Ambassador

LEONE ROBERTI MAGGIORE Umberto

Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori
Milan, Italy

Dr. Umberto Leone Roberti Maggiore is an Italian gynecologic oncologist whose work bridges clinical excellence with academic leadership. He currently serves at the Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, one of Italy’s foremost centers for cancer research and treatment. His career has been marked by a continuous commitment to advancing women’s health, particularly in the fields of adenomyosis, endometriosis, and gynecologic oncology.

After earning his medical degree from the University of Genoa, Dr. Leone Roberti Maggiore completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and later obtained a PhD in Gynecological Sciences. Early in his professional journey, he gained valuable experience working at Institutions such as San Raffaele Hospital in Milan and IRCCS Policlinico San Martino in Genoa, before joining the National Cancer Institute in Milan in 2017.

Throughout his career, Dr. Leone Roberti Maggiore has distinguished himself as both a clinician and researcher. He has authored more than 200 scientific publications. His research has had a particular focus on the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis and adenomyosis, fertility-sparing approaches in gynecologic oncology,.

Beyond his clinical and research achievements, Dr. Leone Roberti Maggiore plays a significant role in shaping international reproductive health policy and practice. He has been actively involved in the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), where he currently serves as Coordinator of the Special Interest Group on Endometriosis and Endometrial Disorders.

Widely recognized for his academic impact, Dr. Leone Roberti Maggiore has an h-index of approximately 40 and over 6,500 citations. He frequently serves as a peer reviewer for prestigious journals including Human Reproduction, Fertility and Sterility, and European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, among others. He is also a sought-after speaker and moderator at national and international conferences.

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Ambassador

LUCIANO Danielle

University Of Connecticut
Connecticut, USA

Danielle Luciano, MD graduated from the University of Connecticut (UConn) School of Medicine and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.  She then completed a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery.  Dr. Luciano is a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UConn.  She is the Director of the Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, and is currently serving as the Interim Chair of the Department of OBGyn at UConn Health.  While at UConn Health she established a Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) Fellowship as well as a Center of Excellence in MIGS.  She has served on the AAGL (American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists) MIGS Fellowship Board and is currently serving on the AAGL Endometriosis and Reproductive Surgery Special Interest Group Board.

In addition to treating endometriosis Dr. Luciano is committed to raising awareness and increasing education and research about endometriosis.  She is an active member of the Connecticut Endometriosis Working Group and is Co-Director of the Connecticut State Funded Endometriosis Data Biorepository and Education Program: EndoRISE (Endometriosis Research, Innovation, Support and Education).

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Ambassador

WYNN_WILLIAMS Michael

Auckland District Health Board
Auckland, New Zealand

Gynaecologist, Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon, Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Specialist

Dr. Michael Wynn-Williams is a highly respected Gynaecologist and endometriosis specialist (AGES/RANZCOG Level 6). After an extensive career working as a Gynaecologist overseas, in 2020, he returned to his roots in New Zealand and established himself in Auckland.

For local patients in Auckland, Michael consults in his rooms at Advanced Gynaecology Auckland (AGA) at Ascot Central. Michael also provides consultations to private patients across New Zealand through telehealth video conferencing. Private surgical services are provided by Michael at Ascot Private Hospital in Remuera.

Michael holds a significant public role as the Lead of Minimal Access Gynaecology Service (MIGS) at Auckland Hospital. Michael is the Training Director of the Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy & Surgery (AGES) Advanced Training Program (AATP). The Auckland AATP program is widely considered the top training position in New Zealand. Michael is also an active Auckland Hospital Women’s Health Pain Service member.

A wealth of experience marks Michael’s career. He spent over 14 years providing private surgical services at Mater Private and the Wesley Private Hospitals in Brisbane. As the lead advanced laparoscopic gynaecologist at Mater Mothers’ Hospital, he specialised in complex endometriosis cases, attracting patients from Queensland, Northern NSW, and the Northern Territory. Additionally, Michael served as a Senior Lecturer with the University of Queensland and played a pivotal role in fertility treatments through Queensland Fertility Group. He contributed significantly by establishing a Fellowship program in collaboration with Eve Health and Mater Health, which aimed to train aspiring gynaecologists in advanced laparoscopic surgery under the AGES AATP program.

