Li Meng, PhD, HCLD
Laboratory and Scientific Director
Dr. Li Meng earned his Ph.D. degree in reproductive physiology and obtained his postdoctoral training at the University of Western Ontario, Canada and Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC). Using rodent and nonhuman primate models, Dr. Meng’s research focused on the nucleocytoplasmic interaction during oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryo development in human and non-human primates. Dr. Meng successfully cloned the world’s first primate, Rhesus, in 1997 at ONPRC. In 1998, Dr. Meng started his first clinical IVF Laboratory directorship at Brown University. Dr. Meng is also a two-time recipient of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) General Program Prize which highlights the importance of (1) Germinal Vesicle transfer in human oocytes and (2) the SpindleView Imaging System for non-invasive observation of living cell spindles. Dr. Meng also obtained research funding for the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, EMD Serono Inc., and NIH-SF 424 (R&R). Recently, Dr. Meng collaborated with Nikon and developed the BioStation CT system, a cell culture synchronization observation system that integrates cell intelligence (AI) culture, remote observation, imaging, and data processing. The system has been applied in embryonic fields, drug screening, embryonic and adult tissue stem cells, and tissue regeneration.
Lena Kaminski, RN
Nurse Manager
Lena is the nurse manager at LA IVF and the outpatient surgery center who takes pride in her job every day. She brings energy, enthusiasm and always sets her goals for perfection. Lena has extensive experience in the surgical center setting and also participates in the care of patients with infertility on the clinical side. She is fluent in English and Russian and enjoys participating in the care of our international as well as local patients. She enjoys sports activities and spending time with her family.
Stacey Harkins
Office Manager
Stacey Harkins, adept in managerial administration and well-seasoned in providing excellent patient relations, is the office manager for LA IVF Clinic located in West Los Angeles. She is responsible for managing the daily operations of the office while maintaining a professional workplace. As part of the human resource team, she collaborates with physicians and other administrative management in overseeing employee relations, policy compliance, and employee-related services such as payroll, training, and benefits. She also partners with prospective patients and offers education on comparing and interpreting IVF fees presented to those seeking such services.
Stacey, a native New Yorker who brings 25 years of administrative experience in the medical field and is committed to providing a positive experience to patients and their families. As someone whose pride and joy is centered on her own two children, she looks forward to helping other families grow.
With a family of her own, she enjoys spin classes, reading, and hiking.
Araba Hagan
Practice Relations Director
Araba Hagan, an expert in marketing, is the Practice Relations Director for LA IVF. She partners with medical groups, physicians and other health care professionals, providing them with the latest information in fertility and the services LA IVF provides. Araba also helps individuals who are wanting to start a family by providing resources and support. Prior to LA IVF, Araba has provided marketing services for the medical industry for over 7 years. Holding a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Design & Fine Arts from California State University Northridge, and having over 10 years of experience in the marketing field, she has found joy in the fertility world and helping families grow.
With a family of her own, Araba enjoys camping, ballroom dancing and is a Zumba instructor in her spare time.
Amy Cervantes, Medical Assistant:
IVF Coordinator
Amy is a dedicated medical assistant at LA IVF Clinic. She performs a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to help provide care to patients, physicians, and all clinical staff. Amy enjoys her work at LA IVF and is happy to help others achieve their dreams.
Hanna Ho
IVF Coordinator
Hanna (Wan-Yu) Ho enjoys working as an IVF Coordinator and focuses on assisting international patients. She is fluent in English and Mandarin which allows her to help Mandarin-speaking patients coming to LA IVF for treatment. She feels fulfilled in guiding patients through the process of their treatment and ultimately creating a family. Hanna has helped many patients become parents and is excited to create a family of her own. Hanna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Policy, Planning, and Development as well as a Master’s degree in Aging Services Management from the University of Southern California.
Hanna enjoys spending time with her family, eating enchiladas, and would love to travel the world.
Raquel De La Barcena
Certified Surgical Technologist
Raquel De La Barcena is a Certified Surgical Technologist with 4 years of experience. For the past 3 years, she has had the honor of working with Dr. Bayrak at LA IVF and helping patients in achieving their ultimate dream of becoming parents. In knowing that the operating room can be an intense and intimidating environment, she believes that as a surgical technologist her role is to ensure team coordination and maintaining a safe and sterile environment for the patients. She is very detail-oriented, even-tempered and empathetic. Raquel is fluent in Spanish and English. On her days off she enjoys spending time with her 3 daughters, watching football, and camping.
Andrea Lemus
Medical Assistant
Andrea Lemus is a Medical Assistant who feels blessed to be part of LA IVF. Andrea has been in the medical field for over 5 years and enjoys assisting in patients’ healthcare. Andrea is fluent in both English and Spanish. She is very organized, detail-oriented, enthusiastic, compassionate to the patients’ needs and is always eager to learn. Andrea’s focus at LA IVF is to help patients achieve their ultimate goal of creating beautiful families and loving memories.
Andrea loves and enjoys spending time with her loved ones and taking her dog Ben-G out for walks. Andrea absolutely loves going to Disneyland.
Vicky Yu
IVF Coordinator
Vicky has many years of experience in the healthcare profession and has recently joined the LA IVF team.
Vicky is fluent in Mandarin and English and assists Mandarin-speaking patients. She is involved with walking patients through their IVF treatments as well as working with egg donors and surrogates. She is an organized and detail-oriented person. She enjoys working in the fertility field helping couples become parents and witness to the magic moment!
She likes spending time with her family and enjoys outdoor activities.
Stephanie Francia
IVF Coordinator
Stephanie Francia is a certified Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist with 10-year experience in the medical field. Stephanie is currently finishing nursing school to become an RN. Stephanie is happy to be a part of the LA IVF team and strives to make the most out of every day at the office. As a coordinator, her main focus is to help patients feel comfortable and guide them through the process to help them fulfill their dreams. She is dedicated and genuinely cares about the patients. Stephanie believes the key to success in every area of your life should be accomplished by having a positive attitude. She is fluent in Spanish and English. When she is away from the office she enjoys spending quality time with her two sons, watching sports and working out at the gym.
Mei Yen Sin
IVF Coordinator
Mei is an IVF coordinator that’s enjoys helping patients to achieve their dreams of starting a family. She is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien which helps her assist international patients. Mei has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Statistics from University of Malaya in Malaysia.
She enjoys spending time with her family, watching baseball and hiking.
Beste Yilmaz
Administrative Assistant
Beste was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. She earned a BFA degree at the University of Illinois with a minor in statistics. She is fluent in Turkish and English. Upon moving to LA, she started volunteering in different hospitals where she discovered her passion for helping others. She is currently enrolled in her classes that serve as pre-requisites for nursing school. At LA IVF Clinic, she is the administrative assistant and believes that nothing is as quite as rewarding than helping patients create beautiful families. In her free time, Beste likes to take her puppy to the beach and read a great book by the ocean.
