About Us
Mission
To promote maternal and child health outcomes by conducting novel biopsychosocial research that identifies and addresses challenges to MOM feeding, informed by the Socio-ecological Model.
Vision
All mothers will receive the resources and support needed to set and achieve their breastfeeding goals.
Our Focus
- Research
- Design and conduct novel biospychosocial research projects to promote MOM feeding.
- Research Translation
- Disseminate evidence-based findings about MOM feeding to improve clinical lactation support.
- Collaboration
- Conduct community-based participatory research to promote MOM feeding.
Research Team Members
Principal Investigator
Tumilara Aderibigbe, PhD, MPH, RN, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She is a nurse, midwife, and nurse educator with 12 years of experience in nursing practice, research, and education. Dr. Aderibigbe’s program of research focuses broadly on health issues affecting mothers in the postpartum period, and specifically on the biopsychosocial mechanisms that contribute to early MOM feeding cessation and adverse mental health outcomes among mothers with the lowest rates of MOM feeding. She conducts research using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods designs. Driven by her passion for nursing research, Dr. Aderibigbe teaches ‘Evidence-Based Practice’ in the graduate nursing programs (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP). One of her manuscripts was selected as the 2025 Best Manuscript (Perinatal) at the Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing. In addition, she was selected to participate in a 1-year editorial fellowship named ‘Early Career Researcher Board’ at the Journal of Advanced Nursing. Dr. Aderibigbe currently serves as a Board Member (research) at the Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition, and she is also a member of the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition.
Research Assistants
Richard Marfo, BSN, RN, is a PhD student at the University of Massachusetts Boston whose research focuses on social support and chronic disease self-management, with particular emphasis on Type 2 diabetes among Black/African American adults in the United States. He examines how family, peer, community, and health system–based social support influences diabetes self-care behaviors and health equity. Richard supports recruitment, data collection and analysis for projects at the MOM Research Lab.
Allison Peguero is a junior Biology major at the University of Massachusetts Boston and plans to pursue an accelerated bachelor’s in nursing. She is particularly interested in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as midwifery. Her goals include contributing to research on the social factors that drive disparities in maternal mortality rates and postpartum care. Allison supports the MOM Research Lab with recruitment and data analysis.
Wynter Bows is a Biology undergraduate student at the University of Massachusetts Boston who is inspired to complete an MD/PhD program upon graduation. She is interested in helping women and children and wants to conduct further research on women and children’s health.