The Future of Pregnancy Care: Erickson's pursuit of safer, personalized treatments through science and innovation
Elise Erickson, PhD, CNM, FACNM, is leading innovative research to transform maternal health, a critical area of concern for women and families around the globe. She is an assistant professor in Advanced Nursing Practice and Science (ANPS) at the U of A’s College of Nursing (CON). Erickson’s research focuses on unraveling the complex factors that influence pregnancy and birth outcomes. She manages three NIH grant research projects, each scheduled to run for approximately five years with an annual budget of around $1.2 million. These projects aim to provide essential insights that could foster safer, more personalized maternal healthcare, ultimately enhancing outcomes for future generations of women.
Erickson serves dual roles as a Certified Nurse Midwife and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). With over 18 years of clinical expertise, she is dedicated to advancing the science of maternal health. Currently, she chairs the Division of Research at the ACNM and serves on the State of Arizona Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC). Erickson collaborates with Banner University Medical Center, the CON-Banner Partnership for Innovations and Research Committee, and the All of Us Research Program. She co-organized the Scientific Hub for Empowering Research on Female Health Advancement, which is building a network of researchers and clinicians dedicated to advancing women’s health.
Erickson’s Mechanisms Underpinning Maternal Health (MuMH) Lab is at the heart of her research efforts. Her team, comprising research coordinators, postdoctoral researchers, PhD and undergraduate students, investigates how individual differences in women’s biology influence maternal health outcomes and interface with the social environment. The MuMH Lab has embarked on several groundbreaking studies, including the Predicting Adequate Response to Oxytocin (PARTO) Study, a five-year research project funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Oxytocin, a common medication used to stimulate labor, works differently for each woman. Erickson’s research examines why some women respond more effectively to Oxytocin than others, particularly in preventing severe postpartum bleeding. By tailoring oxytocin use to each individual’s biology, this research could help reduce one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity.
“Dr. Erickson embodies the essence of innovation and compassion in maternal health research. Her groundbreaking work addresses critical challenges in pregnancy and birth outcomes and paves the way for personalized, equitable care for women and families worldwide,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing.
Sheila M. Gephart, PhD, RN, FAAN, interim chair of the Nursing and Health Sciences Division, said, “Erickson’s leadership and commitment are shaping a future in which maternal healthcare is safer, more precise, and profoundly informed by scientific research and human experience.”
Erickson’s research also focuses on the impact of maternal “biological age” on pregnancy outcomes. With funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research, Erickson’s project, The Clock is Ticking: Biological Age in the Era of Advanced Maternal Age investigates how a woman’s internal biological age, rather than chronological age, may influence pregnancy complications and how social determinants of health influence the aging process. This crucial concept shifts the focus from age alone to underlying health factors and health disparities, potentially providing more accurate risk assessments and personalized care plans. Understanding these factors could revolutionize how we support women across a wide range of ages, including younger women who may encounter advanced-age pregnancy risks due to biological factors.
Erickson is also engaged in research supported by the National Science Foundation and the Flinn Foundation, which involves using wearable sensors, such as a “smart ring” worn on the hand, to track pregnancy physiology and predict when labor will begin using artificial intelligence (AI). In the United States, only 5% of nearly 4 million annual births occur on the estimated delivery date. This can be particularly concerning for those living in rural areas or in expanding "maternal care deserts," where residents may have to drive for hours to reach appropriate hospital facilities.
The goal of this research is to personalize the concept of the obstetric due date, aiding families in better preparing for the uncertainties of labor and childbirth. Developing an algorithm that can accurately predict the approximate gestational age of delivery could help to inform clinical decision-making and personal planning around expectations of labor onset. Tech Launch Arizona has also sponsored this work.
Erickson’s dedication to community and collaboration is evident in addition to her professional accomplishments. She “midwifes” her team with a warm, supportive presence, creating a positive and inclusive research environment. As a mother of two boys and an animal lover, she enjoys being able to bike to campus for her commute.
Erickson’s dedication to maternal health research goes beyond scientific inquiry. She is committed to improving healthcare for women today and for generations to come. Through her work, future women may experience safer pregnancies, fewer complications, and more personalized and effective treatments tailored to their unique needs.