Irina Burd, MD, PhD named President of the Society for Reproductive Investigation

Dr. Burd is leading physician-scientist specializing in maternal-fetal medicine and fetal brain development research

Irina Burd, MD, PhD, Chair of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, was appointed President of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI) in March. With nearly 1,000 members, SRI supports the development of basic scientists and clinical investigators who advance critical research for reproductive sciences and women’s health.

During her one-year term, she has been focusing on several key priorities for the organization including: promoting cutting-edge research, fostering education and training programs, elevating advocacy for reproductive health and community collaboration and the launch of the SRI Entrepreneurship Academy (SEA), a collaborative platform where members can patent their inventions and discuss startup ventures. She will also preside as President at the society's 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting in Puerto Rico, March 24-28, 2026.

Dr. Burd is a distinguished physician-scientist focusing on high-risk pregnancy conditions and fetal brain development. With more than 170 peer-reviewed papers, she seeks to determine whether inflammation affects neurons in the fetal brain and causes epigenetic changes that increase the risk of mental illness and behavioral disorders like autism. As Department Chair, Dr. Burd also leads several Maryland-wide and national initiatives aimed at enhancing maternal-fetal health and neonatal outcomes. This year, she was a pivotal figure in the launch of NEST, a new AI-augmented remote fetal monitoring center that provides continuous, real-time monitoring of fetal heart rate and uterine contraction patterns across all UMMS hospitals.

Prior to her appointment, Dr. Burd previously chaired the CME Membership and Nominations committees within SRI, served as the Program Director for the 2021 international annual meeting and a member of the SRI Council. For her excellence in the field, she has previously served as the president of the Perinatal Research Society as well as the American Society for Reproductive Immunology.