Phone:

(317) 274-2000

Email:

shbucher@iu.edu

Departments:

Community and Global Health

Additional Appointments:

Adjunct Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, IU School of Medicine

Degrees:

PhD, Child/Developmental Psychology, specialization in Neuroscience, University of Connecticut

MA, Child/Developmental Psychology, specialization in Neuroscience, University of Connecticut

BA, Psychology with Honors, Eastern Illinois University

Resume/CV

Biography

Dr. Bucher is a global public health researcher, technical expert, implementation specialist, and award-winning innovator and educator with two decades of expertise in maternal, child, and newborn health.

She has extensive experience cultivating community-engaged strategic partnerships and international collaborative coalitions by which to strengthen health systems in resource-limited settings through the use of implementation and dissemination research; digital health solutions; and development of best practices for evidence-based medical, nursing, public health, and midwifery education and training.

Via numerous collaborative partnerships with a variety of stakeholders across the public and private sectors in North America, Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Dr. Bucher has developed deep, broad, and rich networks across all levels of the health system, including within Ministries of Health; international, national, and local non-governmental agencies; academic institutions.

Dr. Bucher has mentored nearly 100 academic and professional mentees (undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, and continuing medical/nursing education) across a variety of domains, including clinical research, implementation and dissemination science, biomedical engineering, public health, and informatics. Dr. Bucher holds four patents (US; Nigeria; ARIPO; India) for “NeoWarm,” a biomedical device to prevent newborn hypothermia and automatically monitor four key vital signs.

She has published over 80 manuscripts and presented 90 scientific papers, including 22 oral/platform presentations and over 40 invited talks.

In 2024, Dr. Bucher was awarded the Bantz-Petronio Translating Research into Practice Award. The award recognizes outstanding faculty research that is interdisciplinary and/or cross-disciplinary, and intentionally directed toward positively impacting people’s lives within or beyond the State of Indiana. In addition to generating knowledge through scientific inquiry or humanistic scholarship, the award recognizes faculty that actively endeavor to transform that knowledge into practices or solutions, demonstrating innovative ways to improve the lives of individuals and the communities in which they live.

Research Interests

• Maternal, newborn, infant, and child health
• Community-engaged partnerships
• Global public health
• Health services and health sciences research
• Reciprocal innovation
• Dissemination and implementation science

Current Projects

• Founder and Director of the NeoInnovate Collaborative Consortium
• Content Expert Group: Global Neonatal Advisory Committee (Glo-NAC): American Academy of Pediatrics
  
• Curriculum Development Working Group: Customized mentoRship and Implementation Support Package (CRISP) for the ENC Now! newborn care training program: American Academy of Pediatrics
  
• Multi-site international placebo-controlled randomized research trial: Postpartum IV Iron to Treat Iron Deficiency Anemia (funded by Foundation of the NIH)
  
• Reciprocal innovation to reduce infant mortality and improve access to non-pharmacological care for opioid-exposed newborns (funded by Indiana CTSI/Center for Global Health Equity)

Selected Publications

Carlo WA, Tita ATN, Moore JL, Mwenechanya M, Chomba E, Hemingway-Foday JJ, Kavi A, Metgud MC, Goudar SS, Derman RJ, Lokangaka A, Tshefu A, Bauserman M, Patterson JK, Shivkumar P, Waikar M, Patel A, Hibberd PL, Nyongesa P, Esamai F, Ekhaguere OA, Bucher S, Jessani S, Tikmani SS, Saleem S, Goldenberg RL, Billah SM, Lennox R, Haque R, Petri W, Mazariegos M, Krebs NF, Babineau DC, McClure EM, Koso-Thomas M; A-PLUS Trial Group. Effectiveness of intrapartum azithromycin to prevent infections in planned vaginal births in low-income and middle-income countries: a post-hoc analysis of data from a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Glob Health. 2025 Apr;13(4):e689-e697. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00562-X. PMID: 40155106.

