Shayesteh Jahanfar

Shayesteh Jahanfar is a Professor in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, with a secondary appointment in Community Health at the Tufts School of Arts and Sciences. As a reproductive epidemiologist with expertise in public health and biostatistics, she directs the Cochrane Affiliate at Tufts and co-directs the Pregnancy and Childbirth US Satellite with Cochrane. Her global research spans reproductive health, maternal-child health, and genetic versus environmental studies across Australia, Malaysia, Canada, and the USA.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (2016)
• Doctor of Philosophy, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (1995)
• Master of Science in Community Health, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia (2009)
• Postdoc Epidemiology and Public Health, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia (2008)

Dr. Jahanfar's research program focuses on reproductive health, maternal-child health, global health, HIV/AIDS, opioid use, and twin studies. She leads WHO-funded projects related to reasons for Cesarean sections, family planning, and assisted vaginal birth, and collaborates with WHO's Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research. Her work with twin studies spans multiple international settings, examining genetic versus environmental influences on health outcomes. She actively develops training materials for Cochrane trainers and promotes evidence-based healthcare practices globally.

Her recent publications (2025) demonstrate a strong focus on women's health issues, particularly reproductive health, maternal outcomes, and interventions during pregnancy and childbirth. Her research combines epidemiological methods with clinical trials and systematic reviews, often with a global health perspective. She frequently collaborates on research in Iran and other international settings, addressing both clinical and social determinants of health. Her work spans from molecular diagnostics in cancer to behavioral interventions in maternal health, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to public health research.

Scientific Awards:

• Equity & Inclusion Fellow (2023)
• Most Stimulating Paper (2019)
• President and Provost's Research Award Nomination (2019)

With over 35 years of teaching experience, Dr. Jahanfar has trained more than 800 clinicians and scientists through over 80 Cochrane workshops worldwide. Her grant portfolio includes multiple WHO-funded projects on family planning, Cesarean sections, and assisted vaginal birth. Under her leadership, Tufts University established a memorandum of understanding with the University of Malaya, facilitating student research projects in Malaysia during Summers 2022-2024. She actively seeks students and researchers to collaborate on Cochrane's work, twin studies, and reproductive health research projects.

Dr. Jahanfar directs the Cochrane Affiliate at Tufts and co-directs the Pregnancy and Childbirth US Satellite. She collaborates with WHO's Maternal and Perinatal Health department, Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, and serves as a consultant for WHO and EMRO. Her global health research initiatives span Australia, Malaysia, Egypt, Iran, Europe, and the Middle East, reflecting her commitment to advancing global health education and research through international partnerships.