Maternal Child Health

George Mason becomes new home for 400,000 biological specimens from Inova Health Systems

Mary Cunningham — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 00:07:11 +0000

George Mason becomes new home for 400,000 biological specimens from Inova Health Systems Mary Cunningham Tue, 07/16/2024 - 20:07

��AV’s College of Public Health is the new home of 400,000 biological specimens through a partnership with Inova Health Systems. This repository of specimens, called a biobank, is an extensive collection of obstetrical and perinatal samples, along with follow-up health information, providing a rare and invaluable asset in public health and in the education of our future health, science, and technology care workforce.

“The biorepository creates opportunities for Mason to expand its collaborations with Inova, biotechnology partners, and other universities in Virginia, as well as unique educational opportunities,” said Melissa Perry, dean of the college.

Larry Maxwell, president of the Women’s Service Line at Inova Health System, said, “The investment by Inova Health System as well as additional support from the Fairfax County Government have created an unprecedented resource of placenta as well as blood specimens from mother, father, and baby [trios] corresponding to over 4,000 families. These biospecimens and corresponding data continue to support scientific research to better understand the obstetrical diseases that contribute to rising rates of maternal morbidity and mortality locally, regionally, and nationally.”

A range of specimens (e.g., saliva, urine, and blood) were collected with consent from an Inova cohort study that followed more than 4,000 women, their partners, and their children from pregnancy into early childhood to examine maternal health, pregnancy outcomes, and children’s growth and development.

Biobank program leads Carolyn Drews-Botsch and Michael S. Bloom. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“The transfer of the biobank from Inova Health System to the College of Public Health serves as a testament to our strong public–private partnership, and underscores George Mason’s dedication to advancing health in pregnancy and early childhood,” said Alison Cuellar, College of Public Health associate dean for research. The biobank is housed at the university’s Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, Virginia.

The biobank offers an unprecedented opportunity for George Mason researchers to engage with and involve Virginia’s undergraduate and graduate students in health and public health science, to expand Virginia’s health, science, and technology workforce pipeline and enhance its diversity.

“The availability of such comprehensive and diverse datasets within a single biobank is rare, making it an attractive asset for collaboration and groundbreaking research endeavors,” said Michael S. Bloom, program lead of the College of Public Health Biobank and George Mason professor.

Space at the SciTech Campus for the biobank was renovated to hold the 11 tanks (called dewars) and freezers full of specimens. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Bloom and co-lead Carolyn Drews-Botsch started the work for the biobank transfer in 2021. Inova chose Bloom and Drews-Botsch after extensive vetting of their prior research experience, including involvement in large cohort studies, such as those from which these specimens are drawn. Space at the SciTech Campus for the biobank was renovated to hold the 11 tanks (called dewars) and freezers full of specimens. The containers are kept between -80 degrees C and -190 degrees C to maintain specimen integrity during long-term storage.

“These specimens will be vital for public health researchers who are looking to identify associations and factors that support healthy pregnancy and child health and ultimately benefit the public’s health,” said Drews-Botsch, a professor in the College of Public Health.

The professors expect the biobank to become a leading resource for collaborative projects once a research database is developed, with other researchers analyzing the data to answer important public health questions.

“By actively fostering these partnerships, George Mason can position itself as a leader in research around maternal health and early childhood and contribute to the advancement of public health on a larger scale,” Perry said.

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In This Story

Michael S. Bloom, PhD, MS, FACE

Carolyn Drews-Botsch, PhD, MPH

Alison Evans Cuellar, PhD, MBA

Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS

Topics

Maternal Child Health

Science and Technology Campus

Panagiota Kitsantas, PhD

admin_alpha — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 23:24:01 +0000

Panagiota Kitsantas, PhD admin_alpha Tue, 10/20/2015 - 19:24

Professor, HAP

Contact Information

Email: pkitsant@gmu.edu

Phone: 703-993-9164
Building: Peterson Hall
Room 4412

CV

Download Panagiota Kitsantas curriculum vitae (CV) here.

Biography

Dr. Yiota Kitsantas, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology in the Department of Health Administration and Policy, has extensive research experience in the fields of child and maternal health, especially around utilizing data mining techniques to address various public health issues in these populations. In her research, the use of these methodologies and large exiting data sets have addressed research gaps pertaining to risk profiles of childhood obesity, prenatal alcohol use, pregnancy likelihood in young adults and several other research topics. She collaborates with a large number of researchers from various areas and serves as a biostatistics consultant on numerous projects. In one of the most recent projects, Dr. Kitsantas served as a biostatistician and co-Investigator on a funded project by the National Institutes of Health (R15 grant) to examine rapid weight gain among infants of low income Hispanic immigrant mothers. Dr. Kitsantas serves on editorial boards and as a reviewer for various peer-reviewed journals related to maternal and child health. She has published manuscripts in peer reviewed journals such as the Journal of Asthma, Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Childhood Obesity, Public Health, Women’s Health Issues, Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, Early Human Development, among others. Dr. Kitsantas frequently presents research findings at national and international conferences.

Research

Research Interests

Applying data mining techniques and methods of categorical data analysis to investigate public health related issues in the fields of maternal and infant health and substance abuse among adolescents

Select Publications

Kitsantas, P., & Aguisanda, F. (2016). Risk of Asthma among Adolescents with Obesity Exposed to Environmental Tobacco Smoke. Journal of Asthma, 53(1), 25-29.

