Natacha De Genna, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Epidemiology, Clinical and Translational Science
Assistant Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Principal Investigator
I am an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. I received my Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Concordia University in Montréal where I examined maternal and child health in the Concordia Longitudinal Risk Project. I completed a postdoctoral fellowship in substance use epidemiology at the Maternal Health Practices and Child Development (MHPCD) project at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC (WPIC) in Pittsburgh. My program of research has focused on maternal and child health, particularly relationships between substance use and reproductive health. In addition, I enjoy teaching in the Department of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health and mentoring students and junior faculty in the School of Medicine. My goal at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach is to help reduce the burden of cancer throughout our catchment area, ensuring that everybody feels welcome seeking and can safely access timely screening and treatment for cancer.
Fun Fact: In my spare time I enjoy rowing.
Alison Sanfacon
Research Project Coordinator
Alison joined the YoungMoms team June 2021 after a spending over 12 years providing behavior and developmental education to families and schools. Originally from New Hampshire, Alison lives in the East End of Pittsburgh with her partner and their pets—a cat named Marion and a 1-year-old pup named Gemma. In her off time, you can find her binging streaming shows, browsing antique shops, or practicing her Greek language lessons.
Collaborators
Student Researchers
Dahlia Lehman, BA, MS-2 (University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine)
Mary Aker (Pitt Public Health ’26)