People who experience traumatic or enduring psychological stress are more likely to develop psychiatric disorders as well as cardiovascular, autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders. Our research is focused on revealing how psychological stress drives the development of mental and physical disorders. Specifically, we aim to identify the psychological and biological factors that account for the adverse effects of psychological stress, and ultimately to drive the development of targeted interventions to reduce such negative effects of stress.
Dr. Andrea Park is a facial plastic surgeon who cares for patients who have irregularities of the head or neck, whether these conditions are congenital, acquired or results of cancer treatment. Aiming to help her patients look and feel their best, she believes that trust, service and open communication are essential to a thriving patient-physician relationship.
Dr. Sorbarikor Piawah is a gastrointestinal oncologist with a particular interest in colorectal cancer. She also treats patients with sarcoma, a group of rare cancers that affect the bones and connective tissues.
The Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine (BCMM) stands committed to dismantling the structural barriers to education, research and employment endemic in our society, to promoting awareness of implicit bias and reinforcing inclusivity.