Embryology Team
For patients whose path to success runs through IVF, Laboratory Managing Partner Glenn Proctor and his team of world-class embryologists harness the latest laboratory techniques and technology to support success. Conceptions was an early adopter of blastocyst stage embryonic biopsy as well as pre-implantation genetic screening (PGT-A) which has been shown to improve clinical outcomes for patients undergoing IVF. Science supports success here at Conceptions. Click here to review our current success rates.
Glenn Proctor, MHA
Glenn Proctor is drawn to the daily challenges that each IVF case presents; and ultimately the reward of seeing patients achieve their dream of building their family. “A lot of people take the ability to have a child for granted. It’s super rewarding and makes me feel really good after putting in long hours in the lab over consecutive days to have all that arduous work pay off; a parent’s dream has been realized and it will last a lifetime.”
Glenn grew up in a small town in rural South Carolina. As a child, he loved being out in wildlife and often thought that he would grow to be a wildlife biologist. “There were a lot of lakes around where I grew up. I was always jealous of the Game Warden that could just drive around in a boat all day – it seemed like a great job!”
Education
The passion for biology remained within Glenn and pushed him through his collegiate years, having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina. However, rather than pursing wildlife, Glenn decided that a career in healthcare better suited his future, and he went on to receive his master’s degree in Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina. Staying local to the Greenwood area, Glenn began his career in the Greenwood Genetic Center where began training in genetics eventually leading to the unique field of embryology. “Embryology is similar to a career in wildlife if you think about it, I’m still watching nature and it’s fulfilling to be on the cutting edge of science,” added Glenn.
“A career in embryology is unique. There are basically no days off, you must keep the lab staffed daily – you can’t just close for a few days. We do what we do because we think it’s fascinating, and we love it, but it’s highly demanding. Lots of long hours for days straight but we do it with a smile and a sense of eagerness because there’s life brewing and you have to be there to keep an eye on it,” stated Glenn.
Glenn relocated to the Denver area back in 2010 and instantly fell in love with the region and his choice to join the team at Conceptions. “The team at Conceptions is more like a family than a group of coworkers. We’re more like brothers and sisters because of the amount of time we spend with one another in the proximity of the lab. We know about each other’s families and what’s going on in each other’s lives. That kind of care for one another translates into the care we extend to each patient that we treat in the lab,” stated Glenn.
Life in the Lab
“What’s forgotten in the world of embryology is that the element of human talent is just as important as being a smart, intelligent scientist. The group at Conceptions is super knowledgeable but also just as naturally talented. Our outcomes are a result of that talent. Really good embryologists know that no case is the same, it’s not plug-n-play. You have to cultivate your knowledge based on the individual experience and each individual case rather than following a straight protocol. This is where we excel as true scientists.”
When not in the lab, Glenn enjoys as much time as he can in the outdoors. “Where else could I possibly live and be within one hour from the best skiing in the world! I’m an avid hunter, fisherman, camper, and skier so Colorado is the perfect playground for my family and me. Plus, the sports and concert scene are pretty great too!”
We always try to be on the forefront of new procedures or technologies as they are developed. If we can use the technology to increase the patient’s pregnancy rate by even one percent, we’re going to utilize it. For many patients, this is their only shot so that one percent is meaningful. We put our best foot forward everyday and do the best possible job to help these hopeful parents achieve their dream of parenthood.
Glenn has had the privilege of working with world-renowned embryologists throughout his career, which has enhanced his skills and knowledge in the field. Glenn has been with Conceptions since 2010 where he serves as the Chief Operating Officer is an owner in the company.
Meet Glenn Proctor, MHA
Our Embryology Team
Zelda Fowler
BS
Andrology and Endocrinology Lab Manager
Zelda Fowler is originally from Miami, Florida. She graduated in 2015 from Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado with a Bachelor’s degree in both Biology and Chemistry. During her studies at MSU Denver, she developed an interest in pursuing a career in Andrology. Soon after graduating, she started her career here at Conceptions. She is passionate about her work, and strives for accuracy and timely results, which are vital to the medical decisions related to patient health and success. Her love for laboratory science is driven by the reward in helping families have children.
Outside of the lab, Zelda enjoys painting, photography, horseback riding, dance, and spending time with her husband and two children. Zelda is trilingual, and is fluent in Spanish and French.
Sheela S. Ali
PhD, HCLD/TS/CC (ABB)
Dr. Sheela S. Ali is certified as a High Complexity Laboratory Director, Clinical Consultant and Technical Supervisor by the American Board of Bioanalysts and has been a part of human IVF laboratory science since 2008. She was a part of the Conceptions Reproductive Associates in 2011 and is excited to presently serve our patients and support the Conceptions IVF laboratory again. She earned her master's degree in Clinical Embryology and Andrology from the Jones Institute of Eastern Virginia Medical School and her PhD in Developmental and Integrative Biology from the University of North Texas. During her graduate studies, her research focus was on E-Cadherin and its role in trophectoderm grafts from sibling embryos as well as the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and predictive modeling to aid in identification of critical values in IVF treatments. Her research was the foundation of her valiant efforts towards AI integration in IVF, which would augment the power of clinical decisions leading to optimized patient outcomes.
Dr Ali is an active member of the SART Quality Assurance Committee, SRBT Membership committee of ASRM and SpaceBorn United Board- IVF sector. In the past, she has served as a panelist for NASA's space biology research program-post doctoral, worked with the United Nations (UN) as an expert reviewer proposals submitted related to the PCR testing platforms for SARS-CoV-2., served as a scientific advisory board member for College of Reproductive Biology (CRB) and EmbryVu genetics laboratory. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her family and discovering different cultures across the globe.
Kezia Emeny-Smith
TS (ABB)
IVF Laboratory Manager
Kezia Emeny-Smith was born and raised in Oxford, England and emigrated to the USA in 2009. Kezia holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a minor in Biotechnology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and is recognized as an Embryology Laboratory Scientist by ABOR. Kezia has been working as an embryologist since 2015 and is passionate about helping patients achieve their fertility dreams.
When Kezia is not in the IVF lab, you will find her spending time with her beloved animals, Polo and Lucky, at the gym, cooking delicious food, or skiing, camping, and hiking in the Colorado outdoors.
Madison DeBord
BA, MS
Madison DeBord graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrative Physiology. After completion of her undergrad, she found a passion for reproductive science. In 2021, she went on to complete a Master degree in Biomedical Sciences with specialization in Assisted Reproductive Technologies from Colorado State University.
Madison enjoys the evolving and fulfilling nature of embryology. She is passionate about providing excellent patient care. To her, there is nothing more rewarding than helping others grow their families! Madison is a Colorado native, and outside of the lab she enjoys all of the outdoor activities Colorado has to offer. Her favorite days are spent outside with her dog Nova.
Safety First: Cryopreservation & Storage
As a US leader in reproductive medicine, Conceptions is proud to use the TMRW Life Sciences ivfOS Cryostorage System in our IVF laboratory. We are one of only two centers in Colorado to have adopted this state-of-the-art storage system for eggs and embryos.
TMRW’s technology brings new levels of safety and security to the care of frozen eggs and embryos by automating the entire process, which will allow us to track and monitor eggs and embryos 24/7/365 using dozens of precise sensors, state-of-the-art software, and radio frequency identification (“RFID”) technology. Learn more about ivfOS.
At Conceptions, success and safety go hand in hand in the IVF lab.