Interview with: Constance Mara, PhD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Constance Mara, PhD, has been an ISOQOL member for many years. She is active and engaged with the Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes (JPRO), serving as an Associate Editor since July 2024.
In an interview with QualityTALK, the Associate Editor talks about her experience with the Society and lets members get to know her better.
Can you tell a little about your journey to becoming an Associate Editor?
Constance Mara (CM): My path to becoming an Associate Editor has been shaped by my deep engagement in psychometrics, measurement, and health related quality of life (HRQL) research. Over the years, I have contributed to several publications focused on pediatric pain, behavioral health outcomes research, and assessment development, which have honed my expertise in measurement science. My involvement in reviewing and editing manuscripts naturally led to this role, allowing me to support rigorous and innovative research in the field.
What does serving as an Associate Editor mean to you?
CM: Serving as an Associate Editor is both an honor and a responsibility. I see it as an opportunity to help shape the field by ensuring that high-quality, methodologically sound research reaches our community. It also allows me to mentor and support authors, particularly early-career researchers, by providing constructive feedback that strengthens their work.
How long have you been a member of ISOQOL and why did you join?
CM: I have been a member of ISOQOL for several years. I initially joined after attending the inaugural PROMIS Health Organization Internation Conference in 2015 as a way to connect with other researchers in the field of quality-of-life measurement, as my work frequently intersects with patient-reported outcomes, psychometrics, and statistical methodologies. ISOQOL’s commitment to advancing HRQL research and fostering collaboration made it a natural fit for me.
What is your favorite thing about ISOQOL?
CM: One of my favorite aspects of ISOQOL is its multidisciplinary nature. The society brings together researchers, clinicians, and methodologists, creating a rich environment for collaboration. I appreciate the emphasis on methodological rigor while keeping patient-centered outcomes at the core of our work.
What would you say to other professionals who may be considering becoming an ISOQOL member?
CM: If you are involved in any aspect of HRQL research—whether in measurement development, clinical applications, or policy—ISOQOL offers an invaluable network. The society provides access to cutting-edge research, mentorship opportunities, and a welcoming community that is eager to share knowledge and collaborate.
What member benefits do you value and use the most?
CM: I particularly value the access to ISOQOL’s conferences, Special Interest Groups (SIGs), and journal resources. The annual meeting is a highlight, offering opportunities to engage in thought-provoking discussions, attend workshops, and collaborate with others in the field. The SIGs also provide a focused space to delve into specific research areas.
What do you love most about HRQL research?
CM: HRQL research bridges methodological innovation with real-world impact. I find it rewarding to work on projects that improve the measurement of patient outcomes and ultimately contribute to better healthcare outcomes. Understanding how people perceive their own well-being and functioning is crucial in developing effective interventions.
What’s your biggest (or one of your biggest) professional accomplishment(s) so far?
CM: One of my proudest professional accomplishments has been my contributions to advancing measurement science in pediatric pain and behavioral health. I have been involved in developing and validating measures that are now being used to assess important constructs in clinical and research settings.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
CM: One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is: “Build a career that aligns with your strengths, but don’t be afraid to pivot.” Academic careers evolve, and staying flexible has allowed me to pursue opportunities in both research and leadership roles.
What’s one thing you learned in the last month?
CM: Recently, I’ve been exploring how AI can enhance my research and PRO measurement more broadly. AI-driven approaches can help to improve measurement precision, reduce respondent burden, and enhance cross-cultural validity. These innovations have the potential to streamline measure development, make PROs more responsive, and ultimately improve the way we capture patient experiences in both research and clinical settings.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
CM: Not many people know that I have a background in horseback riding! It has been a lifelong passion. While I don’t ride as often as I’d like these days, it remains an important part of who I am and I have been introducing my kids to the sport.
What’s one of your favorite ISOQOL memories?
CM: One of my favorite ISOQOL memories is attending my first in-person annual meeting and realizing how supportive and collaborative the community is. I was able to meet so many like-minded researchers and those whose work I had long admired and engage in discussions that sparked new ideas for my own research.
Is there anything else you would like to share with ISOQOL membership (e.g., current projects you are working on)?
CM: I am currently developing a questionnaire to measure eating and feeding behaviors in young children (6–36 months) and their caregivers, leveraging AI to enhance the process of PRO development. We have been using AI-driven natural language processing (NLP) to analyze qualitative interview data, helping to refine item wording for clarity, cultural relevance, and readability. NLP has also helped us in identifying common themes in expert and caregiver responses to ensure the items capture the full range of feeding behaviors in this age group. It has been exciting to learn from these families while integrating this emerging technology into the project – adapting and learning as we go!
This newsletter editorial represents the views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ISOQOL.
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The International Society for Quality of Life Research (ISOQOL) is a global community of researchers, clinicians, health care professionals, industry professionals, consultants, and patient research partners advancing health related quality of life research (HRQL).
Together, we are creating a future in which patient perspective is integral to health research, care and policy.