In the expanding field of femtech, a place where science and innovation converge to address women's health challenges, few voices are as influential as Dr. Jennifer L. Barkin's. A biostatistician by training and a researcher and professor by vocation, Barkin has dedicated her career to advancing maternal mental health, especially postpartum health, something that is often overlooked within society and the healthcare realm. Her reputable work in postpartum functioning has left its mark in the field of maternal mental health.
Barkin's journey began at a renowned university in Pittsburgh, where she had just completed her Master's degree in biostatistics and joined the Epidemiology Data Center as an analyst. Her first assignment was in treatment-resistant depression, which was a discussion she was naturally drawn to in the mental health space. But it was a conversation with her mentor, a well-known reproductive psychiatrist, that would set her on a path that continues to define her career to this day.
"She told me, 'We've got a lot of instruments that measure depression and anxiety, but what we don't have is something that measures postpartum functioning.' That was an eye-opening moment for me, I didn't realize that gap existed before," Barkin shares.
And that gap became Barkin's calling. Together, they set out to create what is now known as the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF), a proprietary assessment tool designed to evaluate how mothers are coping in the postpartum period.
Where traditional depression screeners could lack, the Barkin Index offers a more nuanced lens, capturing the daily realities of maternal adjustment, ones that lie in trouble sleeping, bonding with the baby, coping strategies, and the ability to care for both baby and themselves concurrently.
While Barkin began the initiative as an academic interest, it soon evolved into something far larger. With incoming copyrights and licensing protections, Barkin realized that she now had unexpected doors into the commercial sector. The turning point came when a biopharmaceutical company developed a hormone-based treatment for postpartum depression, and the Barkin Index was licensed for use in their clinical trials.
"That was truly a happy surprise," Barkin shares. "It gave the work an entrepreneurial spin, and it was incredibly validating to see it used beyond the academic setting, in real-world applications that could change lives."
Today, the Barkin Index continues to influence both research and clinical practice. But for Barkin, that influence doesn't lie in the number of trials, but in the very real difference it makes for mothers who often struggle in silence. "We need to work to optimize daily functioning in the postpartum, in addition to monitoring symptoms of depression and anxiety. These assessments complement each other," Barkin insists.
"The most meaningful part of this endeavor has been in knowing that it has given women a voice," she says. "It has allowed us to ask not only 'Are you depressed?' but also, 'How are you really doing? Are you managing? Are you connecting?' Those questions matter."
Beyond her research, Barkin is a strong advocate for women entering the femtech space. Realizing the daunting nature of the industry, she acknowledges that the landscape can often come with challenges for women balancing personal and professional responsibilities. "If you gain some influence and achieve some level of success, you will have supporters, but you will also have detractors, and you should be prepared for that," she shares. "The key is in maintaining your self-confidence, identity, and purpose. I won't say that this is easy, but it is certainly worthwhile."
Reflecting through her own career moments, Barkin's advice for female inventors, scientists, and entrepreneurs is practical: "Don't underestimate the value of your lived experience. Some of the best innovations in femtech have come from women who have gone through challenges they deemed impossible, and thought, 'There has to be a better way to support women.' If you're in the field, channel that perspective into your work, and fight for it. Those challenges are an advantage and promote authenticity."
As the femtech landscape grows, Barkin's career and achievements underscore the importance of grounding innovation in empathy and evidence. Her work reminds practitioners and entrepreneurs alike that development in women's health is more than technology, but rather the lives transformed and improved in the process.
"Motherhood is demanding, and it doesn't come with a manual," Barkin reflects. "If we can create tools, treatments, and systems that make women feel supported, truly supported, then advancing in healthcare is only part of the benefit. We're investing in stronger families, healthier communities, and a future where women don't have to choose between surviving and thriving."
And through the Barkin Index and her fierce advocacy, Barkin continues on her mission to ensure that postpartum functioning is optimized and maintained for as many women as possible.
