Vanessa Kay
Child Health
Dundee University
Belgium
Biography
Dr Vanessa Kay is an experienced Consultant Gynaecologist, who qualified in Dundee in 1987. After obtaining an MD in Sperm Treatment for Assisted Conception in Glasgow 1994, Dr Kay worked as a lecturer in reproductive medicine in Edinburgh until 1999. In her initial consultant post in Kirkcaldy, she developed her skills in general obstetrics and gynaecology. Since 2004, she has been working as a consultant in Dundee, as clinical lead for infertility services across Tayside and the person responsible for Ninewells Assisted Conception Unit from 2009 until early 2014. Since becoming a consultant, her role in medical education has increased and diversified. She obtained a MMEd in 2012 and currently leads undergraduate teaching in undergraduate obstetrics and gynaecology and formative assessment. She is also actively involved in research and jointly leads the post-graduate MSc and BMSc programmes in Clinical Embryology and Assisted Conception.
Research Interest
As academic lead in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Ninewells Hospital, she is involved in liaising between the NHS and University in developing research and teaching. Current areas of work include (1) Examination of calcium signalling pathways and responses in spermatozoa as indicators of reproductive potential; (2) Examination of pluripotency in embryos and embryonic stem cells; (3) Use of drug discovery to identify leading candidates to enhance gamete function. She is involved in the co-supervision of SCRED lecturers and a number of MSc and BMSc students. She is an invited editor for Human Reproduction and the European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care and has co-authored chapters for books on the subjects of donor insemination and obesity and male infertility. She is involved as the local supervisor for various multicentre studies (currently the FEMME study). I have supported trainees in publications of case reports. I am a reviewer for the RCOG on various guidelines including the management of ovarian hyperstimulation and exercise in pregnancy, premenstrual tension, and have been a contributor to the Standards for the Menopause Service.
