Researcher profile

Caitlin E. Martin

I am a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, addiction medicine provider and physician scientist with specialization in the intersection between substance use disorder (SUD) treatments, sex, clinical co-morbidities, and biopsychosocial factors. At VCU, I am the Clinical Director of the OB MOTIVATE (perinatal addiction) program for pregnant and parenting women with SUD. Simultaneously as a physician scientist with the VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, the overall aim of my research is to elucidate how biopsychosocial factors, such as pregnancy/postpartum, intersect with neurofunction and sex to impact recovery trajectories of people receiving SUD treatment. In doing so, I advocate for a team science approach to the integration of the clinical context into studies and trials of emerging pharmacological and behavioral SUD treatments. My teams are creating a strong foundation for the advancement of precision medicine in SUD by focusing on how to rigorously collect data in the clinic and then effectively equip providers in how to apply data findings in the assignment of treatment components tailored to the unique needs of the individual patient. I have been developing a record of accomplished and productive research in an area of high relevance for the field of addictions over the past 10 years as seen by my over 90 publications in these intersecting areas and current funding with the National Institute on Drug Abuse.