About Our Program

As a research center embedded within Kaiser Permanente’s large and dynamic health care system, our investigators have a unique opportunity to apply scientific expertise to real-world clinical problems, translate findings into practice, and share what we learn with the broader community.

Featured Scientist

Dr. Bobeck Modjtahedi headshot
Bobeck S. Modjtahedi, MD
Vice Area Research Chair

Baldwin Park
Ophthalmology

Dr. Bobeck S. Modjtahedi is a vitreoretinal surgeon and the Director of the Eye Monitoring Center for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Georgia, Colorado, and Hawaii. He is the vice area research chair for Baldwin Park on the Southern California Permanente Medical Group’s Regional Research Committee.

He is the founding lead of the Ophthalmology Research Group for SCPMG and founding co-Chair of the Inter-regional Center Ophthalmic Research and Innovation
He has an interest ...

Featured Video

Advancing treatments through clinical trials

Over the years, clinical trials have led to amazing advances in treatment—even cures—for devastating illnesses. William Towner, MD, FACP, FIDSA, regional physician director for clinical trials, describes how trials at Kaiser Permanente contribute to the development of more effective and safer treatments for diseases such as HIV, hepatitis C, cancer, and more. (2:15)

News

Featured Image of News Story Titled: Mpox study reveals hidden infections may fuel spread

Mpox study reveals hidden infections may fuel spread

A Kaiser Permanente study of nearly 8,000 men shows that in mid- to late 2024, mpox was far more common among men who have sex with men than previously thought. Individuals without symptoms accounted for most infections and likely played a prominent role in transmission, contrary to prior assumptions that people had to be symptomatic ...

DoxyPEP protects against some STIs, but effectiveness against gonorrhea diminishes

Taking doxycycline after sex helped prevent chlamydia and syphilis, but its ability to prevent gonorrhea faded over time as drug‑resistant strains became more common, according to new research. The findings show both the benefits and limits of a prevention strategy now widely used by patients, clinicians, and public health programs to prevent sexually transmitted infection ...

Education-focused diabetes care linked to better blood sugar control

A large study conducted within Kaiser Permanente Southern California found that people with type 2 diabetes who primarily received diabetes self-management education and support were more likely to achieve healthy blood sugar levels than those whose care focused mainly on physician visits. “For people living with type 2 diabetes, this study shows that actively participating ...

Nurses in research: Beatriz Alviso advances patient-centered science

This week, Nurses Week (May 6-12, 2026), we honor all the nurses who work within the Department of Research & Evaluation, who are a vital part of our research. Here we highlight Beatriz Alviso, RN, PHN, BSN who works in the Division of Health Services Research & Implementation Science. What is your background? I grew up ...

Nurses in research: Christina Flores builds trust and understanding in vaccine studies

This week, Nurses Week (May 6-12, 2026), we honor all the nurses who work within the Department of Research & Evaluation, who are a vital part of our research. Here we highlight Christina Flores, LVN, who works in vaccine and infectious disease clinical trials. What is your background? I grew up in Highland Park, California, and ...

Events

Featured Division

Clinical Trials Research

Our physician investigators conduct clinical trials in communities across Southern California, from Bakersfield to San Diego.

The Division of Clinical Trials Research advances medical innovation by supporting evaluation of new drugs, therapies, and devices to prevent and treat health problems. Our physician investigators work with cooperative groups and industry sponsors to conduct clinical trials for investigational drugs, biologics, and devices. In addition, the division develops pragmatic trials that help answer questions about care delivery.

The region has clinical trials programs in oncology (adult, gynecologic, pediatric, and surgical/radiation oncology), urology, gynecology, neurology, dermatology, metabolic diseases, nephrology, ophthalmology, infectious disease, cardiology, hepatology, vascular surgery, and rheumatology. Clinical trials staff support trials at medical centers and medical office buildings throughout the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Region.