Erica P. Gunderson, PhD
Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
2000 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 891-3497 (phone)
erica.gunderson@kp.org
Erica P. Gunderson, Ph.D., is an epidemiologist studying the impact of childbearing on the development of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases in women. Dr. Gunderson has conducted research at the Division of Research since 1999. In 1998, she received her doctorate degree in epidemiology from the University of California, Berkeley. After simultaneously earning master’s of public health and master’s of science degrees from the University of California, Berkeley in 1981, she began her career as nutrition coordinator for a large randomized clinical research project, the Prematurity Prevention Project, which included over 4,000 women attending Los Angeles County’s prenatal clinics. She has over 14 years of experience in perinatal clinical care, working directly with pregnant populations, including diverse racial and ethnic groups as well as high-risk pregnancies. She developed standards for California’s statewide diabetes and pregnancy program (Sweet Success) in the 1980’s - 1990’s, as well as for local, state, and national prenatal nutrition programs. In 2008, Dr. Gunderson provided expert consultation to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee that developed the 2009 IOM Guidelines for Weight Gain During Pregnancy. Her current research focuses on the effects of lactation on the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes after gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), postpartum weight retention, and the persistent effects of childbearing (pregnancy and lactation) on obesity, cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases in women during mid-life, including early atherosclerosis. Other research addresses nutrition management of GDM pregnancy, gestational weight gain, and perinatal health outcomes in women and infants.
Current Position(s):
- Research Scientist II, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Primary Research Interests:
- Pregnancy and Lactation
- Gestational diabetes mellitus
- Cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases in women
- Obesity
- Postpartum Weight Retention