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.
Dr. Christopher Filson is a urologic oncologist and health services researcher at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. He was appointed as a clinician investigator by the Southern California Permanente Medical Group in 2025. He is a Professor of Clinical Science at the Bernard J. Tyson Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine.
Dr. Filson’s research interests focus on optimizing the delivery of health care for patients with urologic cancer such as prostate cancer. The goal of ...
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)
Children who ate more ultraprocessed foods showed stronger activity in a part of the brain involved in reward, and that brain response was linked to greater gains in body fat over the following year, a new study found. The study — published October 2026 in JAMA Network Open — followed 46 children ages 7 to ...
A large multisite study found that bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, flu vaccination, and same-day administration of both vaccines were not associated with an increased risk of first-ever ischemic stroke. “This study found no evidence of an increased risk of ischemic stroke following bivalent COVID-19 vaccination, influenza vaccination, or receiving both vaccines on the same day,” ...
An RSV vaccine continued to protect adults aged 60 and older against RSV-related hospitalization and emergency department visits for at least 3 seasons after vaccination, according to a new study by Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious illness, hospitalization, and even death ...
Casey Luc, PhD, MPH, an epidemiologist with expertise in HIV epidemiology in underserved communities, is the fifth Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemic Intelligence Service officer to train with Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s Department of Research & Evaluation. Before joining Kaiser Permanente, he served as a health scientist contractor in the Syndemic Infectious Diseases ...
Kevin Yu, PhD, is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Research & Evaluation at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. He earned his PhD in health informatics from Northwestern University, where his work focused on pharmacoepidemiology and health informatics. His research focuses on cardiovascular disease and dementia, with a particular interest in target trial emulation ...
From food deliveries that help people manage diabetes to vaccines that provide lasting protection, the latest issue of IMPACT highlights research making a real difference in people’s lives. In honor of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, the newsletter also introduces the department’s newest postdoctoral researcher and newest Epidemic Intelligence Service officer. The issue also features studies on advanced heart failure care delivered safely at home and showcases national media coverage of Kaiser Permanente research.
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.