NEWS

HeLTI Investigators Visit India to Enhance Study Collaboration and Progress

HeLTI investigators Dr. Stephen Matthews (HeLTI India) and Dr. Stephen Lye (HeLTI South Africa) conducted a field visit with the Indian co-PIs, Dr. Kalyanaraman Kumaran and Dr. Kumar Gavali to the two study sites part of the HeLTI India Study: Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM, in Saragur) and CSI Holdsworth Memorial Hospital (in Mysore).

A second specialized biospecimen van is now in use at SVYM which has significantly enhanced the biospecimen collection. The van is equipped with solar panels and more space for staff to process samples on the field.

Drs. Matthews and Lye visited the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), one of the leading molecular research institutes in India, to meet with Dr. Giriraj Chandak and his team regarding study sample analysis. They also partook in presentations discussing their respective research around pregnancy and early child development.

  • HeLTI PIs at CCMB in India

    HeLTI PIs at CCMB in India

  • SVYM Sample Collection Van

    SVYM Sample Collection Van

  • Inside the SVYM Sample Collection Van

    Inside the SVYM Sample Collection Van

  • SVYM Study Site

    SVYM Study Site

  • CCMB in Hyderabad, India

    CCMB in Hyderabad, India

  • SVYM in Saragur, India

    SVYM in Saragur, India

  • Dr. Stephen Lye at CCMB

    Dr. Stephen Lye at CCMB

  • Dr. Stephen Matthews at CCMB

    Dr. Stephen Matthews at CCMB

THE 3rd Cuba DOHaD Symposium in 2024

The third Cuban DOHaD Symposium held on March 15th, 2024, was  a remarkable event, bringing together 160 Cuban researchers and physicians to delve into various facets of developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). The symposium provided a fertile ground for engaging discussions, covering topics ranging from genetics and the microbiome to chronic diseases in adulthood.

One of the highlights of the symposium was the presentation of eight lectures by distinguished Cuban physicians and researchers. Dr. Yeneir Vera who is the leader of  the collaborative research initiative between the Alliance for Human Development and the Ministry of Health in Cuba: "Building Bridges to Better Health," showcased innovative approaches to improve the healthcare outcomes in the country and presented an overview of the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI) research studies. Dr. Salvador Tamayo Muñiz, Head of Chronic Diseases at the Ministry of Health of Cuba, likely provided valuable insights into the challenges and strategies in managing chronic diseases within the Cuban healthcare system. Dr. Claudia Alemañy Díaz-Perera's expertise in genetics likely shed light on the role of genetic factors in health and disease, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of DOHaD. 

Dr. Amílcar Duquesne Alderete's exploration of microbiology, particularly within the context of the General Hospital "Fructuoso Rodriguez," likely provided valuable perspectives on the interplay between the microbiome and health outcomes. Dra. Bárbara Enriquez Dominguez's leadership at the Mother-Infant Hospital "Dr. Angel Arturo Aballi" likely emphasized the importance of maternal and infant health in shaping long-term health trajectories.

Likewise, Dra. Lays Rodríguez Amador's insights as the Head of the Internal Medicine Department at "Hermanos Ameijeiras" General Hospital, and Dr. Jesús Barreto Penié's expertise as the Head of the Nutrition Department at the same hospital, likely enriched discussions on preventive healthcare and lifestyle interventions and presented the main results of the pilot study of the Cuban National Child Cohort Study (1973-2025). Lastly, Dra. Karen Valdéz Álvarez's specialization in infectious diseases likely provided valuable perspectives on the impact of infectious agents on developmental trajectories and long-term health outcomes, specifically COVID-19 infection.

Overall, the symposium not only facilitated the exchange of knowledge but also fostered potential collaborations and initiatives aimed at advancing the understanding and management of DOHaD-related issues in Cuba and beyond.

THE 2nd Cuba DOHaD Symposium in 2023

In May 2023, we had the honor of hosting the second Cuban DOHaD Symposium, showcasing an esteemed panel of speakers that included Dr. Stephen Lye, Director of the Alliance for Human Development from Canada; Dr. Antonio Marcos de Andrade, President of the LA-Chapter DOHaD Latin America from Brazil; Dr. Stephen Matthews, President of DOHaD Canada; Dr. Dan Farine, PhD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto; Patricia Boer, President of DOHaD Brazil; and Dr. José Antonio Rocha Gontijo, Professor at the State University of Campinas, Brazil.

DOHaD Canada Scientific Meeting 2023 (Cuba Participation)

Dr. Yeneir Vera and Dr. Emilio Buchaca represented our team at the DOHaD Canada Scientific Meeting 2023. They delivered two compelling presentations on pioneering research projects, focused respectively on the interaction between exclusive breastfeeding and growth development, and the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Cuban population.

Their presentations were met with enthusiasm, paving the way for promising future collaborations. We anticipate their work will promote further interesting research in these vital areas, underscoring our commitment to advancing our understanding of health and disease.

THE 1ST Cuba DOHaD Symposium in 2022

On October 20, 2022, we hosted the 1st Cuban DOHaD Symposium, featuring distinguished speakers such as Dr. Stephen Lye, Director of the Alliance for Human Development from Canada, and Dr. Antonio Marcos de Andrade, President of the LA-Chapter DOHaD Latin America from Brazil. The event aimed to disseminate knowledge about DOHaD theories, foster shared experiences, and create opportunities for new memberships and exchanges. We were privileged to have 100 researchers and physicians from various specialties participating in this milestone event, enriching the discourse with their diverse perspectives and expertise.

DOHaD World Congress Canada - Vancouver 2022 (Cuba Particicpation)

Dr. Yeneir Vera and Dr. Mercedes Esquivel attended to the DOHaD World Congress 2022, held in Vancouver, Canada. They showcased their  research project around the comprehensive Cuban National Child Cohort Study (1974-2025). Their thought-provoking presentation highlighted the value of our ongoing research and its potential to contribute significantly to the global understanding of health and disease development.