O'Brien Lab
The O'Brien Lab, led by Sarah O'Brien, MD, MSc, focuses on the intersection between women’s health and hematology. It still takes on average over 10 years after the first bleeding event for a woman to be diagnosed with an inherited bleeding disorder. Our lab studies methods for earlier recognition and detection of reproductive bleeding in menstruating adolescents.
Current Research Studies
- Development of Primary Care Screening Algorithms for Early Identification of Young Women with von Willebrand Disease
Bleeding Disorders in women are an under-recognized and under-treated condition, and von Willebrand Disease (VWD) is the most common bleeding disorder diagnosed in women. In this NIH R01-funded study, we will develop a screening algorithm for VWD that incorporates a brief bleeding history and point-of-care iron level. We will test the algorithm's validity, acceptability, and feasibility in primary care settings. - Development of Multi-Platform Mobile App Technology for Real-Time Measurement of Menstrual Cycle Characteristics in Adolescents
Establishing normative data for menstrual bleeding in adolescents by race and body mass index would facilitate earlier diagnosis of abnormal bleeding and earlier interventions to improve health and quality of life. In this NIH R21-funded study we developed and evaluated patient engagement with a menstrual tracking mobile application that allows for real-time collection of patient level data on menstrual blood flow, pain, and the effect of menses on quality of life. The proposed work will yield a new application of technology that can be used in future research studies to both establish normal ranges of menstrual cycle characteristics across the age spectrum and across populations, and measure patient-reported outcomes in clinical trials of interventions for abnormal uterine bleeding.
Meet Our Team
Sarah O'Brien, MD, MSc
Principal Investigator
sarah.obrien@NationwideChildrens.org
Sarah O’Brien, MD, MSc, is a pediatric hematologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, an investigator in the Center for Health Equity and Outcomes Research at the Abigail Wexner Nationwide Children’s Research Institute and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She serves as the Associate Division Chief of Research for the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT and also leads a multi-disciplinary hematology and adolescent gynecology clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Her clinical and research interests include pediatric thrombosis and thromboprophylaxis, the evaluation and diagnosis of bleeding disorders, and the intersections between hematology and women’s health. Dr. O’Brien has received funding from the National, Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD), the American Society of Hematology, the American Diabetes Association, and the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Society.
Lab Staff
Adebimpe Adelaja
Clinical Research Coordinator II
Adebimpe.Adelaja@NationwideChildrens.org
Adebimpe is the lead clinical research coordinator for the O'Brien lab in the Center for Child Health Equity and Outcomes Research. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, quadruple majoring in Neuroscience, Biology, Psychology, and Entomology. She has four years of experience in clinical research, specializing in multi-site cancer clinical trials. Adebimpe is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Health at The Ohio State University and as an Albert Schweitzer Fellowship recipient is completing a project focused on addressing disparities in organ transplant access. Her research interests encompass hemostasis/thrombosis, sickle cell disease, and a range of hematologic conditions. She is passionate about improving healthcare outcomes and reducing healthcare disparities.
Olivia LaHote
Clinical Research Coordinator
Olivia.LaHote@NationwideChildrens.org
Olivia is a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Center for Child Health Equity and Outcomes Research for Dr. Sarah O’Brien. She graduated from Denison University in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Global Health and Psychology. Her interests include social determinants of health, epidemiology, maternal and child health, and sex education. Olivia has experience in qualitative and quantitative public health research, peer sex education, and is an active advocate for accessible and equitable women’s healthcare. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Epidemiology after obtaining a Masters of Public Health.
Abegale Moges
Clinical Research Coordinator
Abegale.Moges@NationwideChildrens.org
Abby is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she received a BS in Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience. She has clinical experience working as an anesthesia technician in the operating room as well as a patient care associate on a cardiac and lung transplant ICU. Abby is passionate about community development focusing on the youth. She volunteers in her free time at a juvenile detention center where she created a program centered on education enhancement and necessary life skills in the transition from adolescents. She plans to purse medical school in the future after first obtaining a masters in neuroscience.
Maitri Patel
Clinical Research Coordinator
Maitri.Patel@NationwideChildrens.org
Maitri is a Clinical Research Coordinator working with Dr. O'Brien in the Center for Child Health Equity and Outcomes Research. She graduated with a B.S. in Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience from The Ohio State University in 2022. She has two years of experience caring for patients in a pediatric intensive care setting. Maitri is passionate about improving mental health through her role as a Crisis Text Counselor, and volunteers in the community at various local organizations. She plans to attend medical school to continue her work in pediatrics and young women's health.
Joseph Stanek
Biostatistician II
Joseph.Stanek@NationwideChildrens.org
Joseph is a biostatistician in the O'Brien lab and supports the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation. His areas of interest include clinical trial design, secondary data analysis, data visualization, and regression modelling (linear, logistic, survival, longitudinal). He is also a member of the Biostatistics Resource at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (BRANCH). Joe received an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Youngstown State University and a Master’s degree in Statistics from The University of Akron.