RBPG and RLTPG Newsletter
Combined Newsletter from the Reproductive Biology Professional Group and the
Reproductive Laboratory Technologists Professional Group
Vol. 2
Fall 2009
Issue 2
Message from the Chairs:
Mitchel C. Schiewe, Ph.D. (RBPG Chair – 2007-08, 2008-09)
Over the past three years serving on the RBPG Board, two years as Chairman, I have come to
respect the efficiency and dedication of the ASRM organization and its staff. This year, however,
processes moved slower due to changes that took place to upgrade the internal communication system
at ASRM with the latest technology. Going forward, this should enable information to be disseminated
more readily and in the most effective and efficient manner. Last winter, Alexis and I realized that both
professional groups desired a stronger voice to the ASRM Board. In the early 1990s, with the formation
of the RBPG, the American Fertility Society realized it needed the input of Ph.D.s to enhance the
research quality of its scientific programs and sessions. As the ASRM evolved, forming more than 20
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Professional Groups (PGs), our strength in numbers has diminished.
Furthermore, with the growth of the IVF industry in the early to mid 1990s, the importance of applied
technologies and its specialists (Ph.D. and non-Ph.D.) magnified and resulted in the formation of a
second group, the RLTPG.
Today, we constitute two of the larger SIG/PGs within ASRM, sharing a combined total of some
1,450 members (581 of which are physicians). Over time, our two professional groups have become
more similar; the RBPG becoming less basic research-oriented and the RLTPG more Ph.D.-populated.
What we share in common is the knowledge that laboratory specialists (embryologists and a variety of
technologists) are a valuable asset to the IVF Industry, the current backbone supporting the ASRM, and
that non-Ph.D.s and Ph.D.s alike are important to technological advancements and the ASRM. In turn,
we, the Board members of the RBPG and RLTPG, believe the time has come for us to join together and
attempt to become an affiliated society within the ASRM. Now is the time for our members to unite, get
involved, and have a voice, so that we as lab specialists will have an active role in the future
development of the ASRM and our place in society. To date, a few prominent lab members have
integrated into the ASRM Board over the years; but to secure our voice within the ASRM long-term, and
our role in the industry, we need to coalesce as a single group. The cost of controlling our own destiny
as a new society is active membership with dues. However, our goal would be to keep membership
dues to a minimum, which is dependent on the number of members we maintain. To reiterate, realize
that with an improved electronic communication system and qualified support staff within the ASRM
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infrastructure, a society membership due in addition to an ASRM membership due, will enable us to
have a direct link into the future of the ASRM.
Alexis Adler, B.S. (RLTPG Chair - 2008-09)
A proposal has been made to merge our professional group with the Reproductive Biology
Professional Group and create an affiliated society within ASRM. This society would have direct
representation to the Board of ASRM, and have more power as a joint society with the membership that
both groups have, knowing that some members are in common. As a long-time embryologist, as well as
a member of ASRM, I feel that we in the lab have much to add to education and policy. The ASRM
seems to be willing to support the added level of involvement with this proposed society. Please refer
to Mitch Schiewe’s proposal and plan on attending the ASRM meeting in Atlanta, take advantage of our
2 excellent postgraduate courses, and come to the members’ meetings that will be taking place. Also let
your voice be heard in the survey. Let’s give this society a try!
A Look Into the Past
History of Our Professional Groups
The Reproductive Biology Special Interest Group (RBSIG) was formed/established as a basic science
interest group of the American Fertility Society (AFS)/ASRM in 1989/1990, at a time when the quality of
research presentations at the AFS conference needed improvement. The Endocrine Society had been
very successful in improving the quality of their scientific presentations by incorporating Ph.D.s into
their society. With the guidance of Don Wolf and Nancy Alexander, the AFS Board followed the
Endocrine Society model. Due to the M.D. majority on the Board of AFS, it was important to form the
RBSIG whose original members were all basic scientists. In addition to being a research group in the eyes
of AFS, the RBSIG wanted to give Ph.D.s a voice in AFS. At that time, the group was very small, but was
making a major impact, as now, with the postgraduate courses. Some of the other leaders of the
RBSIG, included: William Byrd, Marybeth Gerrity, Jeff May, David Ball, Rusty Poole, and others. My
apology to any individuals excluded from recognition; however, a written/archived history does not exist
prior to the year 2000.
