Dr Justin Chu PhD, MRCOG, PG Cert HP, MBChB

Dr Justin Chu

Department of Metabolism and Systems Science
Honorary Senior Lecturer

Contact details

Address
3rd Floor, Birmingham Women's Hospital
Mindelsohn Way
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TG

Dr Justin Chu is an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He completed his PhD by medical research at the University of Birmingham and was an Academic Clinical Lecturer until his Consultancy post in 2020.

Justin is a Sub-specialist Consultant in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery and is now the Medical Director of TFP Oxford Fertility. He continues to be the Clinical Lead of the Tommy’s Recurrent Miscarriage service at the Birmingham Women's Hospital.

His research interests lie in embryo implantation in assisted reproductive treatments, miscarriage and reproductive surgery. Justin also has great interest in Fertility Education and male infertility

Qualifications

  • PhD 2016
  • MRCOG 2013
  • PG Cert HP 2013
  • MBChB 2006

Biography

Justin attended the University of Birmingham for his undergraduate medical and surgical training between 2001 and 2006.  He commenced his obstetrics and gynaecology training in the West Midlands in 2009, completing his senior house officer training at the Royal Wolverhampton Hospital and Good Hope Hospital, Sutton Coldfield.  His registrar training started in 2011 at the Birmingham Women’s Hospital.

After this year of training Justin completed an out of programme experience as a teaching fellow at the Birmingham Women’s Hospital, coordinating and leading undergraduate obstetrics and gynaecology teaching to final year undergraduate medical students at the University of Birmingham. 

He was awarded a Springboard Research Fellowship to commence his PhD in 2013 under the supervision of Professor Coomarasamy.  In 2015, he was been appointed as an academic clinical lecturer at the University of Birmingham where he was successfully awarded a NIHR HTA grant to conduct the MIFEMISO miscarriage trial. This work was subsequently published in the Lancet Journal in 2020.

Justin embarked on his Sub-specialty training in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery from 2018 to 2020 and was awarded an NHS Consultant post in November 2020. In 2024, Justin was appointed as the Medical Director of TFP Oxford Fertility. His clinical and research interests are in embryo implantation, recurrent miscarriage, male fertility and fertility education.

He is the deputy chair of the UK Fertility Education Initiative Specialist Interest Group at the British Fertility Society and also sits on the Specialist Interest Group for Andrology for both the British Fertility Society and UK Endocrine Society.

Teaching

Lecture and small group teaching sessions on reproductive physiology and clinical aspects of reproduction to MBChB undergraduate students at the University of Birmingham Medical School.

Teaching delivery to post graduate obstetrics and gynaecology doctors attempting to pass MRCOG.

Academic teaching fellowship at the Birmingham Women’s Hospital 2012-2013

Postgraduate supervision

Successful supervision of post graduate obstetrics and gynaecology doctors completing PhD programmes.

Actively supervising PhD fellows currently.

Research

Between 2016 and 2020, Justin completed a NIHR HTA trial investigating the best medical regimen in the medical management of missed miscarriage – the MIFEMISO trial. The trial population was 710 women diagnosed with missed miscarriage randomised into receiving placebo and misoprostol versus mifepristone and misoprostol. The primary outcome was successful treatment of miscarriage. The trial was published in the Lancet journal in 2020 and is informing the next iteration of NICE guidance for the management of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.

Justin has also published in the fields of reproductive medicine and surgery. He has published work on the efficacy of tubal surgery and multiple publications on the association between vitamin D and IVF treatment outcome. He has written multiple textbook chapters and authored the Get Through MRCOG Part 3 Revision Text.

