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).

Show full bio (180 words) Hide full bio

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 is Principal Investigator of the California Home Abortion by Telehealth study, which examines the safety, effectiveness, and acceptability of telehealth for abortion. She is also leading a study on interest in a late period pill.

Dr. Upadhyay is Associate Director of Research of the UCGHI Center for Gender and Health Justice. 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

Show all (16) Hide

  • 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

Show all (4) Hide

  • 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

Show all (17) Hide

  • 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

Show all (3) Hide

Videos

Show all (2) Hide

Grants and Projects

Show all (32) Hide

Publications (135)

Top publication keywords:
Health Services AccessibilityMedicaidPregnancyMisoprostolMifepristoneAbortion, InducedAbortifacient Agents, SteroidalTelemedicineTravelAbortion, LegalFamily Planning ServicesContraception BehaviorAbortion ApplicantsPregnancy, UnplannedAbortion, Spontaneous

Show all (130 more) Hide