MOTHER Lab

About the Lab

Maternal Outcomes for Translational Health Equity Research — the Center’s student and early-career research unit.

The Lab

What MOTHER stands for

The Maternal Outcomes for Translational Health Equity Research (MOTHER) Lab is a unit of the Center in the Tufts School of Medicine.

It is made up of students, public health professionals and practitioners, and others who are passionate about equitable maternal health. Together, they support the research development, policy, community engagement, education, and training efforts of the Center.

The Lab works through four standing committees. Each has its own co-chairs and its own remit, and members are drawn from across the group.

How the work is organized

Four committees

Descriptions are the committees’ own words.

Research & Grants

Co-chairs: Maria Gabriela Ruiz, Tayler Whittler MS, Vickie Dugat PhD MPH

Works with a diverse group of early career researchers and students to produce evidence-based practices and programs focused on maternal health and reproductive justice — Black birthing experiences, disparities in maternal care, doula access, maternal morbidity and mortality, the effect of racial discrimination on mental health, and family planning. The committee also works to make its findings reachable by the communities they concern, and mentors emerging clinicians, advocates and academics.

Community Engagement, Advocacy & Policy

Co-chairs: Ameya Menta, Elizabeth Bolarinwa, Stephanie Saintilien MPH

Dedicated to outreach and education surrounding maternal health. Creates and strengthens relationships with community partners to support the physical and emotional wellbeing of Black women “where existing societal structures fail to do so.” The committee tracks state and national legislation on Black maternal health and works to educate the public, with the aim of improving the policy itself.

Marketing, Communications & Events

Co-chairs: Hadiya Severin, Lily Snape

Focused on disseminating the most up-to-date information on the Lab and on Black maternal health: informing and educating followers about the Lab’s research and activities, and creating “an inclusive space for all to learn and engage with MOTHER Lab.” Runs the Lab’s events, social channels and public updates on maternal health policy.

Sunshine Committee

Hadiya Severin, Maria Gabriela Ruiz, Stephanie Saintilien MPH

An internal committee dedicated to “bringing light and love to the Lab throughout the year” — birthday cards, social media shout-outs, and gift baskets for accomplishments. It is not outward-facing work, and it is on this page on purpose: it tells a prospective student what kind of group this is.

Also listed by the Lab: an Abortion Advocacy Group and a Lab Alumni group.

Get involved

Joining the Lab

The Lab takes on students, alumni and volunteers from across Tufts and beyond. To ask about joining, or about working with a particular committee, get in touch with the Center.

Contact the Center