Grant funding

  • Endometrial Fluid Metabolomics. Ferring Pharmaceuticals STIRMAS grant. 2019. Grant £5,000. Lead applicant
  • MIFEMISO trial: mifepristone and misoprostol versus misoprostol alone in the management of missed miscarriage. NIHR HTA trial, funding reference 15/160/02. ISRCTN 17405024. EUDRACT 2016-005097-35. 2016. Grant £1.8 million. Coordinating grant applicant and National Clinical Coordinator.
  • Birmingham Women’s Hospital Research and Development Springboard Fellowship. 2013. Grant £49,000

Research Groups and Centres

Publications

  • Craciunas L, Chu J, Pickering O, Mohiyiddeen L, Coomarasamy A. The metabolomic profile of endometrial receptivity in recurrent miscarriage. Minerva Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2022 Oct. DOI: 10.23736/s2724-606x.22.05151-x. PMID: 36193833
  • Bagkou Dimakou D, Tamblyn J, Chu J, Coomarasamy A, Richter A. Diagnosis and management of idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL): current immune testing and immunomodulatory treatment practice in the United Kingdom. Journal of Reproductive Immunology. 2022
  • Chu J. There is a role for pre-conceptual treatment with vitamin D: For. In Homburg R, Balen A, Casper RF. 50 Big debates in Reproductive Medicine. Cambridge Press; 2022

  • Devall A, Chu J, Beeson L, Hardy P, Cheed V, Sun Y, Roberts T, Ogwulu CO, Williams E, Jones L, Papadopoulos JF, Bender-Atik R, Brewin J, Hinshaw K, Choudhary M, Ahmed A, Naftalin J, Nunes N, Oliver A, Izzat F, Bhatia K, Hassan I, Jeve Y, Hamilton J, Deb S, Bottomley C, Ross J, Watkins L, Underwood M, Cheong Y, Kumar C, Gupta P, Small R, Pringle S, Hodge F, Shahid A, Gallos I, Horne A, Quenby S, Coomarasamy A. Mifepristone and misoprostol versus placebo and misoprostol for resolution of miscarriage in women diagnosed with missed miscarriage: the MifeMiso RCT. Health Technol Assess. 2021 Nov;25(68):1-114. doi: 10.3310/hta25680. PMID: 34821547.

  • Okeke Ogwulu CB, Williams EV, Chu JJ, Devall AJ, Beeson LE, Hardy P, Cheed V, Yongzhong S, Jones LL, La Fontaine Papadopoulos JH, Bender-Atik R, Brewin J, Hinshaw K, Choudhary M, Ahmed A, Naftalin J, Nunes N, Oliver A, Izzat F, Bhatia K, Hassan I, Jeve Y, Hamilton J, Debs S, Bottomley C, Ross J, Watkins L, Underwood M, Cheong Y, Kumar CS, Gupta P, Small R, Pringle S, Hodge FS, Shahid A, Horne AW, Quenby S, Gallos ID, Coomarasamy A, Roberts TE. Cost-effectiveness of mifepristone and misoprostol versus misoprostol alone for the management of missed miscarriage: an economic evaluation based on the MifeMiso trial. BJOG. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.16737. PMID: 33969614.

  • Chu JJ, Devall AJ, Beeson LE, Hardy P, Cheed V, Sun Y, Roberts TE, Ogwulu CO, Williams E, Jones LL, La Fontaine Papadopoulos JH, Bender-Atik R, Brewin J, Hinshaw K, Choudhary M, Ahmed A, Naftalin J, Nunes N, Oliver A, Izzat F, Bhatia K, Hassan I, Jeve Y, Hamilton J, Deb S, Bottomley C, Ross J, Watkins L, Underwood M, Cheong Y, Kumar CS, Gupta P, Small R, Pringle S, Hodge F, Shahid A, Gallos ID, Horne AW, Quenby S, Coomarasamy A. Mifepristone and misoprostol versus misoprostol alone for the management of missed miscarriage (MifeMiso): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2020 Sep 12;396(10253):770-778. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31788-8. Epub 2020 Aug 24. PMID: 32853559; PMCID: PMC7493715.

  • Craciunas L, Pickering O, Chu J, Žurauskienė J, Coomarasamy A. Target Product Profile for an endometrial receptivity test: women's perspective. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2020 Oct;253:42-47. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.07.058. Epub 2020 Aug 1. PMID: 32771887.