In the early 1990s, the IVF industry began to dominate the AFS/ASRM, but the IVF labs were
unregulated. The College of American Pathologist (CAP) was empowered to inspect the labs and,
eventually, the ABB was granted permission (deemed status) to offer the HCLD. With this major change
of events, the focus of the RBSIG moved from basic science to IVF. The RBSIG became the RBPG and was
consumed with the duty of preparing Ph.D.s for the HCLD and for CAP inspections. Unfortunately, the
basic science component of the RBPG developed a secondary importance. Concurrent to the IVF boom,
membership in the RBPG went from about 40 to 500+ members, almost overnight. Membership
involvement and attendance at the annual members meetings was at a peak in the mid-1990s.
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Some problems developed in the early 1990s when political preference determined officers and
committee members on our behalf. Ph.D.s and others (B.S., M.S. and M.T.s) who had wanted to
become more involved in ASRM became more discontent. With the growing importance of the clinical
IVF lab, this led some researchers and embryologists (Ph.D.s and non-Ph.D.s) to inquire about forming
their own group. Tom Turner, Jake Mayer and Sherry Singer helped organize a lab group, the
Reproductive Laboratory Technologist Professional Group (RLTPG) that would focus primarily on clinical
interests and be a network where ARTs in our developing field could be shared. A primary difference
that separated the RLTPG from the RBPG was their inclusion of all degree types of scientists and
embryologists. Permission was needed from the ASRM to form yet another group. To their credit,
ASRM was sensitive about any potential conflict this second group would have with the first group, if
ASRM allowed it to form. The officers of ASRM asked Don Wolf if he concurred with a second group. He
approved, so the RLTPG got the green light to establish bylaws and become a separate entity. Don Wolf
was very supportive of the RLTPG. With looming IVF regulations, it also seemed that some individuals
wanted to exclude all non-Ph.D.s from being IVF lab directors. When approval was granted to form the
RLTPG, the decision was made to have a rotation of degrees the officers held. It was mandated that in
alternating one-year periods a doctoral person and then a non-doctoral person would be chosen as an
officer. By 1995, the RLTPG was established to give IVF lab personnel a voice and a platform for
presenting/discussing IVF techniques. Throughout the late 1990s and into the 21st century, The RLTPG
and RBPG shared a two-day PostGraduate course and separate scientific sessions at the ASRM meeting.
In the last decade, membership has increased substantially in both professional groups, while
changing patterns in the IVF industry have created dynamic shifts in the two groups. After several years
of HCLD/TS testing and CAP inspections (post-1994), the intense support of IVF Ph.D.s in the RBPG has
declined. Meanwhile, the membership of the RLTPG, which was originally composed mostly of nonPh.D.s, became more Ph.D. driven. With the RBPG becoming increasingly technology based in its
research, the professional interests of both the RLTPG and RBPG have become similar. Furthermore, it
is worth noting that with the formation of some 18 other SIGs and PGs in the ASRM, both groups now
have diminished representation to the ASRM Board. To date, more than half of our combined total
membership (1,450+) is shared between the two groups.
We acknowledge and greatly appreciate the insight and assistance of Michael Vernon,Tom Turner,
Marlane Angle, and Michael Reed in providing historical information.
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What’s New in Reproductive Biology
Developmental Plan for Merging RBPG and RLTPG
In the past couple of months, the Board members of the RBPG and RLTPG have established a Planning
Committee to develop plans for a potential merger of our two professional groups. Our purpose would
be to establish a Society for Embryologists and Technologists which strives to support the continuing
education, growth and development of laboratory specialists working in all disciplines of reproductive
biology, and to promote standards of excellence in laboratory applications and research. This society
would encourage the active participation of all members in order to provide a unified foundation for
laboratory personnel to make positive contributions to the ASRM. The goals of membership activities
would encompass:
Continuing education for lab personnel
Interactive web-based information resources
Reproductive biology/ART research
Lab quality assurance advocacy
Patient education advocacy
Interactive affiliations with other related societies (e.g., AAB/CRB, ALPHA, IETS)
All members of ASRM, independent of degree qualifications, would be eligible to join and participate as
members. All members of the society would be eligible to participate in all scientific program activities,
interactive web-based information resources, surveys and patient education programs. A two-tiered
membership has been proposed to keep annual dues to a minimum for associate members, while active
members would be eligible to participate in all nomination/election activities, and therefore would be
eligible to serve on the Executive Board and its Committees, as an appointed or elected official. It is
anticipated that senior level-scientists, Ph.D. and non-Ph.D., would join as active members. This system
will make it easier for us to attain our projected budgetary goals: a start-up budget of $11,000 in Year 1,
and a stable working budget of $20,000 by Year 3.
