Dr. Ana Cobo

--- Dr. Ana Cobo, PhD, is a Senior Embryologist and Director of the Cryobiology Unit of IVI RMA Valencia (Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad), Spain. She is also among the most influential people in the history of reproductive medicine in the world because her colleagues refer to her as the mother of vitrification due to her pioneering contribution to the clinical use of oocyte cryopreservation. * **Professional Background** * Years of Experience: 30+ years. * Institution: IVI RMA Valencia, Valencia, Spain. * Specialties: Oocyte vitrification, embryo cryopreservation, fertility preservation, IVF laboratory science, reproductive cryobiology. * Graduated from the Universidad del Valle, Colombia (1988); Master's degree in Biological Sciences (Reproduction Biology), University of Chile (1994); joined IVI Valencia in 1995; Master's degree in Human Reproduction, University of Valencia (1998); PhD, University of Valencia (2008) * Associate professor, Masters degree in human reproduction, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid; Executive member, ALPHA Scientists in Reproductive Medicine; Member, SEF, ESHRE, and ASEBIR. * **Innovations and Contributions** * Co-authored the landmark study, Comparison of concomitant outcome achieved using fresh and cryopresed donor oocytes vitrified using the Cryotop method that introduced the use of oocyte vitrification into the everyday clinical practice and was listed as one of the 25 best works in the history of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). * Published over 50 book chapters and was co-editor of 4 books, as well as has given over 100 presentations at international conferences. Her work has garnered more than 6,900 references. * 1st and 2nd CRYO International Conference organizer, and Continuous Training Program in Vitrification of Oocytes and Embryos Head of the IVI Learning Center. * Researcher: Active in AI-assisted oocyte image analysis and fertility preservation in cancer patients and endometriosis, and next-generation embryo cryopreservation. The findings of Dr. Cobo were the basis of revolutionizing assisted reproduction and egg freezing has become a stable and broadly available technology. The scientific basis that she has established during the course of thirty years directly applies to patients who need fertility preservation, whether due to medical, oncological or personal reasons.