Center for Indigenous Health Research

Created by potrace 1.10, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2011

Since 2007, Maya Health Alliance has been a leader in developing practical solutions to improve the quality of medical care in rural and indigenous communities in Guatemala. The Center for Indigenous Health Research (Centro de Investigación en La Salud Indígena or CISI) was founded by a multidisciplinary group of researchers at Maya Health Alliance, with the goals of advancing scientific investigations into the health needs of these communities. Researchers at CISI come from diverse backgrounds, but we share an interest in core themes (noncommunicable diseases, like cancer and diabetes; chronic malnutrition and food security; civil society and the study of “development”; and gender and health). We also share an interest in certain methodological approaches, especially in mixed methods, applied anthropology, and implementation science. 

 

Researchers

Research Leadership

Anita Chary, MD PhD. Interests: cervical cancer, medical anthropology

David Flood, MD. Interests: chronic kidney disease, diabetes, child nutrition

Gabriela Montenegro, PhD. Interests: complementary feeding, child malnutrition, food security

Peter Rohloff, MD PhD. Interests: noncommunicable chronic diseases, pediatric growth and development, chronic malnutrition, implementation science

Meghan Farley Webb, PhD. Interests: food security, migration, medical anthropology

Researchers

Lilian Carolina Ajú Batz. Interests: diabetes, early child development, nutrition

Stephen Alajajian, RDN. Interests: malnutrition, food security

Carlos Eliezer Bacajol Chapaz. Interests: nutrition

Liria Carina Batzibal Calí. Interests: nutrition

Julia Coxaj Interests: Qualitative Research

Vilma Borón Surec. Interests: early child development, nutrition

Evelin Calel Borón. Interests: nutrition

Karyn Choy. Interests: nutrition, early child development

Ana Cordón, MD. Interests: pediatric nutrition, civil society, social entrepreneurship

Pablo Garcia, MD. Interests: chronic kidney disease

Magdalena Guarchaj. Interests: diabetes, early child development

Michel Juarez, MD. Interests: obstetrical continuum of care, neonatal care

Emily Lopez. Interests: vaccination

Lucrecia Lucia Morales Morales. Interests: nutrition

Irma Yolanda Piló Palax. Interests: nutrition, obstetrical care

Wendy Rodriguez, MD. Interests: child growth, nutrition, maternal-child health

Olga Marina Saloj Chiyal Interests: early child development, nutrition

Vanesa Sapon, MD Interests: obstetrics, maternal-child health

Scott Tschida. Interests: implementation science

Rosa Sirín Sirín. Interests: nutrition

Yolanda Raquec Teleguario Interests: nutrition, chronic kidney disease

Eva Leticia Tuiz Ordoñez. Interests: chronic kidney disease, early child development

Liz Willetts Interests: sustainable development, planetary health

Key Collaborators

Dr Aurora Aragon, Affiliate Research Scientist at Wuqu’ Kawoq

Dr. Joaquin Barnoya, Unidad Cardiovascular de Guatemala, Universidad Rafael Landivar. Affiliate Research Scientist at Wuqu’ Kawoq

Dr. Gari Clifford, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Emory University

Dr. Jennifer Crowe, El Instituto Regional de Estudios en Sustancias Tóxicas de la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica

Dr. Alejandra Colom, Department of Anthropology, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala

Dr. Ilgi Ertem, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University

Dr. Meredith Fort, Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado

Dr. Marvin González Quiroz, Department of Renal Medicine, University College London. Affiliate Research Scientist at Wuqu’ Kawoq

Dr. Maria del Pilar Grazioso, Department of Psychology, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. Proyecto Aigle Guatemala. Affiliate Research Scientist at Wuqu’ Kawoq

Dr. Subodh Gupta, Department of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences

MSc Pharm Carol Guzman, Department of Toxicology, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Affiliate Research Scientist at Wuqu’ Kawoq

Dr. Rachel Hall-Clifford, Department of Sociology, Emory University

Dr. Nasim Katebi, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Emory University. Affiliate Research Scientist at Wuqu’ Kawoq

Dr. Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown, Center for Health through Microbiomes, Arizon State University

Dr. Vibha Krishnamurthy, Ummeed Child Development Center

Dr. Indiana Lopez, Affiliate Research Scientist at Wuqu’ Kawoq

Dr. Carlos Mendoza, Instituto de Nutrición de Centro América y Panamá

Dr. Ann Miller, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Dr. Manuel Ramirez, Centro de Investigación para la Prevención de las Enfermedades Crónicas, Instituto de Nutrición de Centro América y Panamá

Dr. Vicente Sánchez Polo, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Affiliate Research Scientist at Wuqu’ Kawoq.

