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. Nehaa Khadka
Nehaa Khadka, PhD, MPH
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Division of Epidemiologic Research
626-564-3438
Nehaa.Khadka@kp.org

Dr. Khadka is a maternal/child health epidemiologist and postdoctoral research fellow for the Department of Research & Evaluation. Her research interests include perinatal epidemiology, reproductive health, and health disparities.

While pursuing her doctorate degree at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Dr. Khadka evaluated oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery for pregnant and postpartum women attending antenatal clinics in Cape Town, South Africa. In addition to her ...

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: 5 questions for Dr. Hui Zhou

5 questions for Dr. Hui Zhou

Dr. Hui Zhou is the biostatistician lead in the Division of Epidemiologic Research for the Department of Research & Evaluation. There she collaborates with epidemiologists and clinical investigators on research studies ranging from conditions like hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and bone fractures. Dr. Zhou has extensive research experience in prediction model development ...

Study evaluates heart disease risk prediction across Asian ethnicities

A Kaiser Permanente study found that the PREVENT cardiovascular risk equation had strong overall ability to predict 10-year cardiovascular disease risk in Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Other Pacific Islander adults. However, its accuracy differed across specific Asian ethnic subgroups and showed consistent patterns of over- and under-estimating when grouping by race and ethnicity. The study ...

Rethinking MS treatment: Why less may be more

For years, people living with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) have depended on powerful medications to keep their disease under control. One of the most effective treatments has been rituximab, a therapy that works by depleting B cells, which are the immune cells that drive inflammation with MS. However, new research from Kaiser Permanente ...

Staying active during pregnancy helps keep postpartum weight off

For years, researchers have known that many people struggle to lose the weight they gain during pregnancy. Up to 1 in 4 individuals retain at least 10 pounds 1 to 2 years after giving birth, and this lingering weight can raise their long‑term risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and other metabolic problems. Despite the importance ...

Wildfire smoke studies reveal differing health risks

Wildfire smoke has increasingly been recognized as a serious public health threat. Now, 2 new Kaiser Permanente studies in Southern California have examined how health risks for both young and old people might be associated with exposure. One study showed that long-term exposure increased the risk of death among older adults, while another found that ...

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.