University of Alabama at Birmingham

ABOUT US

The HBCD team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is excited to partner with moms and babies to learn how to support healthy brain development! Our team is led by Dr. Myriam Peralta, a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician, and Dr. Cassandra Newsom, a pediatric neuropsychologist, who have dedicated their careers to studying infant and child development and supporting families of children with neurodevelopmental delays. We have a diverse, multi-disciplinary team who brings expertise in and a passion for maternal health, child development, and health equity. Our investigator team includes obstetricians, neonatologists, social workers, medical anthropologists, pediatricians, and psychologists. Our talented research coordinators and family navigators have additional training in social work, doula care, crisis intervention, substance misuse, Spanish-language interpretation, and study specific assessments. They provide support, navigation, and connection to community resources to make it easier for families from every background to be represented in research! UAB is the 8th largest hospital in the US and a state and national leader in promoting healthy pregnancies and births across Alabama’s diverse populations. We are grateful for the families who join the HBCD study and help us further this mission. We will do all we can to create a comfortable, welcoming, and supportive experience for all our HBCD families!