Tiffany A. Moore Simas, MD, MPH, MEd, FACOG
The Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Population & Quantitative Health Sciences
Founding Director of the Ob/Gyn Research Division
Director Resident Research Programs
As a physician-scientist, Dr. Moore Simas has a federally funded research portfolio and has served/serves on several national advisory boards and expert work groups including co-chair of the American College of Ob/Gyn Maternal Mental Health Expert Work Group. Her academic achievements have led to over 100 peer reviewed publications, book chapters and national presentations, in addition to national awards.
Gestational Diabetes Research
Early in her career, Dr. Moore Simas focused on angiogenic biomarkers and gestational weight gain. She was inspired by a talk by Dr. Silvia Corvera, whose UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence research laboratory is studying the role(s) of adipose tissue in both type 2 and gestational diabetes. These interests came together for her in the operating room when looking at the physical difference between subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue in women with and without diabetes in pregnancy. This led to collaborative work between Dr. Moore Simas and Dr. Corvera that was published in the November 2020 Science Translational Medicine. The study outlines a new role for a protein commonly screened for during pregnancy that they linked to gestational diabetes. It has translational potential as both a diagnostic tool and therapeutic target.
PAPPA-mediated adipose tissue remodeling mitigates insulin resistance and protects against gestational diabetes in mice and humans
Rojas-Rodriguez R, Ziegler R, DeSouza T, Majid S, Madore AS, Amir N, Pace VA, Nachreiner D, Alfego D, Mathew J, Leung K, Moore Simas TA, Corvera S.
Sci Transl Med. 2020 Nov 25;12(571):eaay4145. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aay4145. PMID: 33239385
Other Diabetes Related Peer-Reviewed Publications
Weight gain in early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus among Latinas Moore Simas TA, Waring ME, Callaghan K*, Leung K, Ward Harvey M, Buabbud A*, Chasan-Taber L. Diabetes Metab. 2017 Nov. 9. pii: S1262-3636(17)30546-3. doi: 10.1016/j.diabet.2017.10.006. PMID: 29129541.
Human adipose tissue expansion in pregnancy is impaired in gestational diabetes mellitus Rojas-Rodriguez R, Lifshitz LM, Bellve KD, Min SY, Pires J, Leung K, Boeras C, Sert A, Draper JT, Corvera S, Moore Simas TA. Diabetologia. 2015 Sep;58(9):2106-14. doi: 10.1007/s00125-015-3662-0. Epub 2015 Jun 13. PMID: 26067361
Current Diet Quality in Relation to History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among Childbearing Women Xiao RS*, Simas TA, Person SD, Goldberg RJ, Waring ME., NHANES 2007-2010. Prev Chronic Dis 2015;12:140360. PMID: 25719215.
Postpartum Diabetes Prevention Program for Hispanic Women with Abnormal Glucose Tolerance in Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial – Study Protocol Chasan-Taber L, Marcus BH, Rosal MC Tucker KL, Hartman SJ, Pekow P, Braun B, Moore Simas TA, Solomon CG, Manson JE, Markenson G. Estudio Parto. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.: 2014 Mar 10;14:100. PMID: 24606590.
Cigarette smoking and gestational diabetes mellitus in Hispanic woman Moore Simas TA, Szegda KL, Liao X, Pekow P, Markenson G, Chasan-Taber L. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2014 Jul;105(1):126-34. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2014.04.026. Epub 2014 May 9. PMID: 24857814
The Roles of Adipose Tissue and Inflammation in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Simas TAM, Corvera S (2014). Intern Med S6:010. doi: 10.4172/2165-8048.S6-010.
Grant Funded Diabetes Studies
GCD59 ELISA, A Screening Assay for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Funded by Mellitus, LLC
A quantitative in vitro ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for measurement of GCD59 levels in human plasma. The assay is indicated for use in screening nondiabetic women with singleton pregnancy for GDM during the 24 week to 28 week. The objective of the clinical study is to establish the cut-off value of the Mellitus GCD59 ELISA.
A Randomized Trial of a Postpartum Diabetes Prevention Program for Hispanic Women
Funded by the NIH/NIDDK
This five year study tested the effects of a culturally and linguistically modified, individually tailored lifestyle intervention among Hispanic women diagnosed with abnormal glucose tolerance in pregnancy.
The Role of PAPP-A and the Adipose Tissue IGFBP-IGF Axis in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Funded by the Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research
Examined the role of IGFBP5 and its protease PAPP-A in adipose tissue growth in pregnancy, and their possible etiologic role in the development of GDM.
Pregnancy & Postpartum Observational Dietary study (PPODS)/ Gestational Diabetes Mellitus & Adipose Tissue Function (GEDMAT)
Funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH)
Focused on weight gain and postpartum weight as relates to dietary composition and role of adipose tissue function in development of gestational diabetes.
Soy Protein and Isoflavone Supplementation for Improved Glucose Metabolism and Lipid Profiles in Pregnant Women at High Risk for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Funded by the UMass Chan CTSA Life Sciences Moment Fund
Randomized control trial of 25 g isolated milk protein (IMP) or 25 g isolated soy protein with 75 mg isoflavones (ISP+ISO) from the 16th gestational week to birth for gestational diabetes prevention in high risk women.