Alexia Chatziparasidou – Embryolab EN

Alexia Chatziparasidou MSc, PMI-RMP

Consultant Clinical Embryologist, Director of Embryolab Academy, Co-Founder of Embryolab Fertility Clinic

Mrs. Alexia Chatziparasidou is a Consultant Clinical Embryologist with an experience of more than 45.000 cycles in assisted reproduction (ART). Since 2007 she has developed a special interest in efficient Total Quality Management (TQM) and Risk Management (RM) in ART units in the context of process optimization and standardization and the implementation of risk mitigation strategies

In 2004, Mrs Chatziparasidou co-founded Embryolab, a well-known and modern state of the art fertility clinic, located in Thessaloniki, Greece.

In 2007 she was awarded her Master degree (MSc) on Clinical Embryology (Leeds University) and in 2008 she was certified by ESHRE as senior Clinical Embryologist.

In 2013 Co-founding Embryolab Academy and co-organized a series of international workshops on TQM and RM for ART units, cryopreservation and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGT).

Since 2019 she is an Inspector of ARTCC by ESHRE.

In 2020 she was certified with the PMI Risk Management Professional diploma.

In 2023 she presented her TEDtalk to the 10thTEDx University of Macedonia, in Thessaloniki.

Alexia Chatziparasidou travels the world as invited speaker in conferences and hands on workshops, is actively involved in research projects and training for all the modern ART lab techniques and is the author of a number of scientific articles, posters and chapters.

Her latest project is her thesis under the title: “The genetic basis of Azoospermia- The mystery that needs to be unraveled” in collaboration with the University of Thessaly. The aim of this project is to shed light on the genetic basis of azoospermia and set the basis for the development of personalized therapeutic options for men suffering from azoospermia.

Alexia Chatziparasidou enjoys to spend time with family and friends. She regards herself as very fortunate for being able to live her passion for science and be a part of all the latest scientific developments in the field of assisted reproduction but above all she feels extremely blessed for being able to serve and support men and women in their most wonderful journey. The journey to parenthood!

Important Milestones

2023
TEDtalk at the 10thTEDx University of Macedonia, in Thessaloniki.
2020
PMI Risk Management Professional diploma.
2019-present
Inspector of ARTCC by ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology)
2013-present
Co-founding Embryolab Academy and co-organized a series of international workshops on TQM and RM for ART units, cryopreservation and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGT)
2008
Senior Clinical Embryologist, ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology)
2006
M.Sc. (distinction): ‘Clinical Embryology and Assisted Reproduction Technology’, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, University of Leeds, UK.
2004-present
Founding member & Director of Embryolab Fertility Clinic, Thessaloniki,GR
2004
Scientific Associate in the Assisted Reproduction Clinic, Medical Faculty, University of Thessaly, Larisa.
1996
Operation of an Assisted Reproduction Lab, Larissa, GR
1995-2002
Clinical Embryologist in private assisted reproduction Clinic, Thessaloniki.
1993-1995
Training on Assisted Reproduction, 4th Obstetrics & Gynecology University Clinic, Assisted Reproduction Unit at Ippokrateio Hospital, Thessaloniki, GR
1992
Degree in Biology, Faculty of Biology, School of Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH)

Publications - Congresses

Publications and articles in journals

Chatziparasidou A., Christoforidis N., Samolada G., Nijs M. (2014). “Sperm aneuploidy in infertile male patients: a systematic review of the literature”. Andrologia. In press

Chatziparasidou A., Nijs M., Moisidou M., Chara O., Ioakeimidou C., Pappas C., Christoforidis N. (2013). “Accumulation of oocytes and/or embryos by vitrification: a new strategy for managing poor responder patients undergoing pre implantation diagnosis”. F1000Res, 2, 240.

Chatziparasidou A., Moissidou M., Oraiopoulou C., Ioakeimidou C., Pappas C., Nijs M., Christoforidis N. (2013). “The use of PGD in vitriﬁed oocytes and embryos after repeat ovarian stimulation cycles in poor responder patients”. Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 26, Supplement no. 1.

Chatziparasidou A. (2004). “Micromanipulation and Azoospermia: 10 years of experience” (in Greek). ΑΝΗΡ, 3,129-134.

Chatziparasidou A. (2004). “The fate of paternal mitochondria during micromanipulation in human” (in Greek). ΑΝΗΡ, 3, 135-136.

