Mary Dawn Koenig, PhD, RN, CNM, FACNM, FAWHONN
Director, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program
Associate Professor
Department of Human Development Nursing Science
Pronouns: She, her, hers
Contact
Building & Room:
College of Nursing Room 838
Address:
845 S. Damen Ave., MC 802, Chicago, IL 60612
Office Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Related Sites:
About
For over 16 years, I have been at the forefront of maternal and child health research, specializing in maternal obesity, perinatal nutrition, and iron metabolism. As a leading researcher, scholar, and innovator in this field, my work explores the complex, bidirectional relationship between nutritional status and the body’s immune and inflammatory responses.
I develop and test cutting-edge, safe, and effective interventions to optimize nutrition in pregnancies complicated by obesity, with a particular focus on improving iron bioavailability and cardiometabolic health. My research has advanced the understanding of nutrient metabolism in pregnancy, shaping prenatal care practices in the U.S. and globally. The therapies I have developed are designed to enhance maternal and fetal iron bioavailability, with the ultimate goal of transforming clinical standards for iron supplementation. By preventing iron deficiency and improving overall maternal and child health, my work is driving critical advancements in care, particularly for pregnancies complicated by obesity and inflammation.
Currently accepting PhD students
Selected Grants
R01DK136085 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), A pilot study of time- restricted eating among pregnant females with severe obesity, Multiple Primary Investigator
R34HL155481 National Heart, Lung, and, Blood Institute (NHLBI), Feasibility of oral lactoferrin to prevent iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy, Multiple Primary Investigator (contact)
U54 MD012523 Subaward #088917 National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), Mitigating the effects of structural violence on maternal iron status: a randomized controlled pilot study of probiotic supplementation in at-risk pregnant Black women, Primary Investigator
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), Nurse Faculty Scholars Program (Grant #72117), Obesity in Pregnancy: Iron Dysregulation in Mother and Fetus, Primary Investigator
Selected Publications
Erbe, K., Papautsky, E. L., Liese, K., Park, C., Rutherford, J., Tussing-Humphreys, L., Li, Y., Sawatpanich, A., & Koenig, M. D. (2025). Patient-Provider Prenatal Nutrition Conversations Using a Human Factors Approach. Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN, S0884-2175(25)00005-X. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2025.01.001
Adlam, K., Koenig, M. D., Patil, C. L., Steffen, A., Salih, S., Kramer, W., & Hershberger, P. E. (2025). Oocyte donors’ physical outcomes and psychosocial experiences: a mixed-methods study. Fertility and sterility, S0015-0282(24)02451-8. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2024.12.019
Erbe, K., Liese, K., Tussing-Humphreys, L., Papautsky, E. L., Rutherford, J., & Koenig, M. D. (2025). Midwives’ and Obstetric Physicians’ Practices Related to Pregnancy Nutrition Counseling: A Scoping Review. Journal of midwifery & women’s health, 70(1), 61–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13661
Li, Y., Liese, K. L., Pezley, L., Sawatpanich, A., Elam, G., Erbe, K., Tussing-Humphreys, L., & Koenig, M. D. (2024). Perinatal Care Provider Perspectives on Integrating Clinical Research Into the Clinical Infrastructure. Journal of midwifery & women’s health, 10.1111/jmwh.13703. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13703
Burton, T. C. J., Crooks, N., Pezley, L., Hemphill, N. O., Li, Y., Sawatpanich, A., Farrow, V., Erbe, K., Kessee, N., Reed, L., Tussing-Humphreys, L., & Koenig, M. D. (2024). Food Choice and Dietary Perspectives of Young, Urban, Black Pregnant Women: A Focus Group Study. Nutrients, 16(6), 781. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060781
Koenig, M. D., Crooks, N., Burton, T., Li, Y., Hemphill, N. O., Erbe, K., Rutherford, J. N., Liese, K. L., Pearson, P., Stewart, K., Kessee, N., Gondwe, K. W., Reed, L., & Tussing-Humphreys, L. (2024). Structural Violence and Stress Experiences of Young Pregnant Black People. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 11(4), 1918–1932. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-023-01661-y
Oddo, V. M., Moise, C., Welke, L., Bernabé, B. P., Maki, P., Koenig, M. D., Pezley, L., Xia, Y., & Tussing-Humphreys, L. (2023). Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Depressive Symptoms among a Nationally Representative Sample of Pregnant Women in the United States. The Journal of nutrition, 153(10), 3041–3048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.08.022
Ustick, J., Chakos, K., Jia, H., Hanneke, R., DiPiazza, B., Koenig, M. D., Ma, J., Man, B., Tussing-Humphreys, L., & Burton, T. C. J. (2023). Associations between plant-based diets, plant foods and botanical supplements with gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review protocol. BMJ open, 13(3), e068829. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068829
OjiNjideka Hemphill, N., Pezley, L., Steffen, A., Elam, G., Kominiarek, M. A., Odoms-Young, A., Kessee, N., Hamm, A., Tussing-Humphreys, L., & Koenig, M. D. (2023). Feasibility Study of Lactobacillus Plantarum 299v Probiotic Supplementation in an Urban Academic Facility among Diverse Pregnant Individuals. Nutrients, 15(4), 875. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15040875
OjiNjideka Hemphill, N., Crooks, N., Zhang, W., Fitter, F., Erbe, K., Rutherford, J. N., Liese, K. L., Pearson, P., Stewart, K., Kessee, N., Reed, L., Tussing-Humphreys, L., & Koenig, M. D. (2023). Obstetric experiences of young black mothers: An intersectional perspective. Social science & medicine (1982), 317, 115604. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115604
Publication Aggregators
Service to Community
2023 NewMoms, Community Liaison
2016-2017 March of Dimes, Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait, University of Illinois Hospital, Community Advisory Board
2014-2017 Illinois Chapter March of Dimes, Health Leadership Awards, Committee Member
2013 UIC College Prep High School, Volunteer Mentor
Professional Leadership
Board of Directors, Member, Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
Editorial Board Member, MCN, The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing
Notable Honors
2025, Senior Career Award, Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS), Perinatal, Sexual, and Reproductive Health Research and Implementation Interest Group
2024, Award of Excellence in Teaching, American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM)
2024, Fellow, Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
2022, Fellow, American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
2014, DAISY Faculty Award for Teaching, DAISY Foundation
2013, New Investigator Award, Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS), Women's Health and Transitions in Childbearing Research Section
2014, Jonas Salk Award for Research, March of Dimes
2013-2015, Faculty Scholar, Irving Harris Foundation
Education
2010 National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research, Summer Genetics Institute
2008-2010 Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California San Francisco, Nurse Research Training in Symptom Management (T32 NR07088). Role: Postdoctoral Fellow
2002-2008 PhD, Nursing Science, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, Research on Vulnerable Women, Children, and Families (T32 NR007100). Role: Predoctoral Fellow
2000-2002 MSN, Nurse-Midwifery, Yale University, School of Nursing
1992-1996 BSN, Nursing, McMaster University, School of Nursing
Licensures and Certifications
Registered Nurse, Illinois, License No. 041.389528
Certified, Nurse Midwife, AMCB Certification No. 10861
Selected Presentations
Koenig, M.D. (2024). The irony of iron supplementation in pregnancy complicated by inflammation. Podium presentation. Spark Talks University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, April 3, 2024.
Koenig, M.D. & Crooks, N. (2022). Obstetric experiences of young Black mothers: an intersectional perspective. Podium presentation. 67th ACNM Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Chicago, IL, May 22, 2022.
Research Currently in Progress
R01DK136085 A pilot study of time-restricted eating among pregnant females with severe obesity, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases