Our Team
Efstathios Diakos
Medical Director
Dr Efstathios Diakos graduated at University of Rome “La Sapienza” in 1994 and he completed his thesis in the area of male infertility. Moving to the UK in 2001, he gained a breadth of experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a number of district hospitals. In 2004 after completing his specialist training he was awarded entry in the GMC Specialist Register as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.
Following this he started his training in the field of fertility with a clinical fellowship at “Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life” a prestigious Fertility and Research Centre, under the auspices of Prof Alison Murdoch. He furthered his experience in in Assisted Conception treatment working for a number of years in Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge, which is the first IVF clinic of the world created by Patrick Steptoe and Bob Edwards,the pioneers of the IVF.
Dr Diakos is accredited by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the areas of “Management of the Infertile Couple” and “Assisted Reproduction” as well from the British Fertility Society in the use of Pelvic Ultrasound for Reproductive Medicine. He has a special interest in male infertility, diminished ovarian reserve and fertility preservation and was the doctor behind the first pregnancy ever conceived in Ireland using frozen eggs.
Since 2011 he worked in Ireland, initially at Origin Fertility Clinic in Belfast before being headhunted by Sims IVF as their Medical Director to set up their clinic in Cork. In 2016 he was asked to join the Repromed Ireland Group to run their satellite clinics in Cork, Limerick and Kilkenny.
Having identified a significant demand for high quality fertility services in Northern Ireland, Dr Diakos founded In-OVO Fertility Clinic in Belfast, in 2019, with the aim to to offer a personalised approach to patients requiring assisted conception treatment.
Following this he started his training in the field of fertility with a clinical fellowship at “Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life” a prestigious Fertility and Research Centre, under the auspices of Prof Alison Murdoch. He furthered his experience in in Assisted Conception treatment working for a number of years in Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge, which is the first IVF clinic of the world created by Patrick Steptoe and Bob Edwards,the pioneers of the IVF.
Dr Diakos is accredited by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the areas of “Management of the Infertile Couple” and “Assisted Reproduction” as well from the British Fertility Society in the use of Pelvic Ultrasound for Reproductive Medicine. He has a special interest in male infertility, diminished ovarian reserve and fertility preservation and was the doctor behind the first pregnancy ever conceived in Ireland using frozen eggs.
Since 2011 he worked in Ireland, initially at Origin Fertility Clinic in Belfast before being headhunted by Sims IVF as their Medical Director to set up their clinic in Cork. In 2016 he was asked to join the Repromed Ireland Group to run their satellite clinics in Cork, Limerick and Kilkenny.
Having identified a significant demand for high quality fertility services in Northern Ireland, Dr Diakos founded In-OVO Fertility Clinic in Belfast, in 2019, with the aim to to offer a personalised approach to patients requiring assisted conception treatment.
Melanie Stanton, RM
Clinic Manager/Nurse Manager
Melanie qualified as a Registered Midwife at the University of Bedfordshire in the UK and started her career in fertility at Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge, the first IVF clinic of the world where she worked as a fertility midwife specialist and gained vast experience in fertility treatments and early obstetric ultrasound. Whilst working there she was accredited by the British Fertility Society in the use of “Pelvic Ultrasound for Reproductive Medicine”.
Upon leaving Bourn Hall Melanie progressed in her career by taking on managerial roles in other IVF units in the UK and Ireland. She was appointed by Sims IVF in 2014,in the role of Clinic Manager, having the responsibility to develop their IVF clinic in Cork. Melanie left Sims IVF to take up a post at ReproMed Ireland in 2016 as Clinic Manager, in order to expand their fertility services in the south region by developing satelite units in Cork and Limerick.
In 2019, Melanie joined In-OVO Fertility Clinic as a Clinic Manager overseeing the development and licensing of In-OVO Fertility Clinic in Belfast. Her role is focused on supporting the entire team and ensuring the clinic delivers high success rates and excellent patient satisfaction. Melanie will carry out the pivotal role of Clinic Manager and will also maintain her hands on clinical practice and patient contact on a daily basis. Throughout her career she has prided herself on supporting countless couples through their fertility journey and she aims that her team at In-OVO will provide a high standard individualised care in a friendly and approachable way.
Upon leaving Bourn Hall Melanie progressed in her career by taking on managerial roles in other IVF units in the UK and Ireland. She was appointed by Sims IVF in 2014,in the role of Clinic Manager, having the responsibility to develop their IVF clinic in Cork. Melanie left Sims IVF to take up a post at ReproMed Ireland in 2016 as Clinic Manager, in order to expand their fertility services in the south region by developing satelite units in Cork and Limerick.
In 2019, Melanie joined In-OVO Fertility Clinic as a Clinic Manager overseeing the development and licensing of In-OVO Fertility Clinic in Belfast. Her role is focused on supporting the entire team and ensuring the clinic delivers high success rates and excellent patient satisfaction. Melanie will carry out the pivotal role of Clinic Manager and will also maintain her hands on clinical practice and patient contact on a daily basis. Throughout her career she has prided herself on supporting countless couples through their fertility journey and she aims that her team at In-OVO will provide a high standard individualised care in a friendly and approachable way.
Terry Leonard
Scientific Director
Terry is a trained biologist with over 30 years of experience in assisted human reproduction and he has worked in renowned laboratories around the world. He has a degree in Immunology, a certification in biology and a degree from the Royal College of Pathology in Clinical Embryology.
He has a vast experience in assisted conception techniques, with a special interest in the study and treatment of male infertility. Terry is one of the most experienced embryologists in the UK and has been a pioneer of ICSI technique in the UK.
