### Neonatalogy Research

- [ Neonatal Research Programs](#neonatal-research-programs)
- [ Ongoing Projects](#ongoing-projects)
 
  Our neonatal (newborn medicine) division at Boston Medical Center conducts a variety of research focused on perinatal health and the neonatal population.

Specifically, our faculty conducts health service research, quality improvement initiatives, implementation science projects, clinical trials, translational research, and basic science research. Our areas of focus include substance use disorders in the perinatal period, health equity, and placental biology.

[Explore All Pediatric Research Programs](/node/178218 "Department of Pediatrics: Pediatric Specialty Care: Pediatric Research | Boston Medical Center (bmc.org)")

## Our Team

### Contact

- Vincent C. Smith, MD, MPH  
    <Vincent.Smith@bmc.org>
- Elisha M. Wachman, MD  
    <Elisha.Wachman@bmc.org>

### Research Faculty

- [Gaby Cordova Ramos, MD](https://profiles.bu.edu/Erika.CordovaRamos)  
    Heath services researcher and implementation scientist
- [Genevieve (Gen) Guyol, MD, MAT](https://profiles.bu.edu/Genevieve.Guyol)  
    Health services researcher
- [Lillian Juttukonda, MD, PhD](https://profiles.bu.edu/Lillian.Juttukonda)  
    Basic and translational researcher
- [Vincent C. Smith, MD, MPH](https://profiles.bu.edu/Vincent.Smith)  
    Health services researcher
- [Elizabeth Taglauer, MD, PhD](https://profiles.bu.edu/Elizabeth.Taglauer)  
    Placental biologist, neonatologist
- [Elisha M. Wachman, MD](https://profiles.bu.edu/Elisha.Wachman)  
    Clinical and translational researcher



 ## Neonatal Research Programs

- Health Equity Pilot as a mixed-methods program evaluation examining the implementation of social risk screening and navigation by breastfeeding peer counselors in the NICU setting
    
    
    - For more information, please contact Dr. Gaby Cordova Ramos: <Gabriela.CordovaRamos@bmc.org>
- BMC-specific human placental biorepository to study the impact of preeclampsia on fetal development
    
    
    - For sample inquiries, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Taglauer: <Elizabeth.Taglauer@bmc.org>
- Clinical and translational research on the genetics and epigenetics of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnancy, and the use of non-pharmacologic care methods to improve NOWS outcomes
    
    
    - For more information, contact Dr. Elisha Wachman: <Elisha.Wachman@bmc.org>



 

 ## Ongoing Projects

1. Health Equity pilot “Leveraging trusted peer breastfeeding counselors to address social determinants of health in the neonatal intensive care unit” and the Cash Transfer grant “RCT of Financial Support to Low-Income Mothers of Preterm Infants"
2. Understanding the impact of perinatal substance use on placental regulation and infant neurodevelopmental outcomes
3. Defining the influence of dysregulated placental signaling on fetal lung and gut development
4. Use of mixed methods to investigate perceptions of early relational health among parents of children born preterm
5. Studying the impact of pre-term birth on nasal mucosal development
6. Comparing nasal cells from pre-term infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)