Genetic and ENvironment interplay:
Emotional Support and Identity Shaping in
DONOR-CONCEIVED PEOPLE
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About
MyGENESIS
Get to Know Us
MyGENESIS is a participatory research project co-developed with donor-conceived people (DCPs) to understand the factors that support or hinder well-being and identity development, and to co-create practical support tools for those who want them.
A core principle of MyGENESIS is ensuring that the experiences, perspectives, and priorities of donor-conceived people guide every stage of the project.
We aim to develop evidence-based guidelines that genuinely reflect DCP needs, including those related to family communication, identity exploration, and clinic conduct.
MyGENESIS Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
A team dedicated to exploring critical aspects of identity, coping strategies, and support systems within the Donor-Conceived Community.
Assistant Professor at the University of Porto. Her research focuses on the impact of infertility and ART on marital relationships, as well as young adults’ reproductive health beliefs and aspirations. She has coordinated the ESHRE Psychology & Counselling Special Interest Group and currently serves on the executive board of the Portuguese Society of Reproductive Medicine.
Mariana Veloso Martins
Project Leader
Clinical psychologist and retired professor from FPCEUP, Emília has led multiple research projects on identity and intimate relationships—key themes for those conceived through donation. She continues to support projects that center mental health and personal meaning.
Maria Emília Costa
Senior Team
Professor at the University of Copenhagen and head of the Reproductive Health Research Group. A leading voice in social medicine and reproductive health policy, Lone also contributes to WHO guidelines on infertility.
Lone Schmidt
Senior Team
Licensed marriage and family therapist, and researcher focused on the mental health implications of infertility and counseling interventions for couples experiencing fertility treatment.
Brennan Peterson
Senior Team
Science Lead at Birmingham Women’s Fertility Centre, Jackson is an expert in andrology. His work supports ethical care and informed decision-making in fertility treatments, including third-party reproduction.
Jackson C. Kirkmman-Brown
Senior Team
Invited Assistant Professor at ISMT and researcher at CPUP. Her work has focused on: fertility awareness among adolescents and health education through tools like serious games. She is currently a member of ESHRE.
Filipa Bento Nogueira
Research Fellow
PhD student in Human Sexuality at FPCEUP and a researcher at the CPUP. Her work focuses on dyadic life transitions, such as parenthood and midlife, with a particular interest in sexual health and psychological well-being.
Nicolle Bolzan
Research Fellow
Master’s student in Clinical Psychology.
Her work focuses on:
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Attachment to parental figures in the context of donor conception
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The influence of relational experiences on individual development
Carina Ferreira
Master’s student
Master’s student in Psychology of Justice and Deviance.
Her research focuses on:
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The psychological impact of being conceived through gamete donation
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The role of coping strategies and social support in psychosocial adjustment
Daniela Parchão
Master’s student
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Master's student in Psychology.
Electra Costa
Master's student
Master’s student in Psychology of Education and Human Development. His work focuses on:
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The role of attachment in reproductive health
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Identity development in relation to early relational experiences
Pedro Silva
Master’s student
Master’s student in Psychology. Her research focuses on:
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Emotional support and care pathways for donor-conceived adults
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Perspectives of donor-conceived individuals, parents, donors, and professionals
Petra Fernandes
Master’s student
Ethical Principles
At MyGENESIS, we place ethical integrity at the core of our scientific endeavors.
Our commitment is to enhance the understanding of Donor Conception, aiming to positively impact the quality of life for both the DCP community and society as a whole.
Our project received approval from the University of Porto Ethics Committee (2025-10-02b).
Partner Institutions
Advancing our mission alongside these leading institutions
University of Copenhagen
Institute of Public Health
Denmark
University of Birmingham
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Irland
Chapman University
Faculty of Psychology
United States of America
Project Timeline
2025
July
September
December
2026
January
April & May
May & July
June
Creation of social media pages
Stakeholder engagement
Baseline data collection
Presentation of the MyGENESIS project @ the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Annual Meeting
Reflection sessions about the MyGENESIS survey with DCP
Survey development
Survey Launch
From Silence to Voice Seminar with Leen Bastiaansen and
Yaël Ilan (Donor Conception Network)
Focus Groups about Care Pathway for DCP
Data Cleaning & Analysis
Results Interpretation
Preliminary findings presentation
@ the Portuguese Society of Reproductive Medicine Conference
@ the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Annual Meeting
GENESIS prototype
GENESIS process evaluation