Bizu Gelaye, Ph.D.

Dr. Gelaye’s research focuses on (1) understanding the role preconception and perinatal psychosocial exposures (e.g., trauma exposure) play in shaping short and long-term maternal and offspring health outcomes; (2) studying how biological, molecular, environmental, social, and structural factors impact prematurity, particularly among racial and ethnic groups; (3) identifying evidence-based solutions that promote health equity and improve outcomes in maternal and child health through prevention, early diagnostics, therapeutics, and/or policy change.

Perinatal Mental Health, Intergenerational Effects of Trauma, and Epigenetic Inheritance

As the Principal Investigator (PI) of a birth cohort titled Pregnancy Outcomes, Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (PrOMIS), Dr. Gelaye’s epidemiologic research has made major contributions to our understanding of how trauma and adversity affect maternal health during the prenatal period and lead to long-term consequences that extend across generations. His research also delves into the biological underpinnings of trauma and perinatal mental health. Currently, his team is investigating how the chronicity and timing of maternal trauma impact children's behavioral health intergenerationally and whether postnatal maternal caregiving sensitivity can buffer these effects. They are also evaluating DNA methylation as a candidate epigenetic mechanism wherein maternal trauma experiences ‘get under the skin’ and ‘pass’ from one generation to the next.

Maternal Health Disparities

In the United States, maternal mortality is higher than in other high-income countries. In addition, severe maternal morbidity during or after childbirth is also increasing with persistent disparities. Dr. Gelaye’s research focuses on understanding the underlying social, economic, and structural drivers of these maternal health inequalities, improving health outcomes and reducing disparities. Dr. Gelaye is one of the key investigators for a NICHD-funded U54 grant titled Mississippi Delta Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence at Jackson State University. The overarching objective of the center is to address preventable maternal mortality, decrease severe maternal morbidity, and promote maternal health equity in partnership with the Mississippi Delta communities.

Biomarkers of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

His research also incorporates novel biomarkers to understand the mechanistic basis of the risk of adverse maternal and child health outcomes. One such biomarker his research has focused on is hair cortisol concentration. Hair cortisol concentration measures long-term systemic cortisol levels, providing an integrated measure of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity. In addition, Dr. Gelaye’s research uses genomics and metabolomics to identify the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. His research has identified metabolites and metabolomic clusters associated with gestational diabetes, placental abruption, perinatal depression, and suicidal behavior in pregnant women. Elucidating biological and molecular mechanisms may lead to novel prevention and treatment strategies.

Before joining the NICHD, Dr. Gelaye was a faculty member in the departments of epidemiology and psychiatry at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts General Hospital. He received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Addis Ababa University and master's and doctoral degrees in epidemiology from the University of Washington School of Public Health in Seattle.