Dr Gavin Sacks

• Doctor

Treatments

Biography: Back in 1984, when tabloid newspapers were brandishing sensationalist headlines about ‘test tube babies,’ Gavin Sacks was sitting for his entrance exam at Cambridge University. While his intention to study medicine was clear, there was one question in the paper that stumped him: “What do you think is the future of in vitro fertilisation?” The question sowed the seed of curiosity in his mind, leading eventually to his lifelong quest to research and find solutions to the complexities of infertility. Gavin completed his medical training at both Cambridge and Oxford Universities, including a degree in experimental psychology. He then trained further in clinical medicine in Leeds, Glasgow, London and Sydney. At the same time, scientists were making groundbreaking advances in IVF technology. Gavin wanted to be part of this medical revolution that was bringing real hope to infertile couples. He went back to Oxford and embarked on his PhD in reproductive immunology. Initially focusing on pre-eclampsia, he was drawn again to the crucial role that embryo implantation has on the course of a pregnancy. This formed the basis for his subsequent internationally-renowned research on natural killer cells in women who repeatedly miscarry, have unexplained infertility or have repeated IVF failures. Gavin was a senior registrar in reproductive medicine in London when IVFAustralia invited him to Sydney. So impressed by Australia’s high standards in IVF, not to mention the sunshine and lifestyle, he and his family emigrated in 2005. Gavin is now a Clinical Director at IVFAustralia, as well as a Staff Specialist at St George Hospital and Royal Hospital for Women, and a Conjoint Associate Professor at UNSW. As a busy clinician he looks after couples with any reproductive issues, including family planning, gynae health, unexplained infertility, repeated miscarriage, polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, fibroids, irregular periods, sperm problems and all aspects of IVF. He is particularly interested in and referred for second opinions in cases of repeated IVF failure. He supervises a wide range of research projects including natural killer cells, recurrent miscarriage, IVF protocols and PGD (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis). He is an associate editor of the respected medical journal Human Reproduction.