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Interdisciplinary Research Team Focuses on Biomarkers to Save Hispanic Mothers and Newborns

Through the Race and Ethnic Studies Institute’s Interdisciplinary Faculty Seed Grant, a team of Hispanic graduate students and undergraduate students under the interdisciplinary guidance of Dr. Mahua Choudhury, an epigenetic researcher and Associate Professor at the School of Pharmacy (along with co-PIs from the School of Nursing and College of Arts and Sciences), are working […]

Through the Race and Ethnic Studies Institute’s Interdisciplinary Faculty Seed Grant, a team of Hispanic graduate students and undergraduate students under the interdisciplinary guidance of Dr. Mahua Choudhury, an epigenetic researcher and Associate Professor at the School of Pharmacy (along with co-PIs from the School of Nursing and College of Arts and Sciences), are working toward saving mothers’ and babies’ lives. Their research aims at identifying epigenetic biomarkers in the early phases of pregnancy. The results of this study will help pregnant women who may become preeclamptic at a later stage.  

Preeclampsia is a precarious hypertensive pregnancy complication which can only be detected in 2nd trimester or later, often when it is too late to do anything. Unfortunately, treatments focus on minimizing symptoms (e.g., hypertension), often leaving families to consider more dire options, such as preterm birth or risking fetal and maternal mortality. Additionally, even if the mother and child survive, they can both face life-long, debilitating health conditions including heart disease. 

Their epigenetic approach takes into consideration the cultural, genetic, and environmental nuances of the Hispanic community to best conceive a panel of biomarkers for predicting preeclampsia as early as first trimester before any symptoms arise. This is due to the Hispanic community facing higher risks for preeclampsia, which comes as a result of preexisting health conditions, lack of health insurance, and systemic biases. According to Dr. Choudhury, Hispanic adults with obesity numbered nearly 35% in 2018, whereas their non-Hispanic white counterparts were only at 30%. Hispanic adults have an overwhelming 60% higher chance than non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with diabetes and while their prevalence rates of Hypertension are similar, the Hispanic population was found to have reduced awareness and rate of treatment. The Hispanic population is also over twofold more probable to not have health insurance than the non-Hispanic white population. These risk factors are only the tip of the iceberg, eliciting a demand for Hispanic-focused research in the most delicate axis of life, childbirth. 

By looking at preeclampsia from a Hispanic-specific context, this research project can begin to enhance early detection and future potential treatment options to provide an advantage to a community that challenges adversity. A main objective of this research project is to make this method of prediction accessible and affordable for not just pregnant Hispanic mothers, but for all expectant mothers. 

When asked about their hopes for their research’s impact, they replied, “No family should have to face the decision of choosing between life and death of a mother or child. Our research has afforded us a pivotal position in which we have the potential to minimize the loss of lives to preeclampsia, it is up to the academic community, society, and governmental agencies to help us achieve it.” 

The RESI Interdisciplinary Faculty Seed Grant funds interdisciplinary pilot projects that address current racial and ethnic social problems. RESI awards multiple grants of $5,000 to $10,000 each. Applications are currently open and the deadline for faculty to apply is November 1, 2024.  


Title of Project:
Saving Hispanic mothers and newborns through miRNA-Epigenetic biomarkers

PIs:
Dr. Mahua Choudhury – Lead PI, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dr. Samiran Sinha – Co-PI, Professor of Statistics
Dr. Robin L. Page – Co-PI, Associate Professor in School of Nursing
Dr. Theresa Morris – Co-PI, Professor of Sociology, Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies 

Abstract:
Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience; however, it can be tarnished by complications including preeclampsia (PE). Perilous PE is hypertension during pregnancy that can take the lives of both mother and child, leaving a heavy heart with the families. Even in cases of survival, there can be long-term health consequences for both mother and child. There also exists racial and ethnic disparities in PE associated high in-hospital cardiovascular events and mortality. Although much research has been conducted in the field, most is primarily done at term or non-Hispanic populations. There are currently no accurate methods of early prediction for PE and once symptoms arise, it is often too late. In this interdisciplinary translational pilot project, we propose to compare novel first trimester miRNA-epigenetic noninvasive biomarkers in Hispanic and Caucasian women. This project will be carried out by a motivated Latina graduate student under the supervision of interdisciplinary faculty mentors.