Travel story: Rui Wang
Dr Rui Wang from the Robinson Research Institute travelled to The Netherlands and Spain in June and July to attend the The 34th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, and a course on individual participant data meta-analysis.
Whilst in The Netherlands, Rui presented on Interventions for unexplained infertility: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
This is what Rui had to say about his experience.
What was a highlight of the travel?
The International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of PCOS was launched during ESHRE 2018. The guideline development was led by CRE PCOS, in collaboration with over 30 national and international societies and consumer groups.
Did you attend any workshops, labs, research facilities or attend any meetings associated with your travel?
I attended a course on individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD MA) at University Medical Centre Utrecht before ESHRE 2018. It was an excellent course I would say. During this course, I learned the rationale of IPD MA on interventional and prognostic studies as well as statistical methods for heterogeneity. As I am working on a collaborative IPD MA project on ovulation induction during my PhD candidature, this course enriched my understanding on IPD MA and improved my statistical skills.
Did you visit any other labs or research facilities?
I visited the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, University of Amsterdam and the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Satellite in the Netherlands. I have been in collaboration with Drs Madelon van Wely, Monique Mochtar and Noor Danhof from Amsterdam on a couple of projects on unexplained infertility. We had indepth discussions on the progress and challenges on the ongoing projects.
Did you meet any researchers or collaborators of significance? Why are they important to your work?
I have been leading an IPD MA project on the first-line treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This project is partly funded by CRE PCOS and will be the main chapter of my PhD thesis. During ESHRE 2018, our research group organised a group meeting with our international collaborators on this project, including Professors Richard Legro, Roy Homburg, Siladitya Bhattacharya, and Laure Morin-Papunen. They made detailed suggestions and comments on this project. This project is expected to complete within this year.
How will the experience support you and your research going forward?
As I am undertaking a PhD on evidence synthesis in women’s health, meeting clinicians, epidemiologists and researchers at ESHRE 2018 has increased my knowledge base in these areas of expertise. I am also excited about the opportunity to collaborate with these researchers that I met at this conference.
What was the most exciting thing you learned/experienced whilst traveling?
ESHRE 2018 attracted more than 12,000 delegates this year. This was the first time I gave an oral presentation at an ESHRE annual meeting and my presentation was very well attended. I was told that many delegates in the “overflow” room started to applause after my sensible response to a question from the audience. It has been a privilege presenting there.
What was the most interesting or unexpected moment of your travel?
Dr Zohra Lassi from Robinson Research Institute also attended the same course in Utrecht!