Zitao Liu, MD, PhD, FACOG

Zitao Liu, MD, PhD, FACOG, is a distinguished reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist. As a board-certified physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Liu is an advocate for mild stimulation in assisted reproductive technology (ART). He is dedicated to offering personalized treatment plans by integrating his extensive bench research expertise with broad clinical experience.

Dr. Liu possesses a profound understanding of reproductive medicine at the molecular and cellular levels. After earning his medical degree from Norman Bethune University of Medical Sciences and completing two years of faculty practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Liu pursued a PhD at Wayne State University, MI, where he dedicated five years to studying the regulation of pre-implantation embryonic development and trophoblast (placental cell) differentiation. This extensive research enhanced his expertise in cell cycle regulation, cellular proliferation and differentiation, and intracellular signaling pathways at the molecular biology level, forming the foundation for his innovative Mild-Stim protocols.

Furthermore, Dr. Liu conducted postdoctoral research at Vanderbilt University, focusing on the uterine response during embryo implantation. This research deepened his understanding of uterine receptivity and the intricate dialogue between the embryo and uterus, which has informed his advanced management of recurrent pregnancy loss and embryo transfer failure.

Following his residency training in New York City, Dr. Liu served for four years as an assistant professor and attending physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Boston before returning to Manhattan to practice infertility treatment at New Hope Fertility Center. Over his career, he has performed more than 5,000 oocyte retrievals, 2,000 embryo transfers, and 500 hysteroscopies. His technical expertise includes advanced and specialized procedures such as oocyte retrieval under local anesthesia, transabdominal oocyte retrieval, embryo transfer under transvaginal ultrasound guidance, and vaginoscopy.

Dr. Liu’s extensive research and clinical experience have driven his contributions to innovative fertility solutions. He developed the Mild-Stim protocol, participated the research team that achieved the groundbreaking first live birth via nuclear transfer in oocytes, and created neural network-based AI tools to assist in controlled ovarian stimulation.

Dr. Liu founded Future Reproductive Medicine in California, bringing over two decades of accumulated expertise in reproductive medicine. Guided by the philosophy of “learning from nature and adapting to circumstances,” Dr. Liu provides infertility treatments and fertility preservation with a thoughtful, patient-centered approach.

When Dr. Liu is not dedicating his time to his patients, he is an avid long-distance runner, excelling in both marathons and ultramarathons. He has completed full marathons (26.2 miles) in iconic cities such as Boston, New York City, Chicago, Tokyo, Berlin, Houston, Las Vegas, Changchun and Qingyuan, among others. He has also conquered ultramarathons (100 miles), including the Old Dominion, Grindstone, and Doi Inthanon races.

For Dr. Liu, long-distance running is more than a sport—it has shaped his character and taught him valuable life lessons. He believes that we alone have the power to define the length, breadth, and quality of our personal journey.

Li Mei Che, BS, MS

Embryologist

Li Mei has been in the field of reproductive biology for more than 25 years in the United States, Japan, and Canada. She is board-certified as a Technical Supervisor (TS) in Embryology by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB). Che is also an active member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the College of Reproductive Biology of the ABB.

Che grew up in China where she received both her B.S. and M.S. She received additional training at the Development Biology Sciences Department at Tokyo University and later did additional research at McGill University in Canada. As the senior embryologist, Che performs all procedures needed in the embryology and andrology lab at Lane Fertility Institute. She also manages all the quality control and assurances.

Li Mei has a lot of Experience in Human Reproductive and Developmental Biology

Embryology and Andrology

  • Oocyte retrieval, Conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) .Fertilization assessment, cleavage embryo and blastocyst culture, embryo grading and selection for transfer.
  • Assisted Hatching: Using laser and Acid Tyrodes.
  • Oocyte, cleavage embryo and blastocyst cryopreservation (Controlled freeze and vitrification).
  • Embryo Biopsy/PGD: Blastomere and trophectoderm biopsy. Tubing cells for PGS-PGD.
  • Work on laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedure.
  • Maintain and adjust the IVF laboratory equipment, such as CO2/O2incubator, micromanipulation, laser system, etc.
    • Conduct standard semen analysis and sperm preparation for IVF/ICSI and IUI cycles.
    • Preparation and freezing of sperm sample from TEST, TESA and MESA .

General management of Embryology and Andrology Laboratory

  • Manage the clinical embryo bank, sperm bank, embryo and sperm inspection and quality control.
  • Work on clinical data statistical analysis and management.
  • Carry out data entry programmed for the Canada Assisted Reproductive Technologies Register (CARTR).
  • Submit annual data and report to the National ART Surveillance System (NASS)
  • enter data to EIVF , and Excel outcome.