Current members

I have received my degree in Biology, Animal Sciences, from the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Following this I have obtained MSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Tehran, Iran. In my MSc research project I studied the effect of the p53 gene mutations on colorectal cancer, and the inflammation processes in cancer patients. I became interested in reproductive and developmental research, and joined Dr Fazeli’s research team in September 2010. I am now involved in a project focusing on Toll-like receptors in the female reproductive tract, and their implications in the early implantation of the embryo.

Telephone: +44 114 2268291
Email: s.basatvat@sheffield.ac.uk

I started working with Dr Elizabeth Lenton performing radioimmuno assays to detect the ovulation in artificial insemination procedures at the University of Sheffield in 1985. I then went on to perform routine semen analysis on patients attending infertility clinics and assisted in the recruitment of donors for the donor semen bank. After moving to the Jessop Wing in 2001 I began working in the Fazeli Research Group. I provide technical support to all staff and students working with molecular biology and tissue culture techniques. I am also responsible for the technical, financial, health and safety organisation of the laboratories.

Telephone: +44 114 2268347
Email: s.elliott@sheffield.ac.uk

I studied Veterinary Medicine at the Tehran University and completed my PhD at the Utrecht University in The Netherlands. During my PhD I worked on physiological and clinical applications of gamete interactions. After obtaining PhD in Reproductive Biology in 1996, I carried on working as a postdoctoral research associate in Utrecht. In 1996 I took up a Research Fellowship at the Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London where I worked until 2002. Currently I am a Professor of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine at the University of Sheffield. I have published over 180 scientific papers, book chapters and scientific communications. My research is concentrated on various aspects of Reproductive and Developmental Biology by involving many other scientific disciplines. Currently I am vice-chairman of a COST Action program of the European Union 'Epigenetics and Periconception Environment' (EPICONCEPT, FA1201), and served as a chairman for an other program 'Maternal Interactions with Gametes and Embryo' (GEMINI, FA0702). I am editorial board member of the journal Reproduction.

Telephone: +44 114 2268345
Email: a.fazeli@sheffield.ac.uk
Websites: The Fazeli Research Group, cost-epiconcept.eu

I received my PhD from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 1979, having carried out the research project while employed at the Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London. After receiving my PhD I became an academic research associate within the Institute of Zoology, and was promoted to Research Fellow in 1995 then to Reader in 2000. Apart from being a Visiting Professor at the University of Sheffield I have been awarded three Honorary Professorships by (1) the Royal Veterinary College, London (2) the University College London and (3) the University of Bedfordshire. I am also an Honorary Research Associate of the Smithsonian Institution’s ‘Center for Species Survival’ in Washington DC. I became Head of the Reproductive Biology group at the Institute of Zoology in 1995 and retained that position until the end of September 2011 when the research group was closed.

My research has focused on the methods for the assessment and preservation of gametes, especially spermatozoa, in a variety of species. Fundamental research into sperm quality has produced novel insights into the phenotypic differentiation of sperm subpopulations in terms of their motility, DNA structure and selection in the female reproductive tract. For the last decade I have been attempting to understand the biology of natural sperm storage mechanisms in the female reproductive tract on the basis that such understanding might translate into better practical tools for the long-term preservation of spermatozoa. To date we have shown that the mammalian oviduct has a significant capacity to protect and store spermatozoa, and that this is correlated with the stimulation of novel gene transcription and oviductal protein synthesis as soon as the sperm arrive at the storage sites.

Telephone: +44 114 2268531
Email: bill.holt@ioz.ac.uk

I joined Dr Fazeli’s research group in June 2013 as a PhD student. The aim of my project is to investigate how the maternal tract communicate with the embryo via different forms of micro-RNAs. I am very interested in understanding the nature of the genes and proteins regulated by microRNAs. I obtained a BSc in Genetics and Molecular Biology in 2007 at the University of Malaya, and completed a postgraduate degree (MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Biology at the Imperial College London in 2008. Before I joined this group I was working as a researcher in the Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre for two years.

Telephone: +44 114 2261072
Email: nakmaljamaludin@gmail.com

I joined Dr Fazeli's lab at the beginning of November 2010. I received my Bachelor Degree in General Biology, and I obtained a Masters Degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the Islamic Azad University in Tehran, Iran. In order to broaden my scientific knowledge, I started my postgraduate studies in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine. My research focuses on understanding of the innate immunity activation in the embryo and the endometrium.

Telephone: +44 114 2261072
Email: mdp10nm@sheffield.ac.uk

I graduated from the University of Alexandria, Egypt, where I received core training in obstetrics, gynaecology and infertility. I am currently a clinical research fellow in the Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, of the Sheffield University, and a Senior Registrar at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. I am currently conducting a PhD investigating the role of microRNA in the communication between the developing blastocyst and the receptive endometrium during normal implantation, recurrent implantation failure and recurrent early pregnancy loss. My research interests include epigenetics, disorders of implantation embryonic and endometrial programming in spontaneous and assisted conception.

Telephone: +44 791 2415770
Email: t.m.nafee@sheffield.ac.uk

Originally from Cambridge, I obtained my BSc in Biology from the University of Sheffield in 2013. I then studied at Lancaster University for an MSc in Environmental and Biochemical Toxicology. For my MSc thesis, I applied infrared (IR) spectroscopy to detect biomarkers of pollution exposure and other stresses in sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) leaves, with implications for environmental health monitoring. I also developed a strong interest in epigenetics, particularly in the context of toxicity and other environmental stresses.

I returned to Sheffield in 2014 to study for a PhD under the supervision of Penelope Watt (Animal and Plant Sciences), Alireza Fazeli and Bill Holt (Human Metabolism). The aim of my project is to investigate possible trans-generational effects of environmental stress using the guppy (Poecilia reticulata), a live-bearing fish as a model system. The project will attempt to derive biomarkers of epigenetic alterations by quantifying various morphological, developmental and behavioural phenotypes. I will also seek mechanistic insights into epigenome-level processes using molecular techniques.

Telephone: +44 114 2220076
Email: jordi1@sheffield.ac.uk

After graduation with a BSc in biology and chemistry and Qualified Teacher Status I became particularly interested in plant biology. I started a postgraduate course and obtained a PhD. Following this, I worked in biochemistry and microscopy research in the Universities of Szeged, Sheffield, Durham, in the John Innes Centre and the Long Ashton Research Station between 1987 and 2000. During my research years I was closely involved in computer image analysis and designing scientific illustrations. I became interested in computer networking technologies and successfully completed a Microsoft training course and achieved Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer qualification in 2000. In the subsequent few years I was working as an IT analyst and trainer at various governmental and industrial companies in Sheffield. Since 2008 I have administered a postgraduate course and co-ordinated research activities at the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the Medical School of the University of Sheffield. I have been also involved in teaching foundation level chemistry and biology for international students of the International College.

Telephone: +44 114 2268347
Email: l.tecsi@sheffield.ac.uk