About Our Program

As a research center embedded within Kaiser Permanente’s large and dynamic health care system, our investigators have a unique opportunity to apply scientific expertise to real-world clinical problems, translate findings into practice, and share what we learn with the broader community.

Featured Scientist

Richard M. Treger, MD
Richard M. Treger, MD
Clinician Investigator

Nephrology
Los Angeles

Dr. Richard Treger is a nephrologist and clinician researcher at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. He is interested in medical education and academic nephrology. He is a clinical associate professor and nephrology Phase 3 subspecialty director at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. He is also the program director of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Nephrology Fellowship program.

Dr. Treger has participated in multiple large clinical trials, ...

Featured Video

Research showing value of exercise before COVID-19 diagnosis earns special recognition

Being active can lower your risk of getting seriously ill with COVID, regardless of your race or the chronic conditions you may have, according to research published last year in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The Kaiser Permanente Southern California findings were important, impactful, and influential. As a result, the journal editors chose the research article, “Associations of Physical Inactivity and COVID-19 Outcomes Among Subgroups,” as the American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023 Article of the Year.

News

Featured Image of News Story Titled: Los Angeles wildfires increased virtual medical visits

Los Angeles wildfires increased virtual medical visits

In January 2025, when wildfires swept from the foothills above Los Angeles into the densely populated urban areas below, evacuations ensued and a thick layer of smoke spread across the region. Air quality plummeted. The number of virtual visits soared and in person visits also increased. Research led by Kaiser Permanente Southern California and the ...

Predicting heart issues among breast cancer survivors

Researchers have developed a new risk calculation model to help predict the risks of heart problems for breast cancer survivors. Their research was published in JAMA Oncology in October 2025. “There is limited information about how breast cancer treatments can affect the development of cardiovascular disease,” said study co-senior author Reina Haque, PhD, MPH, a ...

Diabetes medications vary in ability to reduce heart attacks and strokes

A new study led by Kaiser Permanente researchers compared how well 4 different types of glucose-lowering medications reduced the risk of heart attack and stroke for patients with type 2 diabetes, providing important new information for these patients and their physicians. The study, published in JAMA Network Open in October, 2025, analyzed data collected on ...

Insomnia increases depression risk for breast cancer survivors

Breast cancer survivors face a high risk of major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, particularly if they also have insomnia, according to findings from a new study of Kaiser Permanente members. “We determined that the risk of major depression disorder was markedly higher in breast cancer survivors than in a matched group of ...

Some UTIs may be caused by contaminated meat

Nearly 1 in 5 urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Southern California could be due to E. coli strains transmitted through contaminated meat, according to a new study of Kaiser Permanente Southern California members. The research also found that those living in low-income neighborhoods were at increased risk of these infections. The study was published in ...

Events

Featured Division

Biostatistics Research

Our biostatisticians provide expert guidance on working with real-world clinical data to investigators in all of our scientific divisions.

Investigators with the Division of Biostatistics Research collaborate closely with scientists from the department’s other scientific divisions, as well as physician researchers at medical centers across Kaiser Permanente Southern California. They provide expertise and guidance on study design, power and sample size calculations, data management, data analysis and interpretation, and statistical methodology.

Investigators from the division have expertise in study design and data analysis for observational studies and clinical trials to address study questions. Their expertise spans standard and modern methods that deal with complex and big data for population and causal inferences as well as disease prediction.

Each division has at least one dedicated collaborative biostatistician research scientist assigned to provide statistical guidance on its research studies. In addition, one of the collaborative biostatistician researcher scientists leads the Regional Research Statistical Support team, which supports medical center-based researchers.