Research at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Healthy Brain and Child Development Enhanced (HBCD-E)

PI: Andrea Edlow, MD

Study contact: mgbhbcd@mgb.org

This study is part of a national consortium following 7,500 mothers and their children across the U.S. to study how maternal exposures impact maternal, placental, and fetal immune programming, placental serotonin signaling, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. Exposures of interest include environmental, substance use in pregnancy, stress, racism, and obesity. Children will receive neuroimaging and in-person behavioral assessments.

Biorepository to Understand Maternal Immunity and Pregnancy (BUMP)

PIs: Andrea Edlow, MD, and William Barth, MD

Study contact: mghpregnancybiobank@mgb.org

BUMP is a departmental pregnancy biorepository that aims to answer questions about maternal immunity and pregnancy complications.

Cellular Models of Fetal Neurodevelopment in Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection

PI: Andrea Edlow, MD

Study contact: COVIDPregnancy@partners.org

This project aims to create cellular models of fetal neurodevelopment after in utero exposure to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection, linking these models to neurodevelopmental outcomes using EHR-based cohorts.

Maternal OMICS to Maximize Immunity (MOMI)

PI: Andrea Edlow, MD

Study contact: mghpregnancybiobank@mgb.org

A multi-omics investigation of pregnancy immune signatures across trimesters, both at baseline and after vaccination. The study uses scRNA-Seq, proteomics, and functional studies of immune cells from peripheral blood, cord blood, placenta, and breastmilk.

Novel MRI Assessment of Placental Structure and Function Throughout Pregnancy

PI: William Barth, MD

Study contact: wbarthjr@mgh.harvard.edu

Disorders of placental structure and function, such as preeclampsia, are significant causes of maternal and fetal complications. Currently, there is no technology that allows real-time monitoring of placental structure and function throughout pregnancy. This research group aims to develop novel MRI techniques, combined with advanced computational analysis, to capture regional placental structure and function.

Medication Treatment for Opioid-Dependent Expectant Mothers (MOMs)

PI: Sarah Bernstein, MD

Study contact: snbernstein@mgh.harvard.edu

A randomized trial comparing extended-release buprenorphine (BUP-XR) to sublingual buprenorphine (BUP-SL) for treating opioid use disorder in pregnant women. The study's primary goal is to evaluate whether BUP-XR is as effective as BUP-SL in preventing illicit opioid use during pregnancy, with a focus on both maternal and infant outcomes.

Improving Reproductive Health Outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa

PI: Adeline Boatin, MD

Study Contact: adeline_boatin@mgh.harvard.edu

This study aims to understand driving factors for cesarean section in sub-Saharan Africa and developing strategies to optimize use. This study also aims to use wearable digital technology to improve quality of peri-operative monitoring.

Measuring Early Pregnancy Glycemia and Its Impact on Adverse Outcomes (GO MOMs)

PI: Camille Powe, MD

This study examines the relationship between early pregnancy glycemic levels and the risk of gestational diabetes and other complications. These findings aim to set a new standard of care for diagnosing early pregnancy hyperglycemia.

Dexcom G7 in Pregnancy

PI: Camille Powe, MD

Study contact: amedinabaez@mgb.org

This study aims to assess whether a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) called the Dexcom G7 can be used to test for gestational diabetes.

Pregnancy Data Repository to Assess Management of Type 1 Diabetes with Diabetes Technology (PRAM T1D)

PIs: Camille Powe, MD, and Lydia Shook, MD

Study contact: cmichalopoulos@mgh.harvard.edu

This study collects real-world data from pregnant Type 1 diabetic patients using continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and survey responses. The goal is to compare glycemic, psychosocial, and clinical outcomes between patients using hybrid closed-loop devices and those who do not. The resulting publicly available database will support future discoveries related to Type 1 diabetes management in pregnancy.

Understanding the Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia at Delivery

PI: Mark Clapp, MD MPH

Study contact: mark.clapp@mgh.harvard.edu

The objective of this prospective study is to identify the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) at the time of admission for delivery and evaluate symptoms associated with iron deficiency. The data from this pilot study will serve as the basis for a subsequent trial that will assess the impact of a novel protocol for both the screening and treatment of ID with or without anemia in the third trimester on the prevalence of IDA at delivery.

