Katherine Antonia Ahrens

Education:

Ph.D. Epidemiology Boston University 2012
M.P.H. Epidemiology University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 2004
B.A. Biology Harvard University 1999

Professional Experience:

2012- Postdoctoral Fellow
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development
Division of Epidemiology Statistics and Prevention Research
Bethesda, MD
2009-2010 Research Analyst
Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University
Boston, MA
2005-2008 Epidemiologist I
STD Prevention and Control Section
Department of Public Health
City and County of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
2004 -2005 Epidemiologist I
STD Control Branch
Department of Health Services
State of California
Oakland, CA
2003 Research Intern
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Vaccine Program
Stanford School of Medicine
Palo Alto, CA
2001 – 2002 Clinical Research Assistant
Substance Abuse Research Unit
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, RI
2000 – 2001 Research Assistant
Ecosystems Center
The Marine Biological Laboratory
Woods Hole, MA

Teaching Experience:

Fall 2011 Teaching Assistant, Advanced Epidemiology
Boston University School of Public Health
Boston, MA
Spring 2011 Teaching Assistant, Intermediate Epidemiology
Boston University School of Public Health
Boston, MA
2006 Lecturer, Introductory Epidemiology
Holy Names University
Oakland, CA
2002 – 2004 Graduate Student Instructor
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI

Competitive Awards and Honors:

Member of the Delta Omega Society, a public health honorary society for students graduating in the top 10% of their class.

Selected for participation at the National Institutes of Health National Graduate Student Research Conference, October 2011. Bethesda, Maryland.

National Institutes of Health pre-doctoral training grant: Boston University Reproductive, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology training program (T32 HD052458).

Selected for participation at the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)’s Summer Institute in Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology, Val-David, Quebec, Canada July 2009

Peer-reviewer for:

Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Journal
HIV Clinical Trials
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Environmental Health Perspectives

Publications:

  1. Ahrens K, Lash TL, Louik C, Mitchell AA, Werler MM. Correcting for Exposure Misclassification using survival analysis with a time-varying exposure. Annals of Epidemiology, in press.

  2. Ahrens K. Consequences of controlling for viral diseases during pregnancy: antiherpetic medication and influenza vaccination. A doctoral dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Boston University, May, 2012.

  3. Ahrens K, Yazdy M, Mitchell AA, Werler MM. Folic acid intake and spina bifida in the era of dietary folic acid fortification. Epidemiology. 2011 May; 22 (5):731-737.

  4. Werler MM, Ahrens KA, Bosco JLF, Mitchell AA, Anderka MT, Gilboa SM, Holmes LB and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Use of antiepileptic medications in pregnancy in relation to risks of birth defects. Annals of Epidemiology. 2011 November; 22 (11): 842-850.

  5. Klausner JD and Ahrens KA. Health Communication and Surveillance Case Study: A Healthy Response to Increases in Syphilis—The San Francisco Healthy Penis Campaign; Eds: M’ikanatha, Lynfield, Van Beneden and de Valk: Infectious Disease Surveillance 1st edition 2007; 2nd edition 2011. Blackwell Publishing, Malden, Massachusetts.

  6. Katz KA, Pillay A, Ahrens K, Kohn RP, Hermanstyne K, Bernstein KT, Ballard RC, Klausner JD. Molecular epidemiology of syphilis—San Francisco, 2004-2007. Sex Transm Dis. 2010 Oct; 37(10); 660-663.

  7. Gertler S, Ahrens K, Klausner JD. Increased knowledge of safe and appropriate penicillin injection after viewing brief instructional video titled "How to Inject Bicillin LA". Sex Transm Dis. 2009 Mar; 36 (3);9.

  8. Zetola NM, Bernstein K, Ahrens K, Marcus JL, Philip S, Nieri G, Jones D, Hare CB, Hsu L, Scheer S, Klausner JD. Using surveillance data to monitor entry into care of newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons: San Francisco, 2006-2007. BMC Public Health. 2009 Jan 14;9:17.

  9. Scott KC, Philip S, Ahrens K, Kent CK, Klausner JD. High prevalence of gonococcal and chlamydial infection in men who have sex with men with newly diagnosed HIV infection: an opportunity for same-day presumptive treatment. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2008 May 1; 48 (1):109-12.

  10. Philip SS, Ahrens K, Shayevich C, de la Roca R, Williams M, Wilson D, Bernstein K, and Klausner JD. Evaluation of a new point-of-care serologic assay for herpes simplex virus type 2 infection. Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Nov 15; 47(10):e79-82.

  11. Liu AY, Kittredge PV, Vittinghoff E, Raymond HF, Ahrens K, Matheson T, Hecht J, Klausner JD, Buchbinder SP. Limited knowledge and use of HIV post-and pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay and bisexual men. J Acqui Immune Defic Syndr. 2008 Feb 1; 47(2):241-7.

