Qualifications: BSc PhD
Position: Senior Lecturer
Research
Research in the Jasoni Lab aims to discover the cellular and molecular changes that take place in the brain of the fetus when it develops in a mother with obesity or gestational diabetes. Many women have little control over these health complications during pregnancy, and so it is critical that we understand how they impinge on her fetus to affect its later-life health.
Specifically, we use animal models of obesity and gestational diabetes to discover how these maternal health issues alter fetal brain formation and epigenetic gene regulation. These models allow us to test pre-clinical approaches to reducing the negative impact of a mum's obesity or diabetes on her developing fetus. Such information is vital if we are to develop therapies - for example with dietary, lifestyle or other interventions to maximise offspring health - and ensure the best chance of a healthy start to life and life-long health for the offspring of obese or diabetic mums.
- Jasoni Lab Laboratory of Developmental Neuroscience website
How does a mother's health influence her baby's development?
Listen to Christine being interviewed about the impact of maternal obesity.
- Maternal Health, Foetal Brain radio interview with Christine (13mins), Radio New Zealand website
