The ASCI, a venerable medical honor society with a membership exceeding 3,500 physician-scientists across diverse clinical and research disciplines, serves to promote the integration of laboratory science and clinical medicine. This society’s early-career awards are crafted to acknowledge groundbreaking research accomplishments by investigators at critical stages in their careers and to foster their professional development and immersion within an influential scientific community.

Dr. Semra Etyemez, who holds research associate appointments in both obstetrics and gynecology as well as psychiatry, was awarded the ASCI Emerging-Generation Award. This accolade is bestowed upon promising post-MD researchers who have yet to secure faculty positions but who are deeply engaged in intensive, high-impact investigations. Her work probes the biological substrates underlying perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, an area of profound clinical significance due to the high prevalence and deleterious impact of these conditions on maternal and child health.

In her research, Dr. Etyemez aims to elucidate the complex neurobiological changes occurring during the perinatal period, with a particular focus on identifying reliable biomarkers that could predict or reflect the onset of mood disturbances. This precision approach aspires to pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies that prevent or mitigate perinatal mental illness, a field historically hindered by limited mechanistic understanding. Dr. Etyemez emphasizes how this award highlights the critical importance of advancing perinatal mental health research, which remains an underexplored yet vital domain affecting millions of women worldwide.

Parallel to Dr. Etyemez’s achievements, Dr. Jesse Platt, an assistant professor specializing in gastroenterology and hepatology, received the ASCI Young Physician-Scientist Award. This distinction is reserved for early faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional research accomplishments with strong potential to influence the trajectory of their fields. Dr. Platt’s laboratory investigates the dynamic intracellular organization and protein mobility, fundamental biological processes that govern cellular function and contribute to disease pathogenesis.

His research centers on decoding how cellular architecture modulates molecular interactions, with implications for metabolic diseases and other complex disorders. By dissecting the spatial-temporal behavior of proteins within the cellular milieu, Dr. Platt endeavors to uncover mechanistic insights that may ultimately be harnessed to formulate innovative therapeutic interventions. He notes that receiving this award affirms the impact of his work and invigorates his commitment to scientific exploration during this pivotal stage of his career.

Both scientists are slated to receive their awards at the upcoming ASCI annual meeting in April, an event that convenes leading physician-scientists from across medical disciplines to exchange ideas and foster collaboration. This forum offers an invaluable platform for early-career investigators like Dr. Etyemez and Dr. Platt to engage with esteemed colleagues, broaden their professional networks, and refine their leadership skills through targeted workshops and discussion panels.

Beyond the ceremony, the honorees will participate in ongoing ASCI activities throughout the year, including leadership development programs, mentorship from senior members, and scientific symposia that encourage interdisciplinary dialogue. These opportunities are designed to enhance the careers of emerging physician-scientists by providing access to resources essential for successful navigation of the academic research landscape.

Dr. Etyemez’s research occupies a critical nexus between psychiatry and obstetrics, emphasizing the necessity of understanding the neuroendocrine and molecular mechanisms that modulate maternal mental health. The perinatal period, encompassing pregnancy and the postpartum phase, is marked by profound hormonal fluctuations that impact brain function. Her work strives to translate these biological insights into clinical applications that can improve screening, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for mood and anxiety disorders in this unique patient population.

In contrast, Dr. Platt’s investigations delve into the realm of cell biology with a focus on gastroenterological conditions that pose significant global health burdens. By elucidating how intracellular organization influences disease mechanisms, his findings may revolutionize the conceptual framework guiding the development of therapies for chronic metabolic and liver diseases, among others. His approach exemplifies how fundamental research at the molecular level can culminate in translational breakthroughs with real-world clinical relevance.

Together, these two awardees underscore the breadth and depth of contemporary physician-scientist research at Weill Cornell Medicine. Their work not only advances our biological understanding of complex diseases but also highlights the symbiotic relationship between clinical experience and scientific investigation that propels medical innovation. The acknowledgment by ASCI serves as both a recognition of their past accomplishments and an encouragement for continued pioneering efforts to improve patient outcomes.

As the scientific community anticipates the presentation of these awards, the broader impact of such honors becomes clear: They inspire a new cadre of physician-scientists to pursue investigative careers that bridge bench and bedside. By fostering an environment that supports early-career researchers, organizations like ASCI play a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainability of biomedical discovery and the future of clinical medicine.

In summary, Dr. Semra Etyemez and Dr. Jesse Platt’s recognition by the American Society for Clinical Investigation not only celebrates their individual scientific contributions but also epitomizes the mission of physician-scientist training programs that cultivate leaders dedicated to improving human health through research. Their awarded work in perinatal mental health and cellular mechanisms of disease embodies the transformative potential of early-career investigators in reshaping medical science.

The advancements spearheaded by these researchers highlight critical areas of unmet medical need and promise innovative avenues for therapeutic interventions. Through such distinguished honors, the broader medical community gains both inspiration and affirmation that the future of clinical research is in capable and visionary hands.

