Molly Waring

Molly Waring, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Connecticut (UConn). Her research program is nationally recognized for its focus on maternal and child health, with a strong emphasis on postpartum weight management, gestational weight gain, and perinatal mental health. Dr. Waring is the founding Chair of the InCHIP Pregnancy & Post-Partum Health Research Interest Group, where she leads interdisciplinary efforts to improve maternal health outcomes through digital health interventions and public health surveillance.

Education: Dr. Waring earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Biology from Harvey Mudd College in 2003. She then pursued graduate studies at Brown University, where she obtained her Master of Arts in Epidemiology in 2007 and her Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology in 2009.

Research Interests: Her work spans several interconnected domains:

• Maternal Health Promotion: Investigating strategies to support healthy weight and mental health during and after pregnancy.
• Digital Health Interventions: Utilizing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and mobile apps to deliver scalable health behavior change programs.
• Public Health Surveillance: Leveraging national datasets such as NHANES and HINTS to understand trends in women’s health and healthcare utilization.
• Health Information Seeking: Examining how mothers and perinatal individuals access and evaluate health information online.

Research Trends: Dr. Waring’s recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on digital health delivery, particularly through social media and mobile platforms. Her work addresses pressing public health issues such as gestational diabetes, food insecurity, maternal mental health, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on preventive care access. A recurring theme is the integration of behavioral science with technology to create equitable, scalable interventions.

Scientific Contributions: While specific awards are not listed, Dr. Waring has led multiple grant-funded projects and serves as a lead statistical scientist on collaborative studies. Her role as a methodologist highlights her expertise in complex data analysis, particularly in studies involving digital recruitment and intervention delivery.

Mentorship and Leadership: Dr. Waring actively mentors both graduate and undergraduate students, fostering the next generation of public health researchers. She is also the founding Chair of the InCHIP Pregnancy & Post-Partum Health Research Interest Group, a role that underscores her leadership in maternal health research at UConn.