Woman, Mother + Baby Research Institute
We conduct research to advance women’s, mothers’ and babies’ health through collaborative, multidisciplinary research to reduce inequities and improve outcomes across generations. We bring together experts across fields to explore how early-life experiences shape lifelong health.
Tomoko Kaneko-Tarui, MD, PhD working in the MIRI (Mother Infant Research Institute) lab.

Connecting pregnancy to lifelong health for moms + babies

We take a multidisciplinary approach to understanding how pregnancy shapes lifelong health for women, mothers and babies.  

Research shows that events in the womb can impact the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis and inflammatory conditions like asthma in both childhood and adulthood. The in-utero environment influences gene expression, affecting long-term health. Pregnancy also serves as a “stress test,” revealing potential health risks for mothers, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.  

At the Woman, Mother and Baby Research Institute, we foster collaboration among researchers to reduce health inequities and improve outcomes across generations. 

 Our research focus areasOur PIs + research team
Our mission

Woman, Mother & Baby Research Institute aims to enhance the lifelong health of women, mothers and babies by building, growing and training a community of collaborative researchers with a multidisciplinary perspective. Our holistic view of patients, their families and communities uniquely positions us to reduce inequities and improve health outcomes across generations.
 
Our vision

We believe in a future where every parent can make informed decisions for their and their children's long-term health through advanced diagnostics and personalized treatments.
Our clinical trials

Our physicians, scientists and researchers are devoting their careers to improving the health of pregnant women and their babies. Working with our colleagues at Tufts University, we use "bench to bedside" research to advance knowledge and make new treatments available in less time.

We offer both large and targeted trials to patients. Our clinical trials usually fall into one of two categories:

  • Investigator-initiated clinical trials – researchers design research studies and apply to major federal institutions like the National Institutes of Health for funding to conduct the study.
  • Multi-center clinical trials – nationwide or international projects that hospitals and other groups around the world can join and enroll patients into.

If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, our staff will assist you and your family every step of the way. We rigorously follow all federal regulations and requirements for conducting clinical trials. We also recruit patients and work directly with them and their families throughout the process.

Often, you or a family member may be unsure about deciding if you should enroll in a trial. We help you understand the options and give you all the information needed to make a well-informed decision about participation.

Once you've enrolled in a trial, our research teams are here with you and your family throughout the process. We're always here to answer any questions about the trial and help with coordinating appointments.

Clinical trials
Our new name—the Woman, Mother + Baby Research Institute—reflects our expanded focus on women’s health across the lifespan, while staying true to our roots in intergenerational research. This change began with conversations across departments and grew from a shared commitment to collaboration. WoMB is a reflection of Tufts Medicine's innovative spirit and a reminder that we’re stronger together.
Perrie O'Tierney-Ginn, PhD, Executive Director
Contact
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Woman, Mother + Baby Research Institute
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Tufts Medical Center
800 Washington, Box 394
Boston, MA 02111

Our office location

Located in the Tupper Research building, 9th floor, 15 Kneeland St., Boston, MA. The building is locked and accessible from the street only with a Tufts Medical Center ID badge.

For visitors with scheduled appointments, call 617.636.1468 and a member of our staff will meet you at the entrance.

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Advance research in women’s and infant health

Your contribution to the Woman, Mother + Baby Research Institute helps drive important research that improves outcomes for women, mothers and newborns.

To direct your donation, select “Other” in the "I want to support" field and type “Woman, Mother + Baby Research Institute.”

Celebrating our new name
  • Balloons that spell WOMB
  • Two researchers cutting a ribbon to a balloon
  • Two female doctors stand, smiling
  • Doctors, investigators and staff pose with smiles
  • Doctors, investigators and staff pose with smiles
  • Doctors, investigators and staff pose with smiles

    • Bridging collaborations to advance women’s health

    On June 4, 2025, the Women, Baby + Mother Research Institute hosted the Bridging Collaborations Across the Lifespan Summit, uniting researchers, clinicians and leaders from across Tufts Medicine and Tufts University to advance women’s health through interdisciplinary collaboration.

    The event opened with a keynote address by Dr. Vivian Pinn, a trailblazer in women’s health research. The summit continued with lightning talks from experts covering a range of topics, including cervical cancer prevention, biosensor technology, postpartum depression and Black maternal health. Attendees also participated in breakout sessions on menopause, nutrition and engineering innovations, sparking engaging conversations around some of the most pressing challenges in women’s health.

    Through presentations, posters and networking opportunities, the summit showcased Tufts Medicine's leadership in this vital field and helped strengthen the connections that will drive future research partnerships.
  • bridging collaborations across the lifespan summit yen speaking otierney-ginn
  • bridging collaborations across the lifespan summit helen boucher
  • Speaker at Bridging Collaborations Across the Lifespan Summit
  • bridging collaborations across the lifespan summit dandorph speaking
  • bridging collaborations across the lifespan summit freund
  • Bridging Collaborations Across the Lifespan Summit Vivian Pinn speaking at podium
  • bridging collaborations across the lifespan summit presentation
  • bridging collaborations across the lifespan summit woman man in audience
  • bridging collaborations across the lifespan summit woman speaking from audience
  • bridging collaborations across the lifespan summit yen otierney-ginn
  • Bridging Collaborations Across the Lifespan Summit Vivian Pinn award Yen O'Tierney-Ginn
  • Bridging Collaborations Across the Lifespan Summit Vivian Pinn holding award
    • Tomoko Kaneko-Tarui, MD, PhD examining a set of tubes in the MIRI (Mother Infant Research Institute) lab.

    From discovery to impact: MIRI’s year of progress in 2024

    MIRI made great strides in 2024, expanding our leadership team, securing major grants and strengthening collaborations—all while staying true to our mission to improve lifelong health for mothers and babies.

    We also saw a remarkable rise in employee engagement, reflecting our strong, supportive team. With a growing group of investigators and new interdisciplinary programs, we're building a bright future for MIRI.
    Pregnant woman with fruits and vegetables

    Recruiting study participants now

    Produce prescriptions on maternal and birth outcomes: A food is medicine intervention among pregnant women, aims to evaluate the feasibility of implementing produce prescriptions in our prenatal care clinics at Tufts Medical Center.

    Our news

     See more related content
    In the News
    Are US Cervical Cancer Screening Exit Criteria Failing?
    May 1, 2025
    Rebecca Perkins, MD, Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Investigator at the Woman, Mother and Baby Research Institute at Tufts Medical Center, in an article about her recent commentary on whether U.S. cervical cancer screening exit criteria are meeting the intended goal of preventing cancer, while minimizing harm.
    In the News
    HPV Infection May Increase the Risk of Heart Disease. Could Vaccination Lower It?
    April 29, 2025
    Rebecca Perkins, MD, Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Investigator at the Woman, Mother and Baby Research Institute at Tufts Medical Center, in an article about whether HPV vaccination might lower the risk of heart disease.
    In the News
    Elizabeth Yen, MD, Receives the Mont Liggins Early Career Award
    March 13, 2025
    Mention of Elizabeth Yen, MD, Neonatologist at Tufts Medical Center, in an article about her receiving the Mont Liggins Early Career Award, presented to an early career researcher who has achieved “distinguished recognition in the field of perinatology and developmental biology”.

    Our clinical trials

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