Melissa’s interest in embryology began with a Master of Clinical Embryology (MCE), followed by three years as a research assistant in the bovine embryology group at Monash Institute of Medical Research (MIMR) creating cloned cattle via nuclear transfer in a project with the dairy industry. She then completed a PhD with a project characterising the sperm factor protein PLC-zeta and its role in oocyte activation. Melissa joined Monash IVF Victoria in 2014 as a clinical embryologist. She is currently team leader in the Clayton laboratory and been actively involved in research and the introduction of PIEZO-ICSI across the Victorian labs. Melissa is one of the two nominated embryologists from Monash IVF working as part of the mitoHOPE program and establishing the protocols to introduce human mitochondrial donation in Australia.