Maternal, Fetal, and Newborn Health
Pregnancy is a pivotal moment in the life of a parent and child. Our internationally renowned research seeks to understand the factors that lead to healthy, happy pregnancies, and to create safe diagnostic, intervention, and treatment solutions.
Overview
Why Our Research is Important
Research Activities
Educational and Training Opportunities
Our Scientists
Overview
Our research is focused on:
- Studying the mechanisms of normal and abnormal fetal and newborn growth and development;
- Understanding how maternal health and well-being influence fetal and newborn health and development;
- Investigating the long-term effects of abnormal fetal development on childhood health and diseases;
- Developing non-invasive and safe methods for early detection of abnormal fetal development, and formulating intervention strategies to prevent and treat abnormal fetal development.
Why Our Research is Important
There is increasing evidence that children’s health and well-being are largely determined by events during fetal life. By pursuing the four research directions mentioned above, the research conducted by our scientists will lead to development of biomarkers and diagnostic tools for early detection of abnormal fetal development. It will also lead to the development of intervention therapies to prevent and treat abnormal fetal development. In doing so, our research will get to the root of childhood diseases and behavioral disorders, and thus improving the overall quality of life for children.
Research Activities
For information on current research activities of all CHRI Scientists and Associate Scientists please refer to their individual profiles via the link in the "Our Scientists" section below.
Educational and Training Opportunities
Partnerships with Western University's Departments of Medical Biophysics, Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and Physiology & Pharmacology provide support, funding and research space. This contributes to the recruitment and retention of scientists.
Consolidating maternal and neonatal clinical services to the new Women and Children's Tower at London Health Sciences Centre has facilitated clinical sample collection and increased interactions between basic and clinical scientists. The recent appointment of several scientists from the newly established Maternal Health Outcomes Unit is a key component of bringing maternal health into the Children’s Health Research Institute umbrella.
Our Scientists
Our researchers are interested in the development and clinical issues regarding stem cells, bioinformatics, and epigenetics. This broad range of expertise provides opportunities for unique, collaborative research.
Chair, Maternal, Fetal, and Newborn Health: Dr. Michelle Mottola
Dr. Michelle Mottola specializes in maternal health during pregnancy, understanding environmental health factors through her Exercise and Pregnancy Laboratory. Her research concerns health and nutrition, investigating activity during pregnancy to optimize health outcomes.