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DOR recruits large group of postdoctoral researchers

Fellows include the inaugural class of the new Translational Research Fellowship program

The current class of postdoctoral research fellows at the Division of Research is studying a diverse array of topics, from genetics of dementia to the health implications of the menstrual cycle. They include participants in DORs established Delivery Science Fellowship program along with 4 fellows in the inaugural class of DORs new Translational Research Fellowship.

The new fellows shared a bit about themselves.

 

Helena Archer, PhD, MPH

Where were you working and/or studying before you came to DOR? 

I was studying infectious disease epidemiology, with a focus on incarcerated populations and people exposed to environmental hazards, at the University of California, Berkeley. 

Why did you want to be a research fellow at DOR? 

DOR offers an opportunity to use robust and longitudinal health care data to study both individual and systemic factors affecting population health. As an epidemiologist with a background in public health practice, I look forward to learning new methods and approaches in this position and to being close to clinical practice. After working on a vaccine effectiveness study during my PhD, I was especially interested to hear about the position with the Vaccine Study Center, a highly collaborative group working on prevention, safety, and surveillance. I am appreciative of the mentorship opportunities at DOR, to work with and learn from other fellows, and to be able to continue living near friends and family in the Bay Area. 

 

Shalmali Bane, PhD

Where were you working and/or studying before you came to DOR? 

Prior to DOR, I received my PhD in epidemiology and clinical research at Stanford Universitys School of Medicine. My work examined social determinants of reproductive health and perinatal outcomes, and my dissertation was titled Low-risk cesarean birth: racial/ethnic disparities, multilevel factors, and the potential to reduce downstream severe maternal morbidity.

Why did you want to be a research fellow at DOR?

I feel so fortunate to be in DORs unique research environment as an epidemiologist and member of the Translational Research Fellowship program. I was drawn to the collaborative environment of the Womens and Childrens Health Section, and to the opportunity to be mentored by Monique Hedderson, PhD. Im particularly intrigued by the nature of DOR as a research arm nested in an integrated health care delivery system and the opportunities to inform and evaluate interventions to improve reproductive and maternal health. 

 

Anlan Cao, PhD, MBBS

Where were you working and/or studying before you came to DOR?

I received my PhD in chronic disease epidemiology at Yale University in May of 2024 before I started at DOR.  

Why did you want to be a research fellow at DOR? 

DOR has the best mentorship team and data resources to support my research in cancer survivorship, treatment toxicity, and body composition. 

 

Dima L. Chaar, PhD, MHI

Where were you working and/or studying before you came to DOR? 

I received my PhD in epidemiology from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, where I completed my dissertation titled “Socio-Contextual and Multi-Omic Associations with Cognitive Function and Structural Brain Measures in Older African Americans.”  I investigated the relationship between multi-omic layers of data and age-related chronic diseases and complex traits, including cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Why did you want to be a research fellow at DOR? 

I chose to become a research fellow at DOR to pursue my passion for human genetics and genomics, focusing on how they influence a diverse range of complex traits, diseases, and treatments within the context of an integrated health system. As such, a key factor in my decision was the opportunity to work under the mentorship of Hélène Choquet, PhD, whose expertise and guidance have been invaluable. In addition, I was drawn to DOR’s collaborative working environment, which fosters professional growth as a researcher, and Kaiser Permanente’s extensive data infrastructure, which provides a robust foundation for impactful research. 

 

Carlisha Hall, PhD, MSPH

Where were you working and/or studying before you came to DOR? 

I was a PhD student at UC Merced in the public health program. My dissertation work focused on suicidal behavior among African Americans.  

Why did you want to be a research fellow at DOR? 

I wanted to be a research fellow at DOR because the T32 Mental Health Research Network program was a great opportunity to expand my research interest, and to gain more confidence in conducting independent research. 

 

Bethany R. Hallenbeck, PhD

Where were you working and/or studying before you came to DOR? 

Before joining KP, I earned a PhD in public health and a concurrent Masters in statistics from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. My dissertation focused on examining device-based measures of physical activity alongside continuously monitored glucose levels during pregnancy, daily postpartum sleep, and infant anthropometric outcomes. One of the most rewarding aspects of my PhD training was the collaboration between my advisor and clinicians at UT Medical Center, which allowed me to bridge research and clinical practice. 

