor, Tel Aviv University
1991-2007: Chairmen, Department of Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, and Golda Campus
1997: Incumbent of the Tarnesby Chair of Fertility and Fertility Regulation Tel Aviv University
1999-2005, President, Israeli Menopause Association
Currently, IVF unite, Laniado Medical Center
World Congress
Founder and Chairmen, COGI-World Annual Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility 33rd editions
1989: Secretary, 6th world Congress in “In Vitro Fertilization’, Jerusalem
Founder and Chairman of the Mediterranean Sea Congress, Eilat
2006: Co-Founder, World Congress on Controversies in Obesity, Diabetes and Hypertension (CODHy)
2006–2007: Founder & Co-Chair, Gender Based Medicine
Scientific Publications
About 450 Scientific Publications; 2 books written 12 books edited
Reviewer and previously editorial board in International Journals including F&S
Founder and editor of a Series of debates entitled “Controversies” in the “J of IVF and Genetics”
Supervisor of MD thesis to numerous doctors
Honorary professor Russia, visiting professor USA China
Advisor to IVF Pograms
Pierluigi Benedetti Panici, Italy

Prof. Pierluigi Benedetti Panici is the Director of University Department of Gynecological and Obstetrics Sciences and Urological Sciences Umberto I Hospital, University “Sapienza” of Rome since October 2016 onward.
After the medical degree ‘cum laude’ at University “Sapienza” of Rome in 1975, he was medical assistant at the Department of Gynecologic Oncology of National Cancer Institute (Milan) and at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Catholic University (Rome). He was also Honorary Assistant at Breast Unit Cancer Research Found Guy’s Hospital of London in 1983 and Assistant Professor and Head of the Gynecology Oncology Section from 1986 to 1991 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Catholic University (Rome).
He has a great experience in Gynecologic-Oncologic Surgery and paid particular attention to this research field along time.
He is primary operator of more than 9000 major gynaecological oncology surgical procedures for gynaecological cancer (cervix, endometrium, ovary, vulva, vagina) and of more than 12.000 major gynaecological surgery procedures for benign disease, including major operative laparoscopies, pelvic floor reconstructive surgery, operative hysteroscopies.
Finally, he is author of more than 500 international publications with a H-index Scopus score of 60.
He is member of numerous scientific societies.
Grants
• Poster Award – S.G.O.’s, 26° Annual Meeting, The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, San Francisco, 1995.
• Visiting Professor al Memorial Sloan Kettering Center di New York Barbara Moore Jordan Foundation Conference, 1997.
• Visiting Professor al Comprehensive Cancer Center Um Sylvester, University of Miami, School of Medicine, 1999.
• Poster Award – Best Endometriosis Paper – 31th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists, 2002.
• “Kurt Semm Award for Excellence in Laparoscopy”, Best Oral Presentation at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists, Las Vegas, 2003.
• “Wertheim Award” for outstanding in Gynecologic Oncology, Austrian Society of Gynecologic Oncology. ASGO, Vienna, 2005.
• Resectoscopic versus bipolar electrode excision of endometrial polyps: A randomized Study. 3rd prize Golden hysteroscope award. American Association of Gynecological, Laparoscopists, AAGL, Chicago, 2005.
• Histological analysis of endometrioma: what the surgeon needs to know.1st prize Carlo Romanini Award. American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists, AAGL, Chicago, 2005.
• 2nd Place “Kott Award for Best New Minimally Invasive Technique”, 37th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists, Washington, 2007.
Mark Brincat, Malta

Mark Brincat
MRCS, LRCP, PhD(Lond), FRCOG, FRCPI
Professor Brincat served as Chairman and Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology with the Department of Health on the Maltese Islands from 1991-2018.He is currently Professor at the University of Malta Medical School (O&G) and Hon. Clinical Professor at Queen Mary University London (QMUL), from Nov ’17 to present (Medical Education). He is also an Associate Dean at QMUL, Bart’s Medical School (Malta).Professor Brincat has held several posts and has served on several committees including ISGE, EMAS, IMS and ESHRE. His academic work was mostly in Gynaecological Endocrinology. He has had a special interest in Menopause and his PhD (King’s College, University of London) concerned work on the relationship of the Menopause and HRT on connective tissue, particularly on the skin and bone.He has presented keynote lectures and published extensively on the subject of the menopause in a broad range of subjects. He also founded the first Maltese ART (IVF) Unit and has also had a long-standing interest in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.Prof Brincat continues to lecture both undergraduates and postgraduates and is still actively involved in Menopause and Infertility, recently also picking up an interest in the application of gynaecological laser techniques.

