Meet the team

Rebecca moved to Exeter in 1996, taking on the challenge of setting up the first IVF laboratory in Devon. This service allowed couples based in Devon and Cornwall the opportunity to seek assisted conception treatment without the need to travel outside the Peninsular. Rebecca continues to head up the scientific service here at Fertility Exeter in her role as Principal Embryologist.

Rebecca graduated from the University of Hull in 1995 with a BSc in Applied Biology, specialising in Molecular Biology. She then took the position of Trainee Embryologist at the Assisted Conception Unit in King’s College Hospital, London which also included managing the King’s sperm bank. Whilst working in London, Rebecca was amongst the first UK embryologists to gain a HFEA ICSI practitioner’s license in 1996.

Rebecca achieved recognition as a state registered Clinical Scientist in 2000, when the register was opened. She also completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Embryology through the University of Leeds in 2006 and became a Diplomate of the Royal College of Pathologists in 2009.

Rebecca says “I have continued to head up the scientific service in Exeter where I have delivered training to a number of embryologists starting out on their careers, including those that have remained and developed here in Fertility Exeter and some who have moved onto pastures new. During a number of years, I have grown a friendly and dedicated team of experienced embryologists and support staff to deliver a patient-focused approach to IVF, assisted conception and preservation of fertility.”

Nwora joined the RD&E in 2007, with such experience that enabled him to be registered as, and use the protected title of ‘Clinical Scientist’ in the UK, as well as expertise in quality management.

He always “aims to be as good as I can be in my job” and has since gone on to be certified as a senior embryologist by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), awarded Level 5 in Management, by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) and is a diplomate of the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath). He is a member of several professional bodies and continues to attend conferences and workshops.

Nwora contributes not just to the fertility clinic where he doubles as the quality manager, but trust wide as the coordinator of the Healthcare Sciences Strategy Forum (HSSF). The latter develops ideas for the training and workforce planning for all the scientific disciplines within the trust.

Jo began her clinical career here in 2005 as a trainee embryologist, completing her ACE Certificate in Clinical Embryology in 2008 and successful registration with the HCPC as a clinical scientist in 2011. Jo has since completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Genomic Medicine through the University of Exeter and was recently made a Diplomate of The Royal College of Pathologists. She is currently working towards a doctorate award through the Higher Specialist Scientist Training programme. Jo is responsible for our donor sperm programme at Fertility Exeter, acquiring sperm from the UK, USA and Denmark.

Before joining us, Jo completed a BSc honours degree in Zoology at the University of Glasgow and an MSc at the University of Wales. She specialised in equine reproductive physiology for her dissertation, carrying out research on a large stud farm in Australia. Jo then worked for 3 years at the Medical Research Council in Oxfordshire in research embryology before moving to Exeter.

Jo says “I adore my job and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I never get bored looking at embryos – they are beautiful wee things! I feel very privileged to have helped create and complete so many families; it is such a rewarding career. I especially love the high degree of patient contact we have here at Fertility Exeter, it’s great to be able to support our patients directly and get to know them throughout their journey with us. My particular interest is embryo cryopreservation and I think of all of our ‘frozen babies’ as being extra special!”

Kelly joined us as a trainee embryologist in 2007 and was awarded the ACE Certificate in Clinical Embryology in 2011 and has completed her registration with the HCPC as a clinical scientist. Kelly is a key member of the scientific team and is also our Training Officer for the Scientific Training Programme (STP).

After completing her BSc(hons) in Animal Science, Kelly successfully studied for her PhD in early follicular development in cattle at the University of Nottingham. Kelly then went on to lecture in animal physiology at the College of Animal Welfare and the Nottingham Trent University.

Kelly says “I had dreamed of being an embryologist for many years! I enjoyed my former life of cattle embryology but having the ability to help create and complete a family makes this job one of the most rewarding out there! Being able to support patients through their fertility journey, the ups and the downs is a real privilege and a special part of the job for me. The egg sharing programme gives a unique opportunity to help two families at the same time. The ultimate outcome is when both the donor and the recipient phone in with a positive result. I don’t think there can be many people who have such a lovely job that they genuinely look forward to.”

Sarah has a BSc(hons) degree in Physiology from the University of Leeds and joined us as a trainee embryologist in 2010. She completed the ACE Certificate in Clinical Embryology in 2012 and is registered with the HCPC as a Clinical Scientist.  Sarah has since completed an MSc in Genomic Medicine through the University of Exeter.

Alongside clinical work, Sarah is responsible for the sourcing of laboratory consumables and overseas the management of cryostorage of gametes and embryos.

Sarah says “I genuinely love my job and I feel very privileged to be a part of our patients’ journey; seeing patients come back into the clinic as parents always gives me a warm glow! It’s not all about the success stories though, helping those who are about to undergo medical treatment, which may harm their fertility, is an ever-increasing part of our role. By cryopreserving eggs, sperm and embryos, we help keep hope and positivity alive for the future, which is very rewarding.”

Jessica joined Fertility Exeter in 2013 following the completion of her BSc (Hons) in Human Biosciences at the University of Plymouth. In 2016, she was awarded a PhD in Male Fertility from the University of Exeter, where her research focused advancing understanding of male reproductive health. Jessica has since completed the Scientist Training Programme (STP) in Reproductive Science and is now a HCPC registered Clinical Scientist.

Jessica says “It’s a privilege to be part of such an important moment in people’s lives. Seeing science translate into real results for families is what makes this work so meaningful. The field of reproductive science is constantly evolving, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see how research and innovation can directly improve patient outcomes.”

After completing a degree in BSc Biomedical Science at Nottingham Trent University in 2018, Lauren went on to study a master’s degree in Assisted Reproduction Technology at The University of Nottingham. She then joined Fertility Exeter as a Healthcare Science Practitioner in January 2020, before progressing onto the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) in 2021 – specialising in Reproductive Science (Embryology). She completed this in February 2025 and is now a HCPC registered Clinical Embryologist. Lauren enjoys teaching, and has an interest in improving the relationship between primary care and fertility services. She is also a Neurodiversity Champion within the Trust. 

“Lauren says: “Embryology is a unique career, because we get to build a relationship with our patients, which isn’t something many scientists can say. I chose Embryology because I wanted a scientific career where the need for human connection, empathy, and compassion would always be there.”