Explore our current research projects and collaboration opportunities, all focused on reproductive health equity, pregnancy outcomes, and the experiences of women with autoimmune and chronic diseases. Click any study below to learn more.
Research and Clinical Trials
If you are interested in participating in our projects, would like to learn more about them, or would like to collaborate, please contact us.
Current Research Projects(Recruiting)
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NICHD #: 1U54HD113030-01, Co-PIs Mendez, Birru Talabi, Simhan
The EMBRACE Center brings together researchers, healthcare providers, and community leaders to improve maternal and reproductive health for Black birthing people. The Center focuses on care between pregnancies and the 4th trimester, supporting families’ health and wellness. The team also provides training in reproductive justice, anti-racism, and equity, guided by leaders with deep experience in the community.
If you are a Black birthing person in the Pittsburgh area and are interested in participating or learning more about our community programs, you can contact the EMBRACE Center using this link.
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NICHD #: 1R61HD113515-01 PI Birru Talabi
INTREPID examines how the overturning of Roe v. Wade affects the health of people with and without chronic diseases, as well as the care provided by physicians in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, and Ohio. Using interviews and Medicaid data, the study explores the barriers and supports people encounter when accessing abortion care, how abortion policies influence physicians’ decisions, and the overall impact of these policies on pregnancy and healthcare outcomes.
If you live in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, or Ohio and have had an abortion, you may be eligible to participate in a confidential online interview about your experience accessing care. You can contact the INTREPID study team using this link.
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NIAMS K23AR075057 PI: Birru Talabi
The REINA Registry follows women with autoimmune diseases over time to track their health, knowledge and medical care to better understand how these factors affect reproductive health outcomes. Participants complete annual surveys about their reproductive health goals, experiences, and healthcare.
If you are a woman with an autoimmune disease, you may be eligible to join. Contact us using this link.
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RESPOND is a national study examining how the overturning of Roe v. Wade affects women with rheumatic diseases. We explore the impact on pregnancy and health outcomes, how rheumatologists make medical decisions, and the care of non-pregnant women with these conditions. Using interviews and national claims data, we aim to understand policy effects on health and well-being and provide evidence to guide patient-centered healthcare and public health responses.
If you are a woman with an autoimmune disease and would like to share your experience navigating pregnancy or healthcare since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, you may be eligible to participate in a confidential online interview.
Rheumatologists interested in sharing their perspectives on how abortion policy has affected their practice are also encouraged to contact us to participate in a confidential online interview.
To participate, you can contact the RESPOND study team using this link.
Seeking Collaboration
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ORCHID is a subdivision of the Center for Innovative Research on Gender Health Equity (CONVERGE). ORCHID is a gathering point for multidisciplinary researchers, clinicians, trainees, and community members interested in advancing reproductive healthcare for people with chronic diseases and serves as a brainstorming collective for various aspects of reproductive healthcare, data dissemination, and clinical transformation.
If you are a researcher, clinician, trainee, or community member interested in joining ORCHID, we welcome your involvement. You can learn more about ORCHID here. You can contact the ORCHID team using this link.
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NIAMS K23AR075057 PI: Birru Talabi
REINA is a growing longitudinal registry of reproductive-age women with diverse autoimmune diseases, currently recruiting from UPMC rheumatology clinics and the Pitt+Me online research registry.
We welcome collaboration from researchers, clinicians, and institutions interested in reproductive health outcomes in autoimmunity. Contact us to explore partnership opportunities by using this link.
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NICHD #: 5K23AR075057-04, PI: Birru Talabi
We developed and pilot tested a patient-facing decision aid to facilitate family planning in the rheumatology clinic setting. Future work will include the development of a longitudinal, exploratory cohort of women with autoimmune diseases to evaluate how medication adherence is influenced by key factors, such as: pregnancy intention; reproductive knowledge; symptom severity; and family planning care receipt.
We welcome collaboration from clinicians and researchers interested in autoimmunity and maternal health outcomes. You can contact the MyVoice study team using this link.
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NICHD #: 5R21HD109440-02 PI: Birru Talabi
We developed the Reproductive Autonomy in Healthcare (RAH) Measure — a new tool to evaluate how well healthcare settings support patients' reproductive choices.
We are currently validating this measure and welcome collaboration from clinicians and researchers interested in reproductive autonomy and maternal health outcomes. You can contact the RAH study team using this link.