Mauro Cozzolino, Italy

Mauro Cozzolino is a Gynecologist physician attending IVIRMA Roma, Italy where he serves as a specialist in Human Reproduction and Assisted Reproductive Techniques.
He obtained his MD degree from Federico II University, School of Medicine in Naples, Italy. He subsequently entered a residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at University Hospital Careggi, University of Florence. After completing a Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine at Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (IVI–Madrid), Spain, in 2017, he got his PhD at University Rey Juan Carlos in 2023. He got a Fellowship at the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences of Yale School of Medicine from 2018 to 2021. Dr. Cozzolino has been working on the potential mechanisms leading to infertility in women with adenomyosis and the possible effect of adenomyosis in ART. Within this context, Dr. Cozzolino studies determinants of oocyte and embryo health and mechanisms of ovarian aging. In addition, he investigates factors regulating the response to ovarian hyperstimulation during in vitro fertilization in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and poor ovarian response.

Dominique De Ziegler, France

Dominique de Ziegler, MD
Current position (from 2017)
Professor and University Consultant
Foch ART Center
Suresnes, France

Training
Specialty in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology: UCLA
Diplomate of The Am Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Sub-specialty in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility: UCLA
Diplomate of the Am Board of Ob-Gyn, Reprod Endocr. and Infertility.
By endorsement of US diplomas:
Specialist in OB-GYN and subspecialist in Reprod Endocr and Infert in France and Switzerland
Editorship
* Editorial Board of Fertility and Sterility:
* Editorial Editor 2021 –
* Former Associate Editor Human Reproduction
* Ad hoc Reviewer: Journal Clin Endocr and Metab, Lancet
Past positions
* Professor and Head Division Reprod Endocr and Infert.
2004-2008: University Hospitals of Geneva and Lausanne; Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland
* Professor and Head Division Reprod Endocr and Infert
2008-2017: Hopital Cochin Medical Center; Paris France
Giancarlo Di Renzo, Italy

GIAN CARLO DI RENZO
MD, PhD, FRCOG (hon) FACOG (hon) FICOG (hon)
Prof. Di Renzo is Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Perugia in Italy. He is Director of both the Reproductive and Perinatal Medicine Center in Perugia and founder of the Permanent International and European School of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine (PREIS) in Florence. He is full Professor at the Dept of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the I.M. Sechenov First State University of Moscow since 2019. He is coordinating the Women’s Library ( GLOWM ) of FIGO after being General Secretary for two terms (2012-2018) . He holds multiple other positions including Founder & Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, based in London, corresponding Editor of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Editor in Chief of the Chinese Journal (in English language) “Maternal Fetal-Medicine”. He is an Advisory Board Member for the March of Dimes Foundation based in New York. Further, he is a Fellow ad eundem of RCOG and a Honorary Fellow of American ACOG and of Indian ICOG. He is also member of the WHO Strategic Committee on “Maternal and Perinatal health”. Prof. Di Renzo is an Honorary Professor and Doctor Honoris Causa at 16 different Universities throughout Europe, Asia, South America, and the United States. He is an Academic Member of the Romanian and Russian Academy of Sciences. Prof. Di Renzo has received six awards for his work in human reproduction and maternal-infant’s health, scientific research, and teaching. He has organized more than 350 international congresses and courses, some of these are held regularly (Diabetes in Pregnancy: DIP, Birth, World Congress of Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, TWINS, etc). His scientific production comprises over 1,300 papers of which more than 400 have been published in peer reviewed international journals and 82 books. He has been an invited speaker in over 1,500 national and international congresses and meetings and in academic courses in over 115 countries.
Jacques Donnez, Belgium

