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Two years ago, Rachel Kolko Conlon, PhD (Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), and Heather Joseph, DO (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics), were looking for opportunities to merge their mutual research interests in perinatal and infant mental health. They formed the Psychiatry Maternal Perinatal Infant Research Collaborative, which brings together faculty and trainees with both research and clinical interests related to pregnancy, the postpartum period, and infancy. The Collaborative is most often referred to by its acronym, M-PIRE, a homophone with empire. “The name is empowering for this group,” explained Dr. Conlon.

Exchanging Ideas and Information

“Many at Pitt Psychiatry are interested in the perinatal period and early infancy, and can be siloed or disconnected,” said Dr. Conlon. “We formed M-PIRE in 2021 to provide the structure to meet regularly to discuss recent research and clinical initiatives, datasets and analyses in progress, grant and manuscript submissions, training programs and educational opportunities related to the perinatal period, and updates on local, state, national, and international initiatives, conferences, and organizations involved in perinatal research. We were trying to grow the community here in Psychiatry, but it quickly expanded beyond our department.” 

Today, M-PIRE includes members from pediatrics, OB-GYN, public health, psychology, internal medicine, and education. “We have members of M-PIRE collaborating who, without this group, might not have otherwise gotten to know each other,” said Dr. Joseph. “For example, a new faculty member in the Department of Medicine is working with a Psychiatry faculty member, thanks to M-PIRE. And four of us have recently begun community-based perinatal work with funding from The Pittsburgh Foundation.” 

M-PIRE members engage in both clinical and research activities, creating a culture of reciprocity and exchange, with members workshopping ideas, practicing presentations, and receiving feedback on issues related to study participant recruitment or bringing research to the clinical sphere. 

Forging Connections Across Experience Levels

Beyond the diversity of disciplines and fields represented in M-PIRE, members range from trainees and early-career faculty to those with established expertise and broad experience. Senior Department of Psychiatry clinical and research faculty members who regularly attend the M-PIRE meetings include Michele Levine, PhD (Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, and Associate Professor of Psychology); Alison Hipwell, PhD, PsyD (Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology); Gale Richardson, PhD (Professor of Psychiatry and Epidemiology); Natacha De Genna, PhD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Assistant Professor of Epidemiology); Priya Gopalan, MD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences); and Eydie Moses-Kolko, MD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry). 

Postdoctoral scholar Christine Call, PhD, conducts research focused on equitably promoting mental and physical health during high-risk times for problematic eating behaviors and excess weight gain, particularly during the perinatal period. “I was drawn to Pitt Psychiatry for postdoc because I knew I could get incredible training in perinatal mental health and health behaviors, and M-PIRE has been an integral resource to meet my training goals,” she said. “By bringing together expert clinicians and researchers in these areas both from within and outside our Department, M-PIRE has provided me with exposure to diverse, interdisciplinary perspectives, which has enhanced my own research.”

Kelsey Magee, PhD, conducts postdoctoral research that integrates multiple levels of development to identify promotive factors for maternal and child health. "As a postdoc, M-PIRE has provided me with the unique opportunity to collaborate with and learn from colleagues and mentors with shared interests in integrating perinatal and child health perspectives to conduct research that promotes maternal and child health.”

Thanks to Dr. Joseph and Dr. Conlon, as well as to Dr. Call and Dr. Magee, for speaking with us about M-PIRE!