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Rebecca M. Gardner

Ph.D. Student in Epidemiology and Clinical Research, admitted Autumn 2022

BioMy research interests are in maternal nutrition and well-being, with a current focus on hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)—severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that often causes significant maternal undernutrition and poor antepartum and postpartum mental health, and is the leading cause of hospitalization in early pregnancy. I study HG from several angles: the environmental exposures that may exacerbate it, including ambient air pollution and wildfire smoke, and whether these contribute to HG-related hospitalization; and its downstream consequences for both mothers and children, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and neurodevelopmental conditions in childhood such as autism. More broadly, I am interested in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes, and their subsequent effects on offspring. Methodologically, I am drawn to applying causal inference methods traditionally used in economics to questions in public health.

Before starting a PhD, I was a biostatistician in the Quantitative Sciences Unit at Stanford for four years where I co-authored over thirty publications, collaborating with clinicians on various domains including developmental behavioral pediatrics, reproductive endocrinology & infertility, oncology, and clinical trials. I completed my MS in Statistics at Brigham Young University in 2016, where I collaborated with cardiologists to develop a new approach to diagnose rheumatic heart disease in pediatric patients in Samoa for my Master's thesis.

Contact Info
Mail Code: 5405
rmgard@stanford.edu

Harold Gardon

Masters Student in Aeronautics and Astronautics, admitted Autumn 2025

BioFrench student specializing in mechanical engineering. Passionate about basketball and aerospace, I am pursuing a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics and hope to specialize in rocket propulsion.