Patterson JK, Neuwahl S, Kirsch S, Moore JL, Tita ATN, Carlo WA, Lokangaka A, Tshefu A, Mwenechanya M, Chomba E, Kavi A, Metgud MC, Goudar SS, Derman RJ, Shivkumar P, Waikar M, Patel A, Hibberd PL, Nyongesa P, Esamai F, Ekhaguere OA, Bucher S, Jessani S, Tikmani SS, Saleem S, Wylie BJ, Goldenberg RL, Billah SM, Lennox R, Haque R, Petri WA, Mazariegos M, Krebs NF, Hemingway-Foday JJ, Babineau D, Koso-Thomas M, McClure EM, Bauserman M. Cost-effectiveness of intrapartum azithromycin to prevent maternal infection, sepsis, or death in low-income and middle-income countries: a modelling analysis of data from a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Glob Health. 2025 Apr;13(4):e679-e688. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00517-5. PMID: 40155105.

Leuba SI, Westreich D, Bose CL, Olshan AF, Taylor SM, Tshefu A, Lokangaka A, Carlo WA, Chomba E, Mwenechanya M, Liechty EA, Bucher SL, Ekhaguere OA, Esamai F, Nyongesa P, Jessani S, Saleem S, Goldenberg RL, Moore JL, Nolen TL, Hemingway-Foday J, McClure EM, Koso-Thomas M, Derman RJ, Hoffman M, Meshnick SR, Bauserman M. Effects on maternal and pregnancy outcomes of first-trimester malaria infection among nulliparous women from Kenya, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLoS One. 2024 Dec 20;19(12):e0310339. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310339. PMID: 39705264; PMCID: PMC11661578.

Yasmin H, Tanveer S, Sunder Tikmani S, Moore JL, Shakeel I, Rahim A, Lokangaka A, Tshefu A, Bauserman M, Mwenechanya M, Chomba E, Goudar SS, Kavi A, Derman RJ, Krebs NF, Figueroa L, Mazariegos M, Nyongesa P, Bucher S, Esamai F, Patel A, Waikar M, Shivkumar P, Hibberd PL, Petri WA, Billah SM, Haque R, Carlo WA, Tita A, Koso-Thomas M, Hemingway-Foday J, Saleem S, McClure EM, Goldenberg RL. Antibiotic use in infants in the 6 weeks after delivery in seven low- and middle-income countries: findings from the A-PLUS trial. Paediatr Int Child Health. 2024 Sep-Nov;44(3-4):111-121. doi: 10.1080/20469047.2024.2414472. Epub 2024 Oct 27. PMID: 39462249.

Saleem S, Yasmin H, Moore JL, Rahim A, Shakeel I, Lokangaka A, Tshefu A, Bauserman M, Mwenechanya M, Chomba E, Goudar SS, Kavi A, Derman RJ, Krebs NF, Figueroa L, Mazariegos M, Nyongesa P, Bucher S, Esamai F, Patel A, Waikar M, Shivkumar P, Hibberd PL, Petri WA, Billah SM, Haque R, Carlo WA, Tita A, Koso-Thomas M, Hemingway-Foday J, McClure EM, Goldenberg RL. Intrapartum and postpartum antibiotic use in seven low- and middle-income countries: Findings from the A-PLUS trial. BJOG. 2025 Jan;132(1):72-80. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.17930. Epub 2024 Aug 14. PMID: 39140197; PMCID: PMC11614705.

Bluhm NDP, Tomlin GM, Hoilett OS, Lehner EA, Walters BD, Pickering AS, Bautista KA, Bucher SL, Linnes JC. Preclinical validation of NeoWarm, a low-cost infant warmer and carrier device, to ameliorate induced hypothermia in newborn piglets as models for human neonates. Front Pediatr. 2024 Apr 3;12:1378008. doi: 10.3389/fped.2024.1378008. PMID: 38633325; PMCID: PMC11021732.

Bhuiya NA, Liu S, Muyodi D, Bucher SL. Feasibility and acceptability of a novel biomedical device to prevent neonatal hypothermia and augment Kangaroo Mother Care in Kenya: Qualitative analysis of focus group discussions and key Informant Interviews. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2024 Apr 16;4(4):e0001708. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001708. PMID: 38626201; PMCID: PMC11020951.