Bridges to Primary Care: Transforming Postpartum Primary Care Coordination for People with Chronic Conditions

PI: Mark Clapp, MD MPH

Study contact: mark.clapp@mgh.harvard.edu

This study aims to increase postpartum primary care engagement, quality, and experience by strengthening postpartum primary care coordination. The hypothesis is that strengthening postpartum primary care coordination will increase initial and sustained primary care engagement, improve condition-specific appropriate management, and improve patient experience, stress, and mental health.

Prospective Assessment of Uterine Scar and Placenta Accreta

PI: Christina M. Duzyj Buniak, MD, MPH

Study contact: cbuniak@mgh.harvard.edu

This study aims to investigate molecular variation in cesarean wound healing, including time course and predictive contributors to myometrial (uterine muscle) wounding healing and collagen formation following cesarean delivery.To observe if adverse cesarean-related pregnancy outcomes, particularly abnormal placental invasion as occurs in placenta accreta, are correlated with features of uterine scar, the trajectory of a woman’s reproductive lifespan, genetic variation or other factors.

Vaginal lIve Biotherapeutic RANdomized Trial (VIBRANT)

PI: Caroline Mitchell, MD, MPH

Study contact: mitchell-lab@mgh.harvard.edu

This randomized clinical trial tests a novel vaginal live biotherapeutic product. Massachusetts General Hospital sponsors the trial and coordinates efforts across sites in the U.S. and South Africa.

Modifying Organisms Transvaginally in Females (MOTIF)

PI: Caroline Mitchell, MD, MPH

Study contact: mitchell-lab@mgh.harvard.edu

This Phase 1, first-in-human study investigates vaginal microbiome transplants to modify dysbiotic bacterial communities. The study, conducted under an IND, is enrolling both donors (women with healthy vaginal microbiota) and recipients (women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis).

Talking About BV Treatment Options (TABOO)

PI: Caroline Mitchell, MD, MPH

Study contact: mitchell-lab@mgh.harvard.edu

This qualitative study explores patient perspectives on bacterial vaginosis (BV) treatment, focusing on what patients want from BV treatment and their views on potential new treatments.

T-Cell HPV Responses in Vaccine Development (THRIVE)

PI: Caroline Mitchell, MD, MPH

Study contact: mitchell-lab@mgh.harvard.edu

This study investigates the factors that allow HPV, the leading cause of cervical cancer, to either clear on its own or persist without progressing to cancer. The research aims to support the development of a therapeutic vaccine for high-risk HPV types not covered by current vaccines like Gardasil.

Healthy Immune Phenotypes in the Vagina (HIPHIV)

PI: Caroline Mitchell, MD, MPH

Study contact: mitchell-lab@mgh.harvard.edu

A study examining immune phenotypes in the vaginal environment.

Profiling Changes in Vaginal Microbiota and Mucosal Immune Homeostasis in Patients with Continuous B-Cell Depletion (RituxiVag)

PI: Caroline Mitchell, MD, MPH

Study contact: mitchell-lab@mgh.harvard.edu

This study profiles changes in the vaginal microbiota and mucosal immune homeostasis in patients undergoing continuous B-cell depletion with rituximab.

Vulvo-Vaginal Atrophy Questionnaire (VVAQ)

PI: Jan Shifren, MD

Study contact: jshifren@mgh.harvard.edu

This research focuses on developing a validated self-report questionnaire and conducting a national prevalence study for vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA).

Impact of Surgical Excision of Endometriosis on Pain and Quality of Life: A Prospective Study

PI: Elisa Jorgensen, MD

Study contact: ejorgensen@mgb.org

This prospective study evaluates the effects of endometriosis excision surgery on pain and quality of life in patients.

Transgender Database

PI: Milena Weinstein, MD

Study contact: mweinstein2@mgh.harvard.edu

A comprehensive database supporting research on transgender patient care and outcomes.

