Jeanne Ruiz

The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing
1700 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78701-1499

NUR 5.131 (office location)
NUR 3.410 (office location)
512 471-8208 (office phone)
512 232-1131 (office phone)

Email Jeanne Ruiz

Biography

Dr. Ruiz is an associate professor at the University of Texas School of Nursing and director of the biobehavioral laboratory. In addition, Dr. Ruiz a clinically active women’s health nurse practitioner, working with high-risk obstetrical patients.

The broader area of Dr. Ruiz’s research is the effect of chronic stress in women, particularly in pregnancy. The more specific focus of research is prediction and prevention of premature birth. Interventions with multiple gestations have been tested with established outcomes. Dissertation and doctoral work has involved establishment of biological markers to more accurately identify women at risk for premature birth with pregnancies carrying one baby. Currently funded work will determine how stress affects birth outcomes and test interventions to decrease stress and promote healthier lifestyles as well as follow infants of mothers with activation of the physiological stress response. The program of research strongly examines ethnic disparities in relationship to birth outcomes, particularly in relationship to the Hispanic Paradox and the acculturation paradox.