Nyongesa P, Ekhaguere OA, Marete I, Tenge C, Kemoi M, Bann CM, Bucher SL, Patel AB, Hibberd PL, Naqvi F, Saleem S, Goldenberg RL, Goudar SS, Derman RJ, Krebs NF, Garces A, Chomba E, Carlo WA, Mwenechanya M, Lokangaka A, Tshefu AK, Bauserman M, Koso-Thomas M, Moore JL, McClure EM, Liechty EA, Esamai F. Maternal age extremes and adverse pregnancy outcomes in low-resourced settings. Front Glob Women's Health. 2023 Nov 28;4:1201037. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2023.1201037. PMID: 38090046; PMCID: PMC10715413.

Bucher SL, Young A, Dolan M, Padmanaban GP, Chandnani K, Purkayastha S. The NeoRoo mobile app: Initial design and prototyping of an Android-based digital health tool to support Kangaroo Mother Care in low/middle-income countries (LMICs). PLOS Digit Health. 2023 Oct 25;2(10):e0000216. doi: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000216. PMID: 37878575; PMCID: PMC10599536.

Patel A, Bann CM, Thorsten VR, Rao SR, Lokangaka A, Tshefu Kitoto A, Bauserman M, Figueroa L, Krebs NF, Esamai F, Bucher S, Saleem S, Goldenberg RL, Chomba E, Carlo WA, Goudar S, Derman R, Koso-Thomas M, McClure E, Hibberd PL. Can the date of last menstrual period be trusted in the first trimester? Comparisons of gestational age measures from a prospective cohort study in six low-income to middle-income countries. BMJ Open. 2023 Sep 20;13(9):e067470. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067470. PMID: 37730415; PMCID: PMC10514667.

Jewett CG, Sobiech KL, Donahue MC, Alexandrova M, Bucher S. Providing Emotional Support and Physical Comfort During a Time of Social Distancing: A Thematic Analysis of Doulas' Experiences During the Coronavirus Pandemic. Community Health Equity Res Policy. 2023 Oct;44(1):89-98. doi: 10.1177/0272684X221094172. Epub 2022 Jun 30. PMID: 37724030.

Jessani S, Saleem S, Fogleman E, Billah SM, Haque R, Figueroa L, Lokangaka A, Tshefu A, Goudar SS, Kavi A, Esamai F, Mwenchanya M, Chomba E, Patel A, Das P, Mazariegos M, Bauserman M, Petri WA Jr, Krebs NF, Derman RJ, Carlo WA, Bucher S, Hibberd PL, Koso-Thomas M, Bann CM, McClure EM, Goldenberg RL. Trends over time in the knowledge, attitude and practices of pregnant women related to COVID-19: A cross-sectional survey from seven low- and middle-income countries. BJOG. 2023 Nov;130 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):149-157. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.17630. Epub 2023 Aug 15. PMID: 37581947; PMCID: PMC11259376.

Nuss EE, Hoffman MK, Goudar SS, Kavi A, Metgud M, Somannavar M, Okitawutshu J, Lokangaka A, Tshefu A, Bauserman M, Tembo AM, Chomba E, Carlo WA, Figueroa L, Krebs NF, Jessani S, Saleem S, Goldenberg RL, Kurhe K, Das P, Hibberd PL, Achieng E, Nyongesa P, Esamai F, Liechty EA, Bucher S, Goco N, Hemingway-Foday J, Moore J, McClure EM, Silver RM, Derman RJ; Aspirin Supplementation for Pregnancy Indicated Risk Reduction In Nulliparas Study Group. The impact of risk factors on aspirin's efficacy for the prevention of preterm birth. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2023 Oct;5(10):101095. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101095. Epub 2023 Aug 12. Erratum in: Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2024 Apr;6(4):101309. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101309. PMID: 37574046; PMCID: PMC11132314.