Postoperative Antibiotics Following Sacral Neuromodulation Implant Surgery

PI: Youngwu Kim, MD

Study contact: ykim65@mgh.harvard.edu

This study aims to determine if the proportion of women impacted by Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) is signifcantly lowered by the use of postoperative prophylactic antibiotics following Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM) implantation, as defined by a 20% reduction in SSI.

Maternal and Paternal Preconception PFAS Exposure and Its Impact on Reproduction, Pregnancy, and Birth Outcomes (PREPARE)

PI: Shruthi Mahalingaiah, MD

Study contact: preparestudy@hsph.harvard.edu

This study aims to determine how maternal and paternal preconception serum PFAS concentrations, both individually and as mixtures, are linked to reproductive, pregnancy, and birth outcomes.

Assessment of Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes

PI: Charles Bormann, PhD

Study contact: cbormann@mgb.org

This study focuses on using deep learning based neural networks to automate or improve many of the procedures and subjective assessments performed in the Assisted Reproductive Technology laboratory.

Placental Pathology following Intrauterine Insemination with or without Ovulation Induction

PI: Irene Souter, MD

Study contact: isouter@mgh.harvard.edu

This database aims to bridge the gap in knowledge by evaluating placental abnormalities in pregnancies conceived with IUI/±OI treatments

Biomarker Discovery to Predict Findings at Pelvic Surgery

PI: Amy Bregar, MD

Study contact: abregar@mgh.harvard.edu

This study aims to create a biorepository of samples collected during pelvic surgery for adnexal pathology, accelerating insights into key scientific and clinical questions.

World Safety and Efficacy of Chemotherapy Regimens for the Treatment of Gynecologic Cancers

PI: Alexander Melamed, MD, MPH

Study contact: alexander.melamed@mgh.harvard.edu

The goal of this study initiative is to understand the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy regimens used in the treatment of ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancer in routine practice.

Collection of Tissue and Blood Specimens from Patients with Gynecologic Cancers and Benign Conditions

PI: Bo Rueda, PhD, MS

Study contact: brueda@mgh.harvard.edu

The MGH GYN Tissue Repository collects, processes, and stores tissue and biological samples from 5,000 patients with gynecologic cancers and benign conditions, supporting research within and outside Mass General Brigham.

Tumor-Associated Carbohydrate (TACA), Sialyl-Tn in Ovarian Cancer

PI: Bo Rueda, PhD, MS

Study contact: brueda@mgh.harvard.edu

This research, in collaboration with pharma partners, explores the therapeutic potential of anti-STn antibodies in ovarian cancer, evaluating their effectiveness in preclinical models. Additionally, a custom STn ELISA is being assessed as a diagnostic tool alongside CA125 for monitoring treatment response.

Tumor Cell Plasticity and Cancer Stem Cells Post-Treatment

PI: Bo Rueda, PhD, MS

Study contact: brueda@mgh.harvard.edu

This study investigates how cancer cells acquire stem-like properties after treatment, focusing on the role of extracellular vesicles in transferring factors that promote these properties.

Resistance Mechanisms to HER2 Treatment in Endometrial Cancer

PI: Bo Rueda, PhD, MS

Study contact: brueda@mgh.harvard.edu

This research examines how high-grade endometrial cancers develop resistance to HER2-targeted therapies, using in vitro and in vivo models to test combination strategies to overcome resistance.

Endometrial Tumor Molecular Characteristics for Clinical Decision-Making

PI: Bo Rueda, PhD, MS

Study contact: brueda@mgh.harvard.edu

This study analyzes the molecular profiles of endometrial cancers to identify genomic characteristics that correlate with clinical outcomes. The goal is to inform dual immune checkpoint and PARP inhibitor strategies for recurrent endometrial cancer.

Galectin 3 in Ovarian and Endometrial Cancers

PI: Bo Rueda, PhD, MS

Study contact: brueda@mgh.harvard.edu

Research is focused on understanding Galectin-3’s role in promoting an immunosuppressive environment, metastasis, and cancer stem-like properties in ovarian and uterine cancers. This study is testing small molecule inhibitors and an anti-Galectin-3 antibody-based strategy.

