Ovation Fertility San Antonio Staff
Dr. Khalied Kaskar – Lab Director
Dr. Khalied Kaskar earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Physiology from the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. During this time, he worked at the University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Hospital as a Senior Research Assistant. He then worked as a Chief IVF technician in Saudi Arabia to help set up an IVF laboratory in the National Guard Hospital before moving to the United States, where he has worked as an embryologist in Kentucky and Texas. He served as the IVF laboratory manager and later the IVF laboratory director for the Family Fertility Center at Texas Children’s Hospital, while being an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. During this time, he completed his PhD in Medical Bioscience from the University of the Western Cape.
He joined Ovation Fertility in 2022 as the Laboratory Director for Austin and San Antonio and is board certified as a High-Complexity Laboratory Director (HCLD). He has published several research papers, is an active member of numerous professional societies, and a reviewer for scientific journals. During his spare time, Khalied enjoys movies, live music, grilling and hiking.
Nirvika Singh Sharma, MS, ELD (ABB), MBBS, ELS, ALS, Associate Lab Director
Nirvika Singh Sharma, MS, ELD (ABB), MBBS, ELS, ALS, is the associate lab director of the Ovation Fertility San Antonio IVF lab, overseeing IVF, embryology and andrology operations while helping to ensure lab safety and compliance. Dr. Singh has a rare combination of clinical and scientific training and experience, and believes that bringing together the clinical and scientific sides of the fertility treatment process creates the best outcomes.
An ELD board certified IVF lab director, Dr. Singh has served as an IVF lab director, team leader, lab manager and senior embryologist in both the United States and India. She is multilingual, with fluency in English, Hindi and Punjabi. She has interdisciplinary knowledge in the medical field, having completed a Bachelor of Medicine-Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree at Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences in India, which is the equivalent to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in the United States. Dr. Singh also earned a Master of Reproductive Clinical Science degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Bernadette Pineda
Bernadette attended Texas State University where she obtained a Bachelor’s of Exercise and Sports Science Degree. During that time, she was introduced to the insurance and billing field, which led her to joining the Ovation Fertility team in 2015. She served as a financial coordinator for 7 years before transitioning into a billing supervisor, overseeing the Texas laboratories. Outside of the lab, she spends quality time with her husband and three daughters. She enjoys using her spare time investigating the paranormal.
Elizabeth Foust
Elizabeth is a Texas transplant and is originally from Indiana. She has a passion for science, which is showcased with her degree in Biology from Ball State University and 5 years of professional laboratory experience. Her decision to relocate to Texas with her husband in March 2021 to pursue a role as an Andrologist with Ovation reflects her willingness to embrace new opportunities and experiences. The recent addition of their first child in December 2022 has brought them immeasurable joy. Her dedication to helping families become complete and witnessing the happiness that it brings further fuels her passion for her work. She wishes to soon begin training in embryology so that she may expand her expertise in the fertility field and continue helping even more families in their journey to parenthood. Outside of work, Elizabeth loves spending time cuddled up with her son, Luka, and her cat, Eggroll. She enjoys creating memories through trips and adventures with her family.
Elena Martinez
Elena started in the fertility field this past February 2023. As a patient service coordinator at Ovation, she plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the clinic and providing a positive experience for patients and partners. Elena’s enthusiasm and joy in being part of a company that brings happiness to patients is truly admirable. Assisting individuals and couples in their fertility journey is undoubtedly a meaningful and rewarding experience, as it allows her to witness the joy and fulfillment that comes from successful treatments and pregnancies. Apart from her professional life, it’s heartwarming to know that Elena spends quality time with her amazing daughter, supporting her in volleyball practices and games. Her upbringing in San Antonio may also add a personal touch to her interactions with patients and create a sense of familiarity and connection.
Gabriela Cordero
Financial Counselor
Gabriela joined the Ovation Billing Team in November of 2022 as a financial coordinator. She is responsible for sending out estimates for patient cycles and counseling patients in regards to what their benefits will or will not cover. She plans to graduate with her Bachelor’s in Kinesiology from Sul Ross State University in the fall of 2024. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going to the movies, and hanging out with her dog, Ronan.
Matthew “Tex” VerMilyea, PhD, HCLD
Matthew “Tex” VerMilyea, PhD, HCLD, graduated with honors from Cornell University before earning his PhD in genetics from The Medical School at the University of Birmingham, Institute of Biomedical Research. His background includes working as a research fellow at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council at the University of Birmingham.
He also accepted academic posts at the University of Pennsylvania, Victoria University of Wellington and Auckland University. As a board-certified clinical consultant, medical laboratory scientific director of embryology and high complexity clinical laboratory director (HCLD), he served as the scientific director for Fertility Associates in New Zealand. Today he is the scientific director of Texas Fertility Center. He and his wife have a daughter and a son.