Jacques Donnez is Professor Emeritus and past Chairman of the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL). He is a Past Head of the Department of Gynecology, at the Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc and the founder of the Infertility Research Unit of the UCL. He has devoted his career to identifying and understanding the molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying female infertility, and followed the development of new therapeutic advances to restore or preserve women’s health and fertility. His research activities focus on three main topics: Tubal infertility, Endometriosis, and Ovarian Cryopreservation and Transplantation. He has authored more than 800 publications in this field. He is a founding first president of the World Endometriosis Society, the International Society for Fertility Preservation, the International Society for Gynecological Endoscopy and the European Society for Gynecological Endoscopy. .

Bart Fauser, Netherlands

Bart CJM Fauser, MD, PhD, FRCOG, is a Professor Em. of Reproductive Medicine, Gynecologist, former Head of the Department for Reproductive Medicine and Gynecology and former Chair of the Division of Woman & Baby at the University of Utrecht and the University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.

He is a Fellow ad Eundum of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG), Honorary member of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), scientific director of the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS), international member of the US National Academy of Medicine (NAM), member of the Academia Europea, Night in the order of the Netherlands Lion, past member of the board of the Dutch Medical Research Counsel (ZonMW), and past Editor-in-Chief of Reproductive Biomedicine Online (RBMO), and Human Reproduction Update.

He previously held posts as a Fulbright scholar at the University of California, San Diego; visiting professorships at Stanford University School of Medicine (California, USA), Free University of Brussels (Belgium), University of Siena (Italy), University of Southampton (UK), and the University of Adelaide (Australia). He is a past chair of the World Health Organization (WHO) steering committee for infertility guidelines.

His major research interests include the pathophysiology of human ovarian function (especially PCOS, and POI), ovarian stimulation, IVF and women’s health (including contraception, menopause and healthy aging). Professor Fauser published over 500 peer-review articles, and is one of the most cited (Hirsch factor > 130; SCOPUS) authors in reproductive medicine worldwide. He has acted as the editor of multiple textbooks, lectured all around the world and his work has been widely covered in the national and international news media.

Asma Khalil, UK

Asma Khalil is a Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine at St George’s Hospital, University of London. She is the Obstetric Lead of the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit (NMPA). She gained her MD(Res) at the University of London in 2008. She also has a Masters degree in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and an MRC scholarship. She is a subspecialist in Maternal and Fetal Medicine. Since 2008, she has maintained busy clinical (Obstetrics, Fetomaternal Medicine), research and teaching roles. Asma is the Lead for the Twin and Multiple Pregnancy service at St George’s Hospital. She also leads the Reproductive Health Research Group at St George’s Hospital.She has published more than 350 peer reviewed papers, and many published review articles and chapters. She was awarded many research prizes, both at national and international meetings. Her research interests include twin pregnancy, fetal growth restriction, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and infections in pregnancy.She is passionate about innovation. She is the inventor of the HAMPTON, which is an award-winning digital innovation which enables pregnant women to monitor their blood pressure safely at home. She is a National Innovation Accelerator (NIA) Fellow.She is committed to the implementation of clinical guidelines in practice and believes that they could reduce inequalities in care across the NHS. She had a three year Fellowship with NICE and has been a member of the NICE Clinical Standards and Expert Advisor to the NICE Centre for Clinical guidelines.

She is an Editor for the Ultrasound on obstetrics and Gynecology Journal. She is an International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) Trustee and is an Ambassador to North Africa and the Middle East. She works closely with the Twins trust Charity and together has set up the world-first Twins Trust Centre for Research and Clinical Excellence at St George’s Hospital.

