Page 13 - FSANZ AUTUMN -2023

FSANZ’s latest research grant recipients
The FSANZ is pleased to announce recipients of the latest round of its annual research grants.
The grants are supported by pharmaceutical companies Ferring and Merck with recipients selected by the Society.
Monash IVF genetic scientist Allison Henwood has been awarded the Ferring grant that supports research projects in the areas of reproductive medicine, biology and epidemiology.
Dietitian and post-doctoral research fellow, Dr Stephanie Cowan, at the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, is the recipient of the Merck grant that supports innovations in assisted reproductive patient care.
Allison began her career with a Bachelor of Science majoring in genetics before completing a Master of Clinical Embryology. She is now a genetic scientist in a Monash IVF team that undertakes novel research with clinical applications to increase people’s chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Her research project is entitled Concordance of Segmental Duplications and Deletions in Subsequent Trophectoderm Biopsies and ICM of Pre-implantation Human Embryos and its Implication for Suitability for Transfer.
“The aims of this study incorporate investigating the concordance of segmental aneuploidies in subsequent trophectoderm biopsies and the ICM, and to investigate whether discordance is higher with deletions or duplications,” Allison explained.
“We will also investigate whether the incidence of duplications or deletions are higher, and whether certain duplications or deletions are more common or have higher concordance with subsequent samples.
“Finally, we will explore whether embryos of a higher grade are more likely to be concordant with the rest of the embryo compared to embryos of a lower grade.
“We hope that the outcomes of this study provide information about the validity of embryo biopsy results from embryos showing a segmental aneuploidy, and the rate of concordance in other parts of the trophectoderm and the ICM.
“This will determine what proportion of affected embryos may be artefact from laboratory processes like whole genome amplification, and whether segmental duplications or deletions may be deemed more suitable for transfer in the future.
“It will also provide a useful basis to inform clinical guidelines, and tools for clinicians and genetic counsellors when discussing options with patients investigating transfer of these embryos.
Allison Henwood
Stephanie Cowan
“The genetics team at Monash IVF is very excited and appreciative of the generous Ferring grant.”
Dr Cowan’s research project is entitled Efficacy and Feasibility of a Mediterranean Diet on Fertility and Reproductive Outcomes in Sub-Fertile Couples Seeking IVF Treatment.
Stephanie said she was " very pleased and honoured” to be announced as the recipient of the Merck FSANZ Leaders in Innovation Fertility Research Grant.
“Knowing that my accomplishments as an early career researcher have been deemed worthy of such merit motivates me in my professional and academic pursuits,” she said.
“Our research aims to investigate the efficacy of the Mediterranean diet on fertility and reproductive outcomes in sub-fertile couples.
“Evidence from observational studies suggests that the Mediterranean diet – a health-promoting dietary pattern associated with regular consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, unprocessed cereals, and extra-virgin olive oil – is associated with improved fertility outcomes that may be related to factors including its anti-inflammatory potential and increased antioxidant content.
“However, this is currently unstudied in intervention trials.
“In my current role as a postdoctoral research fellow working alongside my esteemed mentor, Associate Professor Lisa Moran at the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, this is my first successful grant as a chief investigator.
“This grant will help to further my endeavours to promote and improve the delivery of evidence-based lifestyle management in women’s health, targeting key life stages of pre-conception, during pregnancy and post-partum."
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