Behind every embryo, a team that cares for it.
Our on-site embryology and andrology lab is the technical heart of every IVF cycle at RMA of Michigan. Each member of the team brings years of training and hands-on experience to the careful work of helping families grow.
What does the embryology lab do? The embryology lab is where the science of IVF happens. Eggs retrieved from the ovaries meet sperm, embryos develop under carefully controlled conditions, and tissues can be safely preserved through vitrification. At RMA of Michigan, this work is handled in-house by a dedicated team of embryologists and laboratory technologists in our Troy, MI clinic.
The technical heart of every IVF cycle
The embryology lab is where weeks of preparation meet the moment of fertilization. After eggs are retrieved, they're brought into the lab, where our team identifies, monitors, and supports them through fertilization and several days of embryo development. Every step happens in a controlled environment designed to give each embryo the best possible start.
Alongside the embryology team, our andrology specialists handle the laboratory work involved with sperm — including the analyses and preparation steps that support fertilization, whether that's through traditional IVF, ICSI, or IUI.
Each member of the team brings specialized training, ongoing certification, and a personal commitment to the families they serve.
Embryology & andrology lab team
A small, specialized team you can know by name — and who'll know yours through every step of your cycle.
Bailey
Laboratory Supervisor
Bailey is a graduate of Colorado State University with a Master of Science in Biomedical Science specializing in ART. She has worked in a laboratory for over 10 years, as an embryologist since 2016, and joined the RMA team in 2019. Helping patients on their journey to become parents and expand their families is the most rewarding part of her job.
Meredith
Senior Embryologist
Meredith has worked at RMA for 13 years and has had a variety of roles throughout the laboratory. She enjoys the reproductive field and loves being part of the journey that helps patients build their families.
Courtney K.
Embryologist
Courtney is a graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. She has been working in andrology since 2021 and enjoys helping families achieve their fertility goals.
Joan
Lead Laboratory Technologist
Joan earned her Associate’s degree from Clark State College and later completed her Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Cincinnati. She brings more than 20 years of laboratory experience to the team.
Jose
Laboratory Technologist
Jose is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He has worked in laboratory testing for more than five years and has been a proud member of the andrology team since 2022.
Brittany
Laboratory Technologist
Brittany earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Michigan. She enjoys combining compassion and science to help patients reach their fertility goals, and her favorite part of the job is sharing positive pregnancy results.
Alyssa
Laboratory Administrator
Alyssa graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and has experience in veterinary medicine and environmental chemistry laboratories. She enjoys helping others while pursuing her passion for science.
Laboratory capabilities
The everyday work of the lab covers a broad range of techniques. Here's a closer look at the services delivered in-house by our team.
Embryo culture & development
Each embryo is supported in a controlled, closely monitored environment as it develops over several days following fertilization.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
When sperm-related factors call for it, a single sperm is placed directly into an egg in a carefully controlled procedure performed by an embryologist.
Vitrification — egg & embryo freezing
A fast-freezing technique used to preserve eggs and embryos with strong post-thaw survival rates — supporting fertility preservation and family-building timing.
Andrology & sperm preparation
Specialized laboratory work focused on sperm — including semen analysis, washing, and preparation for IVF, ICSI, or IUI.
Embryo biopsy for PGT
Careful biopsy of cells from developing embryos so they can be screened through preimplantation genetic testing before transfer.
Secure long-term storage
On-site cryostorage of eggs, sperm, and embryos with continuous monitoring of the storage environment.
High standards. Personal accountability.
Every cycle is handled by a team that takes the responsibility personally. Working closely with our physicians and nursing staff, our lab follows rigorous protocols at every stage — from the moment an egg is collected to the day an embryo is transferred or stored.
- Strict identification and chain-of-custody procedures at every handoff between team members.
- Daily quality checks on incubators, culture media, and storage tanks.
- Specimens identified using witnessed double-checks before each step.
- Continuous training and ongoing professional development for every member of the lab.
Lab questions, answered
What does the embryology lab actually do?
The embryology lab is where the science of IVF happens. Our team cares for eggs after retrieval, supports fertilization and embryo development, performs procedures such as ICSI when appropriate, and preserves eggs, sperm, and embryos for future use.
What is ICSI and when is it used?
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a technique in which a single sperm is placed directly into an egg under controlled conditions. It's often considered when sperm-related factors make fertilization less likely with traditional IVF. Learn more on our IVF page.
How are eggs and embryos preserved?
We use vitrification — a fast-freezing technique known for high post-thaw survival rates. Frozen specimens are stored in carefully monitored on-site cryostorage tanks until they're needed.
What is andrology?
Andrology is the laboratory work focused on sperm. Our andrology team handles semen analyses and the preparation steps that support fertilization, whether that's through IVF, ICSI, or IUI.
Who handles my embryos in the lab?
A small, dedicated team of embryologists and laboratory technologists works with embryos in our on-site lab. Each step follows strict identification and chain-of-custody procedures.
Where is the laboratory located?
Our lab is on-site at the RMA of Michigan clinic in Troy, MI — so eggs, sperm, and embryos never need to travel to a separate facility during your treatment.