The Events Committee is organised to deliver all the events requirements of ARCS. This interfaces across our portfolio and includes everything from our Summer Symposium and Annual “Fertility 20XX” meetings, through to working with the Education Committee to deliver more specific meetings such as our Trainee and Breaking Bad News events.
ARCS Events Committee
Karen Schnauffer
Chair - Programme Secretary - Embryologist
Karen has worked in the field of clinical embryology for 25 years both in the NHS and the private sector. She achieved her state registration in 2000 and was awarded both the Diploma and Certificate in Clinical Embryology in 2001. For the last 5 years Karen has held the position of HFEA Person Responsible, including two separate centres at the same time. Her considerable experience has allowed her to supervise many students through the ACE Certificate and more recently the Scientist Training Programme. Over the last 15 years Karen has been an active member of the ACE, holding positions on the Executive Committee, the Professional Development Committee and for the last three years, as the ACE Programme Chair for the annual ‘Fertility’ meetings. Continuing her dedication to reproductive medicine as a profession, she has been instrumental in forming the new professional body ARCS. Karen has been involved in various HFEA expert advisory committees. She was also an active member in the development and introduction of the Modernising Scientific Careers Scientist Training Programme. In addition, Karen has a keen interest in equine embryology and successfully developed an equine ICSI programme with the University of Liverpool, achieving the first equine time-lapse images ever recorded! Over the years, Karen has presented at numerous meetings and has authored several peer-reviewed publications in the field of embryology.
Karen Schnauffer
Chair - Programme Secretary - Embryologist
Celine Jones
Committee Member
I began my scientific career at Birmingham University investigating the molecular processes that control the behaviour of cancer cells. In 2004, I joined the Nuffield Department of Women & Reproductive Health (NDWRH) at the University of Oxford to study the molecules involved in early human embryogenesis. I was appointed as Laboratory Manager for the NDWRH’s new MSc in Clinical Embryology in 2008 and played an instrumental role in setting up the course. In addition to my teaching and managerial duties for the MSc, I undertake research into molecular mechanisms of oocyte activation at fertilisation. Other research interests include developing techniques to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys with cancer and the use of nanoparticle- or exosome-based platforms for the delivery of molecular compounds to gametes (https://www.wrh.ox.ac.uk/team/celine-jones).
Celine Jones
Committee Member
Ellen Armstrong
Consultant embryologist
Ellen Armstrong has worked in fertility since 2005 when she joined Care Fertility as a trainee embryologist. She completed her training through the Association of Clinical Embryologists program and achieved state registration. She progressed through to senior embryologists and then became laboratory manager of Care Fertility in Birmingham in 2017. She passionate about training ART professionals along with contributing to improved practice and patient outcomes. She is now a consultant embryologist focusing on professional training.
Ellen Armstrong
Consultant embryologist
Morven Dean
Consultant embryologist
Morven is currently completing her training in Clinical Embryology following the STP by equivalence programme at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. Prior to commencing her embryology training, Morven completed an MSc in Human Clinical Embryology in 2017 and progressed into a PhD at the University of Dundee, graduating in 2021. Her research focused on investigating the (patho)physiological regulation of CatSper in human sperm. Morven has been involved in organising the Scottish Human Reproduction and Embryology Group (SHREG) 2022/2023 meetings and hopes she can contribute to the delivery of successful events held by ARCS.
Morven Dean
Consultant embryologist