Research Highlights 2025

The Research Team doubled in size, welcoming 5 new team members in 2025.        

  • 1 Research Analyst 

  • 2 Research Coordinators 

  • 1 Postdoctoral Fellow 

  • 1 Student Volunteer 

The Research Team submitted four high-quality grant applications, two of which were funded: 

  • Using Artificial Intelligence to Develop and Internally Validate a Screening Algorithm for Trisomy 21 Detection (INDICATE) – Christine Armour and Kevin Dick 

  • Predictive Intelligence: Leveraging Large-scale Administrative and Registry health data (PILLAR) for early identification of autism spectrum disorder - Christine Armour and Kevin Dick. 

One result is still pending: 

  • Advancing equity in preeclampsia prevention: an implementation science approach to first-trimester screening in African, Caribbean, and Black communities – Elisabeth Vesnaver and Priscilla Boakye 

One submission was not funded, but had very high scores and will be re-submitted: 

  • AI-powered prenatal screening to predict preterm birth and improve neonatal outcomes (AI4SafeStart) - Christine Armour and Kevin Dick 

  

 

The BORN Research Team has 14 active projects underway in collaboration with internal and external partners: 

  1. Understanding Alloimmunization – Elisabeth Vesnaver 

  1. Universal Preterm Preeclampsia Prevention Pilots – Nan Okun and Naana Jumah 

  1. Primary Obstetrical Care Engagement Panel – Elisabeth Vesnaver 

  1. Evaluation of RSV Implementation with Hospitals, Midwives, and Families – Jess Reszel 

  1. Clinical Utility of Genome Sequencing for Fetal Anomalies – Christine Armour 

  1. Evaluation of Fetal Blood Group Genotyping Implementation – Elisabeth Vesnaver 

  1. Infant Mortality – Ann Sprague and Grace Miao 

  1. Maternal Mortality and Morbidity – Ann Sprague and Kasim Abdulaziz 

  1. Obstetric Hemorrhage – Jess Reszel 

  1. INDICATE – Christine Armour and Kevin Dick 

  1. PILLAR – Christine Armour and Kevin Dick 

  1. Evaluation of the Pediatric Diabetes Initiative Rollout – Jess Reszel 

  1. Congenital Heart Disease – Grace Miao 

  1. Pregnancy Companion – Khaled El Emam 

  

In 2025, BORN launched its Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) to provide strategic and operational guidance in support of BORN’s mission-driven research agenda. The SAC fosters a culture of academic inquiry, collaboration, and innovation, and is responsible for identifying, initiating, and guiding research activities that align with BORN’s strategic goals and areas of impact, guided by BORN’s principles and research prioritization criteria. 

The committee meets quarterly and reports to BORN’s Executive Committee every six months. Its membership includes experts from BORN and the CHEO Research Institute with diverse experience in perinatal and child health: 

  • Mark Walker, Scientific Director (Co-Chair), BORN Ontario 

  • Heather Howley, Research Director (Co-Chair), BORN Ontario 

  • Christine Armour, Co-Medical Director, Prenatal Screening Ontario 

  • Jason Berman, CEO and Scientific Director, CHEO Research Institute 

  • Alysha Dingwall Harvey, Scientific Manager, BORN Ontario 

  • Jessica Duby, Neonatal Medical Advisor, BORN Ontario 

  • Sandy Dunn, Project Advisor, BORN Ontario 

  • Nan Okun, Co-Medical Director, Prenatal Screening Ontario 

  • Ann Sprague, Project Advisor, BORN Ontario 

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