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  • Research and Development Committee

Purpose:

The Research and Development Committee is responsible for developing and promoting research projects and papers in the field of urogynecology.

The Research and Development Committee is responsible for the following programs and initiatives:

  • Basic Science and Clinical Research Grants
  • Research Projects
  • Review Survey Requests
  • Opinion Papers

Chair:

Latthe Head Shot

May Alarab (Canada)

Members:

Kristina Allen-Brady

Kristina Allen-Brady

USA

Angamuthu Arun

Angamuthu Arun

Australia

Ixora Kamisan Atan

Ixora Kamisan Atan

Malaysia

Fulya Dökmeci

Fulya Dökmeci

Ankara, Turkey

Fulya Dökmeci

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I was born in Ankara, the capital city of Turkiye. I graduated from Ankara University School of Medicine. I completed my specialist training in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the same University in 1991 and joined the faculty of Ankara University in 1996 as an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and have been living in Ankara since then.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I worked as a visiting observer(as an Associate professor) in Division of Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery under the supervision of John James Klutke in Keck School of Medicine, USC, LA, USA between 2002-2003 while attending the fellowship program for “Teaching & Learning” and “ Educational Leadership” in Division of Medical Education in Keck School of Medicine as a scholar of ECFMG/FAIMER for one year. I have been serving as a Chief Professor at the section of Gynecology & Urogynecology in the Department of Ob & Gyn in Ankara University School of Medicine, since 2004. I am the member of many national and international societies, including Turkish Society of Urogynecology & Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery(TUPRA), Turkish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Turkish Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy, EUGA, IUGA, ICS and Mediterranean Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Society (MIPS) and currently serving as the President of TUPRA and as the Executive Board Member and Chair of the Education Committe of MIPS. I also lead the initiation of the first Urogynecology Doctorate Program which complies with Bologna process (Education language; English) in Turkiye since 2018.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

After I have attended the Urogynecology Congress in Chicago in 2008. I impressed very much and decided to become the member of an International Urogynecology Society in order to improving my networking with all healthcare providers across the world, who are interested in the same field.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

All the IUGA congresses I went to, were inspiring and broadening one's horizons in every sense, but it was different and memorable for me to be involved in the organization of an IUGA exchange meeting in Turkiye which was held in İstanbul and was ended successfully.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

The most impressive book for me was "The Brain; the story of you" The writer who is a a famous Neuroscientist, David Eagleman will take you into your inner cosmos.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Reading, skiing, music and spending the rest of the time with my grand-daughter.

What is one "fun fact" about you?

Not only mine but also my daughter's and my grand daughter's names are flowers names.

Matthew Izett

Matthew Izett

London, UK

Mentor
Matthew Izett

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I currently live in London, UK. I moved here to start my training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and have stayed to undertake further research in the field of Urogynaecology.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am currently a clinical research fellow at University College London Hospital's Urogynaecology and Pelvic Floor Unit. I started this post after five years of general O+G training and I am registered as a doctoral student at University College London where I am completing an MD thesis looking at the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined IUGA in 2015 when I was working for Professor Linda Cardozo at King's College Hospital. She hugely inspired me to take interest in the field and IUGA offered an opportunity to do this on an international level with exposure to the frontiers of pelvic floor medicine and surgery.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Nice, France, IUGA meeting 2015. My first IUGA exposure, lucky enough to present some work and I met lots of wonderful people while enjoying some great food and socializing.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

The Universe in Your Hand by Christophe Galfard. An exceptionally humbling read.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Travelling, cooking, and eating.

Swati Jha

Swati Jha

Sheffield, UK

Swati Jha

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I live in Sheffield, UK which is now my home. I graduated medicine in India and came to England for higher training. My father who is a General Surgeon and worked in England in the 70s and 80s always told me that the UK training was amongst the best in the world. I went on to train as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in Birmingham and completed my subspecialty training in Urogynaecology before being appointed to a Consultant post at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals in 2008.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I joined as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Sheffield University 11 years ago. I lead the Laparoscopic Urogynaecology service, Perineal trauma service as well the Paediatric Adolescent Gynaecology Service. My chief research interest is in the field of Sexual Function in women with pelvic floor dysfunction. My MD Thesis was based on Sexual Function in Women with Urinary Incontinence. I have also undertaken the 3 National UK Prolapse surveys. Last year I wrote a book on “Medicolegal Issues in Obstetrics and Gynaecology” which is dedicated to my parents. This is one achievement I am incredibly proud of. I am current Chair of the British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG) (October 2019) and have served as the Vice chair since 2017. I am also the UK representative of the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FIGO), Urogynaecology and Pelvic Floor Committee. I act as a Specialist advisor to the NICE IPG programme and have been BSUG spokesperson to the RCOG since October 2017.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined IUGA in 2004. This was the turning point in my career and when I decided I was going to be a Urogynaecologist (as opposed to a Gynae Oncologist). I was working with Paul Moran at the time, and he whet my appetite for the specialty. The rest is history as they say.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

