Ovarian Research Early career Network
Ovaren is an international early career research group focused on driving innovation in ovarian research, from basic science to clinical applications. We bring together a diverse community of researchers, including laboratory scientists, clinicians, embryologists, and fertility specialists, to address pressing challenges in ovarian biology, fertility preservation, and reproductive health. Our collaborative network fosters interdisciplinary research and provides a platform for emerging researchers to exchange knowledge, develop skills, and contribute to advances in ovarian health across both scientific and clinical domains.
The Researchers
Dr Hajra Khattak
OvaREN Founder
NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer (Assistant Professor)
Department of Reproductive Health, University College London
Dr Hajra Khattak is a specialty trainee (registrar) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Reproductive Health.
She completed a PhD in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, focusing on evaluating the clinical effectiveness of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation as a method of female fertility preservation.
In her postdoctoral fellowship, she is leading the development and prioritization of research questions in female fertility preservation research as part of the NIHR James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership (JLA PSP), as well as working on developing a core outcomes set (CoS) for female fertility preservation trials.
Omar Ammar
IVF Lab Director
Ar-Razzi IVF Centre
Omar Ammar is a Senior Clinical Embryologist and a Clinical Research and Development Lead focusing on using machine learning to improve IVF success rates and patient care. He is also the founder of Al-Manarah Diagnostics Lab in Iraq. He has over eight years of experience in research and IVF labs and has worked on optimising ovarian tissue culture techniques for fertility preservation at the University of Oxford.
In 2018, Omar completed a master’s in Clinical Embryology with Merit from the University of Dundee as a Chevening Scholar. With a solid background in research, hands-on industry expertise, and a passion for teaching, he is dedicated to advancing reproductive medicine.
Omar is an active contributor to the field. He serves on the editorial board of the ESHRE Journal Club, reviewer for several journals in the field, speaker at several international conferences, is a committee member of the Ovarian Research Early Career Network (OvaREN), and lectures at the College of Medicine, University of Anbar.
Claudia Massarotti
Assistant professor, University of Genova
Reproductive medicine doctor, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
Claudia Massarotti is a Reproductive Medicine physician, working at the Physiopathology of Human Reproduction Unit of San Martino Hospital in Genova, Italy, as well as an Assistant Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Genova.
She is passionate about clinical and translational research with the goal to improve daily clinical practice.
Her main research fields are: fertility preservation, including gynecological and reproductive follow up after gonadotoxic therapies; iatrogenic menopause; reproduction with chronic diseases.
Jesús Cadenas
Postdoctoral researcher
Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Denmark
Dr. Jesús Cadenas, a native of Almeria, Spain, is a researcher at the Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Denmark.
He holds an MSc in Biology and Reproductive Technology from the University of Murcia, Spain, and a PhD in Veterinary Sciences with a focus on Reproductive Biology from the State University of Ceara, Brazil.
His research centers on three key areas: investigating the regulatory mechanisms of human oocyte maturation, advancing in vitro maturation (IVM) platforms to support efficient human oocyte development, and developing culture systems for human preantral follicles to replicate ovarian function in vitro.
Nilay Kuscu
Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford
Nilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology, followed by an MSc in Reproductive Biology and a PhD in Histology and Embryology, with a primary focus on evaluating mouse preimplantation embryo metabolism. This research was conducted in collaboration with Harvard University in the United States.
Throughout her academic career, her research interests have predominantly revolved around embryo development and the intricate workings of both female and male reproductive systems.
In her current role, she is dedicated to studying human ovarian function and exploring innovative approaches to fertility preservation.
Saba Nikanfar
Postdoctoral fellow
Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de la Reproduction, Institute of Experimental and Clinique Research, Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium
Saba Nikanfar is a postdoctoral researcher at Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de la Reproduction, UCLouvain, specializing in ovarian tissue engineering with a focus on polycystic ovaries to improve fertility.
She holds a Master’s and PhD in Clinical Biochemistry, building upon her strong background in Biology.
Her research also encompasses developing 3D models, designing hydrogels to support ovarian follicles, and conducting ovarian toxicology studies.