Misra Lab Group

• About the Lab

  The Misra Group’s research interests and goals closely parallel the mission of the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development. A central goal of the Institute is to assure that every child is born healthy and that no mothers experience adverse consequences of pregnancy. We are seeking to contribute to a fuller understanding of the pathways which lead to optimal perinatal health. Our approach to the study of perinatal health is broad and goes beyond epidemiology. We also include qualitative and health policy methodologies.

  We are passionate about this area of research and are continually exploring new methods to move the work forward, whether they are innovative statistical analyses, measures of constructs borrowed from fields such as sociology, or identification of genetic factors that may amplify the adverse effects of environmental factors. Most of our work focuses on racial disparities in pregnancy outcomes, including maternal outcomes, with an emphasis on understanding the role of racism and life course exposures.
  
  There are several projects where we have data available and we welcome collaborations by student or postdoctoral fellows. Data collection is complete in most of these studies but there may be opportunities for additional assays of archived specimens if good ideas are proposed. Some of our studies are ongoing and could adopt new protocols. Newer threads within our research have considered the role of the father and how epigenetics may be a mechanism by which social factors impact outcomes.

  • Learn more about Dr. Dawn Misra

   

RESEARCH TEAM

ALUMNI

• Suliah Apatira

  Sulia brings a unique perspective to the field, having graduated with a B.S. in Health Sciences from Spelman College in Spring 2022. Her passion lies at the intersection of data science and medicine, where she sees incredible potential for driving substantial change.

  She is particularly interested in harnessing the power of machine learning to contribute to public health research. In the Misra Lab, Suliah believes that combining her background in health sciences with advanced data science skills can play a pivotal role in developing meaningful research and innovative solutions that will impact the lives of many Black women and children.

   

   

• Jessyca Judge

  Coming Soon

   

  

• Sarah McNally

  Sarah is a 2021 graduate with a bachelor’s in science from Wayne State University in Public Health and Psychology. She is interested in researching and addressing health disparities in minority communities, with a focus on the Pacific Islander population.

  Sarah has been with the lab for over 3 years and looks forward to applying what she has learned as she continues her education at the University of Michigan where she will pursue a Master's in Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Education starting Fall 2021.

   

   

• Eve Njoku-Shells

  Eve Njoku-Shells is a 2022 graduate of Michigan State University, who received her Bachelor's of Science in Genomics and Molecular Genetics. She is currently attending Emory University where she is getting a Master's in Nursing as well as a Master of Science in Nursing .

  Research Interests

  Eve is interested in social determinants of health in the minority populations as well as public health research. She was a part of the team for about two years where she worked on our BIBB project regarding the effects of Covid-19 on pregnant black women.

   

  Professional Memberships

  Sigma Theta Tau

  National Student Nurses’ Association

   

• Michaila Paulateer

  Michaila is a second-year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She graduated with a Bachelor of Public Health from Wayne State University and has been a part of the team for over five years. With extensive experience in research and a deep commitment to empowering underserved populations,

  Michaila focuses on increasing education and healthcare access for minority communities. Her dedication to making a positive impact and mitigating health disparities fuels her passion for paving the way toward health equity. As she progresses through medical school, Michaila is dedicated to incorporating her advocacy for health equity into her future career as a physician, aiming to make tangible differences in the lives of those most in need.

• Christabelle Toso

  Christabelle holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Health from Georgia State University and recently earned a Master's in Public Health from Emory University, with a focus on Global Health and a concentration in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Population Studies. Passionate about promoting health and justice in these areas, she is particularly dedicated to supporting marginalized communities. Christabelle is committed to leveraging the transformative power of research, advocacy, communications, media, and technology to enhance community engagement, drive collective action, and create impactful change.

   

   

• Nylani Powell

  Coming Soon

  

• Cynthia Wynn

  Cynthia is a Clinical Research Assistant in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan. She obtained a Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology and a certificate in Social Epidemiology from the University of Michigan in 2023.

  With a background in history, her research interests include racial disparities in maternal and child health outcomes, with a focus on how past policies and procedures have impacted Black maternal health outcomes today.

• Research Opportunities
  
  

 

RESEARCH NEWS

December 2023 - Visiting the Rivera Court at the Detroit Institute of Arts