He was a founding member of ACE (Association of Clinical Embryologists) now known as ARCS and he has also been scientific inspector for the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) for 10 years. He founded ISIS Fertility Centre in Colchester, which is now part of the Bourn Hall Clinic Group.
He has contributed in the set-up and development of a number of embryology laboratories around the world and his professional expertise has been required by clinics in Europe (Cyprus, Italy, Romania), Africa (Nigeria and Uganda), Asia (Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Kuwait, Bahrain and America (Barbados).
Terry joined In-OVO Fertility Clinic from the beginning of its inception and he has been pivotal in the design and set-up of the laboratory. His vast knowledge and expertise will ensure that the provision of services will maximise the chance of a safe and successful outcome for our patients.
He has a vast experience in assisted conception techniques, with a special interest in the study and treatment of male infertility. Terry is one of the most experienced embryologists in the UK and has been a pioneer of ICSI technique in the UK.
He was a founding member of ACE (Association of Clinical Embryologists) now known as ARCS and he has also been scientific inspector for the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) for 10 years. He founded ISIS Fertility Centre in Colchester, which is now part of the Bourn Hall Clinic Group.
He has contributed in the set-up and development of a number of embryology laboratories around the world and his professional expertise has been required by clinics in Europe (Cyprus, Italy, Romania), Africa (Nigeria and Uganda), Asia (Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Kuwait, Bahrain and America (Barbados).
Terry joined In-OVO Fertility Clinic from the beginning of its inception and he has been pivotal in the design and set-up of the laboratory. His vast knowledge and expertise will ensure that the provision of services will maximise the chance of a safe and successful outcome for our patients.
Brendan Ball
Lab Manager
Brendan has a long history of managing IVF labs in a number of countries. He started his career as clinical embryologist in Galway Fertility Unit in 2001, helping them to design and move to a custom-built IVF lab when the EU Tissue and Cells Directive was introduced.
In 2010 he moved to London Fertility Centre on Harley Street to take up position of Scientific Director and help build a UK nationwide fertility network for Spire Healthcare. In 2011 he was headhunted to setup a new Fertility Centre in Dublin, BeaconCARE Fertility, first introducing PGS/PGD to Ireland. In 2015 he moved to Dubai as lab director of Bourn Hall international in Dubai and India.
After returning to Ireland in 2018, he worked in Sims IVF and Rotunda IVF before taking up his current position, in 2020, as Laboratory Manager at In-Ovo Fertility Clinic. He is particularly focused on providing world-class, individualised fertility treatment to Northern Ireland.
Hannah Murray, RN/RM
Fertility Midwife
Hannah is a Registered Nurse, qualifying from Queens University Belfast in 2012. She is also a Registered Midwife, having qualified from Kingston & St George’s University of London in 2015.Before joining In-OVO Fertility Clinic, Hannah has worked in gynaecology and maternity. As a nurse, she worked in Kingston Hospital Maternity’s High-Dependency Unit and theatres. She then qualified in midwifery and worked in the Maternity Unit at Warwick Hospital.
In these positions, Hannah developed a deep knowledge and breadth of experience in women’s health and a passion for fertility which she now brings to In-OVO Fertility Clinic in her role as Fertility Midwife. She works alongside the wider team to provide clinical support within theatre, recovery and the wider clinic. She strives to provide the highest levels of patient-centric care possible.Throughout her career, Hannah has taken great pride in providing both clinical and emotional support to her patients, and their families, in what have been both joyful and difficult times.
In these positions, Hannah developed a deep knowledge and breadth of experience in women’s health and a passion for fertility which she now brings to In-OVO Fertility Clinic in her role as Fertility Midwife. She works alongside the wider team to provide clinical support within theatre, recovery and the wider clinic. She strives to provide the highest levels of patient-centric care possible.Throughout her career, Hannah has taken great pride in providing both clinical and emotional support to her patients, and their families, in what have been both joyful and difficult times.
Leah Kerr
Patient Administrator
Leah joined In-OVO Fertility Clinic team in February 2020, bringing with her a wealth of experience in customer service and accounting, which was gained throughout the different roles she has undertaken in her career.
Shannon Peoples
Patient Administrator
Shannon graduated with a BSc Honours in Biological Sciences with Professional Studies from Queen's University Belfast in 2017. She went on to work within the private healthcare sector for 3 years before joining the administrative team at In-OVO Fertility Clinic in March 2020. With over 10 years of experience in customer service, she understands the needs of clients from all walks of life and is committed to providing excellent service to clients of In-OVO Fertility Clinic.
Patricia McCrystal
Fertility Counsellor/Chartered Psychologist
Patricia currently works as a Senior Counselling Psychologist within the Health Psychology Team of the Southern Trust. She is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society and holds HCPS registration. She has worked in the health psychology and fertility field for over 20 years. She has been an accredited fertility counselling specialist since 2010 and has been influential in compliance bodies to help develop and maintain consistently high standards in the counselling / therapeutic field. She has played a key role in establishing a number of clinics, including fertility counselling services. She is experienced in delivering counselling provision to those receiving many forms of assisted reproduction.
Terry Deehan
Fertility Counsellor
Terry is a Gestalt Psychotherapist accredited with British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. (BACP). She is also a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, which is a body-orientated approach to the healing of Trauma and other stress disorders.
Terry has completed the British Infertility Counselling Association Foundation Course for Counsellors Working in Licenced Treatment Centres.Terry has nearly 10 years’ experience in a Health Counselling field working with Cancer patients or their families. Terry is currently based in the South Eastern Trust and has a small private practice where she has experience of working with adults both individually and with couples.