My most rewarding IUGA experience has been the opportunity to work on two important IUGA documents i.e. PISQ IR and the Surgery for SUI terminology report. Working on these has made me feel a valued member of the organization.

What was the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

I have been reading Michelle Obamas "Becoming". Hugely inspirational and a lesson in pragmatism and optimism, because life is all about finding that silver lining. I don't really get time for movies, but the movie I last saw which moved me was "The Theory of Everything". This is based on the life story of Stephen Hawking. It taught me how in spite of every possible adversity in life, one can still follow one's passions and dreams.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love cycling and if it's in the French countryside, even better. Being alone with my thoughts while cycling is something I find incredibly therapeutic. I also enjoy reading and absolutely love the work of Atul Gawande. A life in medicine has taken over a lot of my hobbies (maybe one day I can get back to them).

What is one "fun fact" about you?

I have two birthdays (yes like the Queen)! Don't ask, long story.

Lioudmila Lipetskaia

Lioudmila Lipetskaia

USA

Emily Lukacz

Emily Lukacz

California, USA

Emily Lukacz

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

San Diego, California, USA. My husband was stationed here in 1995 and I came to do my residency. Fell in love with the location and the work environment and stayed for fellowship training and as faculty.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences. I am Division Director and Fellowship Program Director for Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery at UC San Diego. I began my residency in OB/GYN here at UC San Diego in 1996 and fellowship training in 2000.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I have been a member for over 15 years and attended my first meeting in Florence, Italy. I enjoy meeting other members and hearing the science and practice patterns around the country.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Working with the Fellows Research Program as an advisor and mentor.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

Moonlight - Fantastic

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Cooking, travel, and spending time with friends.

What is one "fun fact" about you?

I love fantasy football (American football)

Gisele Vissoci Marquini

Gisele Vissoci Marquini

Brazil

Vatche Minassian

Vatche Minassian

Massachusetts, USA

Vatche Minassian

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I live in Boston, MA. I moved here with my family in 2011 because it is a great cosmopolitan city, and Massachusetts has the second largest Armenian community in America.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am the chief of Urogynecology at the Brigham and Women's Hospital. I have held this position since 2011. I am interested in clinical and epidemiologic research in our field.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I have been a member of IUGA for about 18 years now.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

The IUGA meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina in early 2000's.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

Book: Russka, by Edward Rutherford.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Family, swimming, Armenia, friends.

What is one "fun fact" about you?

Meeting and getting to know people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Pamela Moalli

Pamela Moalli

USA

Montse Espuna Pons

Montse Espuna Pons

Spain

Suneetha Rachaneni

Suneetha Rachaneni

UK

Jai Sharma

Jai Sharma

India

Adi Weintraub

Adi Weintraub

Israel

Adi Weintraub

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I live in a small rural community located in a beautiful landscape and surrounded by fields. It is a 20-minute drive from the city of Beer Sheva where the hospital where work is located. Soroka University Medical Center is a large university hospital serving the entire population in the Negev, the southern region of Israel.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am the chief of the Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Medicine services at the Soroka University Medical Center. I am a consultant, work in the Gynecology and Maternity ward and run the Urogynecological Clinic and the perineal clinic that treats women who have undergone OASIS. I am an Associate Professor of medicine at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined IUGA towards the end of my residency when I decided I was interested in a sub-specialty in Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Medicine.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

I fondly remember the IUGA conference in Nice, France. There I attended the Fellow's Day and presented research papers. I also remember fondly the IUGA conference in Nashville, Tennessee, USA were I had the opportunity to mingle and make meaningful connections with colleagues from around the world and have really enjoyed it there.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

One of my favorite books of all times is The Physician by Noah Gordon. I highly recommend it to everyone and especially to those who are fond of historical novels.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy listening to podcasts on a wide variety of topics. I love traveling in Israel and around the world. I enjoy spending time with family and good friends, I enjoy reading and watching series on Netflix.

What is one "fun fact" about you?

I jumped a bungee jump from 110 meters and survived to tell about it.