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Our department's Alumni
Celebrating the global impact and enduring connection of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health alumni.
Our Alumni Experience
Welcome to the Alumni page of the Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health. This page celebrates the accomplishments and diverse experiences of our graduates, whose contributions continue to advance the frontiers of research, clinical practice, and policy in women’s and reproductive health worldwide.
Our alumni embody the Department’s enduring commitment to academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through rigorous scholarship and mentorship within a collegial and inclusive environment, our graduates develop the expertise and critical perspective necessary to lead in their respective fields.
Beyond their studies, alumni benefit from Oxford’s unparalleled scholarly community - a global network that fosters lifelong connections, shared purpose, and ongoing engagement with cutting-edge research. Here, members of our alumni community reflect on how expert supervision, innovative teaching, and a vibrant academic culture at Oxford have shaped their professional trajectories and personal development.
Eszter Dombi
"I began my educational journey in women's health in 2015, when I had the opportunity to join the Mitochondrial Genetics Group under the mentorship of Professor Joanna Poulton as a DPhil student. I found the opportunities to interact with principal investigators and scientists both within and outside NDWRH to be the most valuable and enjoyable aspects of my study. This exposure not only enriched my knowledge but also enhanced my ability to think critically and creatively in my work.
I am currently a postdoctoral research scientist at the University of Oxford, specifically at the Target Discovery Institute, where I lead high-throughput CRISPR-Cas9 and various arrayed screening projects.
My advice for current students or those considering a career in women’s and reproductive health is to take full advantage of the knowledge around you. The NDWRH is filled with amazing researchers, so don’t hesitate to ask questions and engage with them."
Maryam Rahbar
"My journey at Oxford began with the MSc in Clinical Embryology, which created a deeper curiosity for science and a passion for reproductive medicine. The program gave me not only technical expertise in assisted reproductive technologies, but also invaluable skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and scientific communication. Inspired by this experience, I went on to pursue a DPhil at the department, where I had the privilege of working alongside leading scientists in the field.
Since completing my studies, I have combined academic insight with clinical practice as a fully trained Canadian embryologist and have taken on leadership roles in fertility care. I currently serve as Chief Scientific Officer of a fertility clinic, and as the Founder of OvoLife, an initiative dedicated to empowering women with knowledge and options in their fertility journey. I also have advisory roles for multiple fertility related startups. Looking back, Oxford gave me not only the tools to thrive professionally, but also the confidence and vision to push boundaries, build initiatives, and contribute to shaping the future of reproductive health."
Dr Biswanath Ghosh Dastidar
Dr Dastidar is using his Oxford experience to support families in eastern India through free IVF treatment.
Biswanath is leading a landmark public–private partnered programme, the first of its kind in the country, to bring IVF access to families in eastern India at no cost.
The programme delivered its first IVF baby in October 2024 and has already helped dozens more. Biswanath credits the intellectual rigour and research training he received at Oxford as life changing, made possible through the Felix Scholarship.
A wonderful example of the impact our alumni are making around the world.
Suseela Suseela
Suseela completed her DPhil in 2015, is now a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Malaya.
She says that doing the DPhil in the Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health was an optimistic turning point in her life. Having gained extensive theoretical and practical knowledge, it enabled her to perform her duties confidently and diplomatically in her current role.
Suseela saw the DPhil as “a golden opportunity to explore and maximise. Thus, I never missed any academic activities such as seminars, symposium and courses provided by the Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health and the Medical Sciences Division.”
Suseela predominantly attributes her success to the excellent coaching and supervision of her supervisor.
Dr Ippokratis Sarris
Dr Sarris is Director of King’s Fertility, Consultant in Reproductive Medicine, and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at King’s College London. A graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge and Magdalen College, Oxford, he completed his Doctorate at Oxford before undertaking subspecialty training in reproductive medicine and surgery. He was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2021 and now oversees King’s Fertility’s clinical, research, educational and regulatory activities.
An active researcher, educator and clinician, Dr Sarris has authored peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and Oxford University Press textbooks in obstetrics and gynaecology. He mentors trainee doctors and supervises doctoral candidates, while also serving on the Executive Committee of the British Fertility Society. Passionate about personalised care, he leads King’s Fertility with a focus on innovation, patient experience, and advancing the field of reproductive health.
Dr Loreli Mejia Fernandez
"The MSc is a well-organised course that helped us to develop our skills, including scientific writing and critical thinking… It was extraordinary to receive lectures and perform laboratory practices with leading experts… All the knowledge and skills taught in this course will allow demonstrating the scientific capacity and independence of any student willing to become an outstanding professional in reproductive sciences.
