Dr. Alan Penzias is double board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology/Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
He specializes in all aspects of infertility care.
Dr. Penzias is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School and the Director of the Fellowship Program in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School.
He is the recipient of numerous recognitions, including ten consecutive Boston Magazine Top Doctor awards.
Dr. Penzias earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania, his M.D. degree from the State University of New York - Downstate Medical Center, completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston - and a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at Yale University.
A past president of the New England Fertility Society, Dr. Penzias has served as a member of the executive council for SART (The Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology) and currently serves on the Practice Committee and the Embryo Transfer Simulator Advisory Panel for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. He is a member of the World Health Organization Infertility Global Guidelines and Research Group and a member of the scientific committee of the Updates in Infertility Treatments group under the auspices of the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS). He is a former associate editor and current member of the Editorial Board of Fertility and Sterility and Emeritus Editorial Board of Reproductive Biomedicine Online. In 2021, Dr. Penzias joined the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) board of directors.
Dr. Penzias has worked as a clinician and research scientist in reproductive medicine for 30 years. His principal research interests focus on quality and improving treatment outcomes through evidence based medicine. He has published more than 100 research and clinical texts, including more than 50 original peer-reviewed papers, as well as multiple reviews, books and book chapters.
Having successfully guided his three older children through college, he and his wife Louise live with their 15-year-old daughter.
Why Did You Become a Fertility Expert?
I chose this profession because it's so incredibly fulfilling to help people create families. It's one of the best feelings in the world.
What About Boston IVF Makes You Proud?
Without hesitation, I'm most proud of the people with whom I work with each day. I'm constantly impressed by our team's dedication to our patients. We are all on the same page and share the same mission. It's really, really great.
What is Your Approach to Patient Care?
My general approach to infertility care is to encourage patients to stick with treatment. The success we now see is often related to staying in treatment. Reproductive technologies are so effective nowadays that I want my patients to know their chance for success is high!
Have Any Patients Truly Inspired You?
So many! My patients inspire me every day. It's what I love about being a doctor. The perseverance they display and their ability to keep a smile on their face, despite the emotional pain of not having yet succeeded, is heroic. To witness their joy, once they have experienced success, is such a privilege to be a part of.
How Do You Spend Your Free Time?
Aviation is a hobby of mine. I truly love to fly smaller airplanes - and being up in the sky makes me feel like I can accomplish just about anything!
Which Music Do You Enjoy Listening To?
Dave Matthews is one of my favorite bands!
How Would You Describe Your Personality?
My personality is outgoing and friendly. I also like to keep humor in what I do.
What's the Most Recent Book You've Read?
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind; excellent book!
fertility Iq Reviews
Publications
- The One and Done Approach; How Many Oocytes are Optimal to Achieve Multiple Live Births With One Stimulation Cycle? (2016)
- In Vitro Fertilization in Women With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is as Successful as in Women From the General Infertility Population (2015)
- Prepregnancy Dietary Patterns and Risk of Pregnancy Loss (2014)
- The Cumulative Probability of Liveborn Multiples After In Vitro Fertilization: a Cohort Study of More Than 10,000 Women (2013)
- Can the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System (SART CORS) be used to accurately report clinic total reproductive potential (TRP) (2012)
- High levels of mineralocorticoids in preovulatory follicular fluid could contribute to oocyte development (2011)
- Influence of embryo sex on development to the blastocyst stage and euploidy (2011)
- Age-related variations in follicular apolipoproteins may influence human oocyte maturation and fertility potential (2010)
- Influence of patient age on the association between euploidy and day-3 embryo morphology (2010)
- The human ovarian follicular fluid level of interleukin-8 is associated with follicular size and patient age (2010)
- Cumulative live-birth rates after in vitro fertilization (2009)
- The bile acid synthesis pathway is present and functional in the human ovary (2009)
- Clomiphene citrate and intrauterine insemination: analysis of more than 4100 cycles (2008)
