A strategic agreement between MWRIF and Pitt Medicine will advance women’s and infants’ health research

Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation (MWRIF) and the University of Pittsburgh have reached a new strategic agreement to advance both institutions' growth and continued excellence in women's and infants' health research and education.

Effective July 1, the University will assume responsibility for all research components of MWRIF and its grant activities. This will include all new and competitive sponsored project proposals, extramural grant management, regulatory compliance, and associated research costs and expenses. It will also give the institute full access to the University's robust information technology network and expansive suite of biomedical research resources and infrastructures. Current MWRIF sponsored research with project periods expiring after July 1 will be transferred to the University pending approval by the requisite sponsors. Pitt will also welcome eligible MWRIF employees into the University community.

"This exciting new agreement will spur and accelerate synergistic advancement of scientific discovery, education, mentoring, leadership development, recruitment, innovation and multidisciplinary partnerships and collaborations across MWRIF, the University and UPMC. In so doing, it will further strengthen our existing national and global leadership in women's health research," said Anantha Shekhar, Pitt's senior vice chancellor for health sciences and John and Gertrude Petersen Dean of the School of Medicine, in a June 26 announcement.

Pamela Moalli, a global physician-scientist leader in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery who has served as interim executive and scientific director of MWRIF since 2024, has been named the institute's scientific director. In this role, she will continue to serve on the dean's research cabinet and within the senior leadership of related investigative activities in women's health research conducted at Pitt.

In March, Moalli received the prestigious Society of Gynecologic Surgeons Distinguished Surgeon Award, an annual lifetime achievement honor reflecting exceptional surgical skill, dedication to advancing the field and profound impact made through guidance and mentorship.

She directs the Translational Research Laboratories in Urogynecology, an interdisciplinary research program integrating engineering, biomaterials science, immunology and regenerative medicine to improve outcomes for women with pelvic floor disorders. Her research has been supported by more than $20 million in federal, foundation and industry funding, including multiple National Institutes of Health R01 awards and multi-institutional translational research initiatives, with additional high-impact federal funding currently under review.

Moalli has significantly advanced understanding of the pathogenesis of synthetic mesh complications - work that has informed device safety evaluation and clinical care worldwide - and has driven development of next-generation regenerative biomaterials and biofabricated vaginal tissue constructs. Her laboratory also investigates mechanisms of maternal birth injury and long-term pelvic floor degeneration across the female lifespan.

She has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and multiple book chapters and serves as a regular NIH study section reviewer. She also holds national leadership roles within major professional organizations and research registries and was elected to the highly prestigious Association of American Physicians. She has also received numerous national honors recognizing clinical excellence, mentorship and interdisciplinary team science.

As an institutional leader, Moalli is deeply committed to workforce development in women's health research. She has created innovative educational pathways to support physician-scientist training and leads institutional initiatives designed to expand the translational research pipeline, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerate innovation in women's health.

Moalli completed the NIH Medical Scientist Training Program at Northwestern University, earning MD and PhD degrees in molecular and cellular biology. She completed residency and subspecialty fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh.