Bio

(Alex) Alexandra Ward is a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology at Stanford University School of Medicine. She works on a broad portfolio of clinical research studies focused on improving health outcomes for children and adolescents through patient-centered, technology-enabled, and equity-focused approaches. In her role, she coordinates industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated studies, oversees participant recruitment and study operations, manages regulatory compliance, and contributes to qualitative and quantitative data analysis, scientific writing, and dissemination of research findings.

Alexandra earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a focus on Pre-Medical Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. Her academic and research interests center on epidemiology, population health, and the social and structural factors that influence health across the lifespan. She is particularly interested in health equity, social determinants of health, implementation science, digital health technologies, aging, and the use of artificial intelligence to improve healthcare delivery and reduce disparities among underserved populations.

Her research experience spans pediatric endocrinology, chronic disease management, epidemiology, mixed-methods research, patient-reported outcomes, and community-engaged research. She has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations and has collaborated on studies examining diabetes technology, healthcare access, quality of life, and interventions designed to improve health outcomes for diverse patient populations.

Alexandra plans to pursue a PhD in Epidemiology, where she hopes to develop innovative, data-driven approaches to address complex public health challenges and advance equitable healthcare through interdisciplinary research.

Education & Certifications

  • BA, UC Berkeley (2024)

Additional Info

Links

Skills and Expertise

    Administrative Operations
      Communication
      Microsoft Office
      Public Speaking
      Team Building
    Information Technology
      Artificial Intelligence (AI)
      Data Management
      Health Care
      Project Management
      Research Administration
      Research Data

All Publications

  • "All my food is customized*": Barriers & facilitators concerning nutrition for persons living with cystic fibrosis. Journal of cystic fibrosis : official journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society Bruce, A. S., Suttiratana, S. C., Grabowski, H., Sweeney, L., Ward, A., Mazuera, S., Alvarez, J. A., Yablon, D., Naranjo, D. 2025

    Abstract

    Maintaining optimal nutrition is often an important concern for persons with cystic fibrosis (PWCF). With the introduction of effective modulators, the focus has now shifted from preventing malnourishment to instead stabilizing weight and preventing further weight gain. Research on how PWCF experience and manage their nutrition in this new era remains limited.The Exploring Attitudes Toward Nutrition (EATN) study employed a qualitative, multi-site approach to conduct semi-structured interviews with 44 adults living with CF. These interviews explored participants' definitions of "good" nutrition, the facilitators that help support their diet and lifestyle, and the barriers they face. Thematic analysis was used to identify key barriers and facilitators across personal, social, and healthcare-related domains.Interviews revealed PWCF defined nutrition in a multitude of ways, from 'a means to achieve optimal health,' to categorizing foods as "good" or "bad." Key facilitators for maintaining good nutrition included support from registered dietitian/CF care teams, convenience, physical activity, social support, and observations of weight stabilization after elexacaftor/tezacaftor /ivacaftor (ETI). Conversely, barriers included lack of convenience or time, gastrointestinal symptoms, sick days/ hospitalization, negative dietitian/care team member experiences, finances, and the impact of medications or enzymes.Understanding these supports and challenges is essential for developing effective and personalized nutritional strategies for PWCF. Enhancing access to knowledgeable dietitians, simplifying nutritional recommendations, and addressing cost barriers can significantly improve nutritional outcomes. Future research should focus on applicable solutions that utilize existing successful strategies while addressing common barriers many with CF face.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jcf.2025.07.012

    View details for PubMedID 40713200

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2368-2111