Dr. Jason Barritt is Chief Scientific Officer, Laboratory Director and Research Scientist of ART Reproductive Center. As a dedicated researcher, Dr. Barritt oversees the daily operations of the embryology lab and coordinates studies to contribute to the advancement of infertility treatments. He holds national certifications as both a High Complexity Laboratory Director and an Embryology Laboratory Directory and has been awarded New York State Department of Health Certifications for Laboratory Directing in Andrology, Endocrinology and Human Tissue Banking. The top-rated ART Laboratory is the technology resource that allows Southern California Reproductive Center to achieve and maintain its high rate of successful pregnancies. In fact, many physicians from other medical centers regularly refer their patients to ART for clinical services and assistance with reproduction and fertility issues. Based on the success of Southern California Reproductive Center’s Beverly Hills ART Lab, and its growing reputation as the largest fertility laboratory on the west coast of the U.S. At ART, he directs research and training in In Vitro Fertilization, embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) by physicians at UCLA and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center who are studying to become fertility specialists. In fact, ART serves as the designated IVF-ET training program for UCLA and Cedars physicians who are seeking board certification in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Hailing from Washington State in the Great Pacific Northwest, Dr. Barritt received his BS degree in biology from Pacific Lutheran University, followed by his MS degree in Human Genetics and his PhD in Human Anatomy from the Medical College of Virginia. Inspired by the desire to help people achieve their dream of having children, he completed his Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Gamete and Embryo Research Laboratory at the Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science of Saint Barnabas. Dr. Barritt was previously responsible for all Laboratory Direction of Embryology, Andrology and Endocrinology at The Reproductive Center in Ohio and for Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York. He has held the academic position of Clinical Instructor with the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York for more than 10 years. Passionate about his work, Dr. Barritt has presented his clinical and research findings at meetings around the world and has published more than 25 papers and over 100 abstracts in the field of reproductive medicine. He is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on the role of mitochondria in human oocytes and embryos. Dr. Barritt is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the American Association of Bioanalysts. Dr. Barritt currently lives in Los Angeles, where he has participated both directly, or as the director of clinical laboratories in the creation of over 10,000 children in his career.

Desta Gelagay is the technical director of our Andrology and Endocrinology Laboratories. Desta has over 20 years of experience in clinical Andrology testing and IVF. As a licensed High Complexity clinical laboratory director Desta has provided services to over 100 fertility-related specialty physicians. Desta joined our group in 1999, and currently oversees a staff of technicians who perform Andrology services and endocrine lab testing for SCRC physicians and area OBGYN physicians. Before joining SCRC Desta was a full-time embryologist for 4 years. Desta has a national licensure for Medical Technologist from American Society of Clinical Pathologist, National Credentialing Agency and is licensed in the state of California. He is also a CAP certified inspector. Desta received his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Medical Technology degree from Rutgers University in 1990 and 1992, respectively. Desta completed his fellowship training in Medical Technology in the combined program at the Rutgers University and Barnett Memorial Hospital.

Sima Taghizadeh has led a long career as a fertility advocate, nurse, and leader in her fourteen years working in fertility healthcare. She earned her Nursing degree from West Coast University in Los Angeles and received her Master of Healthcare Administration and Management degree from National University of Los Angeles. Sima began working in the field of infertility in 2008 as a back office medical assistant. She continued her education and became an IVF Coordinator where she managed a large range of fertility treatments including IUI, IVF and third party cycles. In 2016 she graduated with her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration and Management. Sima then held the roles of Nursing Department Supervisor and later on, Director of Clinical Operations. She is a fertility advocate, IVF Nurse and IVF patient. Sima brings a unique perspective that gives insight into what clinics can do to retain their nurses through empowerment, building morale, and preventing burnout. She is also passionate about educating people on the common, yet often misunderstood, infertility journey. Sima is a proud member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), AOR (Association of perioperative Registered Nurses), Sigma Theta Tau (International Honor Society of Nursing) and published a study for Quality Improvement in Healthcare Delivery in 2016.

Dr. Jennifer Shulman is a fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine with 13 years of experience practicing acupuncture in New York and Los Angeles. She graduated summa cum laude with a Master’s degree from Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine in 2008. Jennifer went on to earn her Clinical Doctorate in Integrative Reproductive Medicine from Yo San University in 2015, and has since served as a clinical supervisor and teacher for their doctoral program clinic. Acupuncture treatment benefits include: Increased follicle count Improved blood circulation to the uterine lining Reduced side effects of medication Increased implantation success Stress reduction Increased immunity Menstrual cycle regulation Decreased menstrual cramps Hormonal balance Decreased hormonal migraines

Sangita Jindal earned her PhD in Physiology from the University of Toronto, Canada and became a high-complexity lab director in 1997. Dr. Jindal has served on the faculty at New Jersey Medical School-Rutgers, and for the last 20 years has been on the faculty at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York as an Associate Professor and Laboratory Director in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women’s Health. She has mentored grant-supported translational research projects for a number of trainees at academic programs, and is also an off-site lab director of private and academic IVF labs across the country. Dr. Jindal was President of the Society for Reproductive Biologists and Technologists (SRBT) in 2011, and currently serves on the Executive Council of SRBT and on the Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, among a number of other leadership roles. She is a member of the Editorial Boards of Fertility and Sterility Reviews, and the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, and is a reviewer for Human Reproduction and Fertility and Sterility. Dr. Jindal has published over sixty peer-reviewed journal articles and is regularly invited to speak at international meetings and conferences.