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Patricia East

Dr. Patricia East is a Research Scientist, at the University of California, San Diego, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Community Pediatrics. Patricia is a developmental psychologist who received her Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University in 1986. Dr. East has been a faculty member at UCSD since 1990 and specializes in adolescents and their families and siblings. Patricia has written many articles and books on adolescent pregnancy and parenting and is nationally known for her research on the effects of an adolescent’s pregnancy for the teen’s family, particularly for the teen’s younger brothers and sisters. Dr. East’s research was instrumental in launching the California Adolescent Sibling Pregnancy Prevention Program, a state-wide program started in 1996 to help prevent teenage pregnancy among the younger siblings of pregnant and parenting teens. Dr. East has received numerous research awards, currently serves on four Editorial Boards for scientific journals, has served on several grant reviewing committees for the National Institutes of Health, and is listed in Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who in America.

Beatriz Contreras

Beatriz Contreras, Project Interviewer, University of California, San Diego, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Community Pediatrics. Beatriz received her A.A. in Social Work from Southwestern College and has worked in the research field for over 10 years. Beatriz has worked as an interviewer for many research projects at UCSD and San Diego State University, including Por La Vida, Sembrando Salud, and the Patterns of Care Project. Beatriz is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Ashley Slonim

Ashley Slonim, Assistant Researcher, University of California, San Diego, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Community Pediatrics. Ashley is working towards completing her General Biology, B.S. and Human Development, B.A. degrees from U.C. San Diego. After graduation she is planning on attending graduate school to earn a Masters in Nursing. Ashley volunteers at the UCSD Medical Center- Hillcrest where she assists the Labor and Delivery nurses and staff. She is passionate about promoting healthy living and is a strong supporter of health care for women and children.

Past Staff Members

Barbara T. Reyes

Barbara T. Reyes, Project Coordinator, University of California, San Diego, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Community Pediatrics. Barbara received her B.S. in Foods and Nutritional Sciences at San Diego State University in 1996 and has worked in the health education field for over eight years. Within the eight years, she was involved in research for two and a half years with Project SCAN in UCSD’s Division of Community Pediatrics. Barbara previously worked as a Health Educator and Teen Center Manager for Operation Samahan’s Youth 2 Youth Center (in National City, California) where she implemented workshops with teens about birth control, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted disease prevention and other sexual and reproductive health issues. She also implemented workshops with parents on how they can communicate to their children about sexuality. Barbara is fluent in English and Spanish.

Emily Horn

Emily Horn, Project Interviewer, University of California, San Diego, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Community Pediatrics. Emily is working towards her Bachelors Degree in Political Science with minors in Sociology and Spanish at San Diego State University. Emily has worked as a health educator at the Family Health Center of San Diego Teen Clinic for two years. She has conducted fun educational presentations on STDS, birth control, healthy relationships, and other teen issues. She has also volunteered for Bright Families of San Diego, Project AERT, St. Vincent de Paul, and Mama's Kitchen. Emily enjoys teen programs and enjoys serving the community.

Renee Contreras, Project Interviewer, University of California, San Diego, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Community Pediatrics. Renee is working toward her Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice at San Diego State University. Renee has worked for five years in research studies including Project DUERTE which involved mentoring Latino high school students in the South Bay area. Renee has also worked on Project Ambiente Fresco II, Compact for Success and a Food Survey Pilot Study. Renee is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Nadia Salas, Project Interviewer, University of California, San Diego, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Community Pediatrics from May 2005 to March 2006. Nadia received her B.A. in Communication Studies at San Diego State University in 2003 and is currently working on her Masters in Public Health with an emphasis in health promotion at San Diego State University. She has worked in the health education and health promotion fields for over nine years. Nadia also currently works with at risk youth where she implements workshops with teens about birth control, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted disease prevention and other sexual and reproductive health issues. Nadia has previously worked on projects that related to child obesity, skin cancer, tobaccos cessation, and psycho-social factors and cardiovascular disease. Nadia is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Richard C. Wu

Richard C. Wu, Project Data Manager and Site Maintainer, University of California, San Diego, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Community Pediatrics from May 2004 to March 2006. Richard is working towards his Bachelors Degree in Management Science with a minor in Japanese Studies in University of California, San Diego. Richard is fluent in both English and Chinese.