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Martha Welch, MD, Psychiatry, New York, NY

MarthaGWelchMD

Psychiatry New York, NY

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Professor of Psychiatry (In Pediatrics and In Pathology & Cell Biology) Columbia University Medical Center Distinguished Fellow of American Psychiatric Association

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  • Office

    Columbia University Medical Center
    51 Audubon Ave, Ste. 100
    New York, NY 10032
    Phone+1 212-342-4400

Summary

  • Martha G. Welch, M.D. is Director of the Nurture Science Program and Director of the BrainGut Initiative in Developmental Neuroscience. She is also a Professor of Psychiatry in Pediatrics and Pathology & Cell Biology at Columbia University Medical Center. She has been a pioneer in the research and treatment of emotional, behavioral and developmental disorders for more than 40 years. Her clinical insights have led her to challenge some of the longest-held assumptions in science about the origin and control of behavior and emotions. Currently, Dr. Welch is leading a team of multidisciplinary researchers to provide a new scientific understanding of the biological underpinnings of family emotional connection.

Education & Training

  • Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine
    Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of MedicineFellowship, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1974 - 1977
  • Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine
    Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of MedicineResidency, Psychiatry, 1972 - 1974
  • Greenwich Hospital
    Greenwich HospitalInternship, Transitional Year, 1971 - 1972
  • Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
    Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsClass of 1971
  • New York University
    New York UniversityPost Baccalaureate Studies, 1966 - 1967
  • New York University, Washington Square College
    New York University, Washington Square CollegeBA, 1964 - 1966
  • Middlebury College
    Middlebury CollegeUndergraduate, French, 1962 - 1964

Certifications & Licensure

  • NY State Medical License
    NY State Medical License 1972 - 2025
  • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Psychiatry

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • DFAPA Distinguished Fellow American Psychiatric Association, 2019
  • Gold Medal for Meritorious Service Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 2014
  • Physicians & Surgeons Alumni Lifetime Learning Award Columbia University Medical Center, 2013
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Clinical Trials

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • Colostrum oxytocin modulates cellular stress response, inflammation and autophagy markers in newborn rat gut villi  
    Welch MG, Kelin,BY, Tamir H, Ludwig RJ, Glickstein SB, Biochem Biophys Res Commun., 5/20/2017
  • Prairie vole pups show potentiated isolation-induced vocalization following isolation from their mother, but not their father  
    Robison W.T., Myers M.M., Hofer M.A., Shair H.N., Welch M.G., Developmental Psychobiology, 1/16/2016
  • Calming cycle theory: The roll of visceral/autonomic learning in early mother and infant/child behaviour and development  
    Welch M.G., Acta Paediatrica, 1/10/2016
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Books/Book Chapters

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Abstracts/Posters

  • Validation of a Relational Screen for Emotional Connection in Preterm Infants.
    Welch, M.G., Hane, A.A., LaCoursiere J.N., Ludwig, R.J., Myers,M.M., Mitsuyama, M., Weinman, S., Browne, J., Pediatric Adademic Societies, San Francisco, CA, 2017
  • Welch Emotional Connection Scale (WECS). Program No. 202019.
    Welch, M.G., Hane, A.A., LaCoursiere J.N., Ludwig, R.J., Myers, M.M., Neuroscience Abstracts, Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, 1/1/2016
  • Maternal potentiation of ultrasonic vocalizations is not a marker of stress.
    Welch, M.G., Hane, A.A., LaCoursiere J.N., Ludwig, R.J., Myers, M.M., Neuroscience Abstracts, Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, 1/1/2016
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Lectures

  • Family Nurture Intervention and effects on physiology in areas important for development of executive function. 
    Karolinska, Stockholm, Sweden - 1/16/2014
  • Implementing FNI in a high acuity NICU. 
    Clearwater Beach, FL - 1/26/2013
  • FNI RCT in the NICU: Why did a small dose get big effects? 
    Clearwater Beach, FL - 1/25/2013
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Press Mentions

  • Parental Support Improves the Brain Development of Prematurely Born Infants
    Parental Support Improves the Brain Development of Prematurely Born InfantsSeptember 28th, 2022
  • Part 2 — the Science of Nurturing and Its Impact on Premature Babies
    Part 2 — the Science of Nurturing and Its Impact on Premature BabiesMay 31st, 2017
  • The Simple Acts of Care That Could Help Heal the Trauma of Premature Birth
    The Simple Acts of Care That Could Help Heal the Trauma of Premature BirthMay 30th, 2017

Grant Support

  • Nurture Science ProgramColumbia University2016–2020
  • Nurture Science ProgramColumbia University2013–2017
  • Nurture Science ProgramColumbia University2013–2016
  • Nurture Science ProgramColumbia University2008–2015
  • Brain-Gut InitiativeColumbia University2012–2013
  • Brain-Gut InitiativeColumbia University2011–2012
  • Brain-Gut InitiativeColumbia University2006–2011
  • Laboratory for Childhood Regulatory DisordersColumbia University2002–2010
  • Laboratory for Imaging and Holding TherapyColumbia University1997–2006

Committees

  • Member, Admissions Committee, Columbia University College of Physicians & 2011 - Present
  • President - Director - Member, Alumni Association, Columbia University, Physicians & Surgeons 1995 - Present
  • Member, Development Committee Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons 2007 - 2011
  • Advisory Board Member, Program Committee Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons 1997 - 2003

Research History

  • Director of Nurture Science Program, CUMCTranslational research program to investigate biology of nurture and provide an evidence base for family nurture intervention in children ages 0-5.2016 - Present
  • Co-Director of Nurture Science Program, CUMCTranslational research program to investigate biological underpinnings of nurture and establish an evidence base for family nurture interventions.2006 - 2016
  • Director of Brain-Gut Initiative, CUMC1997 - 2006

Professional Memberships

Other Languages

  • Spanish, French