Subhabrata Basu, M.S.
Research Assistant III
Department of OB/GYN
MetroHealth Medical Center
TEL: (216) 778-3887
FAX: (216) 778-2770

Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Sylvie Hauguel-de Mouzon

Research Description
Experiments dealing with obesity in pregnant women and gestational diabetic pregnancies to regulate fetal growth and nutrition.

Wendy Dalton, R.N.C.
Research Nurse
OB/GYN
MetroHealth Medical Center
TEL: (216) 778-7533
FAX: (216) 778-8645

Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Brian M. Mercer

Research Description
Works with NICHD funded clinical trials, examines antenatal and intrapartum factors that influence clinical management of the obstetric patient. Identification, recruitment, consenting, continued, and follow-up patient care.

Christine Heggie, R.N.
Research Nurse
FAX: (216) 778-1574

Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Brian M. Mercer

Research Description
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Nurse

Kurt Hotmire, M.S.
Research Lab Manager
OB/GYN
MetroHealth Medical Center
TEL: (216) 778-8611
FAX: (216) 778-2770

Principal Investigator(s): Drs. Hauguel – de Mouzon and Catalano

Research Description
Proper regulation of nutrient transport to the fetus during pregnancy is important for its appropriate development in utero and metabolic status after birth. In order to understand this process, our studies focus on the molecular regulation of lipid transport across the placenta during pregnancies under normal and diabetic conditions. Placenta biopsies of term pregnancies are obtained for regulated lipid transport experiments, which are monitored by molecular techniques, such as scintillation counting, TLC, real time PCR, and western blot.

Jonna Hunter, R.N.
Research Nurse
FAX: (216) 778-1574

Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Brian M. Mercer

Research Description
Works with NICHD funded clinical trials, which examine antenatal and intrapartum factors that influence clinical management of the obstetric patient. Current research involves investigating the use of magnesium sulfate to prevent Cerebral Palsy in the preterm infant, the use of fetal pulse oximetry during labor, management of mild gestational diabetes, antioxidant vitamin use to decrease preclampsia, progesterone infections in multiple gestation pregnancy.

Larraine Huston-Presley, B.S., M.S.
Research Project Associate
TEL: (216) 778-8927
FAX: (216) 778-7101

Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Patrick Catalano

Research Description
Evaluating the mechanisms related to insulin resistance in pregnancy and their short- and long-term effects on the infant. Principal Investigator`s current NIH grant-funded research (Dr. Patrick Catalano) focuses on the insulin resistance in maternal skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Fat Biopsies are taken prior to conception and again in early and late gestation and muscle biopsies are take in late gestation and post partum to evaluate alterations in the insulin-signaling cascade as they relate to the physiological changes in glucose and lipid insulin sensitivity.

Miriam J. Kee
Administrative Secretary
OB/GYN Research
MetroHealth Medical Center
TEL: (216) 778-4262
FAX: (216) 778-1574

Joan Lippus
Research Associate
OB/GYN
MetroHealth Medical Center
FAX: (216) 778-7101

Principal Investigator(s): Drs. Patrick M. Catalano and Sylvie Hauguel-de Mouzon

Research Description
Laboratory support for on-going research projects investigating insulin resistance in pregnancy. Specimen analyses include ELISA, RIA, primary cell culture and utilizes blood, maternal fat, and placental specimens.

Elizabeth Lopez, R.N., B.S.N.
Manager of Clinical Research
TEL: (216) 778-4818
FAX: (216) 778-1574

Principal Investigator(s): Dr. James F. Clapp

Research Description
NIH Funded studies to examine the impact of antenatal nuchal cords on the growth and development of the infant. A second follow up study, to investigate the effects of exercise during pregnancy and on the child`s physical and mental development.

Patricia Mencin, B.B.A., C.C.R.P
Research Project Associate
OB/GYN
MetroHealth Medical Center
TEL: (216) 778-3007
FAX: (216) 778-7101

Principal Investigator(s): Drs. Patrick M. Catalano and Sylvie Hauguel-de Mouzon

Research Description
Studying pregnancies associated with diabetes, which often result in excessive fetal growth (macrosomia), as well as evaluating longitudinal changes in body composition of infants over first year of life. Additionally, we are part of a cohort involved in assessing body composition in a large pediatric population to establish updated normative pediatric body composition data.

Cynthia Milluzzi, B.F.A, B.S.N.
Manager of Clinical Research
FAX: (216) 778-1574

Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Brian M. Mercer

Research Description
Coordinates a group of national clinical trails under the direction of Dr. Brian Mercer which focus on a variety of antenatal and intrapartum issues which impact Obstetric care. Current trials are looking at the prevention of preterm delivery, management of mild gestational diabetes, optimal antenatal corticosteroid administration before preterm birth, antenatal magnesium sulfate to prevent cerebral palsy, and intrapartum management of the laboring patient with fetal pulse oximetry. Recently, several of these NICHD-funded trials have been initiated at University Hospitals of Cleveland. Ms. Milluzzi and her staff of six are responsible for recruitment, specimen collection and processing, education of department staff, and providing on-going resources for study patients.

Judi Minium, B.S.
Research Associate
FAX: (216) 778-1574

Principal Investigator(s): Drs. Catalano and Kirwan

Research Description
Laboratory specimen analysis for several ongoing research projects. The main area of interest is pregnancy induced insulin resistance as well as the effects of aerobic exercise training on insulin sensitivity in the elderly.

Catherine Santori, R.N.
Divisional Research Nurse
FAX: (216) 778-1574

Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Brian Mercer

Research Description
Assists with research within the department as directed by the principal investigator. Participates in identification and recruitment of potential subjects while adhering to principles of informed consent, safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects, and maintaining confidence with respect to patient interaction. Develops tools for study management. Establishes open links of communication with staff and research subjects to promote subject recruitment, follow-up and care.

Dana M. Shank, N.S.N, C.N.P
Maternal Fetal Medicine Research Nurse
OB/GYN
MetroHealth Medical Center
TEL: (216) 778-8432
FAX: (216) 778-1574

Principal Investigator(s): Brian Mercer, MD

Research Description
Works under NICHD funded clinical trials that influence the clinical management of the obstetric patient. Current research includes antenatal use of antioxidant vitamin intake to prevent preeclampsia and antenatal use of Progesterone and Omega-3 fatty acids to prevent recurrent preterm delivery.

Christine Welty, R.N.
Research Nurse
FAX: (216) 778-1574

Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Brian M. Mercer

Research Description
Works with NICHD funded clinical trials, which examine antenatal and intrapartum factors that influence clinical management of the obstetric patient. Current research involves investigating the use of magnesium sulfate to prevent Cerebral Palsy in the preterm infant, the use of fetal pulse oximetry during labor, management of mild gestational diabetes, antioxidant vitamin use to decrease preclampsia, progesterone infections in multiple gestation pregnancy.