Alison N. Goulding

Alison N. Goulding, MD, MSCR, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine and an Investigator in the Behavioral Health Program at the Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), a VA Health Systems Research Center of Innovation jointly operated with the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. Her work bridges maternal-fetal medicine, behavioral health, and health equity, with a strong focus on improving outcomes for high-risk pregnancies.

• MD, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
• MSc in Clinical Research (MSCR), University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
• Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC
• Clinical Fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
• B.A. in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

Dr. Goulding’s research centers on maternal mental health, breastfeeding support, health equity, and pharmacologic interventions during pregnancy. She investigates how social determinants, psychiatric conditions, and clinical practices influence maternal and neonatal outcomes. Her work often involves secondary analyses of large clinical trials and systematic reviews to inform evidence-based care.

Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in perinatal mental health, pharmacologic safety in pregnancy, and disparities in maternal outcomes. She has contributed extensively to understanding the impacts of antidepressants, antiretrovirals, and social deprivation on pregnancy outcomes. Her research also explores behavioral aspects such as provider counseling, contraception decisions, and infant feeding practices.

• Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) K12 Scholar, Baylor College of Medicine
• Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award, UNC School of Medicine
• Resident of the Year in OB/GYN, WakeMed Health and Hospitals, 2018
• Selected for NIH-Reckitt Mead Johnson Young Investigator Workshop, 2023
• Top 10% Peer Reviewer, Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2022–2023
• Administrative Chief Fellow, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 2022–2023
• Associate Director, Women’s Mental Health Research Program, Baylor College of Medicine, 2023–Present

Dr. Goulding is actively involved in mentoring and research leadership, serving as Associate Director of the Women’s Mental Health Research Program. She has received grant support through the WRHR K12 award and contributes to national research initiatives, including NIH and VA-sponsored programs. She collaborates widely across institutions and disciplines, particularly in systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to perinatal pharmacotherapy.

She is affiliated with the IQuESt Center, where her work in the Behavioral Health Program focuses on improving mental health care delivery for pregnant and postpartum individuals, particularly those with substance use disorders and comorbid psychiatric conditions. Her research has implications for policy, clinical guidelines, and integrated care models.