Oana Marian is a postdoctoral researcher in the Pregnancy Loss Research Group, INFANT Centre at University College Cork, within Cork University Maternity Hospital. In this role, she focuses on the translation of research about pregnancy and infant loss into practical resources for medical professionals and the public.

Oana’s academic background is in theology, poetry, and theopoetics, with practical experience in arts institutions and healthcare chaplaincy. Her doctoral work explored possibilities for collective healing at the intersection of contemporary poetry and critical feminist theology in Ireland.

Career Background

Between undergraduate and postgraduate study, Oana worked in Bucharest, New York, and Los Angeles as a filmmaker, writer, translator, and photographer. She works periodically with institutions as a creative neurodiversity consultant and as a trauma-informed facilitator of grief work for groups and individuals. Literary and visual art practices continue to shape her research and facilitation.

Education Profile 

2024: PhD Theology – Trinity College Dublin, The Loyola Institute

Doctoral thesis title: Re-member Theology: A Theopoetical Reading of Three Irish Poets

2017: MDiv Theology in the Arts – Yale Divinity School, The Institute of Sacred Music

2004: MA Writing, Johns Hopkins University, The Writing Seminars

2002: BA English Language and Literature, Yale University

Undergraduate thesis title: The Importance of Elsewhere in the Poetry of Derek Mahon

Practical Formation Profile

2025: Compassionate Inquiry Professional Training (expected)

2025: Mind Body Food Institute Professional Holistic Coaching (expected)

2024: Clinical Pastoral Education, 2nd unit, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital

2019: The Work That Reconnects/ Active Hope Facilitator Training

2018 – 2019: Diversifying Art Museum Leadership Initiative, Cleveland Museum of Art

2017: Clinical Pastoral Education, 1st unit, West Haven Veterans Affairs Hospital

2014 – 2017: Wurtele Gallery Teacher training, Yale University Art Gallery