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Dr. Irfan Aslam

Group IVF Lab Director

Embryology and Andrology 30+Years of Experience British English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi Abu Dhabi
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Irfan Aslam

Dr. Irfan Aslam is a distinguished clinical embryologist with over three decades of comprehensive experience in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Currently, he serves as the Group IVF Laboratory Director at Trust Fertility Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE, where he leads a multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality ART services, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), testicular sperm extraction, embryo biopsy, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), and advanced cryopreservation techniques. Dr. Aslam holds professional licenses from leading regulatory authorities, including the Human Fertilizations and Embryology Authority (HFEA, UK), Abu Dhabi Health Authority (HAAD), Dubai Department of Health (DOH), and Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH KSA).

 With over 20 years in senior embryology roles, Dr. Aslam has played a pivotal role in establishing and optimizing IVF laboratories in multiple regions, achieving clinical and laboratory excellence. Notably, he led the first successful College of American Pathology (CAP) accreditation for an IVF laboratory in the UAE and contributed to several successful Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditations and re-accreditations. His expertise in laboratory quality assurance, compliance with international standards, and advanced micromanipulation techniques, including laser-assisted hatching, embryo biopsy, and blastocyst culture—has driven consistent improvements in clinical outcomes.

 Dr. Aslam’s academic background includes a PhD in Reproductive Biology from the University of Nottingham, UK, where his research focused on the isolation, characterization, and in vitro culture of immature male germ cells, including spermatids and spermatogonial stem cells. His pioneering work in genomic imprinting, DNA methylation analysis, and safety assessments of spermatid injection techniques contributed valuable insights into fertility preservation and germline integrity. His research has been published in high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific journals.

 In addition to his research achievements, Dr. Aslam has extensive teaching experience, having served as an Assistant Professor of Physiology at Nishtar Medical College, Pakistan, and as an instructor of Reproductive Physiology to Master’s students at the University of Nottingham. His mentorship has contributed to the training of embryologists and reproductive scientists, advancing the field of ART both academically and clinically.

  • Embryology
  • Andrology
  • Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology School of Human Development, University of Nottingham, U.K., 1999
  • M.Phil. in Physiology University of Karachi, Pakistan, 1992
  • MBBS Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan, 1986
  • B.Sc. Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan, 1983
  • Abdo N. M., Aslam I., Irfan S., George J. A., Alsuwaidi A. R., Ahmed L. A., and Al-Rifai R. H. (2023). Chlamydia trachomatis seroepidemiology and associated factors in fertility treatment-seeking patients in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 50, 583-590.
  • Abdo N. M., Ahmad H., Loney T., Zarmakoupis P. N., Aslam I., Irfan S., Grivna M., Ahmed L. A., and Al-Rifai R. H. (2023). Characterization of Fertility Clinic Attendees in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20, 1692-1712.
  • Abdo N. M., Aslam I., Irfan S., George J. A., Alsuwaidi A. R., Ahmed L. A., and Al-Rifai R. H. (2022). Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence and associated factors in a fertility treatment-seeking population: A cross-sectional survey in the United Arab Emirates. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 1-10.
  • Aslam I. (2004). Isolation of spermatogenic cells from testicular biopsies of azoospermic men revisited: Is there any predictive factor for successful spermatid recovery? Human Reproduction, (in press).
  • Aslam I., Fishel S., Moore H., Dowell K., and Thornton S. (2000). Fertility preservation of boys undergoing anti-cancer therapy: A review of the existing situation and prospects for the future. Human Reproduction, 15, 2154-2159.
  • Fishel S., Aslam I., Lisi F., Rinaldi L., Timson J., Jacobson M., Gobetz L., Green S., Campbell A., and Lisi R. (2000). Should ICSI be the treatment of choice for all cases of in vitro conception? Human Reproduction, 15, 1278-1283.
  • Aslam I. (1999). Spermatid extraction and selection from testes. In The Human Testis: Its Role in Reproduction and Sexuality (Ed. Fabris G.F.M.), Monduzzi Editore, Bologna, Italy, 45-51.
  • Araki Y., Ogawa S., Ohno M., Yoshizawa M., Araki S., Aslam I., and Fishel S. (1999). Successful metaphase chromosome analysis of human elongated spermatids using mouse oocytes. Molecular Human Reproduction, 5, 784-787.
  • Aslam I. and Fishel S. (1999). Evaluation of fertilization potential of freshly isolated, in-vitro cultured, and cryopreserved human spermatids by injection into hamster oocytes. Human Reproduction, 14, 1528-1533.
  • Aslam I. (1999). Human spermatid microinjection: The clinical implications. Ph.D. thesis, University of Nottingham, U.K.
  • Aslam I., Fishel S., Green S., Campbell A., Garratt L., McDermott H., Dowell K., and Thornton S. (1998). Can we justify spermatid microinjection for severe male factor infertility? Human Reproduction Update, 4, 213-222.
  • Aslam I. and Fishel S. (1998). Short-term in-vitro culture and cryopreservation of spermatogenic cells used for human in-vitro conception. Human Reproduction, 13, 634-638.
  • Aslam I. and Fishel S. (1998). Immature sperm and assisted conception. Current Obstetrics and Gynecology, 8, 36-43.
  • Aslam I., Robins R.A., Dowell K., and Fishel S. (1998). Isolation, purification, and assessment of viability of spermatogenic cells from testicular biopsies of azoospermic men. Human Reproduction, 13, 639-645.
  • Aslam I. and Fishel S. (1996). The use of spermatids for human conception. In Signal Transduction in Testicular Cells (Eds. Hansson V., Levy F.O., and Tasken K.), Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 271-286.
  • Fishel S., Aslam I., and Tesarik J. (1996). Spermatid conception: A stage too early, or a time too soon? Human Reproduction, 11, 1371-1375.
  • Aslam I., Scobie G., and Fishel S. (1996). Genomic imprinting in the spermatogenic cells used for in-vitro fertilization. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, Abstract series no. 18: 1.
  • Aslam I. (1992). Role of antibodies against sperm in unexplained infertility. M.Phil. thesis, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Led the first successful College of American Pathology (CAP) accreditation of an IVF laboratory in the UAE.
  • Contributed to multiple successful Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditations and re-accreditations.
  • Recognized for his pioneering research on male germ cell manipulation and its clinical application in ART.
  • European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)
  • American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
  • Middle East Fertility Society (MEFS)