Dr Alessandra Parrella is National Laboratory Director and an embryologist specialising in assisted reproduction at the IVF-Life Alicante clinic, with extensive experience in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).Her work focuses on optimising laboratory protocols, gamete selection, and the assessment of oocyte and embryo quality, helping to improve reproductive outcomes for couples experiencing difficulties conceiving. In addition, she combines her clinical practice with research in reproductive biology, focusing on sperm DNA integrity, oocyte maturation, and embryonic development.
Academic Background
- BSc in Biology with a specialisation in Human Reproduction.
- Master's Degree in Embryology and Reproductive Medicine.
- Additional training in IVF laboratory techniques, gamete and embryo cryopreservation, and preimplantation genetic testing.
- Languages: Italian, English and Spanish.
Professional Experience
- Present: National Laboratory Director.
- 2021–2026: Senior Embryologist at IVF-Life Alicante.
- 2018–2021: Senior Embryologist at a private assisted reproduction centre (Spain).
- 2015–2018: Embryologist at an IVF laboratory specialising in international assisted reproduction.
- 2012–2015: Laboratory Assistant at a human reproduction centre, responsible for handling oocytes, sperm and embryos.
- Participation in projects aimed at improving embryo culture protocols and optimising implantation rates.
Areas of Expertise
Dr Alessandra Parrella has extensive experience in assisted reproduction, including ICSI techniques and the assessment of oocyte and embryo quality. Her work covers sperm selection, sperm DNA fragmentation analysis, and the optimisation of laboratory protocols to improve reproductive outcomes. She also has experience in embryo monitoring and in supporting couples affected by male infertility or semen abnormalities.
Professional Memberships
- Member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).
- Member of the Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Reproductive Biology (SIERR).
Teaching and Educational Activities
- Training and supervision of newly qualified embryologists and laboratory technicians in IVF techniques and embryo manipulation.
- Participation in workshops and training courses on assisted reproduction laboratory techniques and vitrification.
Scientific Activity
Alessandra Parrella collaborates on clinical studies related to the optimisation of embryo culture and embryo selection techniques. She has contributed to publications and presentations at national and international congresses on embryology and assisted reproduction.
Selected Publications
- O’Neill C, Cheung S, Parrella A, et al. Relevance of oocyte morphology on ICSI outcomes. Springer, 2019.
- Cheung S, Parrella A, Xie P, et al. Advanced sperm function testing. (In press).
- Parrella A, Tavares D, Xie P, et al. Single Center through evaluation and target treatment of globozoospermic men. (Submitted).
- Cheung S, Xie P, Parrella A, et al. Identification and treatment of men with PLCζ-defective spermatozoa. Fertility and Sterility (In press).
- Xie P, Keating D, Parrella A, et al. Sperm genomic integrity by TUNEL varies throughout the male genital tract. Journal of Urology, 2019.
Conference Presentations
- ESHRE 33rd Annual Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland, 2017.
- ESHRE 34th Annual Meeting, Barcelona, Spain, 2018.
- ESHRE 35th Annual Meeting, Vienna, Austria, 2019.
- ESHRE 36th Annual Meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2020.
- ASRM 73rd Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 2017.
- ASRM 74th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, 2018.
- ASRM 75th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, 2019.
Research Interests
Her research focuses on assisted reproduction and ICSI techniques, with particular emphasis on sperm selection and chromatin integrity analysis. She also investigates oocyte maturation and its impact on fertilisation and embryo development, the application of microfluidics in gamete selection, sperm DNA fragmentation and its relationship with reproductive outcomes, as well as the development of treatment algorithms for couples affected by male infertility.
Articles by Alessandra Parrella
IVF-Life’s Latest Research on Phospholipase C Zeta in Spermatozoa