Michael embarked on his journey in obstetrics and gynaecology in Christchurch, New Zealand, where the late Dr John Doig first ignited his passion for endometriosis management. Subsequently, he pursued advanced training worldwide, including a two-year Fellowship in advanced laparoscopic surgery with A/Prof Alan Lam in Sydney. He further honed his skills during a post-fellowship year in Glasgow and a consultant post at Cambridge University NHS Trust, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK.

Michael is a dedicated educator, sharing his advanced laparoscopic gynaecology surgery expertise with fellow doctors in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Mongolia. He remains committed to mentoring and educating gynaecologists across Australia and New Zealand. Since 2015, Michael has been the Director of AGES Laparoscopic Anatomy Pelvic Dissection (LapD) Workshops held four times a year at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

In addition to his clinical practice, Michael holds local and international leadership roles in several organisations. He is currently the first New Zealander to hold the role of President of the Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy & Surgery (AGES). He is an Associate Editor of the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopy (AAGL) medical journal, Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynaecology (JMIG). Michael also sits on the Clinical Advisory Committee of Endometriosis Australia. In New Zealand, Michael is an Endometriosis New Zealand board member and chairs the clinical advisory committee.

Michael is a keen road cyclist and mountain biker in his free time. He enjoys completing multi-day adventures, such as cycling over the French Alps from Geneva to Nice and competing in the arduous seven-day BC Bikes Race in Vancouver, Canada. He also enjoys participating in multi-day charity bike rides.

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Ambassador

KRENTEL Harald

Bethesda Hospital Duisburg
Duisburg, Germany

Harald Krentel is specialist for Gynecology and Obstetrics, certified Gynecological Oncologist and certified specialist in Minimally Invasive and in Robotic Gynecological Surgery (MIC III AGE). He is specialized in surgery of deep endometriosis and gynecological cancer.

Dr. Krentel is director of the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology at Bethesda Hospital Duisburg, Germany. He is head of the Center for Gynecological Oncology, head of the Endometriosis Center and head of the AGE-certified Training Center for Robotic-Assisted Surgery.

His scientific fields of interest are endometriosis and adenomyosis, transvaginal ultrasound in gynecological diseases and minimally invasive gynecological surgery including the robotic assisted approach. Harald Krentel is Associate Professor at Department for Gynecology at Carl-von-Ossietzky University in Oldenburg / Germany, Visiting Professor for Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima / Peru and Visiting Professor for Gynecological Surgery at UNAM and InPer in Mexico City. He is author and co-author of > 100 publications and book chapters and lecturer at national and international conferences. He is member of different Editorial boards and Associate Editor at FVVOG. Krentel performed live surgeries in > 15 countries.

Harald Krentel is a board member of the German Endometriosis Society (AGEM), Vice-Chair of the Special Interest Group Endometriosis of the ESGE, Past President of EEL and founding member of PASE. He is co-founder of the German and EEL MasterClass programs and is dedicated to teaching and training.

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Ambassador

ABBOTT Jason

WCE2025 Co-President
Sydney, Australia

Dr Jason Abbott is Professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of New South Wales. He has published more than 220 peer-reviewed publications, has supervised more than 40 students through higher research degrees and garnered more than $20million in research funding. He is the co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynaecology, is the chair of the National Endometriosis Clinical and Scientific Trials (NECST) Network, Australia and directs the GRACE research group and is a member of the Endometriosis advisory group to the Australian government.

Jason Abbott was appointed a WES Ambassador in August 2019 and most recently the WCE2025 Co-President.

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Ambassador

SAUNDERS Philippa

Edinburgh, UK

Philippa Saunders’ research is focused on increasing our understanding of the ways in which sex steroids, their receptors and downstream signalling pathways, regulate reproductive and other tissues. Her studies have included seminal findings on the role of androgen receptors in male fertility and the role of oestrogens in endometrial function and malfunction. Her studies on endometriosis include development of novel model systems and their application to finding new therapeutic targets that can reduce endometriosis-associated symptoms including pain.
The excellence of her research contribution has been recognised by prestigious Fellowships of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci), the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) and a prestigious Fellowship ad eudeum of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRCOG) an honour only rarely bestowed on Scientists who are not active Clinicians.

