Michael J. Tucker, Ph.D., HCLD

Certified
High-complexity Clinical Laboratory Director (HCLD)

or call 949-642-8727

Michael J. Tucker, Ph.D., HCLD, is recognized globally as one of the leading scientists in early human reproduction and assisted reproductive technology (ART). With a career spanning over 40 years, Dr. Tucker has been a full-time clinical embryologist since 1983 and has pioneered numerous groundbreaking achievements in the field, including the first ICSI births in the United States, the nation’s first birth from testicular biopsy, the world’s first birth using frozen donor eggs, and the first pregnancy from immature eggs matured after thawing in the IVF lab.

Dr. Tucker has served as Scientific Director and Chief Embryologist at major fertility practices across London, Hong Kong, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Rockville, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, and Jackson, while consulting for over 50 practices worldwide. He played a key role as Scientific Director at Shady Grove Fertility, contributing to its status as a global leader in fertility care, and held the same role for US Fertility. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Tucker has co-authored over 160 peer-reviewed papers, more than 90 chapters and course syllabi, and three authoritative textbooks on ART and vitrification.

Dr. Tucker earned his undergraduate degree in zoology and physiology from the University of London and his doctorate in reproductive physiology from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. He is certified as a High-Complexity Clinical Laboratory Director (HCLD) in the United States and is a fellow of the Institute of Biology in the United Kingdom. Dr. Tucker enjoys motorcycling, playing guitar, and fostering cats, dogs, and infants with his wife.

Education

Doctorate

Reproductive Physiology, University of Birmingham
Birmingham, England

    • 2014, Patient Advocacy Award – RESOLVE

    • 2002, Family Building Award – American Infertility Association/American Fertility Association (AIA)

    • 1997, Awarded Fellowship of Royal Society of Biology – Fellow of the Institute of Biology (UK)

    • 1992, Advancements in the technique of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and responsible for the first baby born following ICSI in the United States

    • 1997, Successfully achieved the first pregnancy and birth using cryopreserved donor and immature eggs

    • 2003, Introduction & FDA Approval of IR laser for Assisted Hatching & Embryo Biopsy

    • American Society for Reproductive Medicine

    • Embryologist Level IV – American College of Embryology

    • European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology

    • High-Complexity Clinical Laboratory Director (HCLD) – AMERICAN ASSOCIATION of BIOANALYSIS

    • Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART)

    • Society of Reproductive Biologists & Technologists

    • Tucker MJ (1980): Explanation of sterility in male tx/ ty mice. Nature 288:367-8

    • Craft I, Porter R, Green S, Tucker MJ, Smith B, Twigg H, Ahuja K, Whittingham D (1984): Success of fertility, embryo number and in-vitro fertilisation. Lancet i:732

    • Tucker MJ, Leung C, Leong M, Chan YM, Wong C, Chan H (1988): Intrafallopian egg replacement without IVF back-up. Lancet ii:1990

    • Tucker MJ, Kort HI, Massey JB, Elsner CW, Mitchell-Leef D, Toledo AA (1991): How many embryos to transfer? Lancet i:1482

    • Tucker MJ, Wiker SR, Wright G, Morton PC, Toledo AA (1993): Treatment of male infertility and idiopathic failure to fertilize in vitro with under zona insemination and direct egg injection. Am J Obstet Gynecol 169:324-32

    • Tucker MJ, Wright G, Morton P, Mayer MP, Ingargiola P, Jones A (1995): Practical evolution of direct intracytoplasmic sperm injection for male factor and idiopathic fertilization failure infertilities. Fertil Steril 63:820-7

    • Tucker MJ, Morton PC, Wright G, Sweitzer CL, Massey JB (1998): Cryopreservation of human eggs. Hum Reprod 13:3156-9

    • Liebermann J, Tucker MJ (2002): Effect of carrier system on the yield of human oocytes and embryos as assessed by survival and developmental potential after vitrification. Reproduction 124:483-9

    • Han T, Graham J, Tucker MJ, Davis A, Sagoskin AW (2003): Laser-assisted human embryo biopsy on the third day of development for preimplantation genetic diagnosis: two successful case reports. Fertil Steril 80:453-5

    • Tucker M, Morton P, Liebermann J (2004): Human oocyte cryopreservation: a valid alternative to embryo cryopreservation? Euro J Obstet & Gynecol: Reprod Biol 113 Suppl:S24-7

“I am truly honored to join the SCCRM team, where innovation and compassion come together to transform lives.

Being part of a group so dedicated to advancing reproductive medicine and helping families realize their dreams of parenthood is both inspiring and deeply rewarding.”

— Michael J. Tucker, Ph.D., HCLD