Irina Burd

Dr. Irina Burd is the Sylvan Frieman, MD Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Maryland. With clinical expertise in high-risk pregnancy conditions and fetal brain development, she combines translational research with leadership in national women's health initiatives.

• BA in Biology, Rutgers University (1995)
• MD/PhD, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (2003)
• Residency, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (2007)
• Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania (2010)

Her research focuses on fetal programming through intrauterine inflammation and infection, particularly examining neuroimmune mechanisms in perinatal brain injury. Current work explores Zika virus pathogenesis and nanomedicine approaches for preterm birth prevention.

Selected publications reveal expertise in IL-1β signaling, P2X7 receptor antagonism, and CD8+ T cell immunomodulation, with 20+ years of NIH funding and leadership in NICHD study sections. Awards include the Passano Foundation Clinician Scientist Award and election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation (2023).

• Founded Fetal Neurosonology program at Johns Hopkins
• Secured NIH funding for Zika virus research (R01HD097608)
• Lead investigator for nanomedicine preterm birth studies (R01HD1031240)
• Principal Investigator, Healthy Brain and Child Development Consortium (U01DA055350)