The Harley Street BID is made up of a fantastic array of businesses, organisations and practices. Each month, we spend some time getting to know one of the people who calls the Harley Street area home.
This month, we’re meeting Elena, Director of Embryology at the London Women’s Clinic.
Can you tell us a little about your role as Director of Embryology and what your job involves?
As Director of Embryology, my role is a combination of science, leadership and strategy. I oversee our embryology laboratories and teams, making sure we deliver the highest standards of patient care while continuing to offer the best possible success rates. A big part of my role is also looking ahead at how we can improve outcomes. However, I have always remained very connected to the laboratory and to the patients behind every embryo. That is ultimately what everything we do is about.
Can you tell us a little about London Women’s Clinic and the work you do here in Harley Street?
London Women’s Clinic has a long history in fertility treatment and has always combined clinical expertise with innovation and research. Harley Street is the flagship of the JDH company and is at the heart of much of that work. It is an incredibly busy and dynamic centre where patients receive tailored and exceptional treatment. We support patients across a wide range of fertility journeys, from IUI, IVF and ICSI to fertility preservation, egg donation and genetic testing. We are also very focused on innovation, whether that is time-lapse embryo culture, AI-supported embryo assessment or using our own clinical and laboratory data to reflect on our practices and continuously improve the way we care for our patients.
What does a typical day look like for you at London Women’s Clinic?
I’m not sure there really is a typical day, and that is probably one of the things I love about my job!
I always start the day by reviewing embryo development. It fascinates me to see the journey of embryos, patient by patient, and to know that the embryos are developing well, as this indirectly tells me that our systems are working well. I then start reviewing laboratory activity and outcomes with the teams before moving into meetings about patient care, quality or new projects. Another part of the day might involve looking at data, supporting or training colleagues, reviewing a particularly complex case or planning how we introduce a new technology.
What first inspired you to pursue a career in embryology?
While studying Biomedical Sciences at university, I discovered prenatal genetics and human reproduction, and I fell in love with the field instantly. I was fascinated by the science, but also by the incredible human story behind it. Behind every embryo is a story not yet written, a hope quietly held and a dream waiting to unfold. Being part of those stories is what inspired me then and what continues to inspire me today.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The fact that our work can become part of someone’s life story.
There is something extraordinary about seeing an embryo at its very earliest stage and knowing what it might one day become. Even after many years in embryology, I don’t think you ever lose that sense of privilege. I have had the pleasure of meeting many of the babies I helped to create, and I feel grateful. I also love developing people. Seeing young embryologists grow in confidence, become excellent scientists and eventually train the next generation is incredibly rewarding.
What do you enjoy most about working in Harley Street, and what makes the area special to you?
I love embryology and working in a large and diverse clinic like Harley Street gives me the opportunity to see such a wide variety of patient cases. Every fertility journey is different, so even after many years in the field, I’m constantly learning and being challenged. Being surrounded by so much medical expertise makes Harley Street a very special place to work, but for me, what makes it most special is the people. I’ve spent a large part of my career here, seen the clinic grow and evolve, worked alongside wonderful colleagues and been privileged to be part of so many patient journeys. After all these years, I can still walk into the laboratory and feel excited about what we do, and that says a lot about what this place means to me.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about embryology and the work that happens behind the scenes in fertility treatment?
I wish more people knew just how much happens behind the laboratory doors. Embryology isn’t simply about bringing eggs and sperm together and waiting for embryos to develop. Every stage requires precision, expertise and carefully considered decisions. Behind every embryo is someone’s hope, their journey and potentially their future family. We may work behind the scenes, but we are deeply connected to our patients and committed to giving every embryo the very best possible chance it deserves.
