Staff

(alphabetic order by last name)

Rebecca Crowder, MPH: As a Research Data Analyst with the Pulmonary Division at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, I work with Dr. Adithya Cattamanchi on research studies to develop and evaluate novel point-of-care TB diagnostics. I coordinate clinical data collection, management, and analysis for a NIH-funded study of novel, non-invasive tests for diagnosing pediatric TB in Uganda and a NIH-funded study utilizing targeted and whole genome sequencing to improve molecular diagnosis of drug-resistant TB in the Philippines.

Kevin Ekanem, BS: I joined UCSF as a research associate in 2018 and am fortunate enough to be able to work with an amazing group of talented individuals. I work with Dr. Midori Kato-Maeda researching genetic polymorphisms involving Mycobacterium tuberculosis. I am involved in developing diagnostic methods for tuberculosis. In addition, I support training of students and postdoctoral fellows on techniques associated with experiments regarding M. tuberculosis. Furthermore, I maintain the Mycobacterium tuberculosis laboratory to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Katherine Farr, MPH:  My research interests involve developing strategies for using digital health technologies for data collection and patient support in resource-limited countries. I have been a data analyst with the Pulmonary Division at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital since 2015, working with Dr. Adithya Cattamanchi on international research studies evaluating new tools and strategies for improving diagnosis and management of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV­-associated pulmonary infections. I coordinate data collection, management, analysis, and reporting for one cluster randomized and one stepped wedge randomized trial in Uganda assessing onsite TB molecular testing and TB medication adherence, respectively.

Leah Gonzalez Jarlsberg, BA: In the past 19 years as a statistician at UCSF, I have worked and published with many of our faculty and fellows on a diverse range of topics in TB: population epidemiology (Hopewell, Cattamanchi, Budzik), HIV co-infection and the lung microbiome (Yoon, Huang), TB regimen safety (Savic), exploring biomarkers as predictors of treatment success (Nahid), and basic science of drug resistance in the TB genome (Kato-Maeda), to name just a few. I feel privileged to be part of this work.

Jillian Kadota, MPH: I joined UCSF in 2018 as a Research Data Analyst with the Pulmonary Division at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and work with Dr. Adithya Cattamanchi and Dr. Priya Shete on research studies to evaluate strategies for improving diagnostic outcomes, management, and prevention of tuberculosis in high risk populations both internationally and domestically. In this role, I coordinate multiple aspects of two trials in Uganda including a randomized study evaluating optimized strategies for delivering preventive TB medication to PLHIV and a multi-center stepped wedge trial assessing a social protection intervention for the improvement of TB diagnostic outcomes. Domestic work includes a study that seeks to evaluate the cascade of care for LTBI in immigrant populations. My main research interests include social and economic interventions for improving patient outcomes in resource-limited settings.

Cindy Merrifield, RN, BSN:  I provide management, coordination and oversight of various aspects of (Phase II/III) tuberculosis and latent TB infection treatment trials sponsored by the CDC-TB Trials Consortium, a LTBI treatment implementation study supported by CDC –DGMQ and other funded TB related studies.  As a study nurse coordinator/manager, I work closely with Dr. Payam Nahid and our Vietnam research teams in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to ensure smooth operations and the overall success of our projects. I perform administrative, clinical and educational activities to support the conduct of multiple studies. I am an active member of the CDC-TB Trials Consortium committee, Implementation and Quality Group (IQC) and serve as Co-Chair for the Training Resources Advisory Committee (TRAC).

Tiffany Tran, MPH, CPH: Tiffany Tran is a Research Data Analyst with the Pulmonary Division at ZSFG. She primarily works with Dr. Christina Yoon on research studies to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel TB screening strategy for improving TB diagnosis and delivery of TB preventive therapy. In addition, she works with Dr. Payam Nahid on an LTBI treatment implementation study. Prior to joining UCSF, Tiffany served as an HIV/AIDS Capacity Building Volunteer in Peace Corps Botswana and worked with the TB/HIV Research Section at CDC Botswana. She holds a BA in Sociology-International Studies and a BS in General Biology from the University of California, San Diego and an MPH in Epidemiological and Biostatistical Methods from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.