Why did you want to be a research fellow at DOR? 

I was drawn to the opportunity to become a research fellow at DOR because it would provide the ideal environment for my research to directly impact clinical settings. Additionally, I became acquainted with the outstanding research emerging from KP through my advisor, conferences, and comprehensive literature reviews. Over the years, I had the privilege of meeting many of the investigators and was consistently impressed not only by their exceptional expertise and excellence but also by their warm and welcoming approach. 

 

Molly LaPoint, PhD

Where were you working and/or studying before you came to DOR? 

I was studying at UC Berkeley, where I got a PhD in neuroscience. My work focused on early MRI and PET markers of Alzheimers disease in older adults from the Berkeley Aging Cohort Study.  

Why did you want to be a research fellow at DOR? 

The wealth of data and exceptional researchers drew me to DOR. The KHANDLE, STAR, and LA90 studies provide a unique opportunity to blend decades of electronic health records data with research MRI and PET scans to answer questions about how life course experiences affect late-life brain health and the development of dementia.  

 

Jorge Ledesma, PhD, MPH

Where were you working and/or studying before you came to DOR? 

Prior to coming to DOR, I was an epidemiology PhD student at Brown University, where I conducted a variety of studies focused on improving the resilience of health systems using causal methods.

Why did you want to be a research fellow at DOR? 

It has been incredibly exciting to be a delivery science fellow at DOR. I wanted to join DOR as a fellow to gain additional training so that I could build a body of research focused on improving care delivery for respiratory conditions while continuing to strengthen my causal modeling toolkit.

 

Shannon Ogden, PhD, MPH

Where were you working and/or studying before you came to DOR? 

I was working and studying at the Boston University School of Public Health. I worked in research on topics such as intimate partner violence, substance use, mental health, women’s health, and maternal health.

Why did you want to be a research fellow at DOR? 

Kaiser Permanente, as an integrated health care system, has the ability to conduct meaningful research to address issues related to the delivery of care. A major draw of the DOR was the opportunity to work with exceptional mentors and collaborate on projects related to topics I’m interested in such as improving care and health outcomes related to intimate partner violence, substance use, and mental health.

 

Cynthia N. Ramirez, PhD, MPH

Where were you working and/or studying before you came to DOR?

Before coming to DOR, I was a PhD student in preventive medicine and health behavior research at Keck School of Medicine of USC. My dissertation focused on social and structural factors contributing to potentially avoidable emergency department visits in Los Angeles’ largest public hospital system. I also spent several years conducting research to improve care access for cancer patients and survivors. 

Why did you want to be a research fellow at DOR? 

I joined DOR to embrace the unique opportunity of working in a leading environment for patient-centered research that emphasizes mentorship. Before starting, I discussed my interests in health services and health disparities research with Michael Silverberg, PhD, MPH, Derek Satre, PhD, and other members of the HIV research team. Their enthusiasm for my ideas was inspiring. Since then, I’ve been able to pursue these ideas and training opportunities alongside an incredible group of researchers, providers, and staff dedicated to high-impact HIV and transgender health research. 

 

 

Natalia Van Doren, PhD

Where were you working and/or studying before you came to DOR? 

I was as the VA Palo Alto Health Care System.

Why did you want to be a research fellow at DOR? 

I wanted to gain experience in alcohol health services research and prepare for my K23 application. 

 

 

Ana Rosen Vollmar, PhD, CPM, LM

Where were you working and/or studying before you came to DOR? 

I received my PhD in public health, environmental health sciences, from the Yale School of Public Health, where I studied how everyday chemical exposures impact fertility and pregnancy loss. Before starting at DOR, I completed a one-year postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in the Fertility and Reproductive Health Group, where my research focused on the importance and value of documenting the menstrual cycle in clinical and research contexts. 

Why did you want to be a research fellow at DOR? 

I was excited to join DOR because of the exceptional mentorship and career support, and the opportunity to carry out research within a health care system, with potential for collaboration with clinical providers. In this setting, I hope to focus on the public health and clinical applications of my research on reproductive, maternal-child, and environmental health challenges. 

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