  • Dhillon-Smith RK, Tobias A, Smith PP, Middleton LJ, Sunner KK, Baker K, Farrell-Carver S, Bender-Atik R, Agrawal R, Bhatia K, Chu J, Edi-Osagie E, Ewies A, Ghobara T, Gupta P, Jurkovic D, Khalaf Y, Mulbagal K, Nunes N, Overton C, Quenby S, Rai R, Raine-Fenning N, Robinson L, Ross J, Sizer A,  Small R, Underwood M, Kilby MD, Daniels J, Thangaratinam S, Chan S, Boelaert K, Coomarasamy A. The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity in women with history of miscarriage or subfertility.  The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2020; 105: 8. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaa302
  • Chu J. The Hepatitis B/C Carrier ART patient. In Sharif K and Coomarasamy A, editors. Assisted Reproduction Techniques. 2nd edition. Wiley-Blackwell; 2020.
  • Chu J. IVF and the renal transplant patient. In Sharif K and Coomarasamy A, editors. Assisted Reproduction Techniques. 2nd edition. Wiley-Blackwell;  2020.
  • Chu J, Coomarasamy A. Immunological tests and treatment. In Sharif K and Coomarasamy A, editors. Assisted Reproduction Techniques. 2nd edition. Wiley-Blackwell; 2020.
  • Chu J, Devall AJ, Hardy PA, Coomarasamy A. What is the best method for managing early miscarriage? Uncertainties. BMJ 2020; 368:l6438
  • Chu J, Johnston TA, Geoghan J, on behalf of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Maternal collapse in Pregnancy and the Puerperium. BJOG 2020; 127: e14– e52.
  • Chu J, Johnston TA, Geoghan J. Maternal collapse in Pregnancy and the Puerperium. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Green Top Guideline 2019. https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/gtg56/
  • Chu J, Gallos I, Tobias A, Robinson L, Kirkman-Brown J, Dhillon-Smith R, Harb H, Eapen A, Rajkhowa M, Coomarasamy A. Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatment outcome: a prospective cohort study. Reprod Health. 2019 16:106. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-019-0769-7
  • Craciunas L, Gallos I, Chu J, Bourne T, Quenby S, Brosens JJ, Coomarasamy A. Conventional and modern markers of endometrial receptivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2019 Jan 9. doi: 10.1093
  • Clark TJ, Coomarasamy A, Chu J, Smith PP. Get Through MRCOG Part 3: Clinical Assessment, Second Edition.CRC Press 2018. ISBN 9781138498464
  • Chu J, Gallos I, Tobias A, Tan B, Eapen A, Coomarasamy A. Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatment outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Poster presentation RCOG National Trainees Conference 2018. BJOG DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15493
  • Chu J, Dunn W, Gallos I, Frew L, Tobias A, Rajkhowa M, Coomarsamy A, Kirkman-Brown J. The peri-implantation endometrial fluid metabolome as a predictor of success in women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment – a prospective cohort study. Poster presentation RCOG National Trainees Conference 2018. BJOG DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15493
  • Chu J, Gallos ID, Tobias A, Tan B, Robinson L, Kirkman-Brown J, Dhillon R, Harb H, Eapen A, Rajkhowa R, Coomarasamy A. Vitamin D and IVF Cohort (VIDIO) study. Oral presentation RCOG National Trainees Conference 2018. BJOG DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15493
  • Gallos I, Khairy M, Chu J, Rajkhowa, M, Tobias A, Campbell A, Dowell K, Fishel S, Coomarasamy A. Optimal endometrial thickness to maximize live births and minimize pregnancy losses: Analysis of 25,767 fresh embryo transfers. Reprod Biomed Online. 2018 Nov;37(5):542-548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.08.025
  • Chu J, Gallos I, Tobias A, Tan B, Eapen A, Coomarasamy A. Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatment outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod. 2018 Jan 1;33(1):65-80. doi: 10.1093
