Scientific Advisory Board
Michael Alper, MD, is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and co-founder of Boston IVF, one of the largest and most successful fertility centers in the United States. With over 30 years of clinical practice, Dr. Alper has overseen tens of thousands of assisted reproductive treatments and has been instrumental in the integration of innovation and patient-centered care. He holds a faculty position at Harvard Medical School and has published extensively in the fields of assisted reproductive technology (ART), fertility preservation, and IVF laboratory optimization. His expertise bridges clinical excellence and operational leadership, offering the Foundation a strong voice in advancing patient-relevant translational research and in understanding clinical needs across global reproductive care systems.
Borja Aznar is an investment executive specialized in health innovation, digital health, and biotechnology. With a background in economics and international management, he has held senior roles in venture capital, corporate development, and impact investment platforms. Borja brings deep expertise in assessing the financial viability, scalability, and strategic fit of innovative health projects. He has worked with startups, growth-stage companies, and institutional investors across Europe and the U.S., facilitating funding rounds, mergers, and international expansions. His participation in the SAB ensures a sharp focus on sustainability, impact-driven outcomes, and the capacity of the Foundation to engage with the broader innovation and funding ecosystem in health.
Hilary Critchley, MBChB, MD, DSc, FRSE, FMedSci, is Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and a global leader in translational research in women’s health.
Her work focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of endometrial function, particularly hormonal regulation and abnormal uterine bleeding. She has led multidisciplinary collaborations linking lab discoveries with clinical applications, contributing to new therapies for gynecological conditions.
She has authored over 200 scientific publications and is an advisor to international health organizations and regulatory bodies.
She has held senior academic leadership positions at the University of Edinburgh, and so brings a strong strategic and institutional leadership profile. Her expertise enhances the SAB’s ability to identify and shape translational research pathways with real-world clinical impact in reproductive science.
Jose Maria Mato, MD, PhD, is a distinguished scientist in molecular biology and metabolism, and currently serves as General Director of CIC bioGUNE and CIC biomaGUNE, two of Spain’s top biomedical research centers. He is a member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences and has been instrumental in shaping the country’s biomedical research landscape. His work focuses on liver disease, metabolomics, and the interface between molecular pathways and clinical outcomes. Dr. Mato has led large-scale, multi-institucional research programs funded by national and international agencies. His scientific rigor and institutional leadership bring to the SAB a strategic understanding of how to develop and scale world-class research infrastructures that produce meaningful societal and clinical impact.
Marcia Riboldi, PhD, is a scientist and entrepreneur with a strong track record in genetic diagnostics and molecular biology. She is the founder and CEO of several biotech ventures in Europe and Latin America, focused on women’s health, rare diseases, and prenatal genetic screening. Dr. Riboldi combines scientific excellence with business vision, having built multidisciplinary teams and expanded operations across international markets. She holds a PhD in biotechnology and has contributed to innovation policy and biotech ecosystem development. Her role in the SAB is critical for evaluating translational potential, market readiness, and the societal impact of research projects promoted by the Foundation.