ASRM Clinical Embryology Learning Laboratory (“CELL”)
The ASRM Clinical Embryology Learning Laboratory (CELL) is a tuition-based initiative designed to address the critical need for standardized training in human IVF laboratories across the United States. CELL’s first course provides 8 weeks of immersive, hands-on laboratory experience complemented by in-depth content knowledge. Taught by leaders in the field, the course prepares participants to perform essential techniques independently and sets a foundation for future leadership roles in embryology.
Sending your embryologists to the ASRM CELL accelerates their productivity by equipping them with essential skills to work independently faster, freeing up senior staff from extensive training responsibilities. The investment in this course not only enhances your team’s efficiency but also fosters loyalty and retention by supporting professional development and career advancement.
The CELL course features a 10-month curriculum that includes a combination of virtual and in-person didactic lectures and 8 weeks of hands-on laboratory training in a simulation lab. The course covers 11 comprehensive modules on topics such as reproductive physiology, applied embryology, vitrification, and laboratory management. Participants engage in interactive classroom discussions and real-world laboratory practice using animal models and competency assessments. The course is designed to provide a structured and standardized framework for embryology training with a balance of technical skill development and foundational knowledge.
The application window for the 2027 CELL cohort is April 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026. SART Member laboratories wishing to enroll an embryologist in the 2027 CELL cohort should contact Jeffrey Hayes at jhayes@asrm.org for additional information and an application.
Sending your embryologists to the ASRM CELL accelerates their productivity by equipping them with essential skills to work independently faster, freeing up senior staff from extensive training responsibilities. The investment in this course not only enhances your team’s efficiency but also fosters loyalty and retention by supporting professional development and career advancement.
The CELL course features a 10-month curriculum that includes a combination of virtual and in-person didactic lectures and 8 weeks of hands-on laboratory training in a simulation lab. The course covers 11 comprehensive modules on topics such as reproductive physiology, applied embryology, vitrification, and laboratory management. Participants engage in interactive classroom discussions and real-world laboratory practice using animal models and competency assessments. The course is designed to provide a structured and standardized framework for embryology training with a balance of technical skill development and foundational knowledge.
The application window for the 2027 CELL cohort is April 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026. SART Member laboratories wishing to enroll an embryologist in the 2027 CELL cohort should contact Jeffrey Hayes at jhayes@asrm.org for additional information and an application.
CELL Training:
- Provides the opportunity to have the cohort cross-pollinate so participants can learn from each other
- Establishes a collaboration between ASRM/CELL and lab directors to ensure participants are being trained effectively
- Produces productive embryologists who are able to think critically in addition to being good technicians
- Teaches defensive embryology, which enhances the ART lab workforce
Learn More
Read our online brochure to learn more about CELL, including a 2027 timeline, module description, and FAQs.
See the 2026 CELL Cohort in Action!
Click the link below to view photos of trainees learning at CooperSurgical’s embryology training center.
View the Cohort Photo Album