Hippo/YAP Signaling Pathway in Ovarian High-Grade Serous Carcinoma

PI: Cheng Wang, PhD

Study contact: cwang34@mgh.harvard.edu

This project explores the role of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway in the initiation and progression of high-grade serous carcinoma originating from the fallopian tube.

MUC160-Directed Therapies in Ovarian Cancer

PI: Oladapo Yeku, MD, PhD

Study contact: oyeku@mgh.harvard.edu

This research evaluates MUC16-directed therapy such as antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific T-cell engagers, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, and small molecule inhibitors. They use patient-derived tumor samples, blood samples, and syngeneic mouse models to understand the role of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in suppressing immunotherapeutic agents in ovarian cancer.

Jeffrey Ecker, MD
Head of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School
Joe Vincent Meigs Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School
Gynecologist/Obstetrician in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital
Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital

Andrea Edlow, MD, MSc
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist
Associate in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School

Bo Rueda, PhD
Director, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology
Director, Clinical Fellows Research Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital
Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School
Affiliate Faculty, Harvard Stem Cell Institute
Affiliate Faculty, Mass General Cancer Center

Kaitlyn James, PhD
Lead Reproductive Epidemiologist
Director, Research Accelerator Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Researcher, Deborah Kelly Center for Clinical Research
Instructor in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Andrea Edlow, MD, MSc
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist
Associate in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School

Kaitlyn James, PhD
Lead Reproductive Epidemiologist
Director, Research Accelerator Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Researcher, Deborah Kelly Center for Clinical Research
Instructor in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Bridget O’Connor
Departmental Clinical Research Project/Program Manager

Alexa Silfen
Departmental Clinical Research Coordinator

Caroline Bald
Departmental Clinical Research Coordinator

Jamie Murphy, MBA
Senior Administrative Director, Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology

Kathleen Higgins, MBA
Senior Grant Administrator, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology

BUMP aims to improve maternal and infant health by addressing research gaps in both uncomplicated and complicated pregnancies.

Get involved in the BUMP study

The Gynecologic Tissue Repository is essential for research on women’s cancers, aiding in the development of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies, including combating drug-resistant cancers. Located in the Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology (VCRB), this biobank is a key funding priority of The Vincent Memorial Hospital Foundation (VMHF), which recently contributed $685,000 to advance innovative research in women’s health.

PI: Mark Clapp, MD, PhD

This database explores opportunities for risk stratification and prediction of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes during labor and delivery.

PIs: Andrea Edlow, MD

The Mass General Brigham COVID-19 Pregnancy Biorepository has enrolled over 1,300 pregnant and lactating individuals, including approximately 600 with SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy and 600 vaccinated during pregnancy. Samples collected include maternal plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, whole blood, stool, swabs, saliva, placenta, and cord blood plasma.

PIs: Kaitlyn James, PhD, Bo Rueda, PhD, and Shruthi Mahalingaiah, MD

This study collects longitudinal data on patients who have undergone Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to assess outcomes related to fertility treatment, pregnancy health, and neonatal health, informing future interventions and risks tied to evolving technologies and treatments.

PI: Camille Powe, MD

This data repository aims to collect medical and health information from 1998 through 2025 to study the impact of chronic diseases and risk factors on pregnancy outcomes, as well as the long-term effects of pregnancy on women and their offspring. The MGH Maternal Health Cohort will conduct epidemiologic studies to inform interventions aimed at improving maternal and offspring health. The specific goals include examining risk factors affecting maternal and neonatal outcomes, assessing long-term maternal health, and linking exposures to biomarkers in a subset of participants.

The PCTRC is a multidisciplinary team that reviews and approves studies in obstetrics and neonatology, as well as those recruiting pregnant participants, with the goal of minimizing participant burden in these vulnerable populations.

Operating alongside the PCTRC, the GGORC reviews studies involving gynecology and gynecology oncology patient populations.

Comprising leaders from obstetrics, gynecology, gynecologic oncology, urogynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility, the PSLC drives department-wide research initiatives, including enhancing recruitment of diverse populations, fostering community engagement, and strengthening the research infrastructure.