She served as Registrar and as a member of Council for Academy of Medical Sciences (2016-2021) where she oversaw the election of more than 250 new fellows. She has served on numerous grant and fellowship boards nationally and internationally and was co-chair of an influential Academy report on careers in ‘Team Science’. She is passionate about supporting career development in biomedical sciences and has trained and mentored more that 50 students and fellows. She is active on social media and has been recognised for her contributions to public engagement.

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Ambassador

WHITAKER Lucy

University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Clinical Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

Lucy Whitaker obtained her medical degree from the University of Edinburgh in 2007.  She is undertaking postgraduate training in obstetrics and gynaecology in Edinburgh where she is the South-East Scotland advanced laparoscopic trainee for the excision of benign disease, including endometriosis and fibroids.

Her research training was with Professor Hilary Critchley and Professor Andrew Horne at the University of Edinburgh. Her MD thesis focused on the effects of selective progesterone receptor modulators on the endometrium, following a masters in Surgical Sciences assessing neuropathic pain in chronic pelvic pain. Her current research interests are precision treatments for endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain and understanding of pain flares. She leads a portfolio of translation research including biomarkers and clinical trials for both non-hormonal medical treatments and surgical treatments for endometriosis. Her clinical work focuses on management of endometriosis and menopause.

She was selected as a World Endometriosis Society Early Career Ambassador in 2018 and an Early Career Board member in 2019.

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Ambassador

UPSON Kristen

Michigan State University
East Lansing, USA

Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing (MI), USA

Kristen Upson received her PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Washington in 2013 and completed postdoctoral training at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, in 2019. As part of her research program on gynecologic and environmental health, she focuses on environmental risk factors for endometriosis and the epidemiology of adenomyosis. Her research program has been supported by the NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institute of Nursing Research. She has served as an Associate Editor for the journal Human Reproduction and recently received the Early Career Research Excellence Award from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

She was selected as a World Endometriosis Society Early Career Ambassador in 2018.

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Ambassador

BUGGIO Laura

Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
Milan, Italy

MD, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Gynaecological Surgery and Endometriosis Departmental Unit, Milan, Italy

Laura Buggio has investigated the potential role of different medical treatments in the management of symptomatic endometriosis and the association between various phenotypic characteristics and the disease. In 2009, she joined the Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico OB/GYN Unit in Milan as a medical student, supervised by Professor Paolo Vercellini.

Dr Buggio completed her residency in Ob/Gyn at Milan University in 2017. She is the author/co-author of more than seventy papers published in the most important gynaecological journals. H-index: 24 (Scopus). (Pubmed link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=buggio+l).

She is author and co-author of several abstract in national and international scientific congresses, and is an ad hoc reviewer for several international peer-reviewed journals.

She is currently involved in several founded projects on endometriosis and adenomyosis, ranging from studies on pathophysiology to assessment of clinical outcomes.

She was selected as a World Endometriosis Society Early Career Ambassador in 2018.

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Ambassador

BARBARA Giussy

Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
Milan, Italy

MD, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico and Gynecological Surgery and Endometriosis Departmental Unit, Milan, Italy

Guissy Barbara’s graduate dissertation on medical treatment for symptomatic endometriosis was supervised by Professor Paolo Vercellini.

Dr Barbara’s main scientific interests are related to the study and treatment of endometriosis and associated pain, quality of life, and sexual functioning. Her research activity is documented by more than 75 papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. H-index: 30 (Scopus).(Pubmed link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=barbara+giussy&sort=date)

She is author and co-author of several abstract in national and international scientific congresses, and is an ad hoc reviewer for several international peer-reviewed journals.

She is currently involved in several founded projects on endometriosis, ranging from studies on pathophysiology to assessment of clinical outcomes.

She was selected as a World Endometriosis Society Early Career Ambassador in 2018.

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