Study Leadership

Katherine Grantz, M.D., M.S.

Dr. Grantz is an Investigator in the Epidemiology Branch of the Division of Intramural Population Health Research. Dr. Grantz's research focuses on fetal growth and development, obstetrical management, and the timing of delivery for complicated pregnancies. Dr. Grantz is one of the study's overall Principal Investigators and is responsible for the scientific oversight of the clinical trial of the timing of delivery in women with gestational diabetes.

Fasil Tekola-Ayele, Ph.D

Dr. Tekola-Ayele is an Earl Stadtman Investigator in the Epidemiology Branch of the Division of Intramural Population Health Research. Dr. Tekola-Ayele's research focuses on genetic influences and environmental factors in growth and consequent cardiometabolic diseases/disparities. Dr. Tekola-Ayele is one of the study’s overall Principal Investigators and is responsible for the scientific oversight of the genetic aspects of the SPAN study.

Edwina Yeung, Ph.D.

Dr. Yeung is a Senior Investigator in the Epidemiology Branch of the Division of Intramural Population Health Research. Dr. Yeung's research focuses on the life-course determinants of cardio-metabolic risk, and in particular the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis which suggests that early life exposures are associated with long-term health outcomes in children. Dr. Yeung is one of the study's overall Principal Investigators and is responsible for the scientific oversight of the study of pregnant women and their partners.

Brenna Highes, M.D.

Dr. Hughes is the Director of the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke as well as the Medical Director of the Duke Perinatal Research Center. Dr. Hughes' research focuses on infectious diseases in pregnancy. She is currently a co-PI and site PI for numerous clinical trials and observational studies. Dr. Hughes is the Principal Investigator of the Duke University SPAN study site and is responsible for the oversight of the study of pregnant women and their partners at Duke.

G. Larry Maxwell, M.D.

Dr. Maxwell is the Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at INOVA Fairfax hospital, and the Associate Director of Translational Science at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute. Dr. Maxwell's research focuses on uterine, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. Dr. Maxwell is the Principal Investigator of the INOVA Health System SPAN study site and is responsible for the oversight of the study of pregnant women and their partners at INOVA.

Robert Silver, M.D.

Dr. Silver is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the School of Medicine at the University of Utah. Dr. Silver's research focuses on stillbirth, placenta accreta, recurrent pregnancy loss, and various other pregnancy complications and outcomes. Dr. Silver is the Principal Investigator of the University of Utah SPAN study site and is responsible for the oversight of the study of pregnant women and their partners at the University of Utah.

Alan Tita M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Tita is a Professor and Vice Chair of Research and Director of the Center for Women's Reproductive Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Tita's research focuses on safe labor and delivery, maternal infectious morbidity, and global health. Dr. Tita is the Principal Investigator of the University of Alabama at Birmingham SPAN study site and is responsible for the oversight of the study of pregnant women and their partners at UAB.

Dr. Jessica Page, M.D., M.S.

Dr. Page is a board certified maternal fetal medicine physician and an Assistant Professor at Intermountain Healthcare and the University of Utah. Dr. Page's research focuses on stillbirth and placental insufficiency. Dr. Page is the Principal Investigator of the Intermountain Healthcare SPAN study site and is responsible for the oversight of the clinical trial of the timing of delivery in women with gestational diabetes at Intermountain Healthcare.

Joseph R. Biggio Jr, M.D., M.S.

Dr. Biggio is the Associate System Chair of Women's Service and System Chair for Maternal Fetal Medicine at Ochsner Health. Dr. Biggio’s clinical interests are in prenatal diagnosis, ultrasound, prevention of preterm birth, and treatment of pregnancies complicated by maternal medical and fetal complications. Dr. Biggio is the Principal Investigator of the Ochsner Health SPAN study site and is responsible for the oversight of the clinical trial of the timing of delivery in women with gestational diabetes at Ochsner Health.

John Thorp Jr, M.D.

Dr. Thorp is the McAllister Distinguished Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Professor in the Department of Maternal and Child Health at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Thorp’s research interests include clinical trials, the epidemiology of preterm birth, and nutrition in pregnancy. Dr. Thorp is the Principal Investigator of the UNC SPAN study site and is responsible for the oversight of the clinical trial of the timing of delivery in women with gestational diabetes at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Celeste P. Durnwald, M.D.

Dr. Durnwald is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Medical Director of the High Risk Obstetrics Clinic at the Dickens Center for Women’s Health, and Director of the Penn Perinatal Diabetes Program. Dr. Durnwald's research interests include diabetes in pregnancy, obesity, and maternal metabolism. Dr. Durnwald is the Principal Investigator of the University of Pennsylvania SPAN study site and is responsible for the oversight of the clinical trial of the timing of delivery in women with gestational diabetes at the University of Pennsylvania.