Global Health
I am a basic and clinical researcher of issues relating to maternal and child health. My research focuses on two main areas: 1.) immunological, genetic and infectious aspects of pre-term birth and pregnancy induced hypertension and 2.) genital tract infections and vulvodynia.
My research is conducted in three countries: Hungry, Brazil, and Belgium. I spend about 3-4 weeks a year abroad for my overseas collaborative projects. Although all of my studies focus on the above two overview points, some locations have permitted a deeper examination of one or several of the issues. For example, during my eight year study in concomitance with Semmelweis University in Hungry, I have examined the influence of gene polymorphisms on pregnancy induced hypertension, premature delivery and Chlamydia infections. My projects in Brazil, which have been in association with the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo State University, and the University of Campinas over a six year period, have focused on both pre-term birth and lower genital tract infections in non-pregnant women. My two year research project with the University of Leuven in Belgium involves genetic susceptibility to recurrent genital tract infections. Future collaboration with Cornell faculty on these projects is in the developmental stages.
Students are welcome to participate in these projects. I have contacts at many institutions, especially in Brazil.
