At the annual meeting of the Preterm Birth International Collaborative (PREBIC; www.PREBICGLOBAL.org) North American Branch, held October 17–19, 2022, in Galveston, Texas, USA, a group of young investigators convened. They gathered and voiced concern that there is critical need for a platform whereby young research scientists and clinicians can present their research progress and significant achievements. Following this initial gathering, a virtual symposium, hosted by the PREBIC Australasia Branch was dedicated to the Youth Forum on December 17, 2022.

Today, we are excited to announce the launch of a new initiative, the Young Investigator Corner (YIC), of Placenta and Reproductive Medicine (PRM). This youth forum will serve as a mechanism to highlight novel research from young scientists and clinicians in the areas of maternal and fetal health.

This section of PRM aims to help young scientists exchange knowledge and increase the visibility of their findings with experts in the field of reproductive biology, gynecology, and obstetrics. Within this section, young investigators are expected to lead the publications, either as first or corresponding authors, regardless of whether they are in the early or intermediate stages of their research careers. With this new initiative, we wish to strengthen the networking of young investigators in the field, enhance the visibility of their work, and help pave the way for the later stages of their research careers.

This first edition of the Young Investigator Corner features six chosen articles highlighting international work from North America, South America, Asia, and Europe, and covering a range of topics including intrauterine tissue physiology, regulation of the vaginal microbiome, placental function, and single-cell transcriptomics.

We encourage undergraduates, graduate and medical students, post-doctoral fellows, and young investigators participate. We hope they contribute to the section by sharing findings, thoughts and collective young wisdom with the research and clinical community. This targeted platform is aimed at promoting young investigators’ work and stimulating future collaborations. We look forward to working with each of you as we contribute together to the success of PRM and our research and clinical community.

DECLARATIONS

Conflict of interest

Nanbert Zhong and Chong Qiao are the Editors-in-Chief of the journal. Lauren Richardson is the Editorial Board Member of the journal. Elizabeth A. Bonney is the current president of PREBIC. The article was subject to the journal’s standard procedures.