  12. Ahrens K, Kent CK, Kohn RP, Nieri G, Reynolds A, Philip S, Klausner JD. HIV partner notification outcomes for HIV-infected patients by duration of infection, San Francisco, 2004 to 2006. J Acqui Immune Defic Syndr. 2007 Dec 1; 46(4):479-84

  13. Moss N, Harper C, Ahrens K, Scott K, Padian N, Raine T, Klausner JD. Predictors of incident herpes simplex virus type 2 infections in young women at risk for unintended pregnancy in San Francisco. BioMed Central Infectious Diseases. 2007 Sep 26;7:113.

  14. Papp J, Ahrens K, Phillips C, Kent CK, Philip S, Klausner JD. The use and performance of oral-throat rinses to detect pharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2007 Nov; 59(3):259-64.

  15. Vaudrey J, Raymond H.F., Chen S, Hecht J, Ahrens K, McFarland W. Indicators of use of methamphetamine and other substances among men who have sex with men, San Francisco, 2003 – 2006. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2007 Sep 6; 90(1):97-100.

  16. Ahrens K, Bradbury KJ, Bauer HM, Samuel MC, Gould G, Donatoni G, Higgins C, Kerndt P, Bolan G. Trends in the use of sexually transmitted disease diagnostic technologies in California, 19962003. Sex Transm Dis. 34(7):513-518, July 2007.

  17. Strona FV, McCright J, Hjord H, Ahrens K, Tierney S, Shoptaw S, Klausner JD. The acceptability and feasibility of the positive reinforcement opportunity project, a community-based contingency management methamphetamine treatment program, in gay and bisexual men, San Francisco. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 2006 November SARC Suppl 3: 377-381.

  18. Ahrens K, Kent CK, Montoya JA , Rotblatt H, McCright J, Kerndt P, Klausner JD. Healthy Penis: San Francisco’s social marketing campaign to increase syphilis testing among gay and bisexual men. 2006 PLoS Medicine Vol. 3, No. 12.

Presentations:

Ahrens K. Consequences of controlling viral diseases during pregnancy: antiherpetic medication and influenza vaccination. Slone Center for Epidemiology Brown Bag Seminar Series. May 17, 2012. Boston, Massachusetts.

Ahrens K. Influenza vaccination before and during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth. Advanced methods student workshop on bias analysis with Dr. Timothy Lash. Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research Annual Meeting, June 2011. Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Ahrens K. Influenza vaccination before and during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth. Colby College Mathematics and Statistics Department Spring Colloquium Series. March 14, 2011. Waterville, Maine.

Ahrens K, Yazdy M, Mitchell AA, Werler MM. Folic Acid Intake and Spina Bifida In the Era of Dietary Folic Acid Fortification. Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research Annual Meeting, June 2010. Seattle, Washington.

Ahrens KA, Werler MM. Use of antiepileptic medications in pregnancy in relation to risks of birth defects. National Birth Defects Prevention Study Webinar, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 13, 2009.

Abstracts accepted:

Ahrens KA, Anderka MT, Feldkamp ML, Canfield MA, Mitchell AA, Werler MM. Antiherpetic medication use and the risk of gastroschisis. Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research Annual Conference Poster Presentation, June 2012. Minneapolis, MN.

Ahrens KA, Louik C, Mitchell AA, Werler MM. Influenza vaccination during pregnancy and the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) birth. Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research Annual Conference Poster Presentation, June 2012. Minneapolis, MN.

Ahrens K, Louik C, Mitchell AA, Hochberg, NS, LaValley M, Applebaum KM. Prenatal Influenza Vaccination and the Risks of Preterm and Small for Gestational Age (SGA) Birth. National Graduate Student Research Conference Poster Presentation, October 2011. Bethesda, Maryland.

Philip S, Ahrens K, Bernstein K, Klausner JD. Performance of a New Rapid Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Fingerstick Assay in an Urban STD Clinic. BASHH / ASTDA Poster Presentation, May 2008. Brooklyn, NY.

Bernstein K, Ahrens K, Philip S, Klausner JK. Rectal STD Re-Infections Increase Risk of HIV Seroconversion. BASHH / ASTDA Oral Presentation, May 2008. Brooklyn, NY.

Bernstein KT, Ahrens K, Philip S, Klausner JK. Factors associated with concurrent sexual partnerships among men who have sex with men (MSM). National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Oral Presentation, March 2008. Chicago, IL.

Philip S, Ahrens K, Bernstein KT and Klausner JD. Rates of Repeat Testing among Patients Diagnosed with Chlamydia and Gonorrhea at a Public STD Clinic: San Francisco 2005-2006. National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Oral Presentation, March 2008. Chicago, IL.