Prapas Y., Prapas N., Chatziparasidou A., Vanderzwalmen P., Nijs M., Prapa S., Vlassis G. (2001). “Ultrasound-guided embryo transfer maximizes the IVF results on day 3 and day 4 embryo transfer but has no impact on day 5″. Hum Reprod, 16(9), 1904-1908.

Prapas Y., Chatziparasidou A., Vanderzwalmen P., Nijs M., Prapas N., Lejeune B., Schoysman R. (1999). “Spermatid injection: reconsidering spermatid injection”. Hum Reprod, 14(9), 2186-2188.

Prapas Y., Prapas N., Jones E. E., Duleba A. J., Olive D. L., Chatziparasidou A., Vlassis G. (1998). “The window for embryo transfer in oocyte donation cycles depends on the duration of progesterone therapy”. Hum Reprod, 13(3), 720-723.

Vanderzwalmen P., Nijs M., Stecher A., Zech H., Bertin G., Lejeune B., Chatziparasidou A., Schoysman R. (1998). “Is there a future for spermatid injections?”. Hum Reprod, 13 Suppl 4, 71-84.

Prapas Y., Prapas N., Chatziparasidou A., Prapa S., Nijs M., Vanderzwalmen P., Jones E. E. (1995). “The echoguide embryo transfer maximizes the IVF results”. Acta Eur Fertil, 26(3), 113-115.

Prapas Y., Prapas N., Chatziparasidou A., Konstantinou P., Vlassis G. (1993). “Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and heterotopic pregnancy after IVF”. Acta Eur Fertil, 25(6), 331-333.

Prapas I., Prapas Ν. Chatziparasidou A., Νikoletos Ν. (1995). “Isolation of spermatozoa after Swim up, mini-Percoll and after treatment with human follicular fluid: a comparative study”. Iatriki Paideia (in Greek, Med.Educ.), 3(2) 46-51.

Conference Papers

(Posted and Oral Presentations)

Chatziparasidou A., Oraiopoulou C., Moisidou M., Ioakeimidou C., Pappas C. Nijs M., Christoforidis N. (2014). “Study of morphokinetic parameters in embryos originating from ejaculated or testicular spermatozoa”. Poster presented in: 10th Biennal Alpha Meeting. Antalya, Turkey.

Chatziparasidou A., Oraiopoulou C., Moisidou M., Ioakeimidou C., Pappas C. Nijs M., Christoforidis N. (2014). “Study of morphokinetic parameters in embryos produced from fresh or frozen testicular spermatozoa”. Poster presented in: 10th Biennal Alpha Meeting. Antalya, Turkey.

Chatziparasidou A., Moisidou M. , Oraiopoulou C. , Ioakeimidou C., Papas C. , Nijs M., Christoforidis N. (2013). “Successful Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Program For Poor Responder Patients After Consecutive Ovarian Stimulation Cycles With Cumulative Oocyte Or Embryo Vitrification”. Poster presented in: 12th International Conference on PGD. Instabul, Turkey.

Chatziparasidou A., Moisidou M., Oraiopoulou C., Ioakeimidou C., Pappas C., Nijs M., Christoforidis N. (2013). “Successful preimplantation genetic diagnosis program in poor responder patients after consecutive ovarian stimulation cycles and embryo vitrification”. Poster presented in: 5th International IVI Congress. Sevilla, Spain.

Christoforidis N., Ioakimidou C., Pappas C., Moisidou M., Chatziparasidou A. (2013). “Effectiveness of vitrification in women undergoing elective freezing of oocytes and/or embryos when embryo transfer conditions are suboptimal”. Poster presented in ESHRE Annual meeting. London, UK.

Christoforidis N., Ioakimidou C., Pappas C., Chatziparasidou A. (2013). “P-083 Effectiveness of vitrification in women undergoing elective freezing of oocytes and/or embryos when embryo transfer conditions are suboptimal”. ESHRE, Hum. Reprod. 28 (suppl 1):i152

Christoforidis N., Ioakimidou C., Pappas C., Chatziparasidou A. (2013). “The use of low-dose B-HCG in late follicular phase in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in oocyte donors”. Conference: COGI Vienna, Austria 24-27/10 2013

Chatziparasidou A., Christoforidis N., Tsakos E., Naitenski R. (2007). “Triplonuclear embryos in ICSI cycles”. Poster presented in:19th World Congress on Fertility and Sterility IFFS. Durban, South Africa.

Chatziparasidou A., Elder K., Christoforidis N., Tsakos E., Nainteski R. (2007). “Seminal Plasma infections”. Poster presented in: 23rd Annual Meeting, ESHRE. Lyon, France.

