Gian Carlo Di Renzo is a distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal Fetal Medicine, with a remarkable career that has spanned more than four decades. He served as Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Reproductive and Perinatal Medicine Research Center at the University of Perugia from 2004 to 2022. In 2012, he founded and became the Director of the Permanent International and European School of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine (PREIS) in Florence, an institution dedicated to advancing knowledge and education in women’s and infants’ health.

Prof. Di Renzo holds several prestigious positions globally, including Full Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the I.M. Sechenov First State University of Moscow since 2019, and Hon Consultant at the PRB Unit of the NIH-NICHD in Washington, D.C. since 2021. Since 2022, he has served as the Director and Publisher of the Alliance for Global Women’s Medicine (GLOWM), FIGO’s educational platform, after completing two terms as General Secretary of FIGO from 2012 to 2018.

An influential figure in maternal and fetal medicine, Prof. Di Renzo is also the Co-President of the New European Surgical Academy (NESA) since 2020. He has played a key role in shaping the academic landscape, holding the position of Founder Editor of the Journal of Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Corresponding Editor for the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Honorary Editor-in-Chief of the Chinese Journal Maternal Fetal-Medicine. In 2024, he launched a new peer-reviewed, open-access journal, Maternal and Children’s Health, where he serves as Editor-in-Chief.

Prof. Di Renzo’s contributions to the field have earned him recognition from 34 scientific societies worldwide. He is an honorary Fellow of RCOG, ACOG, and ICOG, and holds 14 honorary professorships and six Doctor Honoris Causa titles from numerous universities across Europe, Asia, North and South America. He is also an academic member of the Romanian and Russian Academy of Sciences.

Over his career, Prof. Di Renzo has received eight prestigious awards for his groundbreaking work in human reproduction, maternal-infant health, scientific research, and education. Notably, in 2023, he was awarded the Accademia dei Lincei Award for Gynecology and Medicine by the President of the Italian Republic. In 2024, the City of Perugia awarded him the “Baiocco d’Oro” (Golden Coin) in recognition of his exceptional achievements.

As a prolific scholar, Prof. Di Renzo has authored over 1,500 scientific papers, with more than 490 published in peer-reviewed international journals. He has also contributed to more than 100 books and has been an invited speaker at over 2,000 international congresses, meetings, and academic courses across 125 countries. His dedication to advancing maternal-fetal medicine and education continues to have a profound impact globally.

Federica Capanna is a medical doctor, fetal-maternal specialist and the Medical Director of Gynous in Geneva, Switzerland. Originally from L’Aquila, Italy, she developed an early passion for science and a strong commitment to caring for others, which naturally guided her toward a career in medicine.

Federica completed her medical studies in L’Aquila before training and practising in Perugia under the guidance of Professor Gian Carlo Di Renzo, who played a pivotal role in shaping her early development in fetal-maternal medicine. She went on to expand her expertise in leading perinatal centres across Paris, Zurich, Geneva, Baden and Lausanne, training under internationally recognised specialists including Prof. Josef Wisser, Prof. Leonhard Schäffer, Prof. David Baud and Prof. Yvan Vial. Their mentorship supported the refinement of her clinical skills and reinforced her commitment to providing compassionate, evidence-based care.

Her work across Europe enabled Federica to collaborate closely with distinguished fetal-medicine experts and gain extensive experience in managing complex and high-risk pregnancies. These experiences strengthened her dedication to supporting families through the uncertainties and emotional challenges that can arise during pregnancy.

The concept for FETAL EXPERT took shape during the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to specialised care became increasingly limited for expectant parents worldwide. Together with Prof. Gian Carlo Di Renzo and her colleague Dr. Jonathan Baert, Federica envisioned an innovative platform capable of connecting families with leading maternal–fetal specialists regardless of geographical barriers. Guided by her clinical experience — and her own empathy as a mother — she sought to ensure that every family could receive clear, personalised, and reliable medical guidance when they need it most.

Today, FETAL EXPERT reflects Federica Capanna’s deep commitment to advancing maternal–fetal health. Through her leadership, she strives to empower women with accurate information, expert interpretation, and meaningful support during some of the most delicate and transformative moments of their lives.

Jonathan Baert is a medical doctor, fetal-maternal specialist and the Medical Director of Gynous in Yverdon-les-Bains, practising also in Nyon, Switzerland. Born and raised near Lausanne, he developed an early passion for medicine and maternal health, a commitment that naturally led him toward obstetrics and later to the highly specialised field of maternal–fetal medicine.

During his training at the CHUV, University of Lausanne, Jonathan had the opportunity to learn from distinguished mentors including Prof. David Baud and Prof. Yvan Vial. Their guidance played a crucial role in shaping his clinical expertise, deepening his understanding of complex prenatal conditions, and reinforcing his patient-centred approach to care.

Jonathan’s clinical journey exposed him to a wide range of high-risk pregnancies and fetal conditions, strengthening his dedication to offering clear, compassionate, and evidence-based support to expectant parents. His work reflects a strong belief in the importance of attentive listening, personalised explanations, and expert reassurance during moments of uncertainty.

The vision for FETAL EXPERT emerged while working closely with his colleague Dr. Federica Capanna, at a time when many families faced challenges in accessing specialised medical guidance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognising this gap, Jonathan helped conceptualise a platform that would connect parents worldwide with leading fetal-maternal specialists, providing timely second opinions and expert support for complex or unexpected prenatal situations.

Today, FETAL EXPERT represents Jonathan Baert’s commitment to making high-quality maternal–fetal expertise accessible to all. He is driven by the belief that accurate information, expert interpretation, and thoughtful guidance can profoundly improve the experience of parents navigating high-risk pregnancies or specific fetal conditions.