Kitsantas, P., Gallo, S., Palla, H., Nguyen, V., & Gaffney, K.F. (2016). Nature and Nurture in the Development of Childhood Obesity: Early Infant Feeding Practices of Overweight/Obese Mothers Differ Compared to Mothers of Normal Body Mass Index. Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 29(2), 290-293.

Kornides, M., Kitsantas, P., Lindley, L., & Wu, C. (2015). Factors associated with young adults' pregnancy likelihood. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 60(2), 158-168.

Kitsantas, P., Gaffney, K.F., & Wu, H. (2015). Identifying high-risk subgroups for alcohol consumption among younger and older pregnant women. Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 43(1), 43-52.

Kitsantas, P., Gaffney, K.F., Castello, J., & Wu, H. (2014). Determinants of alcohol cessation, reduction and no reduction during pregnancy. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 289(4), 771-779.

Kornides, M., & Kitsantas, P. (2013). Evaluation of Breastfeeding Promotion, Support, and Knowledge of Benefits on Breastfeeding Outcomes. Journal of Child Health Care, 17(3), 264-273.

Kitsantas, P., Kornides, M., Cantiello, J., & Wu, H. (2013). Chronic physical health conditions among Children of Different Racial/Ethnic Backgrounds. Public Health, 127(6),546-553.

Grants

"Evidence NOW: Advancing Heart Health in Primary Care, Heart of Virginia Healthcare," Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), subcontract with Virginia Commonwealth University. Goldberg, D. (Principal Investigator), 2017-2018. Role: Biostatistician. $414,755.

"Rapid Weight Gain among Infants of Low Income Hispanic Immigrant Mothers," National Institutes of Health (R15). Gaffney, K. (Principal Investigator), 2014-2018. Role: Co-Investigator. $445,704.

"Prenatal Alcohol Consumption and Maternal and Infant Health," National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R03). 2017 (in progress). Role: Principal Investigator (Gaffney, K., Co-Investigator). $50,000 (pending).

"Artificial Intelligence in Data Analysis," U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Research & Development. Wojtusiak, J. (Principal Investigator), 2013-2014. Role: Co-Investigator. $200,000.

"Quality of life indicators among residents in assisted living communities," The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA). Gimm, G. (Principal Investigator), 2012-2014. Role: Co-Investigator. $97,000.

"Predictors of Excessive Weight Gain among Infants of Low Income Hispanic Mothers: A Comparison with the National Infant Feeding Practices Study-II," Mason-Inova Fund. Gaffney, K. (Principal Investigator), 2012-2014. Role: Co-Investigator. $49,000.

"Determinants of Alcohol Reduction and Cessation during Pregnancy," Foundation for Alcohol Research. 2012-2013. Role: Principal Investigator (Gaffney, K., Co-Investigator). $37,000.

"Child Health Outcomes, Vaccination Patterns and Familial Genetic Risk," National Vaccination Information Center. Debold, V. (Principal Investigator), 2011-2013. Role: Co-Investigator. $70,000.

"Comparison of Health and Utilization Outcomes among Fully and Never Vaccinated Children," National Vaccination Information Center. Debold, V. (Principal Investigator), 2010-2013. Role: Biostatistician. $50,000.

"Novel risk factors and management strategies for transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke: The INOVA Fairfax Stroke Database," GMU Office of the Vice President, Research & Economic Development. 2010-2011. Role: Principal Investigator (Benson, R., Co-Investigator). $10,000.

"The 2008 ECLS-B Training Seminar: The role of Maternal pregravid BMI in overweight and obesity among preschoolers," U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics. 2007-2008. Role: Principal Investigator. $1,000.

"Availability and access to substance abuse programs in correctional settings," National Institute of Drug Abuse, Development opportunity/contract (Department of Criminal Justice, GMU). Taxman, F. (Principal Investigator), 2007-2008. Role: Biostatistician. $40,000.

"Fetal growth and onset of delivery in infants with birth defects," ��AV, Summer Research Funding for Tenure-Track Faculty, Office of the Vice President Research and Economic Development. 2007-2008. Role: Principal Investigator. $5,600.

"Assessing the role of intrauterine growth retardation in preterm births among infants with birth defects," East Carolina University, College Research Award. 2005-2006. Role: Principal Investigator. Sabbatical.

Honors and Awards

Teacher of Distinction Award, 2014, ��AV
Career Connection Faculty Award, 2014, ��AV

Affiliations

Member

2012-Present, Member of the APHA Maternal & Child Health Section Committee & Abstract Reviewer

American Public Health Association
Member

American Statistical Association
Member

2012-Present, Member of the Career Mentoring Committee

American College of Epidemiology
Member

Abstract reviewer

Maternal & Child Health Epidemiology, CDC

Degrees

PhD, Statistics, Florida State University
MS, Statistics, Florida State University
MS, Health Sciences, James Madison University

Maternal Child Health

George Mason becomes new home for 400,000 biological specimens from Inova Health Systems

Uncover more research at the College of Public Health

In This Story

Related News

Topics

Panagiota Kitsantas, PhD

Contact Information

CV

Biography

Research

Research Interests

Select Publications

Grants

Honors and Awards

Affiliations

Degrees