Meet the Team
Study Investigators
Susan Brown
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor, University of California, Davis
Adjunct Investigator, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research
I am a behavioral scientist. I study ways to help women from diverse backgrounds prevent chronic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease. It is a privilege to work towards promoting maternal health and health equity.
Assiamira Ferrara
Principal Investigator
Senior Research Scientist, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research
My research focuses on gestational diabetes and other health conditions in women across the lifespan. I aim to reduce risk factors that lead to chronic conditions.
Monique Hedderson
Co-Investigator
Research Scientist and Associate Director of the Women’s and Children’s Health Section, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research
Adjunct Investigator, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research
My research focuses on understanding the role of health behaviors on outcomes during pregnancy and postpartum. I am interested in identifying ways to improve the health of mothers during pregnancy and their babies.
Mara Greenberg
Co-Investigator
Perinatal Clinical & Research Director, Regional Perinatal Service Center
Kaiser Permanente Northern California
As an OB-GYN and the Director of the Regional Perinatal Service Center, I care for women with high-risk pregnancies and strive to make a positive impact during an important time in patients’ lives.
Michaela Kiernan
Co-Investigator
Senior Research Scholar, Stanford University School of Medicine
My current research focuses on the design, optimization, and testing of effective strategies to support recruitment and retention of participants in randomized trials.
Charles Quesenberry
Co-Investigator
Biostatistician and Research Scientist, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research
My research focuses on the design, conduct, and statistical analysis of cohort and case-control studies, clinical trials, twin studies, cost effectiveness and cost of illness studies. Current collaborations include studies of maternal and child health, diabetes, colorectal screening and cognitive function and dementia.
Study Staff and Students
Andrea Millman
Andrea Millman, MA
Senior Project Manager
Kaiser Permanente Northern California
As the project manager at Kaiser Permanente, I am responsible for coordinating day-to-day study activities. I am excited to be part of the SUNRISE study that focuses on the well-being of patients after delivery.
Siedah Garrison
Siedah Garrison, MPH, CCRP
Project Manager
University of California, Davis
I enjoy working in research! I coordinate the study components at UC Davis. I provide expertise on maintaining and improving study flow. I look forward to working with the team and providing my experience towards the mission of this study.
Bridgette Smith
Bridgette Smith, MPH
Graduate Student Researcher
University of California, Davis
Kaiser Permanente Northern California
As an Epidemiology PhD student at UC Davis, my research focuses on the impact of social factors and the built environmental on maternal health outcomes in diverse populations. I am excited to learn how interventions impact the health of women with gestational diabetes.
Hillary Serrato Bandera
Hillary Serrato Bandera, BA
Research Associate II
Kaiser Permanente Northern California
As a research associate, I am responsible for supporting participants throughout the study. It is an honor to be a part of a study that focuses on improving the health outcomes for pregnant people.
Annie Scandurro
Annie Scandurro, MA
Senior Research Assistant
Kaiser Permanente Northern California
As a research assistant, I speak directly with participants and share the immense impact they make by participating in the SUNRISE Study. I’m proud to be on the SUNRISE team and a part of this important research on gestational diabetes mellitus.
Red sun Not pictured:

Geoffrey Cohen, PhD | Study Collaborator, Stanford University
Jun Shan | Data Reporting and Analytics Consultant V, Biostatistics, Kaiser Permanente Northern California