Our team
Dr Sheryl Homa PhD ARCS FIBMS - Scientific Director
Sheryl Homa is a state registered Clinical Embryologist with a special interest in male fertility. She obtained her degrees in Biochenistry at Imperial College of Science and Technology and the Middlesex Hospital Medical School. She spent a large part of her career as an academic research scientist in the field of oocyte maturation, funded by the National Institutes of Health in the USA. For many years she served as Scientific Director of several fertility clinics in the UK working in both the public and private sectors. She has collaborated on many research projects including investigating calcium signalling in sperm and sperm aneuploidy. Currently Sheryl is consultant head of Andrology at The Doctors Laboratory and is director of the male fertility programme at the Zita West Clinic in London.
Dr Sam Dawkins MBBS - Medical Practitioner
Sam Dawkins trained in medicine at King’s College London. Since qualifying, he has worked at University College Hospital, the North Middlesex Hospital and The Doctors Laboratory in London. He has published extensively in the fields of cardiology, urology, anaesthetics and emergency medicine. He works with Sheryl Homa to provide medical input for patients undergoing investigations and treatment. He is also trained to carry out intrauterine insemination.
Victoria Wells B.Sc. (Hons) - Consultant Laboratory Manager
Victoria Wells graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in Biochemistry and has since established herself as a Senior Embryologist with a special interest in Andrology. She is an HFEA registered ICSI practitioner and obtained her Association of Clinical Embryologists Diploma in 2006. She has worked in a number of andrology laboratories and fertility clinics both in the private and public sectors. She is a keen traveller and has visited many fertility clinics abroad including China, America and Australia.
Dr Simon Rattenbury PhD C.Biol M.I.Biol MBA FIBMS - Clinical Microbiologist
Simon Rattenbury trained in Microbiology at University College London and the University of Surrey. Simon became Chartered Scientist in 1991 and is an authority on male accessory gland infection and prostatitis. He has a special interest in Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma infection of the prostate and genitourinary tract in general. He is currently Scientific Head of Service and Service Manager for the Department of Microbiology at The Royal Free NHS Trust in Hampstead.
Joanna Miller M.A.Psych.& Couns. Dip.Couns. Dip.Hyp. - Counsellor
Joanna is a UKCP registered Psychotherapist, Counsellor and Hypnotherapist. She has many years of experience working with individuals as well as couples dealing with issues relating to infertility and obstetric loss. Joanna works within both the NHS and the private sector, where she also has a general practice.
Funmilayo Akinyemi M.Sc B.Sc (hons) - Andrologist
Funmi Akinyemi graduated from Strathclyde University with a degree in immunology and pharmacology. She has a Masters in Human Reproduction and Development from Bristol University where she developed an interest in male fertility and is now working as a full-time Andrologist.
Rachel MacFarquhar BMLS AIBMS - Andrologist
Rachel MacFarquhar is a State Registered Biomedical Scientist and is an Associate of the Institutue of Biomedical Science. She graduated with a degree in Laboratory Science from Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. She has 7 years experience working as an Andrologist and Microbiolgist in a diagnostic laboratory. She is currently working as an Andrologist at The Doctors Laboratory, which is CPA accredited.
Karen Plummer BSc (Hons) - Andrologist
Karen Plummer graduated from University of Kent with a degree in Biodiversity, Conservation and Environmental Management. She has over four years experience in Andrology and is currently working as an Andrologist at The Doctors Laboratory, which is CPA accredited. Prior to this Karen was part of a team in a dedicated Sperm Donor Bank and Cryopreservation unit supplying donor sperm to clinics worldwide.
Janet Beckerleg B.A (Psych.) Adv. Dip.Hyp. - Hypnotherapist
Janet Beckerleg obtained her degree in Psychology at Keele University. She is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner and Reiki Master who has worked within the medical field for 20 years, including 6 years in a London Fertility Unit. She specialises in smoking cessation and stress reduction, both important aspects in achieving optimum fertility and well-being.