Women in Science

Dr. Chambers

Dr. Christina Chambers is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine at UC San Diego. She is Chief of the Division of Environmental Science and Health, and Co-Director of the Center for Better Beginnings. She is the principal investigator of MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies, and the UC San Diego Human Milk Research Biorepository, two nation-wide longitudinal cohort studies focused on the safety of medications, vaccines, substances, infectious agents, and other environmental exposures in pregnancy and lactation. Dr. Chambers co-directs the HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study (HBCD), a nationwide research initiative focused on developmental trajectories of children in various environments from prenatal life through 10 years of age. In addition, Dr. Chambers leads research and educational initiatives in the U.S. and internationally on the prevention and treatment of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.  She co-directs the Center for Population Science and Community Engagement in the Clinical and Translational Research Institute at UC San Diego which supports clinical research development in diverse populations.

Did you have a role model that influenced your decision to work in science?
Yes, as a volunteer in a clinical division in Pediatrics and having the opportunity to observe clinical researchers, I became fascinated with the concept that it would be actually possible to answer questions about the safety of various medications and other exposures in pregnancy for the developing baby.

What is your scientific background?
I completed a Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology, and then a PhD in Public Health both of which were focused on research on maternal and child health and environmental risks for adverse outcomes.

Why did you choose to become a scientist?
This was a midlife career change for me. Based on my volunteer experience at the UCSD NICU and in the Department of Pediatrics, I was inspired to pursue an advanced degree and then to move into a faculty position focused on research.  

How did you choose your field of study?
My volunteer experience, as well as a personal experience having a child with a birth defect were the major drivers for me in choosing this field of study.

Which topic are you working on at the moment? Why did you choose this topic and how do you think you’re making a difference?
I continue to lead several national studies on pregnancy and lactation and the effects of prenatal and postnatal environmental factors as well as genetics on maternal and child health outcomes.  There is a huge void in knowledge in this area as pregnant and lactating women. This is due in part because pregnant and breastfeeding women are  typically excluded from clinical trials prior to approvals of new medications or vaccines. In addition, for commonly used substances such as alcohol and cannabis, there are numerous unanswered questions about potential risks for the infant or child.  The need to develop more information using rigorous methods for pregnant and breastfeeding women who have to make decisions about treatments and other exposures every day is so important.  As we do this work for all new drugs and vaccines as well as substances,  and disseminate the information to the public and health care providers, I think this does make a big difference in improving clinical care for both women and children.

What are your biggest achievements, and what are your biggest failures?
I helped to provide needed information about new medications used to treat depression, autoimmune diseases and other disorders that are common in women of reproductive age, and I am proud  to have led the first prevalence study of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in the U.S.  I think my most meaningful contribution has been to build an incredible study team at UCSD who work on numerous nationwide and international studies on pregnancy and lactation, and that is known for the rigorous and excellent work that they do. Equally important, they are respected and valued by the study participants.

I have failed in more ways than I can count. I wish I could have moved initiatives forward more quickly instead of in incremental steps, and I wish that we had made better progress in our work on preventing common disabilities like fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.  

 What are the biggest challenges/obstacles you have had to overcome?
Securing sustainable funding is always a challenge, along with the critical need to secure resources to provide direct services to children with disabilities.  These are obstacles that we are still trying to overcome.

How do you stay encouraged during challenges?
Appreciating the small wins and keeping an eye on our long-term objectives keep me energized.

Is there any scientific topic (outside of your field of research) that you think should have more scientific attention? Which one?
Yes - health behavior is still a mystery to me. It is the key in my opinion to all of the health issues that are preventable/treatable, and yet we understand so little about what truly motivates one person to behave in a certain way and not another. 

During your career, have you been specifically mentored or supported by someone?
Yes, my Division Chief, Dr. Kenneth Lyons Jones has been my mentor since the beginning of my career.

What is the funniest or most memorable thing that has happened to you while working in science?
I’ve had the good fortune to work with incredible colleagues in Ukraine for the last 20 years. My colleagues there, most of whom are women in science, are the most dedicated, caring, ethical, hardworking and smart people  I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. They continue to amaze me every day. 

If you had the option to give advice to a younger version of yourself, what would that be?
I wish I had been more focused and found my perfect niche earlier in life – so I’ve had a lot of catch-up to do.

In your opinion, which changes, if any, are needed in the scientific system to be more appealing to women in science and possible future women scientists?
I don’t think the appeal of science is the problem - I think access to resources and opportunities for advancement are the issues that might keep women from engaging in a career in science or might be  discouraging once they have chosen that career path. Strong mentorship, and stability in support, e.g., salary support, access to resources,  but even more comprehensive than that.

What has been the most unexpected part about your career in science/medicine?
Every day is a new day - new questions, new techniques, new answers, and so much new is brought to my attention by students/trainees. Who would have thought the one silver lining about the pandemic is that it has been an exciting time for research.