Endocrinology and Female Infertility

Dr. Firouzeh Ghaffari received her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree, specialty in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and fellowship in Infertility and Reproductive Medicine from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 1994, 1999, and 2014, respectively.

She has been a faculty member of the Women’s Infertility Research Group at Royan Institute since 2005 and currently holds the academic rank of Associate Professor. In 2010, she received an award at the 3rd International Student Congress on Infertility in Yazd.

Dr. Ghaffari is a member of the guideline development team for borderline ovarian tumors at the Iranian Society of Gynecologic Oncology. She is also a member of the Editorial Board and a peer reviewer for the International Journal of Fertility and Sterility (IJFS). She has authored and co-authored more than 30 articles published in national and international journals and has presented approximately 80 scientific abstracts at national and international congresses.

History

The Women’s Infertility Research Group of the Royan Institute’s Research Center for Reproductive Sciences was established at the inception of Royan Institute under the leadership of Dr. Mahnaz Ashrafi.

Since the establishment of Royan Institute, thousands of infertile couples have received diagnostic and therapeutic services at the Royan Infertility Treatment Center and have subsequently achieved successful pregnancies and childbirth.

Activities

One of the principal activities of the Women’s Infertility Research Group is the translation of research findings into clinical applications for the treatment of infertility. Major achievements in this area include the identification of factors contributing to embryonic abnormalities prior to embryo transfer or during early pregnancy, optimization of infertility treatment protocols, improvement of treatment success rates, and enhancement of reproductive outcomes.

The Group has also contributed to the establishment and development of specialized working groups focusing on endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), recurrent failure of advanced infertility treatment procedures, recurrent pregnancy loss, and fertility preservation in patients with malignancies.

Other major activities have included the establishment of a research laboratory for conducting basic and translational studies; development and evaluation of appropriate approaches for endometrial preparation; improvement of implantation potential; reduction of pregnancy loss; enhancement of reproductive outcomes in patients experiencing recurrent implantation failure; and the implementation of basic and clinical research aimed at increasing pregnancy rates among infertile patients.

Through these activities, the Women’s Infertility Research Group has sought to advance the scientific basis of infertility treatment and contribute to the continuous improvement of reproductive healthcare services provided to infertile couples.

Faculty Members and Physicians

• Dr. Mahnaz Ashrafi – Specialist Physician
• Dr. Reza Aflatoonian – Physician, Ph.D.
• Dr. Elham Amirchaghmaghi – Physician, Ph.D.
• Dr. Maryam Hafezi – Specialist Physician
• Dr. Ansieh Shahrokh-Tehraninejad – Specialist Physician
• Dr. Marzieh Shiva – Specialist Physician
• Dr. Firouzeh Ghaffari – Specialist Physician
• Dr. Kiandokht Kiani – Ph.D.
• Dr. Shima Mohiti – Specialist Physician
• Dr. Mehri Mashayekhi – Specialist Physician
• Dr. Maryam Moshfeghi – Specialist Physician
• Dr. Parisa Mostafaei – Specialist Physician
• Dr. Tahereh Maadani – Specialist Physician
• Dr. Ashraf Moeini – Specialist Physician
• Farideh Malekzadeh – M.Sc. (Retired)

Researchers

• Arezoo Arabipour – M.Sc.
• Nadia Jahangiri – M.Sc.
• Zahra Chakini – M.Sc.
• Azar Yahyaei – M.Sc.
• Reyhaneh Kargar – M.Sc.

Research and Technical Experts

• Samaneh Aghajanpour – Ph.D.
• Zahra Zavaqari – M.Sc.
• Azam Sanati – B.Sc.
• Fereshté Takhiri – M.Sc.

Group Coordinator

Laleh Shajareh-Poursalavati – B.Sc.