Who We Are
Your Greatest Resource for Healthy Pregnancies
The Center for Better Beginnings is one of North America’s foremost institutes for breakthrough pregnancy research and education in maternal health and child development. Our team consists of world-renowned medical professionals and researchers who are at the top of their field and who are supported by a dedicated staff. Within UC San Diego’s Department of Pediatrics, our Center houses multiple programs that are actively generating research, disseminating knowledge, and engaging in public service. Healthy pregnancies and healthy babies are our priority and our passion.
Our Vision
To end preventable birth defects and other adverse pregnancy outcomes, and to improve pre- and postnatal outcomes for both the person who is pregnant and their baby.
Our Goal
To improve the health of all families through:
- Innovative pregnancy research that improves our knowledge of the causes of preventable birth defects and adverse pregnancy outcomes;
- Clinical services that are state-of-the-art, comprehensive, and family-centered; and
- Evidenced-based education that empowers the next generation of professionals and parents.
Dr. Bandoli is an Assistant Professor in the Center for Better Beginnings at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Bandoli earned her PhD in Epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2015, where her research and training focused on pediatric and perinatal epidemiology and epidemiologic methods. Dr. Bandoli completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Center for Better Beginnings, and was the recipient of a NIH TL1 fellowship, where she researched maternal psychological health and neurodevelopment in the offspring.