Joop Laven, Netherlands

Professor Joop S.E. Laven
Professor of Reproductive Medicine, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam The Netherlands.Professor Joop S.E. Laven is professor and head of the division Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility of Erasmus University Medical Center. He was initially trained and board certified in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and in 2000 he became a subspecialist Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
For many years he has a particular interest in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome covering the full spectrum of the syndrome during a woman’s lifespan and it’s on menstrual cycle, fertility, body weight and health. During the last decade the research focussed on long-term health risks as well as the genetic basis of the disease.
Clinical work focuses on women’s health in particular reproductive endocrinology and menopause as well as on infertility treatment and ART and pregnancy outcome in infertile couples especially women with PCOS.
He is the current president of the Androgen Excess and PCOS society and is a honorary fellow of the Indian PCOS society. He is a visiting professor at the Universities of Shandong, Shandong, China and the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia. He is also a member of the international guideline groups for PCOS, POI and unexplained infertility within the Center of Research Excellence (WHIRL) Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
He has published over 400 peer-reviewed papers and several reviews as well as chapters in books, and has delivered over 400 lectures to international scientific audiences.

Santiago Palacios, Spain

Santiago Palacios, MD, PhD
Santiago Palacios is the Director of the Palacios Clinic for Women’s Health, in Madrid, Spain, and is also:
– Director of the Chair of Climacteric and Menopause of the HM Foundation,
– Scientific Director of the Foundation of the Illustrious College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM),
– President of the Private Assistance Section of the Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SEGO),
– President of the Spanish Foundation for Women and Health (FEMYS),
– President of the Hispanic Foundation for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases (FHOEMO),
– Professor of Universities and Head of Masters at the Distance University of Madrid (UDIMA)
– Professor of Universities and Head of Masters at the Menéndez Pelayo International University (UIMP).
-In addition, he has received two recognitions of Doctor Honoris Causa.
He is also former President and Honorary Member of the Spanish Association for the Study of Menopause (AEEM), former President of the Council of Affiliated Menopause Societies (CAMS), of the International Menopause Society (IMS) and of the Ibero-American Society of Osteology and mineral metabolism.
Education: Dr. Palacios obtained a Bachelor of Medicine, completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and obtained his Doctorate “Cum Laude” from the Complutense University of Madrid.
Research and special interests: Dr. Palacios has extensive experience as a principal investigator, having participated in more than 100 clinical trials. His most important research areas are menopause, contraception, osteoporosis and female sexual dysfunction.
In 1989, Dr. Palacios founded the first Spanish unit dedicated to the promotion of menopause information in the Fundación Jiménez Díaz.
Publications and conferences: Dr. Palacios has contributed to more than 400 books and magazine articles, national and international, on women’s health. He is the editor-in-chief and member of the Editorial Board of several indexed journals related to menopause and gynecology.
He is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and has participated in more than 1,000 national and international presentations.
Stefano Palomba, Italy

Stefano Palomba is a Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Sapienza University of Rome (Italy) and Chief of the Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology of the Grande Ospedale Metropolitano of Reggio Calabria (Italy) His main field of interest is reproductive medicine and surgery. He is Editor-in-Chief of Current Drug Therapy, Section Editor of Reproductive BioMedicine Online, and Associate Editor of the Journal of Ovarian Research. His total citation index is >12,000 with an H index >60.
Milan Perovic, Serbia

Ass. Prof. Milan Perovic is consultant in Ob&Gyn, reproductive medicine specialist in Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics “Narodni front”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia. He received various awards, the most representative in 2019: Award for the top reviewer in the field of Clinical Medicine, by Web of Science Group and Clarivate Analytics. He is Editorial board member of Medicine (launched in 1921, Publisher: Lippincott Wolters Kluwer), Depression and Anxiety (launched in 1993, Publisher: Wiley), Frontiers in Endocrinology and Frontiers in Oncology (launched in 2007, Publisher: Frontiers Media SA.). He published scientific papers in the high-ranking journals and he is reviewer for reputable journals such as Obstetrics & Gynecology, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Journal of Perinatology, Journal of Diabetes Investigation etc.). He was Vice-president of Mediterranean Society for Diabetes and Hypertension in Pregnancy. He successfully participated in numerous multicenter clinical studies published in reputable journals: Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, British Journal of Surgery. He is a member (by invitation) of Chinese Academy of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. He was invited speaker and International Honorary, Advisory and Organizing committee Board member of the International Symposiums in Berlin, Barcelona, Colombo, Florence, Mumbai, Paris, St. Petersburg, Budapest, Addis Ababa, Prague, Lisbon, Athens, Bucharest etc.
Anja Pinborg, Denmark