Chatziparasidou A., Prapas I., Prapas N., Vlassis G. (2000). “Day 5 embryo transfer”. Poster presented in 10th National Meeting in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Thessaloniki, Greece.

Nijs M., Bosmans E., Chatziparasidou A., Cox A., Jacobs B., Janssen M., Kinget K., Prapas N., Ruis H., Vandereycken G., Wissmann D. and Ombelet W. (2000). “Human blastocyst culture: Factors influencing its results”. Poster presented in: International Congress on Reproductive Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology. Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Chatziparasidou A., Prapas I., Prapas N., Vlassis G. (2000). “Intracytoplasmic Sperm injection in couples with oligoasthenozoospermia and azoospermia”. 10th National Meeting in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Thessaloniki, Greece.

Chatziparasidou A., Prapas I., Prapas N., Vlassis G. (2000). “Azoospermia: Microinjection with fresh and frozen testicular spermatozoa”. Oral Presentation in: 10th National Meeting in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Thessaloniki, Greece.

Drakopoulos A., Prapas Ν., Prapas Ι., Chatziparasidou Α., Nijs M. and Vanderzwalmen P. (1996). “TESE and ICSI in cases with azoospermia”. Poster presented in: 2nd National Andrology Meeting.Thessaloniki, Greece.

Prapas Y., Chatziparasidou A., Vanderzwalmen P., Nijs M., Prapas N., Drakopoulos A., Lejeune B., Vlassis G. and Schoysman R. (1997). “Retrieval of spermatozoa and spermatids from testicular tissue in non-obstructive azoospermic patients”. Oral Presentation in: 13th Annual Meeting ESHRE. Edinburg, UK.

Invited Speaker

Chatziparasidou A. (2014, December). “Certification – accreditation – ISO 9001 – ISO 15189 – ABB : what’s in a name, what’s in a number?”. Invited talk in: IVth Annual Symposium of the Assisted Reproduction Programme of the Province of Buenos Aires. Quality and Risk Management in IVF laboratories. Embryolab Academy. Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Chatziparasidou A. (2014, December). “What is risk and how do you assess it? Non-conformity registration in ART”. Invited talk in: IVth Annual Symposium of the Assisted Reproduction Programme of the Province of Buenos Aires. Quality and Risk Management in IVF laboratories. Embryolab Academy. Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Chatziparasidou A. (2014, December). “Air quality: is it that important and if so, how to measure and control it?”. Invited talk in: IVth Annual Symposium of the Assisted Reproduction Programme of the Province of Buenos Aires. Quality and Risk Management in IVF laboratories. Embryolab Academy. Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Chatziparasidou A. (2014, December). “Preventing errors and having traceability in all your laboratory activities and cryostorage systems – how to manage”. Invited talk in: IVth Annual Symposium of the Assisted Reproduction Programme of the Province of Buenos Aires. Quality and Risk Management in IVF laboratories. Embryolab Academy. Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Chatziparasidou A. (2014, July). “Non-conformity registration in ART: what are the lessons to learn?”. Invited talk in: International Workshop on Quality and Risk Management in your IVF laboratories: from theory to practice, Embryolab Academy. Thessaloniki, Greece.

Chatziparasidou A. (2014, March). “Air quality: is it that important and if so, how to measure and control it?”. Invited talk in: International Workshop on Quality and Risk Management in your IVF laboratories: from theory to practice, Embryolab Academy. Thessaloniki, Greece.

Chatziparasidou A. (2013, September). “Aneuploidy in male infertile patients: indications and results”. Invited talk in: International Workshop on ‘Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis 2013’, Embryolab Academy. Thessaloniki, Greece.

Chatziparasidou A. (2013, September). “Oocyte and embryo biopsy: technical aspects”. Invited talk in International Workshop on ‘Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis 2013’, Embryolab Academy. Thessaloniki, Greece.

Chatziparasidou A. (2013, September). “Blastomere and trophectoderm biopsy”. Invited talk in: International Workshop on ‘Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis 2013’, Embryolab Academy. Thessaloniki, Greece.

Chatziparasidou A., Nagy P. (2013, September). “Can the human oocyte be ‘micro-manipulated’?”/ Invited talk in: 4th Biennial Alpha Conference, 8th Meeting of Andrology in the 2000s, Genk Institute for Fertility Technology. Antwerp, Belgium.

Dr Nicholas K Christoforidis, MD, MSc, FRCOG