Newman L, Ahrens K, Bissette J, Datta D, Kerani R, Klingler E, Kohn R, Martins S, Rietmeijer K, Weinstock H. Monitoring genital wart disease in STD clinics through the STD Surveillance Network (SSuN). National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Oral Presentation, March 2008. Chicago, IL.

Klausner JD, Philip S, Ahrens K, Nieri N, Kohn R, Louie B, Wong E, Liska S. Combined rapid and HIV RNA testing in a public STD clinic, San Francisco, 2004-2006. HIV Diagnostics Conference Oral Presentation, December 2007. Atlanta, Georgia.

Goldsmith J, Faruki H, Smith R, Richardson M, Zetola N, Ahrens K, Klausner J. High Throughput Donor Plasma NAT Screening Assay Applied to Acute HIV Detection in a Public Health Setting. HIV Diagnostics Conference Poster Presentation, December 2007. Atlanta, Georgia.

Klausner JD, Winters M, Ahrens K, Balamane M, Rowniak S, De La Roca R, Israelski D, Katzenstein D. Oral Fluid Specimens for the Detection of Acute HIV Infection. National HIV Prevention Conference Oral Presentation, December 2007. Atlanta, Georgia.

Ahrens K, Kent CK, Nieri G, Philip S, Klausner, JD Monitoring Entry into Primary Care for Newly Diagnosed HIV-Infected Persons: San Francisco, 2006. National HIV Prevention Conference Oral Presentation, December 2007. Atlanta, Georgia.

Barry PM, Kent CK, Ahrens K, Klausner JD. Risk factors for gonorrhea among heterosexuals – San Francisco, 2006. International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research Poster Presentation, July 2007. Seattle, Washington.

Scott K, Philip S, Ahrens K, Kent CK, Klausner JD. High prevalence of gonococcal and chlamydial infection in men who have sex with men with newly diagnosed HIV infection: An opportunity for same day presumptive treatment. International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research Poster Presentation, July 2007. Seattle, Washington.

Schumacher CM, Kent CK, Ahrens K, Klausner JD, Zenilman JM. Substantial prevalence of gonococcal and chlamydial infections among MSM with early syphilis and their sex partners: San Francisco, 20022005. International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research Poster Presentation, July 2007. Seattle, Washington.

Barry PM, Ahrens K, Rogér A, Greenwood G, Schachter S, Richardson D, Rietmeijer C, Klausner JD. Prevalence and incidence of Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis infections among STD clinic patients determined by transcription mediated amplification-San Francisco and Denver, 2004 – 2005. International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research Poster Presentation, July 2007. Seattle, Washington.

Ahrens K, Kent CK, Kellogg T, Philip S, Klausner JD. Methamphetamine and erectile dysfunction drug use associated with chlamydial and gonococcal infections in HIV-uninfected gay and bisexual men: San Francisco, 2006 – 2007. International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research Poster Presentation, July 2007. Seattle, Washington.

Ahrens K, Kent CK, Kohn RP, Goldenson J, Klausner JD. High titer syphilis seroreactivity data in correctional settings more accurately monitors syphilis trends in a city with low syphilis rates among heterosexuals: San Francisco, 1997 – 2006. International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research Poster Presentation, July 2007. Seattle, Washington.

Scott K, Kent CK, Ahrens K, Philip S, Klausner JD. Chlamydial and Gonococcal Infection among Gay and Bisexual Men at Time of HIV Positive Test Result: Implications for Co-Treatment, San Francisco 20042006. Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections Oral Presentation, February 2007. Los Angeles, CA.

Ahrens K, Kent CK, Nieri G, Kohn R, Klausner JD. HIV Partner Notification Outcomes for HIV-infected Patients by Duration of Infection, San Francisco 2004 — 2006. Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections Poster Presentation, February 2007. Los Angeles, CA.

Klausner JD, Philip S, Ahrens K, Nieri G, Kohn R, Liska S, Louie B, Wong E, Kent CK. Combined rapid and HIV RNA testing in a public STD clinic, San Francisco, 2004-2006. Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections Poster Presentation, February 2007. Los Angeles, CA.

Zetola NM, Ahrens K, Kent CK, Truong HM, Grant RM, Dilley J, Klausner, JD. Surveillance for transmitted drug-resistance in sentinel-sites: San Francisco 2005-2006. Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections Poster Presentation, February 2007. Los Angeles, CA.

Papp JR, Ahrens K, Philips C, Farshy C, Kent CK, Klausner JD. The Performance of Oral Rinses as a Novel Approach to Detect Pharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis Infections. International Union against Sexually Transmitted Diseases Oral Presentation, October 2006. Versailles, France.