Professor Anja Pinborg is an MD, specialist in obstetrics/gynecology and expert in clinical reproductive medicine and was appointed professor at University of Copenhagen in 2013. Since 2018 she has been professor and medical director at the Fertility Clinc at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital. She has published more than 300 original papers and authored nine book-chapters and has an H-index of 68. She is past member of ESHRE EXCO (2017-2021) and of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (2015-2021) and former president for Nordic Fertility Society (2011-2015). She is current deputy editor of Human Reproduction Open as is the former AE of Human Reproduction Update and RBMOnline. Her main research focus areas are quality and safety in ART including maternal and child health.

Tommaso Simoncini, Italy

Prof. Tommaso Simoncini

Tommaso Simoncini is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine of the University of Pisa and Head of the OB/GYN Division. TS has published over 380 original papers on high-impact scientific Journal, with a global IF of over 1000 and an H index of 54. TS’s publications have been cited more than 14.000 times. TS is President of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology (ISGE), Past President of the European Menopause and Andropause Society, and Executive Secretary of the European Society of Gynecology. TS is board member and past Executive Secretary of the International Menopause Society, a board member of the European Menopause and Andropause Society and a Fellow ad eundem of the International Academy of Human Reproduction. TS is Associate Editor of Maturitas, Gynecological Endocrinology and European Gynecology and Obstetrics.
TS’s work has been recognized with various scientific honors, including the “Merck Senior Fellow” award by the Endocrine Society (2005), the “Robert B. Greenblatt Award” by the International Menopause Society (2005), the “New Investigator Award” by the North American Menopause Society (2007), the Alice and Albert Netter Award by the European Society of Gynecology (2007), the International Award “Arnaldo Bruno” for Gynecology by the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei and presented by the President of the Italian Republic. Recently, TS has been elected as a foreign member of the Académie Royale de Médicine de Belgique.
Edgardo Somigliana, Italy

Edgardo Somigliana graduated in Medicine in 1994 and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1999. In 2006, he completed a PhD in Prenatal Medicine. He is currently the head of the ART Unit and of the Obstet-Gynecol emergency Department of the Policlinico Hospital in Milan, Italy. He is also full Professor at the Università degli Studi of Milan, Italy. He is editor-in-Chief of Human Reproduction Open. His major scientific interests are infertility and endometriosis. He is author or co-author of more than 450 articles in international journals and has an h-index of 75 (Scopus).
Vincenzo Stanghellini, Italy

Vincenzo Stanghellini, MD
Prof. Vincenzo Stanghellini is currently Professor of Medicine at the University of Bologna, where he is leading a successful group of investigators of international reputation.
He is the author of almost 400 scientific publications on peer review journals with almost 40.000 citations (H-Index = 91). He is the winner of The Master Award for Sustained Achievement in Digestive Sciences of the American Gastroenterological Association in 2009 and of the Life Time Achievement Award della European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) (2019). His main research interests are represented by the pathophysiology of functional disorders of the GI tract (with specific emphasis on GI motility and gastric secretion), as well as diagnosis and treatment of functional digestive syndromes.

Alberto Vaiarelli, Italy

Alberto Vaiarelli is a gynaecologist fertility specialist. He is Medical Scientific Coordinator Genera Rome – IVIRMA Global Research Alliance. During his training he completed a clinical observership at Yale University and was clinical fellow at CRG of UZ in Brussels. He obtained a Ph.D. and Post-doctor Fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology at University of Messina. He obtained two Master in Reproductive Medicine, Andrology and Assisted Reproductive Technology.
He is author and co-authors of more than 100 original research papers and reviews published on peer-reviewed journals (indexed in Pubmed with more than 3.700 citations and an h-index of 35 is ISI web of Science) and authored many chapter on national and international textbooks.
In 2018 he achieved the national certification as Associate Professor and in 2021 as Full Professor
in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He is internationally recognised for his expertise in Reproductive Medicine as evidenced by invitation to speak at national and international scientific meeting (more than 100). His scientific work is primarily focused on the management of poor prognosis patients and on the improvement of efficacy and efficiency in IVF
Rita Vassena, Spain