Subject of Research: Biological mechanisms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; intracellular protein mobility and its role in disease biology

Article Title: Two Weill Cornell Medicine Physician-Scientists Honored with Prestigious Early-Career Awards from ASCI for 2026

News Publication Date: 2026

Web References:

• Dr. Semra Etyemez: https://vivo.weill.cornell.edu/display/cwid-see4002
• Dr. Jesse Platt: https://vivo.weill.cornell.edu/display/cwid-jep4025

Image Credits: Credit: Weill Cornell Medicine

Keywords: Early career scientists, Psychiatry, Geriatrics, Gastroenterology

Perinatal depression and anxiety represent a substantial public health concern, affecting a significant proportion of individuals during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. Yet, despite their prevalence, treatment to full remission remains elusive for as few as 20% of these patients. Traditional approaches to mental health care often rely on episodic clinical impressions rather than continuous, quantitative symptom tracking, which can limit the precision and responsiveness of treatment plans. This study sought to evaluate whether embedding electronic measurement tools into routine clinical practice could enhance the management of perinatal mood disorders.

The study enrolled 42 participants, all perinatal people who scored 13 or higher on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), an established screening tool identifying likely cases of perinatal depression. These individuals were randomized evenly to receive either the novel eMBC intervention or usual care over a span of 12 weeks post-randomization. The core of the intervention involved regular administration of standardized symptom and functioning scales within the EHR system, presented at each clinical visit to facilitate informed discussion and treatment adjustment.

Importantly, the primary focus of the trial was feasibility rather than efficacy. Researchers prioritized assessing recruitment capacity, acceptability to patients and providers, and adherence to the trial protocol. These foundational parameters are critical for determining whether a larger, fully powered clinical trial could be realistically undertaken and whether the intervention would integrate smoothly into clinical workflows without imposing undue burden.

Results showed promising signs of feasibility. Recruitment rates demonstrated sufficient interest and willingness to engage with digital measurement tools. Among 42 enrolled participants, 76.2% completed the follow-up questionnaires, indicating acceptable engagement over the trial duration. Impressively, 87.5% of clinical encounters included at least one completed symptom scale. However, only about two-thirds (68.8%) of encounters documented a discussion between provider and participant regarding these measurements, highlighting an area ripe for enhancement in provider training or system prompts to encourage utilization of collected data.

Both participants and health care providers reported good acceptability of the eMBC protocol, citing its potential to clarify symptom trajectories and provide objective data to supplement clinical judgment. Nonetheless, constructive feedback revealed opportunities for refining the interface and the clinical integration to better support patient-provider communication and shared decision-making processes. These insights will inform minor modifications ahead of any larger efficacy trial.

Preliminary clinical outcome data suggested non-significant trends favoring the eMBC group, with marginally lower scores on both the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) at 12 weeks post-randomization. Although these differences did not reach statistical significance—understandable given the pilot nature and small sample size—the directional findings provide a tantalizing hint of clinical potential warranting further exploration.

From a technical standpoint, the integration of digital scales into the EHR represents a sophisticated advance in mental health informatics. The system captured standardized symptom metrics longitudinally, enabling clinicians to visualize symptom changes over time alongside treatment modifications. This capability may address a critical gap in perinatal mental health care where symptom fluctuations can be rapid, nuanced, and challenging to capture accurately in typical episodic visits.

Moreover, embedding MBC directly into clinical workflows ensures that data collection is streamlined and less prone to the fragmentation or attrition that can occur with separate digital applications. The seamless interface within the clinician’s existing EHR environment minimizes disruption and leverages familiar platforms, which may enhance adoption and sustainability in routine care settings.

The trial also underscored the importance of provider engagement with measurement data. Despite high rates of scale completion, discussions referencing these results were absent in nearly one-third of visits. This gap suggests that technology alone is insufficient; successful digital mental health interventions must be coupled with targeted provider education, clinical prompts, or automated alerts to translate data into actionable care modifications.

Importantly, the eMBC model aligns with the broader shift towards precision medicine and patient-centered care in psychiatry. By systematically measuring symptom burden and functional impairment, treatment plans can be tailored dynamically rather than relying on static, impressionistic assessments. This iterative feedback loop holds promise for optimizing outcomes not only in perinatal populations but across diverse mental health conditions.

Given the complexity of perinatal mental health, characterized by unique biological, psychological, and social dynamics during pregnancy and postpartum, innovative tools such as eMBC may revolutionize how care is delivered. Early identification of symptom exacerbations and timely treatment adjustments could mitigate the profound impacts of maternal mental illness on both parent and child.

The investigators advocate for a larger randomized controlled trial with minor protocol refinements to rigorously assess the clinical efficacy of eMBC. If subsequent trials demonstrate meaningful improvements in depression and anxiety remission rates, this EHR-integrated intervention could become a scalable model adopted by perinatal care providers globally.

In an increasingly digital medical landscape, the study exemplifies how thoughtfully designed technological interventions can bridge gaps in mental health care access and quality. While initial findings are preliminary, they illuminate a pathway towards smarter, evidence-based treatment strategies that empower providers and patients alike through real-time data and collaborative care.

As healthcare systems strive to reduce the burden of perinatal mental illness, this pilot study offers a compelling proof-of-concept for electronic measurement-based care embedded within routine clinical practice, heralding a new frontier in maternal mental health treatment.

Subject of Research: Measurement-based care for perinatal depression and anxiety using an electronic health record-integrated intervention.

Article Title: Electronic Measurement-based care (eMBC) for perinatal depression and anxiety: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Article References:
Askari, N., Gupta, R., Hussain-Shamsy, N. et al. Electronic Measurement-based care (eMBC) for perinatal depression and anxiety: a pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry 25, 437 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06876-3

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06876-3