The specific structure and bylaws of the proposed society will be developed with membership input
once initial approval is granted by the membership to proceed, as determined by an upcoming survey of
the membership. In general, we anticipate implementing a Board of Directors, which includes a
rotational election of Ph.D. and non-Ph.D. lab scientists (as per the RLTPG bylaws) to the position of
President-elect (Vice-Program Chair), Program Chair, President and Past President; and to a Nomination
Committee (as per the RBPG bylaws). Other positions appointed by the Executive Board would include a
Secretary, Treasurer, and Information Director, as well as other committees to be determined. Two
members of the Executive Board would meet bi-annually with the ASRM Board. Overall, we would try to
integrate the bylaws of the two PGs, as much as possible.
In terms of our conference and program activities at the annual ASRM meeting, we would strive to
maintain the current established standards: Four scientific sessions aimed at Human Studies I, Animal &
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Experimental Studies I, and Lab Technologies I & II; 10 Roundtables; an Interactive Session with a
SIG/PG; and a two-day postgraduate course with optional 1- or 2-day attendance in a basic science/lab
tech-based PGC. It would be up to us to justify our scientific needs and make our formation contingent
on this plan.
Beyond this, the sky is the limit for a Society for Embryologists and Technologists. The development and
growth of this society would be up to the active participation and input of its members.
Why Merge and form an Affiliated Society Now?
Over the past two decades, we have contributed significantly to the scientific integrity and technological
advancement the IVF Industry and our society, the ASRM. We have matured as professionals within the
ranks of the ASRM and are ready to maintain a leadership role within ASRM, on behalf of lab scientists.
Our petition to be an affiliated society is justified, as we constitute more than 1/8th of the total ASRM
membership with more than 1,450 combined members, exceeding that of any of the existing societies.
However, membership may decline, and possible ASRM participation, as new lab-specific organizations
form and continue developing. Yet, even if only 60% of our current members decided to join and pay
annual dues as associate or active members, our membership would be equal to the most populated
group, the SREI. We do not have to become an incorporated entity, which would keep our operating
expenses low and, in turn, membership dues low, similar to the SMRU. We can continue to operate
under the organizational infrastructure of the ASRM, with improved website capabilities and internet
communications, as a society. Furthermore, as an affiliate society we would have direct representation
and one vote on the ASRM Board of Directors and representation on major ASRM committees. The
ASRM bylaws allow up to six affiliated societies to have voting representation on the ASRM Board,
currently there are four such groups. As an affiliated society, we would not have to lose anything, in
terms of the scientific program. It would be up to us to justify our annual scientific needs based on
membership participation. The RBPG and RLTPG executive boards believe the time has come for us to
make a cohesive team effort to become the fifth Society affiliate and strengthen our members’ link to
the ASRM Board. If you have any questions and concerns you wish to discuss, feel free to contact Mitch
Schiewe at 949-642-5954 (mitch@socalfertility.com) or any other Board member.
MC Schiewe, Planning Committee Chair
Committee News
RLTPG - 2009
Program Chair: Mark P.D. Dow, Ph.D.
PGC - Saturday Oct.17th: "Single Embryo Transfer: The New Standard of Care and
the Tools to Successfully Implement It”
Faculty: David Gardner, Ph.D. (co-chair); Denny Sakkas, Ph.D., H.C.L.D., Ginny Ryan, M.D.
