Yael I. Nillni, PhD

Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Expertise and Interests:

-Impact of trauma and mental health on women's reproductive health, including pregnancy outcomes and postpartum health

-Impact of the menstrual cycle and its underlying neurobiology on PTSD course and treatment

-Identification of gender-specific vulnerability-stress pathways in the pathogenesis of psychopathology

-Refinement of existing interventions to improve their effectiveness for women

Publications

  • Published 4/30/2026

    Barbano AC, Thomas JL, Miller AN, Galovski TE, Stucchi SN, Nillni YI. Differences in Gynecological Health Care Utilization Between Heterosexual and Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Women Veterans. LGBT Health. 2026; 13(4):259-264. PMID: 42060534.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 4/1/2026

    Wesselink AK, Geller RJ, Lovett SM, Nillni YI, Savitz DA, Rothman KJ, Hatch EE, Wise LA. A prospective study of periconceptional perceived stress and rate of miscarriage. Hum Reprod. 2026 Apr 01; 41(4):606-615. PMID: 41677054.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/17/2026

    Kuriyama AS, Lovett SM, Wesselink AK, Kuan KE, Hoffman MN, Nillni YI, Ncube CN, Wise LA, Boynton-Jarrett R. Childhood adversity and spontaneous abortion in a North American preconception cohort study. Am J Epidemiol. 2026 Mar 17; 195(4):982-990. PMID: 41222293.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/1/2026

    Barnes ED, Brown HL, Elansary M, Vogt D, Kulkarni V, Nillni YI. Birth experience partially mediates link between prenatal mental health symptoms and postpartum bonding. Infant Ment Health J. 2026 Mar; 47(2):e70074. PMID: 41560522.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 2/27/2026

    Schildroth S, Claus Henn B, Lovett SM, Wesselink AK, Nillni YI, Heiger-Bernays W, Harmon QE, Vines AI, Baird DD, Wise LA. A prospective study of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), stress, and birth size in a cohort of U.S. Black women. Environ Health. 2026 Feb 27; 25(1). PMID: 41761315.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 78 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Clinical Research Psychologist, National Center for PTSD
    VA Boston Healthcare System

Websites

Education

  • University of Vermont, PhD
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst, BA

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