Dr Ioannis Sfontouris

Ioannis Sfontouris is a Senior Clinical Embryologist with more than 25 years of experience in clinical IVF, scientific research and university teaching.

He graduated from the Department of Biology of the University of Patras in 1998. He continued his studies in the UK where he obtained a postgraduate degree (M.Med.Sci in Assisted Reproduction Technology) from the University of Nottingham in 1999. He trained and worked as an embryologist at the University Fertility Clinic NURTURE in Nottingham, and was officially licensed to perform ICSI in human gametes by the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA). He was awarded his PhD in Reproductive Physiology from the University of Nottingham in 2004. He holds the official European certification of Senior Clinical Embryologist awarded by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).

He holds the roles of Director of Embryology Laboratory, and Academic & Scientific Director of Embryology at HYGEIA IVF EMBRYOGENESIS, the largest Assisted Reproduction Unit in Greece.

He was until recently Honorary Assistant Professor of Clinical Embryology at the University of Nottingham UK, and Coordinator of the Special Interest Group ‘Embryology’ of the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).

In parallel with his clinical work, he has intense research activity. He has several published studies in scientific journals, as well as award-winning presentations at international conferences. His research focuses on aspects of reproductive physiology/endocrinology (ovarian stimulation regimes, PCOS, prevention and treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), optimization of embryo development/culture, non-invasive approaches for assessing embryo viability and ploidy status (using metabolomics, time-lapse imaging, cell-free DNA or artificial intelligence).

He has many years of experience in teaching students and training young embryologists, and participates as a visiting lecturer in various postgraduate programs in Greek and foreign Universities. He is often an invited speaker at national and international conferences.

​He is Associate Editor of the journals Human Reproduction and Frontiers in Reproductive Health. He is also a member of the expert working group appointed by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM – Council of Europe) for writing the 6th edition of the Tissues and Cells Guide.