Kavi A, Hoffman MK, Somannavar MS, Metgud MC, Goudar SS, Moore J, Nielsen E, Goco N, McClure EM, Lokangaka A, Tshefu A, Bauserman M, Mwenechanya M, Chomba E, Carlo WA, Figueroa L, Krebs NF, Jessani S, Saleem S, Goldenberg RL, Das P, Patel A, Hibberd PL, Esamai F, Bucher S, Koso-Thomas M, Silver R, Derman RJ. Aspirin delays the onset of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among nulliparous pregnant women: A secondary analysis of the ASPIRIN trial. BJOG. 2023 Nov;130 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):16-25. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.17607. Epub 2023 Jul 20. PMID: 37470099; PMCID: PMC10799162.

Bucher S, Nowak K, Otieno K, Tenge C, Marete I, Rutto F, Kemboi M, Achieng E, Ekhaguere OA, Nyongesa P, Esamai FO, Liechty EA. Birth weight and gestational age distributions in a rural Kenyan population. BMC Pediatr. 2023 Mar 8;23(1):112. doi: 10.1186/s12887-023-03925-2. PMID: 36890485; PMCID: PMC9993805.

Patterson JK, Neuwahl S, Goco N, Moore J, Goudar SS, Derman RJ, Hoffman M, Metgud M, Somannavar M, Kavi A, Okitawutshu J, Lokangaka A, Tshefu A, Bose CL, Mwapule A, Mwenechanya M, Chomba E, Carlo WA, Chicuy J, Figueroa L, Krebs NF, Jessani S, Saleem S, Goldenberg RL, Kurhe K, Das P, Patel A, Hibberd PL, Achieng E, Nyongesa P, Esamai F, Bucher S, Liechty EA, Bresnahan BW, Koso-Thomas M, McClure EM. Cost-effectiveness of low-dose aspirin for the prevention of preterm birth: a prospective study of the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research. Lancet Glob Health. 2023 Mar;11(3):e436-e444. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00548-4. PMID: 36796987; PMCID: PMC10288322.

Tita ATN, Carlo WA, McClure EM, Mwenechanya M, Chomba E, Hemingway-Foday JJ, Kavi A, Metgud MC, Goudar SS, Derman R, Lokangaka A, Tshefu A, Bauserman M, Bose C, Shivkumar P, Waikar M, Patel A, Hibberd PL, Nyongesa P, Esamai F, Ekhaguere OA, Bucher S, Jessani S, Tikmani SS, Saleem S, Goldenberg RL, Billah SM, Lennox R, Haque R, Petri W, Figueroa L, Mazariegos M, Krebs NF, Moore JL, Nolen TL, Koso-Thomas M; A-PLUS Trial Group. Azithromycin to Prevent Sepsis or Death in Women Planning a Vaginal Birth. N Engl J Med. 2023 Mar 30;388(13):1161-1170. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2212111. Epub 2023 Feb 9. PMID: 36757318; PMCID: PMC10627427.

Bucher S, Nowak K, Otieno K, Tenge C, Marete I, Rutto F, Kemboi M, Achieng E, Ekhaguere OA, Nyongesa P, Esamai FO, Liechty EA. Birth weight and gestational age distributions in a rural Kenyan population. BMC Pediatr. 2023 Mar 8;23(1):112. doi: 10.1186/s12887-023-03925-2. PMID: 36890485; PMCID: PMC9993805.

Bucher SL, Cardellichio P, Muinga N, Patterson JK, Thukral A, Deorari AK, Data S, Umoren R, Purkayastha S. Digital Health Innovations, Tools, and Resources to Support Helping Babies Survive Programs. Pediatrics. 2020 Oct;146(Suppl 2):S165-S182. doi: 10.1542/peds.2020-016915I. PMID: 33004639.

Bucher S, Konana O, Liechty E, Garces A, Gisore P, Marete I, Tenge C, Shipala E, Wright L, Esamai F. Self-reported practices among traditional birth attendants surveyed in western Kenya: a descriptive study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2016 Aug 12;16(1):219. doi: 10.1186/s12884-016-1007-8. PMID: 27514379; PMCID: PMC4981994.

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