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While the best practice is one where the patients with the most favorable prognoses are selected for
single embryo transfer (SET), many ART programs continue to transfer multiple embryos, resulting in
multiple pregnancies and their associated risks. This one-day course will share the most up-to-date
laboratory methods for improving the viability of and selecting the most viable embryos or embryo (SET)
for transfer. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the sperm in pregnancy outcome, as well as the
novel laboratory methods for selection the best sperm for IVF. Further discussion will focus on the
history and current practice of embryo assessment and transfer, assessment and education of patients
regarding single embryo transfer, and current and future technologies for improving ART. Emphasis will
be on increasing the appropriate utilization of single embryo transfer. The final discussion of the course
will discuss vitrification and thawing of the blastocysts.
Abstract Review Chair: Michael Lee, M.S.
54 abstracts were reviewed, of which eight were selected for oral presentation and 15 for poster
presentation. Overall, the rate of rejection by ASRM was high this year.
Nomination and Election Information
The two nominees to our online ballot are both long-time RLTPG members:
Tyl Taylor, M.Sc.
Carli Chapman, B.S.
Elections will end on September 19th, 2009, and results will be announced at the ASRM Annual meeting
in our members’ meeting.
RBPG - 2009
Nomination Chair: Diane Wright, Ph.D., H.C.L.D.
Nominations were requested in January from the RBPG for Program Chair and Nominating Committee
Member-at-Large. A finalized summary was presented for the nominations with 14 members
nominated for Program Chair and 18 nominated for Committee Member-at-Large. Three candidates
were selected from the two categories based on number of nominations. The list of nominees was
submitted with bio-sketches on February 23rd to ASRM. Elections were initiated on May 20th through
an email blast to 1,195 members that asked for ballots to be completed by June 15th. Two hundred
twenty-seven members voted (19%), and Sangita Jindal, Ph.D. was elected as Program Chair, and
Kathryn Go, Ph.D. was elected to the Nominating Committee as Member-at-Large. Additionally, the
bylaw changes were approved by a large majority (98%).
Program Chair: Amy Sparks, Ph.D., H.C.L.D.
PGC/ Sunday Oct.18th: "Cryopreservation as a Tool to Optimize ART Outcomes”
Faculty: Michael Tucker Ph.D., H.C.L.D., FIBiol, (Co-Chair); Jason Barritt, Ph.D., H.C.L.D.; Juergen
Liebermann, Ph.D., H.C.L.D.
The ability to optimize ART outcomes with cryopreservation is defined by more than gamete or embryo
survival or implantation rates. During this one-day course we will examine the key factors required for a
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successful cryopreservation program, and provide participants with a panoramic view of how
cryopreservation can optimize the ART cycle outcome. The day will start with reviews of embryo
cryopreservation protocols and strategies that are currently practiced in ART programs. These
discussions will be followed by a glimpse into what the future may hold as we hear about lessons
learned and the outcomes experienced during an elective donor oocyte banking study. During the
afternoon, we will shift our attention to assessing the effectiveness of a cryopreservation program and
hear faculty members describe the role cryopreservation plays in their elective single embryo transfer
programs. A course on cryopreservation wouldn’t be complete without a discussion about
cryopreserved embryo disposition. We will explore the opportunities presented by the cryopreserved
embryos that remain in storage at the conclusion of patient treatment. We will conclude the day with a
candid, and likely amusing, interactive panel discussion entitled,“Tales From the Front Line” that will
include a discussion about the challenges of making changes in a cryopreservation program.
Abstract Review Chair: Barry Behr, Ph.D.
The abstract review process proceeded very efficiently and without a hitch, thanks to the efforts of our
four subcommittees, composed of four members each. We reviewed more than 200 abstracts on
Human Subject and Experimental & Animal Model Studies, with the mean cut-off score for acceptance
being 5.5. Of the 1,403 abstracts submitted to the ASRM Annual Meeting, 299 are scheduled for oral
presentation and 600 for poster presentation. The overall acceptance rate this year is 64%.
