Felipe Vilella, PhD

Dr Vilella graduated in Biological Sciences (2002) and Biochemistry (2004) from the University of Navarra. In 2006, he obtained his PhD in Molecular Biology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lleida with the highest degree Cum Laude. He completed his first post-doctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Professor Aragon at the Clinical Science Centre of the Medical Research Council (MRC) in London, supported by the Marie Curie program. In 2007, he was awarded the prestigious scholarship from the Ministry of Education and Science (FECYT) for the development of Spanish doctors abroad. During his years in the UK (2006-2009), he specialized in the mechanisms of DNA repair and progression in the cell cycle of eukaryotic cells. This knowledge provided him with the opportunity to become a second post-doctoral fellow at the laboratory of Professor Lako in a mixed unit created between the University of Newcastle and the Prince Felipe Research Center in Valencia (CIPF). During this time, he moved his knowledge of cell biology to embryonic stem cells and its application in the field of regenerative medicine. In 2011, he began his career as principal investigator in the Endometrial Receptivity Laboratory within the IVI Foundation directed by Professor Simon. Dr Vilella’s field of work is focused on the study of endometrial receptivity and the cross-talk between the mother and the embryo during implantation. In 2014, he obtained a Miguel Servet position issued by the Institute of Health Carlos III and became part of the Foundation for Research at the Clinical Hospital of Valencia (INCLIVA).

Dr Vilella has published 30 scientific works in prestigious journals such as Nature Cell Biology, Stem Cells, Endocrine Reviews, Development and Science, among others, and is a regular contributor and reviewer of international journals. He has directed 4 doctoral theses and has participated in over 16 international projects to date, being principal investigator in 8 of them. He has participated as an invited speaker in over 72 international conferences.

Carlos Simón MD, PhD

Professor Simón is Board Certified and Professor of Ob/Gyn at the University of Valencia, Spain; Adjunct Clinical Professor, Baylor College of Medicine, USA.

As a clinician-scientist his main interest is the understanding of the human embryonic implantation process, considering as key elements the embryo, the maternal endometrium, and the cross-communication between them using different scientific perspectives. He is the author of 446 publications in international peer-review journals, with an accumulated impact factor of 2,100.73. His papers have received a total of 19,019 citations with an average of 43 citation/paper. His H-Index is 74 and he is an editor of 19 books (one best seller and one Highly Commended, BMA Book Awards 2018). He has been the Director of 38 PhD theses.

The quality of his work has been recognized by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, the Spanish Society of Obstetrics & Gynecology, and the Spanish Fertility Society. He received the Prize Jaime I in Medical Investigation in 2011, and the ASRM Distinguished Research Award in 2016.