The PrenaBelt Project encompasses an international team conducting innovative and novel research for the cause of stillbirth and low birth weight. Our team consists of over 30 spectacular individuals – nurses, midwives, physicians, engineers, designers, researchers, students, and more – across four countries and from some amazing organizations:
Global Innovations for Reproductive Health & Life (GIRHL) – Cleveland, USA
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital – Accra, Ghana
Kaishin Chu Design – Vancouver, Canada
University of South Australia – Adelaide, Australia
IWK Health Centre – Halifax, CanadaInnovative Canadians for Change (ICChange) – Edmonton, Canada
Nova Scotia Health Authority – Halifax, Canada
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, USA
Dalhousie University – Halifax, Canada
Harvard Business School – Boston, USAAllan Kember
Project Lead, Principal Investigator, GIRHL
Allan grew up in Summerside, Prince Edward Island and graduated from the mechanical engineering program at the University of New Brunswick in 2012. He worked as a Senior Research Engineer at Zimmer, Inc. in the USofA for two years and is currently in his second year of medical school at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Allan's research interests include stillbirth, low birth weight, pre-eclampsia, and obstetric fistula. His work with GIRHL aims to develop and deliver innovative and evidence-based solutions to real-world maternal and newborn health challenges using a medico-engineering approach.
Ghana
Dr. Jerry Coleman – Principal Investigator (Ghana PrenaBelt Trial), Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry
Joyce Dodoo – Principal Nursing Officer, Korle Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Jemima Marfo – Midwifery Officer, Korle Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Josephine Kwaw – Midwife Officer, Korle Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Rose Quartey – Nurse Midwife, Korle Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Maxfield Okere – Biostatistician, Research Assistant, Korle Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Prof. Joseph Seffah – Local Independent Monitor, Korle Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry
Design: Double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized trial in 200 healthy, third-trimester pregnant women.
We are super stoked about our progress in Ghana! The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) is the third largest hospital in continental Africa. Over 11,000 babies are born at KBTH yearly – that’s 31 babies per day on average! Our Ghanaian team is world class! We count it a privilege to be a part of this collaboration!Canada
Dr. Heather Scott – Principal Investigator (Halifax PrenaBelt Trial), IWK Health Centre
Dr. Debra Morrison – Co-Investigator, Nova Scotia Health Authority
Kaishin Chu – Consultant Designer, Kaishin Design
Jesse Wells – Project Coordinator, GIRHL
Sarah MacRitchie – Research Assistant, GIRHL
Janet Slaunwhite – Administrative Coordinator, IWK Health Centre
Darlene Baxendale – Research Assistant, IWK Health Centre
Nooshin Sobhani – Polysomnography Research Assistant, Dalhousie University
Allison Keeping – Polysomnography Research Assistant, Dalhousie University
Laura Miller – Polysomnography Research Assistant, Dalhousie University
Michael Butler – Consultant Statistician, Dalhousie University
Dr. Andre Isaac – Project Advisor, Finance Officer, Innovative Canadians for Change
Design: Two-night, randomized, cross-over, sham-controlled, double-blind, sleep (level 1) study in 25 healthy, third-trimester pregnant women.
USA
Dr. Ali Borazjani – Co-Investigator, GIRHL
Dr. Louise O’Brien – Co-Investigator, Scientific Mentor, University of Michigan
Beth Sterrett – Director of Development, GIRHL
Josh Jeanson – Legal Counsel, GIRHL
Dr. John MacArthur – Business Mentor, Harvard Business School
Australia
Dr. Jane Warland – Principal Investigator (Adelaide PrenaBelt Trial), University of South Australia
Prof. Janna Morrison – Co-Investigator, University of South Australia
Dr. Craig Phillips – Co-Investigator, University of South Australia
A/Prof. Jill Dorrian – Co-Investigator, University of South Australia
Design: Two night, cross-over, randomized controlled sleep (level 3) study in 25 healthy, third-trimester pregnant women.
We are intensely proud of our collaborators in Australia - data analysis is well underway there! We are excited to see the results, so stay tuned!Video
Story time with Allan Kember
In this video, Allan talks a little about his story and a lot about the PrenaBelt Project story. He tells of the events that led to the conception and birth of the PrenaBelt. Allan also explains the progress of the three current PrenaBelt trials in Australia, Ghana, and Canada.
[youtube_video https://youtu.be/YRiT7cLVBA0 ]