Principle Investigator

Dr. Mark is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences where she has been on faculty since 2012.

She is a dedicated obstetrician and gynecologist who provides comprehensive care for individuals across their lifespan. She holds the position of Medical Director at the Western Penn Women's Center. With dual board certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Addiction Medicine, Dr. Mark has a unique skill set that allows her to address the specific needs of her patients.

Dr. Mark has been actively involved in conducting multiple prospective studies that focus on pregnant individuals who use drugs. Much of her research focuses on cannabis use in pregnancy. These studies aim to understand pregnant people’s persepctives and needs as well as improve the care provided to this vulnerable population.

Dr. Mark serves as the Director of the SUPPORT clinic, a specialized practice that focuses on delivering comprehensive care to pregnant individuals with substance use disorders. This practice aims to address the unique challenges faced by this population and provide them with the support they need throughout their pregnancy and parenting journeys.

Clinical Research Assistant

Jambo (Hello in Swahili)! My name is Wangui. I am a Clinical Research Assistant with the University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Medicine.

I have a diverse professional and educational background in finance and public health. I am passionate about helping people live their healthiest lives and be the best version of themselves.

I believe in nurturing and nourishing the whole body physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to achieve optimal health.

Personally, I enjoy spending time with my three teen and young adult kids, family, and friends; travelling in the US and abroad; volunteering in the community; baking desserts; watching movies and listening to audiobooks.

I am also a foodie and love binge watching cooking shows! I look forward to interacting with and learning from people.

Life is a journey….enjoy the ride!!!

Wangui has a diverse background in finance and public health this provides her with a unique perspective, allowing you to approach healthcare from a holistic standpoint. She believes in nurturing and nourishing the whole body physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually aligns with the principles of comprehensive well-being.

Project Manager

Claudia Zaugg (she/her) is a dedicated Senior Project Manager at ANSIRH (Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health). She collaborates closely with Dr. Sarah Roberts on various research projects that aim to understand the impact of policies targeting alcohol and drug use during pregnancy on pregnant individuals and their families.

With her expertise and organizational skills, Claudia will be responsible for overseeing the administrative aspects of the TCUP (Trajectories Study on Cannabis Use in Pregnancy) study in California.

Passionate about driving positive change and advancing health equity, Claudia is committed to ensuring that research efforts have tangible impacts. Her involvement in projects like the TCUP study reflects her dedication to exploring the complex issue of cannabis use during pregnancy and its potential implications for maternal and child health.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Claudia finds joy in outdoor activities such as hiking, often accompanied by her husband and their dog. She also enjoys exploring new recipes in the kitchen and supporting women's soccer games, demonstrating her diverse interests and well-rounded lifestyle.

Claudia Zaugg's role as a Senior Project Manager at ANSIRH, her collaboration with Dr. Sarah Roberts, and her commitment to meaningful research that addresses health equity contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of reproductive health and the improvement of outcomes for pregnant individuals and their families.

Professor and Lead Epidemiologist

Sarah Roberts, DrPH, is a Professor and Legal Epidemiologist at ANSIRH, at the University of California, San Francisco.

She studies the ways that policies and the health care system punish, rather than support, structurally vulnerable pregnant people, including pregnant people who use alcohol and drugs and pregnant people seeking abortion.

Dr. Roberts' current research focuses on evaluating impacts of state-level pregnancy-specific alcohol and drug policies and understanding health care provider reporting practices in the contexts of self-managed abortion and of birthing people’s use of alcohol and drugs.

Previously, Dr. Roberts has led research about public health approaches to abortion, the impacts of state-level restrictive abortion policies, COVID-related impacts on abortion providers and patients, and changes in alcohol and drug use subsequent to receiving versus being denied an abortion. Dr. Roberts has published more than 90-peer reviewed manuscripts and has received grant funding from multiple private foundations as well as the National Institutes of Health and other government agencies.

Dr. Roberts co-led the Social Scientists’ Amicus Brief for the Supreme Court Case June v. Russo. Dr. Roberts received her undergraduate degree in history from Columbia University, her MPH and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from the University of Michigan, and her DrPH from the University of California, Berkeley. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Alcohol Epidemiology at the Alcohol Research Group.

Clinical Research Coordinator

Jessica Hernandez Castaneda is a Clinical Research Coordinator at ANSIRH (Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health). She works under Claudia Zaugg and will aid in the recruitment and enrollment of the TCUP study at UCSF.

Jessica has a background in recruitment, enrollment and retention of research participants. She has also worked with various community organizations to recruit and enroll participants into research studies.

In her free time, Jessica enjoys baking, trying new foods and exploring new cities. Jessica plans on becoming involved in her community and fostering relationships with organizations.

Her research interests include community-based participatory research, health education and promotion. Jessica is passionate about destigmatizing sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing within Latinx communities. She hopes to bridge gaps within her community and communities of color to promote health education. In the future, Jessica plans to obtain a Master's degree in Public Health.