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Sydney Genetics - Robert Woolcott

General Manager
Dr Robert Woolcott
MBBS (Hons), CREI,   FRANZCOG, AMP (Harvard)

 

Dr Robert Woolcott is the Clinical Director and General Manager of Sydney Genetics. He is a certified sub-specialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologests and has previously been awarded of both the Chris Hudson Fellowship and Brown-Craig Travelling Fellowship from the college. His clinical practice is exclusively in the fields of infertility, reproductive genetics, reproductive microsurgery and IVF.

He is the principal author of numerous peer-reviewed medical journal publications and is referee for the leading international journals in the area of fertiltiy and human reproduction. His research interests include disorders involving reproductive genetics that impact upon fertility and the early identification of genetic variants that can improve reproductive outcomes. In addition to his clinical and scientific endeavours he is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School in Boston, USA.

Sydney Genetics - Don Leigh

Principal PGD Scientist and Genetics Director
Dr Don Leigh
PhD, MHGSA (Molecular genetics)

A member of the Sydney IVF team for more than 10 years, Dr Don Leigh was an early member of the research group working in PGD. In 2007 he was appointed Director of Genetics. Prior to work at Sydney IVF Dr Leigh was a senior scientist in the Molecular Genetics Department at Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney where he spent a 8 years honing his genetic diagnostic skills.

In his capacity as Principal Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) scientist, he leads a team of 4 researchers in Australia’s busiest and most successful IVF PGD laboratory. He has a special interest in expanding the application of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and technology.

BIOCHEMISTRY

Sydney Genetics - Michael Bonifacio

Head Biochemist
Michael Bonifacio
BSc, MSc (RH&HG)

The strong emphasis on research and development at Sydney IVF was central to Michael Bonifacio’s decision to make the move from Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney in 2000. Both Michael and Sydney IVF share a commitment to delivering innovation at all times.

As Head of Biochemistry he is responsible for managing the first trimester Down’s syndrome screening program. Sydney IVF is the only laboratory on the Eastern seaboard, and one of only three in Australia accredited in this area by the Fetal Medicine Foundation of London. Michael’s enthusiasm for ensuring excellence underpinned this accreditation.

Michael has a special interest in investigating pregnancy-associated plasma protein A – the most sensitive marker for Down syndrome screening – and implementing these findings at a clinical level, a project of international importance. He has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals, particularly in the arena of protein purification.

MOLECULAR GENETICS

Sydney Genetics - Andrijana Trninic

Laboratory Manager
Andrijana Jovasevic
BSc

Andrijana Jovasevic has been working in DNA Labs at Sydney IVF for more than 8 years. In the busy lab with a focus on diagnostic and relationship testing, she leads a team of four scientists responsible for:

  • Parentage testing
  • Relationship testing – extended family members
  • Diagnostic genetic analysis including prenatal diagnosis
  • Aneuploidy testing – screening for chromosomal abnormalities in pregnancy

She has an avid interest in new technologies and tests and investigates any opportunities to expand her department’s work by increasing the testing range it can offer.