ASRM 2009 - Atlanta
General Members’ Meeting
RLTPG:
Saturday, Oct. 17th immediately following the PostGrad Course at 5:15pm
RBPG:
Sunday, Oct. 18th immediately following the PostGrad Course at 5:15pm
Interactive Joint Sessions
RLTPG:
Tuesday – 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
“Risk Management in the ART Laboratory”
Chair:
Presenters:
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Jacob F. Mayer, Jr., Ph.D., Eastern Virginia Medical College
Marybeth Gerrity, Ph.D., Northwestern University
Jacob F. Mayer, Jr., Ph.D., Eastern Virginia Medical School
Page 7
RBPG/Environmental SIG:
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009
“Imprinting and Epigenetic Alterations in ART”
Co-Chairs:
Other Presenters:
Amy Sparks, Ph.D., University of Iowa
Paolo Rinaudo, M.D., Ph.D., UC San Francisco
Douglas Carrell, Ph.D., University of Utah
Roundtables
RBPG
Monday
RTM24. Implementation of Single Blastocyst Transfer
Marius Meintjes, Ph.D.
RTM25. Vitrification-- Asset or Hindrance? A Consideration of Inter-laboratory Technical and Storage
Issues
James J. Stachecki, Ph.D.
Tuesday
RTT26. The Role of Sperm in Embryogenesis: Can we Improve Embryo Quality Thorugh Better Sperm
Analysis and Selection?
Douglas T. Carrell, Ph.D.
RTT27. IVM: A Cost-effective Protocol for PCO Patients
Jessica A. Macdonald, B.S., T.S.
Wednesday
RTW26. Clinical Application of 24 Chromosome Aneuploidy Screening
Nathan R. Treff, Ph.D.
RTW27. Quality Control Bioassays: Are They Necessary in the Lab?
Dean E. Morbeck, Ph.D.
RLTPG
Monday
RTM31. Using the Non-human Primate as a Model for Assisted Reproductive Technology: Progress and
Outlook
Tien-Cheng Chang, Ph.D.
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Tuesday
RTT32. Managing Our Ever Growing Cryostorage Issues for Sperm and Embryos
Kristen A. Ivani, Ph.D.
Wednesday
RTW30. Different Embryo Culture Media - Are These Really Different?
Bhushan K. Gangrade, Ph.D.
RTW31. Electronic Imaging for Gametes: Another Step Toward the Paperless Lab
Kepler Johnson, E.L.D.
RTW32. In with the New, Out with the Old. Incorporation of a Mini-incubator System into the Working
IVF Laboratory
Michael A. Lee, M.S., E.L.D.
Memorial Remembrance
Dr. Yury Verlinsky, Ph.D. (09-01-1943 to 7-16-2009)
A Pioneer in CVS, PGD and hESC
RBMOnline recently published an obituary for Dr. Yury Verlinsky. Below are a few of the comments received from
his friends and colleagues. Please refer to the full article, referenced below, for historic scientific details.
"Yuri was larger than life itself, a wonderful man and a dear friend. A pioneer in our field and he will be deeply
missed."
"Such a good friend, an extraordinary scientist and a true pioneer. In the last two years he also was one of the
bravest fighters against his illness I ever knew.”
"He was a leader, a pioneer and always a good friend"
"PGD teams lose one of their pioneers"
"He was extraordinarily energetic till the end. Yury was a giant in our field, a true inventor and a dear friend"
"Yuri was a pioneer in the field of PGD"
"He will be missed- such a giant in the field"
"He will be dearly missed by all of us. Stop for a moment and send him some good karma and a prayer”.
Excerpts taken from RBMOnline article: Volume 19, No 3 September 2009 by R G Edwards, J Cohen, L Gianaroli, MR
Hughes, A Kuliev, S Rechitsky, Joe Leigh Simpson, A O Trounson, O Verlinsky, I Tur-Kaspa
A memorial of Dr. Yury Verlinsky can be read online at the RGI Website or at the NYTimes. On behalf of
both our professional groups, we offer deep condolences to Yury’s family and friends, for we have lost,
not only a brilliant scientist, but a sharp-witted, straight talking, generous, and fearless friend and
colleague. A void was created on this planet that can never be filled the day Yury Verlinsky passed away.
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Yury was an amazing and visionary scientist not afraid to introduce us to new concepts and their
applications. He brought PGD to new levels.
We will miss you Yury!
By Alexis Adler, B.S.