  • Chu J, Hinshaw K, Johnston TJ, Paterson-Brown S, Johnston TJ, Matthews M, Webb, J, Sharpe P. Peri-mortem Caesarean section: A Review. Commissioned article for The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. 2018 Jul; 20 (3): 151-158. 
  • Janjua A, Smith P, Chu J, Raut N, Malick S, Gallos I, Singh R, Irani S, Gupta JK, Parle J, Clark TJ. The effectiveness of gynaecology teaching associates in teaching pelvic examination to medical students: a randomised controlled trial. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2017 Mar;210:58-63.
  • De Silva P and Chu J (joint first authorship), Gallos ID, Vidyasagar AT, Robinson L, Coomarasamy A. Fallopian tube catheterization in the treatment of proximal tubal obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod 2017 Aug;32(4):836-852
  • Khairy M, Dhillon RK, Chu J, Rajkhowa M, Coomarasamy A. The effect of peri-implantation administration of uterine relaxing agents in assisted reproduction treatment cycles: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Reprod Biomed Online. 2016 Apr;32(4):362-76.
  • Coomarasamy A, Williams H, Truchanowicz E, Seed PT, Small R, Quenby S, Gupta P, Dawood F, Koot YE, Bender Atik R, Bloemenkamp KW, Brady R, Briley AL, Cavallaro R, Cheong YC, Chu JJ, Eapen A, Ewies A, Hoek A, Kaaijk EM, Koks CA, Li TC, MacLean M, Mol BW, Moore J, Ross JA, Sharpe L, Stewart J, Vaithilingam N, Farquharson RG, Kilby MD, Khalaf Y, Goddijn M, Regan L, Rai R. A Randomized Trial of Progesterone in Women with Recurrent Miscarriages.N Engl J Med. 2015 Nov 26;373(22):2141-8.
  • Coomarasamy A, Williams H, Truchanowicz E, Seed P, Small R, Quenby S, Gupta P, Dawood F, Koot YE, Goddijn M, Bender Atik R, Bloemenkamp KWM, Brady R, Briley A, Cavallaro R, Cheong YC, Chu J, Eapen A, Essex H, Ewies A, Hoek A, Kaaijk EM, Koks CA, Li TC, MacLean M, Mol BW, Moore J, Parrott S, Ross J, Sharpe L, Stewart J, Trépel D, Vaithilingam N, Farquharson R, Kilby M, Khalaf Y, Regan L, Rai R. First trimester progesterone therapy in women with a history of unexplained recurrent miscarriages: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled international multi-centre trial and economic evaluation. NIHR HTA Monograph.
  • Chu J, Harb HM, Gallos ID, Dhillon R,  Al-Rshoud FM, Robinson L, Coomarasamy A. SALSA – Salpingostomy for Hydrosalpinx.  A systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.  Hum Reprod 2015 Aug;30(8):1882-95
  • Chu J.  Patient undergoing abdominal myomectomy. In Coomarasamy A, Shafi MI, Davila GW and Chan KK, editors. Gynecologic and Obstetric Surgery: Challenges and Management Options. Wiley-Blackwell; 2015.
  • Gupta JK, Chu J. Safe laparoscopic entry in a thin patient. In Coomarasamy A, Shafi MI, Davila GW and Chan KK, editors. Gynecologic and Obstetric Surgery: Challenges and Management Options. Wiley-Blackwell; 2015.
  • Chu J.  Patient with Rheumatologic Disease. In Coomarasamy A, Shafi MI, Davila GW and Chan KK, editors. Gynecologic and Obstetric Surgery: Challenges and Management Options. Wiley-Blackwell; 2015.
  • E Battaloglu, O’Donnell D, Chu J, Porter K, Lecky F. Epidemiology and Outcomes of Obstetrics in Trauma in the United Kingdom.  Injury Volume 47, Issue 1, Pages 184–187
  •  Battaloglu EM, Battaloglu ER, Chu J, Porter K.  Obstetrics in Trauma. Trauma 0(0)1-7. May 2014

  • Harb H, Gallos ID, Chu J, Harb M, Coomarasamy A. The effect of endometriosis on IVF outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG. 2013;11:1308-20
  • P. Fenton, S Jayakumar, J. Chu, A. Tillu. Follow up After Carpal Tunnel Decompression: A Patient’s Perspective.  The Internet Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery. Volume 12 No. 1. 2009
  • Andrews K, Chu J, Bale P, Cramer A. A randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a letter from a consultant surgeon in causing smokers to stop smoking pre-operatively.  Public Health Volume 120, Issue 4, April 2006, Pages 356-358

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