Alease The Embryologist

04/22/2026

My hometown came through. 💛

The City of Creedmoor, NC officially proclaimed this week National Infertility Awareness Week and honestly, I’m still emotional about it.

Growing up in the little town of Creedmoor, spending my career in a lab helping people build families from the very first moments of life… then having my own community recognize that work, and the people who need it most, means everything to me.

1 in 6 people face infertility. That’s someone in your neighborhood, your church, your family. Awareness starts close to home, and Creedmoor just proved that.

If you’re in NC, know that there are bills (HB 635 and HB 744) being considered right now that could expand IVF access and fertility preservation for cancer patients. Your senator needs to hear from you. Change doesn’t have to be big to be effective, it has to be consistent.

To everyone fighting for their family, I see you. This week is for you. 🌱

04/21/2026

ASMR or ASRM?

I use the same soothing voice when talking to your eggs, embryos and s***m!

Happy NIAW!

04/07/2026

Did you have your egg retrieval done abdominally?

03/20/2026

Drop your embryology career questions below! 👇🏽

02/21/2026

When I started this page, I just wanted to make fertility treatments feel less intimidating and more human. I never imagined it would turn into a community filled with so much vulnerability, resilience, and trust. This space has allowed me to share all the cool science in the IVF lab, advocate for patients, and connect with people navigating some of the hardest seasons of their lives.

I’m endlessly grateful for every patient who’s trusted me with their story, every future scientist who’s reached out asking how to break into this field, and every person who’s found a little clarity or comfort here. You’ve shaped how I show up as an embryologist, an educator, and most importantly as a human.

Stepping into my 30s feeling grounded in my purpose and more committed than ever to patient education, evidence based care, and compassionate advocacy. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. So many more exciting things to come.

11/11/2025

Yes I know this trend is 6 months old but it turned out too good not to post lol

Don’t worry I do plenty in the lab, Jasmine is just a rockstar!

01/15/2025

Very honored to be this years keynote speaker!

Are you excited for our Excellence in STEM Dinner next month? 🤗

This event, hosted by the College of Sciences and generously sponsored by BASF, mixes STEM students from across the university with science leaders from BASF and NC State’s faculty, alumni and friends. This year’s theme is “The Power of Connection.”

The keynote speaker will be Alease Barnes ’18, an embryologist, educator and content creator who has been featured in news outlets like Good Morning America and BuzzFeed.

🗓 February 5, 2025
⌚️6 - 8 p.m.

Learn more and register today.
➡️: http://ncst.at/ba0p50UEC4c

10/31/2024

I am so incredibly honored and humbled to be named NC State’s 2024 Outstanding Young Alumnus. My time at NC State had a tremendous impact on who I am and I’m so lucky I continue to have a close connection with the College of Sciences. Huge thank you to all of the mentors, professors and peers who supported my passion for science and teaching.

I came out of the womb ready to go to NC State (see slide 3 lol), so I had no doubts that it was where I’d end up! I may have been a little over confident because it was the only school I applied to. It was a risk (one I look back on think I was crazy for taking), but it paid off and I’m so grateful for my experience there!

10/11/2024

I know I’m not the only one who has questioned their desire to be a mother. I wish I was one of those people who just always knew one way or the other. Since I’m not one of those people, I think it’s important for me to preserve my fertility, so I have a chance in the future if my desire to become a mom becomes more clear.

I have a lot of fears around pregnancy and parenting. Some very common, others I think are a little more out there and obsessive lol.

Also, labs will be updated when I get day 3 diagnostic work done! Don’t worry I’ll share all my numbers :)

10/11/2024

I hope this gives y’all some insight into why we’re not creating embryos. Ultimately, just wasn’t for us! One thing I didn’t mention is that we didn’t want to invest the extra time and money it takes to create embryos, right now. We know if we use the eggs, we will have to invest that time and money, but that’s a decision for my future self 😅

It’s much harder than I thought to be open about this stuff! Happy to answer any questions y’all have about the decision!

10/07/2024

I so excited to finally share this with you! I have all the feels and will share all the highs and lows of this journey. It’s going to be an interesting one given I know so much about the process but have never been a patient!

Will I freeze my own eggs? I guess we’ll have to wait and see!

Leave all your burning questions in the comments! 👇🏽