Dr. Vassena
Dr. Vassena is the co-founder and director of Fecundis, a company dedicated to the development of innovative treatments for infertility. Before this position, Dr.Vassena was the global Scientific Director of the Eugin Group. She has more than 20 years of experience in the field of reproduction with more than 120 publications in peer reviewed international journals and book chapters. Dr.Vassena was Co-director of the international Master in Human Assisted Reproductive Technology from the University Pompeu Fabra. Dr.Vassena is also a former member of the Executive Committee of ESHRE (European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology), the largest international scientific society dedicated to human reproduction and embryology. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Spanish Fertility Society and is an advisor to several companies in the fertility space.
Paolo Vercillini, Italy

Paolo Vercellini, M.D.
Full Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi, Milano, Italy
Head, Gynaecology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
Prof. Vercellini is a gynaecologist specializing in the management of endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, and menorrhagia. His research interests include the investigation of some pathogenic aspects of these diseases and the assessment of medical and surgical treatments.
He joined the “Luigi Mangiagalli” Institute in 1977 as a medical student and received his MD from the Università degli Studi, Milano in 1981.
Vercellini completed his residency in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Università degli Studi, Milano in 1985 and initiated the activity of the Mangiagalli Endometriosis Centre, now a referral service for women with severe disease forms.
In 2002 Vercellini was appointed associate professor at the Università degli Studi, Milano. He was later appointed full professor at the same university. He was elected a member of the executive committee of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) for the term 1995-1999. He has been President of the World Endometriosis Society from 2011 to 2014.
From 2015 to 2019 he served as associate editor for Human Reproduction Update, from 2019 to 2023 for Human Reproduction and, since then, for Human Reproduction Open. He also serves in the Editorial Boards of Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, Journal of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders, and Journal of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Disorders.
He is the author or co-author of 450 scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals and has an h-index of 79 according to Web of Science, and 90 according to Scopus.
PV receives royalties from Wolters Kluwer for chapters on endometriosis management in the clinical decision support resource UpToDate.

Jessica Ybanez-Morano, USA

Professor Jessica Ybanez-Morano, MD, MPH, FACOG, CPE

Dr. Jessica Ybanez-Morano is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Northeast Ohio Medical University. She practices at the West Virginia University Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital. She is the Medical Director for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She specializes in reduced site gynecologic laparoscopic techniques and vaginal re-enhancement. She is focused with single-site laparoscopic surgery for gynecology procedures. Dr. Ybanez-Morano continues to practice high-risk Obstetrics. Recently, she serves as Immediate Past President for SLS (The Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons) in 2021.

Dr. Ybanez-Morano is doubly boarded with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Physician Executives (aka the American Association of Physician Leaders.) She maintains numerous academic positions. She received adjunct faculty appointments with the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, West Liberty University and West Virginia University School of Medicine.

She graduated with a combined degree. She received her MD/MPH from West Virginia University and the Johns Hopkins University. She is a Fellow in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology. She is a Certified Physician Executive and a Diplomate with the American College of Physician Executives (also known as American Association of Physician Leaders. She serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons (JSLS.)

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Yariv Yogev, Israel

Prof. Yariv Yogev graduated medical school in The Technion University, Haifa, Israel and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Helen Schneider Hospital, Rabin Medical Center. He completed his clinical and research fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine at Columbia University and St. Lukes-Roosvelt Hospital in New York. Currently, he is full professor at Tel Aviv University and the Chairman of Lis Hospital for Women in Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center which is a tertiary University affiliated Hospital with approximately 12,000 deliveries a year. Prof. Yogev is the past President of the Israel Society for Maternal and Fetal Medicine, the past moderator of the diabetes in pregnancy program in the American Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) and board member in the Israel residency board exams. He contributed more than 240 peer-reviewed articles, editor of 2 books and wrote many chapters in books, and his main in interest in research are pregnancy complication, especially diabetes and preterm labor.

The 33^rd World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics,
Gynecology & Infertility (COGI)
November 27-29, 2025 | Rome, Italy

November 27-29, 2025 | Rome, Italy