Ushma Upadhyay, PhD, MPH
Professor
Ob/Gyn, Reproductive Sciences
School of Medicine

Ushma Upadhyay, PhD, MPH is a public health scientist trained in epidemiology and demography. She is in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences and is also core faculty of Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH).

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Dr. Upadhyay was born and raised near Boston, Massachusetts. As a person of South Asian descent, primarily raised by her mother who immigrated to the U.S. from Tanzania, she is drawn to reproductive health from a social justice perspective.

Dr. Upadhyay has expertise in abortion safety, abortion access in the U.S., medication abortion, and state-level abortion restrictions. She was Principal Investigator of the landmark California Home Abortion by Telehealth study (CHAT), which examined the safety, effectiveness, and acceptability of telehealth for abortion. Currently, she is the Principal Investigator of the REACH study, which aims to understand the intersections of preferences and access in abortion care. She is also leading a study on interest in a late period pill.

Gender and health justice have also been a central focus of Dr. Upadhyay's work. She has developed and validated the Reproductive Autonomy Scale and the Sexual and Reproductive Empowerment Scale for Adolescents and Young Adults, both of which researchers can use to quantitatively measure people’s power in matters related to contraceptive use, pregnancy, and abortion.

She earned a BA in Public Communication and International Studies from American University, her MPH from Columbia University, and her PhD from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

Awards

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  • Award for Excellence in Advocacy, UCSF Dept. of Ob, Gyn & Reproductive Sci, 2025
  • Award for Exceptional Research Mentorship, UCSF Dept. of Ob, Gyn & Reproductive Sci, 2025
  • Award for Exceptional Research Mentorship, UCSF Dept. of Ob, Gyn & Reproductive Sci, 2023
  • Award for Exceptional Research Mentorship, UCSF Dept. of Ob, Gyn & Reproductive Sci, 2022
  • Most Engaged Award, Psychosocial Workshop, 2021
  • Beacon of Science Award, Society of Family Planning, 2021
  • Best Oral Abstract, National Abortion Federation, 2017
  • Best Research Poster, National Abortion Federation, 2015
  • Outstanding Researcher Award, Society of Family Planning, 2013
  • Estimating the Incidence of Post-Abortion Complications from Medi-Cal Data, UCSF RAP Award, 2011-2012
  • Best Research Poster, National Abortion Federation, 2011
  • Fogarty Fellowship, UC Center of Expertise in Women’s Health and Empowerment, 2010-2011
  • New Investigator in Global Health Award, Global Health Council, 2007
  • Endowed Fellowship in Family Planning and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2005
  • Graduate Research Assistantship, Columbia University, 1997
  • Cum Laude, Dean's List, American University, 1991

Education & Training

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  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training University of California 02/2022
  • PhD Public Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 05/2006
  • MPH Population and Family Health Sciences Columbia University School of Public Health 12/1998
  • BA International Studies & Communications American University 05/1995

Interests

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  • abortion procedures
  • sexual and reproductive health
  • telehealth for abortion
  • adolescent empowerment
  • digital health
  • gender-based power
  • health equity
  • complications of abortion
  • telemedicine
  • relationship power
  • women's reproductive autonomy
  • women's empowerment
  • U.S. abortion restrictions
  • medication abortion
  • telemedicine for abortion
  • South Asian American health
  • abortion safety

Websites

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Videos

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Grants and Projects

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Publications (137)

Top publication keywords:
Health Services AccessibilityPregnancyMisoprostolMifepristoneAbortion, InducedAbortifacient Agents, SteroidalTelemedicineTravelAbortion, LegalFamily Planning ServicesContraception BehaviorUltrasonography, PrenatalAbortion ApplicantsPregnancy, UnplannedAbortion, Spontaneous

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