The Pilot and Exploratory Studies Program is created by the Pilot and Exploratory Studies Core of the UCSF Pepper Center which identifies, supports, and nurtures multidisciplinary investigators who would like to expand their research with aging research. The Pilot and Exploratory Studies Core facilitates the development and progress of innovative research for faculty relating to the Pepper Center focus on the predictors, characteristics, and outcomes of late-life disability, especially in vulnerable older populations.
Theresa Allison, MD, PhD
Professor, Geriatrics
Krista Harrison, PhD
Associate Professor, Geriatrics
Francesca Nicosia, PhD
Associate Professor, Institute for Health & Aging
Jennifer James, PhD, MS, MSW
Assistant Professor, Institute of Health & Aging
UCSF Pepper Center - CADC Joint Scholar
2022-2023
Melisa Wong Yajima, MD, MAS
Associate Professor, Hematology/Oncology
Project: Mixed methods evaluation of the Best Case/Worst Case-Geriatric Oncology communication tool
Victoria Tang, MD, MAS
Assistant Professor, Geriatrics
Project: Understanding and Improving the Psychosocial Function of Older Adults undergoing Major Surgery
Ashwin Kotwal, MD
Assistant Professor, Geriatrics
Project: Social relationships and distressing symptoms among older adults
Aksharananda Rambachan, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Medicine
UCSF Pepper Center - CADC Joint Scholar
Project: Assessing inpatient disparities in pain assessment and management for older minority patients
2021-2022
Ulrike Muench, RN, PhD, FAAN
Associate Professor, Social Behavioral Sciences
Project: Opioid Prescribing Trends in Medicare Beneficiaries with Dementia before and after the 2016 CDC Guidelines for Chronic Pain
Julien Cobert, MD
Assistant Professor, Anesthesia
Project: Post-Intensive Care Unit Outcomes and the Impact of Resilience in Older Adults with Pre-existing Geriatric Conditions
Sara Lahue, MD
Assistant Professor, Neurology
Project: Biological signatures of neurodegeneration and aging associated with delirium in older adults following hip fracture surgery
James Harrison, MPH, PhD
Assistant Professor, Medicine
Project: Exploring the preferences and values of older adults with limited English proficiency during the hospital to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) care transition
María de Fátima Reyes, MD
Fellow, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Project: Palliative Care for Non-English Speaking Gynecology Oncology Patients
Anna Oh, P hD, MPH, RN
Nurse Scientist
UCSF Pepper Center - CADC Joint Scholar
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Project: Exploring the preferences and values of older adults with limited English proficiency during the hospital to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) care transition
2020-2021
Catherine Chen, MD
Assistant Professor, Anesthesia
Project: Cost-Effectiveness of Monitored Anesthesia Care in Cataract Surgery
Hilary Seligman, MD, MAS
Professor, Medicine
Project: Impact of SNAP on Health Outcomes in a High-Risk Older Adult Population
Jalayne Arias, JD
Associate Professor, Health Policy & Behavioral Sciences
UCSF Pepper Center - ARCH Joint Scholar
Project: Dementia on Death Row: An Examination of Cruel and Usual Punishment for Prisoners with Dementia
Linda Park, RN, PhD, FNP
Associate Professor, Nursing
UCSF Pepper Center - CADC Joint Scholar
Project: Improving Health Disparities by Promoting Physical Activity Among Asian American Older Adults with Cardiovascular Disease: A Pilot Study
2019-2020
Anil Makam, MD
Assistant Professor, Medicine
Project: Functional Impairment and Advance Care Planning among Older Adults Transferred to Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals: An Analysis of the Health and Retirement Study
Yue Leng, PhD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry
Project: Sleep medication use and cognitive aging in a biracial cohort of community-dwelling elderly
Jane Jih, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Medicine
Project: Understanding the Context of Patient Medication Practices among Diverse Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions
Jennifer James, PhD, MS, MSW
Assistant Professor, Institute for Health & Aging
UCSF Pepper Center/CADC Joint Scholar
Project: Health behind and beyond the bars: Older Black women’s experience of health and illness before, during, and after incarceration.
2017-2019
Meredith Greene, MD
Assistant Professor, Medicine
Project: Addressing Medical Complexity for Older Adults Living with HIV infection: Development of an integrated HIV Geriatric and Palliative Care Programs
Yue Leng, PhD
Professor, Psychiatry
Project: Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ)
Christine Miaskowski, RN, PhD, FAAN
Professor, Physiological Nursing
Project: Exploring Chronic Pain and Attitudes Towards Pain Treatment in Older Adults
Wendy Katzman, PT
Adjunct Professor, Physical Therapy
Project: Technology-Assisted Postural Training Program in Older Community-Dwelling Adults with Hyperkyphosis
Maria Chao, DrPH, MPA
Associate Professor, Medicine
UCSF Pepper Center/CADC Joint Scholar
Project:
Improving Pain Management among Low-Income, Minority Elders: Broadening Treatment Options in the Primary Care Safety Net