Researchers + Staff
The principal investigators and research teams at MIRI have dedicated their basic science, clinical and translational research to studying the lifelong consequences of the intimate and unique biological relationship between mother and baby during pregnancy.
MIRI Researchers and staff

About

Our clinician-researchers' studies have been funded by organizations such as the March of Dimes, the National Institutes of Health, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Our researchers

Perrie O'Tierney-Ginn, PhD
Executive Director, Mother Infant Research Institute
View Dr. O'Tierney-Ginn's Lab

Patrick Catalano, MD
Principal Investigator, Mother Infant Research Institute
View Dr. Catalano's Lab

Michael House, MD
Principal Investigator, Mother Infant Research Institute
View Dr. House's Lab

Sebastian Ramos, MD
Principal Investigator, Mother Infant Research Institute

Elizabeth Yen, MD
Associate Director, Mother Infant Research Institute
View Dr. Yen's Lab

Associate PIs

In order to further strengthen the connection between the MIRI and investigators involved in complementary work across Tufts Medicine and Tufts University, MIRI created the role of Associate PI. All Associate PIs have active, funded research programs that synergize with MIRI priorities for improving maternal and child health outcomes, and are actively collaborating with MIRI PIs.

Juan Gnecco, PhD, Asst. Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University
Emmanuel Pothos, PhD, Assoc. Professor, Immunology, Tufts University
Erika Werner, MD, MS. Physician-in-Chief, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Clinical and translational study management
Taysir Mahmoud

Taysir Mahmoud is the Supervisor of Clinical and Translational Research in MIRI, OB/Gyn, and Pediatrics.  A graduate of Wellesley College, she has over 10 years of experience in biomedical research, working in several roles.  Prior to joining the MIRI in 2019, she worked as a data manager at Brigham and Women's Hospital.   Her time as a data manager taught her to consider the study from every perspective and enabled her to communicate effectively with various study staff with different levels of expertise.

Taysir is a member of the Research Leadership Team with Department Chairs of the MIRI, OB/GYN, and Pediatrics.  Her responsibilities include training coordinators and researchers on a range of tasks including neonatal body composition measures, new study set-up steps, recruitment strategies, and IRB submissions. Her experience in clinical and translational research as well as her interpersonal communication skills provide expertise to increase synergy and grow research across MIRI, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the NICU. 
Research coordinators
 
MIRI research coordinators
Li Yin Cheok

Li Yin Cheok, with several years of experience as a clinical researcher, is particularly committed to positive and meaningful lifestyle changes for women of reproductive age, and has worked closely on that goal since joining the MIRI.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy, Berklee College; Master's Degree in Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University 
Prior Experience: Music therapist in preschool and early intervention settings and research assistant in child development labs
Joined Tufts Medical Center: 2021
Field of Research: Maternal Obesity
Current Studies: Lifestyle Intervention in Preparation for Pregnancy (LIPP) 
CARRA Registry, which observes the safety and effectiveness of current pediatric onset rheumatic disease treatments.

Kiran Singh, MBBS

Kiran Singh, MBBS, ECFMG certified is a senior research coordinator at MIRI with over 15 years of experience in clinical research. She has completed certification in Principles and Practices of Clinical Research (PPCR) at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
Education: Katihar Medical College, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
Prior Experience: Primary Care Physician in India
Joined Tufts Medical Center: 2019
Field of Research: Salivary diagnostics in neonates and term infants, Neonatal opioid exposure, patient-centered behavioral intervention to reduce fatigue in patients with lupus.
Current Studies: Hypothalamic Dysregulation and Oral Feeding in Neonates with Prenatal Drug Exposure

 

 
OBGYN coordinators
Afshin Azimirad, MD

Afshin Azimirad, MD has over 10 years of experience in clinical research.  Dr. Azimirad's goal is to combine clinical knowledge and research skills allows to design and conduct studies that have a direct impact on patient care. He is an editor and a reviewer for AJOG, AJOG MFM and BJOG. 
Education: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Prior Experience: Private practice and clinical research in Iran.
Joined Tufts Medical Center: 2019
Field of Research: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Current Studies: Glycemic Outcomes and Metabolic Observations in Mothers and Offspring (GO MOMs)
The Lifestyle Intervention in Preparation for Pregnancy (LIPP) 
 

Devika Lekshmi

Devika Lekshmi is a statistician at Tufts Medical Center primarily serving an analytical role.  Her commitment to maternal health extends beyond research. As a part-time birth doula, Devika provides expectant parents with emotional support, evidence-based information, and personalized guidance throughout pregnancy.
Education: Masters of Public Health in Infectious disease Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tufts University
Prior Experience:  University of Global Health Equity 
Joined Tufts Medical Center: 2022
Field of Research: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Current Responsibilities: Fluent in several programming languages and proficient at translating complex data into easy-to-understand concepts, Devika has contributed significantly to the development of research design and data collection methodologies at Tufts Ob/Gyn. She is also actively involved in the curriculum development for resident didactics on study design and Research 101.

 

Alysa St. Charles

Alysa St. Charles works closely with faculty and fellows from the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. 
Education: Joint Master of Arts in Anthropology and Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies Brandeis University
Prior Experience: Certified Lactation Counselor, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, and Certified Birth Doula
Joined Tufts Medical Center: 2022 
Field of Research: Gestational Diabetes

 

 
Pediatrics coordinator
Yeelin Bacchus

Yeelin Bacchus primarily works in the Department of Newborn Medicine on industry-funded studies that investigate novel drugs and medical devices in preterm babies.
Education: Bachelors in Health Science and Masters in Public Health, Boston University
Prior Experience: Research Assistant, Boston Medical Center Pediatrics Department
Joined Tufts Medical Center: 2023
Field of Research: Novel drugs and medical devices in preterm babies.
Current Studies: The IBP Connection Study 
SVS Device for Prevention of NOWS
The OHB Footprints Study
Growth and Tolerance of Preterm Infants Fed an Experimental Human Milk Fortifier
Boppli Blood Pressure Monitoring
Distinguished alumni

Diana W. Bianchi, MD

 

Jill L. Maron, MD, MPH