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Epidemiology Branch

  • Bizu Gelaye, PhD, MPH, Senior Investigator and Chief, Epidemiology Branch, DiPHR
  • Jessica L. Gleason, PhD, MPH, Staff Scientist
  • Katherine L. Grantz, MD, MS, Senior Investigator
  • James L. Mills, MD, MS, Senior Investigator (Emeritus)
  • Fasil Tekola-Ayele, PhD, MPH, Senior Investigator
  • Edwina H. Yeung, PhD, ScM, Senior Investigator
  • Diane L. Putnick, PhD, MS, Statistician
  • Ian Trees, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow
  • Priscilla Clayton, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow
  • Kathryn Wagner, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow
  • Elizabeth Williams, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow
  • Jordan Tyris, MD, Pediatric Scientist Development Program Fellow
  • Tesfa Habtewold, PhD, Visiting Fellow
  • Prabhavi Wijesiriwardhana, PhD, Visiting Fellow
  • Shila Deljookorani, BS, Postbaccalaureate Fellow
  • Alexandra Jean-Louis, BS, Postbaccalaureate Fellow
  • Randy Le, BS, Postbaccalaureate Fellow
Bizu Gelaye

The Epidemiology Branch (EB) of the Division of Population Health Research (DiPHR) continued to pursue its threefold mission: (1) to plan and conduct investigator-initiated original epidemiologic research focusing on reproductive, pregnancy, and infant and child health endpoints to identify etiologic mechanisms, at-risk subgroups, and interventions aimed at maximizing health and preventing, diagnosing, and/or treating disease; (2) to provide service to the Division, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services, and the profession via consultation, collaboration, and assistance to advance the scientific discipline of epidemiology and the goals of the Institute; and (3) to recruit highly qualified researchers at various stages of their professional careers for training in reproductive, perinatal, pediatric, and methodological epidemiologic research.

Research in the EB is organized around health during key developmental stages throughout the life-course, including pregnancy, infancy, and childhood. The EB is committed to using trans-disciplinary, cutting-edge techniques to address critical data gaps in these areas while advancing the mission of NICHD and DiPHR. Current EB initiatives are furthering our understanding of health challenges in several areas. In the field of pregnancy and fetal development, the EB studies the genetic and environmental determinants, etiology, and health consequences of adverse pregnancy outcomes, and alterations in fetal growth of both singletons and twins in relation to obesity and pregnancy complications. To advance understanding of infant and child health, EB investigators also focus on the genetic and lifestyle determinants of birth defects through strategic collaborations, and the impacts of conception using assisted reproductive technologies on subsequent child growth, development, and cardiovascular health. In addition, EB investigators continue to lead research efforts on life-course epidemiology to investigate the long-term health implications of common obstetric and gynecologic complications, such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, for women’s health over the life span and to identify determinants to improve women’s health. Collectively, the EB is improving public health by providing evidence to inform clinical guidance and public policy regarding the care of pregnant women and their fetuses, infants, and children.

High-quality scientific investigation in these various domains across the life course has yielded many awards recognizing the dedicated work of EB team members. During 2024, EB investigators and fellows received many awards from NICHD for career development and scientific advances. Additionally, EB research has broad public appeal, as demonstrated by high-impact publications and both national and international media attention. The excellence found within the EB, paired with the freedom and opportunity that comes with having large and unique data sets available, makes the EB uniquely positioned to pursue trans-disciplinary, high-risk research in novel and emerging areas of perinatal and pediatric epidemiology. Dr. Gelaye became branch chief in September of 2024, has brought his research in perinatal and psychiatric epidemiology, and will be developing new research areas in the Division.

Contact

For more information, email bizu.gelaye@nih.gov or visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/dir/dph/officebranch/eb/gelaye.