Gary Norman Piquette, Ph.D., H.C.L.D., E.L.D.
(4/21/1958 – 7/23/2009)
A True Renaissance Man
rd
A friend and colleague was suddenly and tragically killed on July 23 , 2009, near his IVF Lab in Northridge, CA. The
victim of a motorcycle accident, Gary was taken from us much too soon!
A Massachusetts native, Gary called California home for more than 20 years. I was privileged and
honored to have had the opportunity to work with Gary for eight years at the Northridge Center for Reproductive
Medicine as the Program Director. He had an unconditional loyalty to his colleagues and love for his friends. His
dedication and compassion for his patients was unmatched.
Gary graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1982 with a B.S in biology and a B.S in animal science.
After completing his Ph.D in anatomy from the University of South Dakota, he went on to do fellowships at the
University of California, San Diego, and Stanford University. His embryology experience commenced at Stanford
University, then at the Toronto Center for Advanced Reproductive Technologies, UCLA, and finally, at the
Northridge Center for Reproductive Medicine, where he worked from 1997 until 2009.
Medical students from UCLA were fortunate to have Gary give many lectures on male and female
reproductive systems and assisted reproductive technologies and participate in Journal Club. He was resourceful,
shared useful information, and always got great reviews and evaluations from the students. Gary’s passion in the
field was research; he always wished he had more time to dedicate to it. He had 19 peer-reviewed papers and 21
abstracts published during his career. His research encompassed many different aspects of human reproduction.
Gary was very generous with his time; and I personally witnessed the many hours he devoted to reviewing papers.
He participated on the Editorial Advisory Board of Fertility and Sterility from 2001-2006, and up until his death was
an Editorial Advisor for the “Lessons from the Laboratory” section of Fertility and Sterility. In addition, he was a
reviewer for the following publications: Endocrinology, Human Reproduction, American Journal of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Theriogenology and Biotechniques.
I am sure many of you who knew Gary will remember giving him a courtesy laugh for his quirky jokes. He
had an impressive working knowledge of science and current events. If you asked him a question, you would
usually receive a long dissertation for an answer. He knew something about everything. Gary lived life to the
fullest, enjoying Southern California as a Malibu resident. His hobbies included rollerblading, gardening, cheering
on the Boston Red Sox and composing music. He could not read a note, yet, played the keyboards and guitar
extremely well! To hear some of his compositions, you can go to www.piquebu.com.
Gary is survived by his mother, Vera, and four brothers: Craig, Dean, Scott and Jon. This wonderful soul,
who never said an unkind word about anyone, will be missed by all who knew him, whether it was on a
professional or personal level. Until we meet again my friend!
By PM Picciano, RN
Gary was a true renaissance man. A lover and partaker of life, with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. His
chosen profession, as a fertility specialist, brought new life and joy into the world. He was an accomplished
composer and musician, a gifted photographer, painter and poet, a lover of animals, the ocean, nature and sports.
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A devoted son and brother, a loyal and trusted friend, with a wonderfully light-hearted sense of humor, a kind and
gentle leader. Gary’s life was much too brief; but it was dynamic and overflowing with beauty, meaning and love.
By Jane Fileff, friend and neighbor at Malibu Canyon Village
RBPG Board Members 2009:
Chair:
Past-Chair:
Vice-Chair:
Secretary:
Program Chair:
Nominating Committee Chair:
Elected Members:
SART Representative:
Bylaws Committee Chair:
Mitchel C. Schiewe, Ph.D.
None
Barry Behr, Ph.D.
Sangita K. Jindal, Ph.D.
Amy Sparks, Ph.D.
Diane Wright, Ph.D.
Hugh Hensleigh, Ph.D.
Huai Feng, Ph.D.
David Wininger, Ph.D.
Michael Vernon, Ph.D.
RLTPG Board Members 2009:
Chairperson:
Vice Chair:
Program Chair:
Information Officer:
Alexis Adler, B.S.
Mark Dow, Ph.D.
Michael Lee, M.S.
Michael Stahler, Ph.D.
The Distinguished Scientist Award was
presented to Dr. Robert Wall for his
dedication and service to laboratory
scientists through his organization and
commitment to Embryo Mail.
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