Patty Moran, PhD

Research Specialist, UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health
Clinical Psychologist, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

Areas of Interest

Mindfulness-based interventions for health conditions
Psychological adjustment in chronic or serious illness
Coping at the end of life

Experience and Current Work

Since 2002, Dr. Patty Moran has been the project director for a number of patient-oriented behavioral studies at the Osher Center, including two National Institutes of Health Center of Excellence randomized controlled clinical trials examining mindfulness-based interventions. Current projects include a study comparing a very low-carb diet to the plate method for adults with Type 2 diabetes, a pilot study testing a maintenance program after Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and a clinical trial evaluating ways to improve sleep and mental health during and after pregnancy. Dr. Moran also helps mentor fellows, trainees, and junior faculty on the planning and execution of their clinical studies, providing input on aspects of study design, implementation, and management.

In addition to her research position at the Osher Center, Dr. Moran is also a clinical psychologist in the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she uses cognitive-behavioral, emotion-focused, and mindfulness-based approaches to help cancer patients and their family members cope with a wide array of concerns and symptoms related to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. In collaboration with the UCSF Cancer Resource Center, she facilitates the General Cancer Support Group, a 90-minute weekly group session that is open to adults with all types and stages of cancer.

Education and Training

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Psychology and Medicine, UCSF
Clinical Internship, Behavioral Medicine Specialization, Palo Alto Veterans Administration Hospital
PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Iowa