Francis SC, Kent CK, Rauch L, Ahrens K, Kohn R, Hardick A, Klausner JD, Gaydos CA. Prevalence of Rectal Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis in Rectal Specimens Among Gay Male Patients at the San Francisco STD Clinic, 2005-2006. Infectious Disease Society of America Poster Presentation, October 2006. Toronto, Canada.

Kent CK, Ahrens K, Nakao JH, Liska S, Klausner JD. Substantial Prevalence of Rectal Chlamydia and Gonorrhea in a Variety of Venues Providing Services to Men Who Have Sex with Men  San Francisco, 2005. International AIDS Conference Poster Presentation, August 2006. Toronto, Canada.

Philip S, Ahrens K, Nieri G, Kohn R, Liska S, Louie B, Kent CK, Klausner JD. State-of-the-art HIV testing— Combined rapid and HIV RNA testing in a public STD clinic, San Francisco, 2004-2005. International AIDS Conference Poster Presentation, August 2006. Toronto, Canada.

Kent CK, Nieri G, Ahrens K, Klausner JD. Effective HIV Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS): San Francisco, 2004  2005. International AIDS Conference Poster Presentation, August 2006. Toronto, Canada.

Liu A, Wheeler S, Vittinghoff E, Raymond HF, Ahrens K, Klausner JD, Buchbinder S. Low levels of pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness and use among HIV-negative/unknown gay/bisexual men: San Francisco Bay Area residents, circuit party attendees, and clients of an urban STD clinic. International Workshop on HIV Transmission Poster Presentation, International AIDS Conference, August 2006. Toronto, Canada.

Kent CK, Ahrens K, Courtney JG, Kellogg T, Schwarcz S, Liska S, Klausner JD. Rectal chlamydial and gonococcal infections are common and have a substantial impact on HIV incidence among men who have sex with men in San Francisco. International Workshop on HIV Transmission Poster Presentation, International AIDS Conference, August 2006. Toronto, Canada.

Levine D, Scott K, Ahrens K, Kent CK, Klausner JD. InSPOT.org; A unique online partner notification system. National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Oral Presentation, May 2006. Jacksonville, Florida.

Philip S, Kohn R, Ahrens K, Wong E, Kent CK, Klausner JD. Trends in herpes culture testing over eleven years at an urban STD clinic: San Francisco, 1995-2005. National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Poster Presentation, May 2006. Jacksonville, Florida.

Strona FV, Tierney S, Stansell J, Kahn J, Gibson S, Cabaj B, Pendo M, Hare B, Siever M, McCright J, Ahrens K, Shoptaw S, King WD, Reback CJ, Dang J, Klausner JD. Positive Reinforcement Opportunity Project (PROP): New treatment for MSM who use Methamphetamine. National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Poster Presentation, May 2006. Jacksonville, Florida.

Moss N, Harper C, Ahrens K, Kent CK, Scott K, Kao S, Liska S, Rocca C, Fisher R, Padian N, Raine T, Darney P, Klausner JD. Predictors and pregnancy in incident Herpes simplex type 2 infection in young women using community clinics. National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Poster Presentation, May 2006. Jacksonville, Florida.

Moss N, Harper C, Ahrens K, Kent CK, Scott K, Kao S, Liska S, Rocca C, Fisher R, Padian N, Raine T, Darney P, Klausner JD. Predictors of incident genital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in young women using community clinics in San Francisco. National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Poster Presentation, May 2006. Jacksonville, Florida.

Ahrens K, Kent CK, McCright J, Montoya JA, Rotblatt H, Kerndt P, Klausner JD. Healthy Penis 2004: Evaluation of a Social Marketing Syphilis Prevention Campaign, San Francisco, CA. National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Poster Presentation, May 2006. Jacksonville, Florida.

Ahrens K, Nieri G, Philip S, Kohn RP, Liska S, Wong EH, Louie B, Kent CK, Klausner JD. Comprehensive HIV Testing Services in an STD Clinic: Standard Antibody, Rapid Antibody, and HIV RNA Testing. National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Poster Presentation, May 2006. Jacksonville, Florida.

Reynolds A, Ahrens K, Philip S, Kohn RP, Kent CK, Klausner JD. Nonoccupational Postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP) against HIV following High-risk Exposure. National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Poster Presentation, May 2006. Jacksonville, Florida.

Ahrens K, Schwarcz S, Kent CK, Kohn RP, Klausner JD. Trends in HIV incidence among men who have sex with men, San Francisco, 2001-2004. National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Poster Presentation, May 2006. Jacksonville, Florida.

Papp JR, Ahrens K, Philips C, Farshy C, Kent CK, Klausner JD. Assessment of Commercial Mouthwash as a Novel Approach to Detect Pharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections. National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Conference Latebreaker Poster Presentation, May 2006. Jacksonville, Florida.