The PREG Study Team
Postpartum family // Photo credit: Fat Camera
We’re a team of researchers, birth workers, healthcare professionals, and community members who are passionate about improving the health of LGBTQ+ people during their childbearing journey.
Kodiak Soled (she/her)
STUDY ROLE
Principal investigator (aka who you will chat with during the study!)
EXPERTISE
Developing expertise in LGBTQ+ and childbearing health as well as qualitative and Photovoice research methods; moving through the world as a queer femme in an interracial partnership
DAY JOB
PhD candidate at Columbia University School of Nursing
Mars Dansky (they/them)
STUDY ROLE
Secondary coder (increased rigor and integrity of the coding process)
EXPERTISE
Expertise in qualitative research methods and sexual health among LGBTQ+ adolescents
DAY JOB
Columbia University Mailmen School of Public Health graduate with a focus on sexual and reproductive health. Suicide prevention hotline operator in NYC
Walter Bockting (he/him)
STUDY ROLE
Academic advisor & LGBTQ+ expert
EXPERTISE
Two decades of experience conducting National Institutes of Health-funded research among LGBTQ+ populations and internationally regarded for expertise in trans and gender non-conforming health
DAY JOB
Clinical psychologist, Professor of Medical Psychology (in Psychiatry and Nursing) at Columbia University, and Director of The Program for the Study of LGBT Health
Maureen George (she/her)
STUDY ROLE
Academic advisor & qualitative/community-informed methods expert
EXPERTISE
Over two decades of experience and a breadth of expertise using qualitative and community-placed strategies to reduce health disparities in vulnerable, racial/ethnic minority populations
DAY JOB
Professor of Nursing at Columbia University Medical Center
Catherine Monk (she/her)
STUDY ROLE
Academic mentor & perinatal expert
EXPERTISE
Two decades of continuous National Institutes of Health funded research focused on experiences of stress, anxiety, and depression among pregnant people and the health implications for themselves and their babies
DAY JOB
Professor of Medical Psychology in the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Psychiatry, Research Scientist VI at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and founding director of Perinatal Pathways Lab
Silvia Cunto-Amesty (she/her)
STUDY ROLE
Photovoice consultant
EXPERTISE
Federal & Fullbright-funded research investigator, including studies that use Photovoice to understand health risks in stigmatized and marginalized communities, including latinx and transgender populations
DAY JOB
Assistant Professor of Population and Family Health & Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center; Family physician at The Center for Family and Community Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital
Clover Ajamie (they/them)
STUDY ROLE
Illustrator and Artist
EXPERTISE
Queer artist with a particular interest in people, nature, and making space for all queer people to belong in nature.
DAY JOB
A part-time granola-baker, an artist always
Daisy Corso (they/them)
STUDY ROLE
Brand manager and designer
EXPERTISE
Designing visual experiences that are powerful, inclusive, and bold; passionate about LGBTQ+ related design projects
DAY JOB
A Brand Designer at Gensler Denver specializing in Brand Experience and DEI strategy integration of a brand’s ideation, development, and extension.
Ashlie Butler (she/her)
STUDY ROLE
Community advisor
EXPERTISE
Birth advocate for underserved and communities of color in NYC, passionate about supporting the mental and medical health needs of LGBTQ+, perinatal, and homeless populations and utilizing a mindfulness and social justice-based treatment philosophy
DAY JOB
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology; Full-Spectrum Doula
Mimi Niles (she/her)
STUDY ROLE
Community advisor
EXPERTISE
Over two decades of clinical experience providing high-quality midwifery care to all pregnant and parenting people; research expertise in health equity among historically disenfranchised communities and utilizing critical feminist theory and qualitative methods to generate policy and programming rooted in intersectional and anti-racist frameworks; home birther to her two beautiful children
DAY JOB
Full-Spectrum Certified Nurse Midwife; Assistant Professor/Faculty Fellow at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing using critical feminist theory and qualitative methods to explore how midwifery care models create health equity in historically disenfranchised communities
Cedar Durfee (he/they)
STUDY ROLE
Community advisor
EXPERTISE
12+ years of experience in birthwork as birth doula, lactation counselor, nurse lactation educator, childbirth educator, and is a newly licensed certified nurse-midwife working to preserve birthing bodies, reproductive rights, and inclusive care nationally
DAY JOB
Owner & Certified Nurse Midwife of Sparkwell Health, Midwife/Doula/Childbirth Educator with Maven Clinic