Dr. Beth Smith, Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Dr. Alison Steiber, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Dr. Lee Voth-Gaeddert, Center for Health through Microbiomes, Arizon State University. Affiliate Research Scientist at Wuqu’ Kawoq.

Dr. Bradley Wagenaar, Department of Global Health, University of Washington

Dr. Taylor Wallace, Think Healthy Group

Dr. Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez, Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico

Projects and Funding

Summary of major current and recent projects

PROMOTING SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKPLACES IN HONDURAS, GUATEMALA, AND EL SALVADOR (2023-)

The Promoting Safe and Healthy Workplaces in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador (PREP for Change) project seeks to improve occupational safety and health (OSH) conditions for workers in the sugar and garment (maquila) sectors. The project will focus on workplace illnesses and injuries, chronic kidney disease of non-traditional causes (CKDnt), and COVID-19.. Funding: US DOL

AI-DRIVEN LOW-COST ULTRASOUND FOR AUTOMATED QUANTIFICATION OF HYPERTENSION, PREECLAMPSIA, AND IUGR (2023-)

In low-resource settings, high rates of perinatal mortality are due in part to challenges accessing affordable technologies to screen and monitor high-risk maternal-fetal conditions, such as intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia. To address these issues, we will use artificial intelligence to develop techniques for predicting intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia from low-cost hand-held maternal and fetal Doppler recordings. Funding: NIH/NICHD

AFLATOXIN EXPOSURE, GROWTH FALTERING, AND THE GUT MICROBIOME AMONG CHILDREN IN RURAL GUATEMALA (2023-)

We will study the role of aflatoxin exposure on child growth, and whether the effect of aflatoxin is mediated by the gut microbiome and inflammation. We will evaluate aflatoxin exposure and examine markers of inflammation, gut microbiome composition and function, and microbial nutrient extraction and aflatoxin microbial biotransformation. Funding: NIH/NIEHS

EXPLORING RISK FACTORS AND PREDICTORS OF ENDEMIC CKDU IN AGRICULTURAL REGIONS OF FOUR CENTRAL AMERICA COUNTRIES (2022-)

Chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) has taken a terrible toll on young working families living in rural areas of Central America. This project aims to identify risk factors for CKDu and decline in kidney function in four Central American countries: Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala. This work will be conducted though the SALTRA (Central American Program for Health, Work and Environment) network connecting locally-based universities, NGOs, governmental organizations, public health authorities and local healthcare workers. Funding: NIH/NIEHS/NIDDK

MOBILE HEALTH INTERVENTION TO PROMOTE POSITIVE INFANT HEALTH OUTCOMES IN GUATEMALA (2021-)

The objectives of this project are to develop and determine the effectiveness of an mHealth smartphone technology which can be used to engage primary caregivers directly in the active monitoring of their infants’ development, and to provide tailored feedback and support for the provision of nurturing care and positive infant developmental outcomes. Funding: NIH/NICHD Trial Registration: NCT05106894

A HYBRID EFFECTIVENESS/IMPLEMENTATION TRIAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL GUIDE FOR MONITORING CHILD DEVELOPMENT (2021-)

The aim of this study is to conduct a hybrid effectiveness/implementation assessment of the International Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD) in two LMIC settings, India and Guatemala, within established rural CHW programs. The primary objectives are (a) to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of the GMCD; (b) to use an implementation science framework to understand barriers and facilitators to effective population coverage, provider implementation, and maintenance; (c) to conduct an economic evaluation of the GMCD. Funding: NIH/NICHD Trial Registration: NCT04665297

SCALING-UP SELF-MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES (2018-2021)

Using an implementation science framework to evaluate the impact of a home-based self management intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes in two health districts in central Guatemala. Funding: World Diabetes Foundation

POPULATION-BASED SURVEY OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE (2018-)

Representative, population-based study surveying prevalence and risk factors for traditional and nontraditional chronic kidney disease in adults in rural Guatemala. Funding: NIH/FIC

CARE NAVIGATION TO IMPROVE OBSTETRICAL CARE (2017-2020)

Using a quality improvement framework and care navigation to improve patient satisfaction and emergency obstetrical referral outcomes. Funding: Grand Challenges Canada

MHEALTH TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT OBSTETRICAL CARE (2015-2019)

Using smartphones and decision support mHealth applications to support identification and referral of high-risk pregnancies by lay midwives. Funding: NIH/NICHD (PI Gari Clifford, Emory University) Trial Registration: NCT02348849

INDIVIDUALIZED HOME-BASED INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE DIET QUALITY AND DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES IN STUNTED CHILDREN (2015-2017)

Publications

2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2013 and earlier