Without any doubt, it was a challenging and transformative experience which was crucial to develop my inner scientific spirit and my career."
Dr Grace Ross
"The dedication and commitment of the course director and the core staff to student education and welfare is unparalleled.
This course is (very!) intense but the exposure to some of the brightest minds in the field was incredible as we had tutorials and lectures from academics who quite literally wrote the textbooks and pioneered the field.
Tutorials are stimulating and there is encouragement to keep up to date with the latest research. Beyond the lab and classroom, Oxford offers so much – it really was a magical year!"
Dr Nina Zoric
“Imagine how it is to be constantly challenged to think outside your normal boundaries and dared to step outside your comfort zones. This, in combination with stimulating environment, world-class lecturers and top-notch educational methods, helped us develop our personal and professional skills to a higher level.
Oxford is a place where the leaders of tomorrow are being made, and where I learnt an immeasurable amount about life and myself.”
DR ANTHONY KAYIIRA
"The MSc clinical embryology course awoke the scientist in me. I became proficient in scientific writing, critical thinking, experimental design and data presentation. As a clinical embryologist, I credit this course for helping me understand the mechanisms driving the physiology and pathophysiology of human reproduction.
Furthermore, learning critical assisted reproductive techniques and interacting with renown scientists in the field overshot my expectations.
This would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the course staff, Kevin, Bec, Celine, Jenny and Laura, who were approachable and created a conducive environment for learning. In addition, they provided me with continuous support to achieve my academic and career goals.
Ultimately, the course positively changed my perspective toward biomedical research and thus, I might have come in a clinician, but I left a clinical scientist".
Michelle Potter
Michelle completed her DPhil in 2014 before working in a contract research organisation specialising in drug discovery services.
She later returned to the Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, where she now works as the Research Grants, Contracts & Facilitation Manager, supporting academics with funding applications and funder reporting across our portfolio of research and training awards.
Reflecting on her time in the Department, Michelle shared: “It was the people. I found it to be a very friendly and inclusive workplace, where help would always be provided to those who asked for it.
Our Research degrees
Our programmes
We offer two prestigious postgraduate research programmes: the two‑year MSc by Research and the three‑year DPhil.
Both programmes provide an exceptional opportunity to conduct original, independent research in a specialised area of your choice, guided by world‑leading experts in women’s and reproductive health. You’ll develop advanced research skills, contribute to cutting‑edge scientific discovery, and work within one of the most influential academic departments in the field.
Find a project
There are a variety of projects available for DPhil and MSc by Research students in the Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health. We advise students to contact potential supervisors as soon possible to discuss projects.
Fees & Funding
Our students have been very successful in obtaining funding from highly prestigious schemes.
our taught masters courses
MSc in Clinical Embryology
An intensive one-year residential course at the University of Oxford combines theory and practical training in IVF and embryology.
The course is designed for graduates in biological sciences, medicine, or veterinary medicine who aspire to careers in reproductive medicine, IVF laboratories, or academic research. You will gain cutting-edge knowledge in reproductive biology, laboratory techniques, and clinical embryology practices, delivered by internationally recognised experts in the field.
MSc in Global Women's Health
Our first online postgraduate course is an innovative two‑year part-time programme combining the flexibility of online learning with a 2 x one-week residentials at the University of Oxford, offering students a unique opportunity to connect in person with peers and leading academics.
Designed for those passionate about improving women’s health worldwide, the course equips you with the knowledge, skills, and global perspective needed to tackle pressing health challenges facing women across diverse settings.
MSc in Reproductive Genetics
Developed in response to increasing demand, the MSc in Reproductive Genetics is a cutting‑edge one‑year programme at the forefront of genetics and reproductive science.
This course provides an in‑depth understanding of the genetic basis of reproduction and its clinical applications, preparing graduates for careers in reproductive medicine, genetic counselling, and academic research.
Find out more
About us
The Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health (NDWRH) within the Medical Sciences Division (MSD) of the University of Oxford. As an internationally recognised centre of excellence for biomedical and clinical research and teaching, MSD is the largest of the four academic divisions within the University of Oxford.
Study programmes
We offer a portfolio of world-class postgraduate programmes, including the MSc in Clinical Embryology (one-year residential), MSc in Reproductive Genetics (one-year residential), Online MSc in Global Women’s Health (two years, part-time), MSc by Research (two years), and the DPhil (three to four years). In addition, we contribute to undergraduate medical education by teaching the core principles of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Our research themes
WRH comprises over 30 cutting-edge research groups spanning five core themes, each led by world-renowned experts in their respective fields. Many of these groups collaborate with other departments at the University of Oxford, as well as with universities and business partners globally.