Our Team

The DSS utilizes the broad skill set of a small group of technical professionals to support its activities.  We also leverage our deep institutional knowledge by supporting partial and part-time efforts of select individuals on an as-needed basis.

Alaric Battle, BA, MA, IT Director & Architect Manager

Alaric has worked in Information Technology for 36 years. He holds 6 Microsoft Windows certifications, including Enterprise Administrator, and has applied expertise in Full stack Backoffice support, including network layer. Alaric has been designing and implementing data acquisition and management projects for the DEB and SF Coordinating Center since 1996.

Cary Fox, MA, Database and Web Programmer (part-time)

Cary has provided technical and operational leadership to the DEB and SF Coordinating Center for more than 30 years.  He created and supported the data systems for some of the Coordinating Center’s earliest studies.  His areas of expertise include database/web programming and support for legacy systems.

Christopher Gehrman, Data Systems Analyst

Chris has provided technical and programming support to research projects for the SF Coordinating Center since 1993.  He holds Microsoft certifications in SQL Server and as a Database Developer, and also has special expertise using TeleForm Enterprise Software and REDCap.

Warren Huang, Technical Support Analyst

Warren has provided technical support to the DEB and SF Coordinating Center since 1992.  He holds a Microsoft certification in server administration, and is skilled at server and network administration, and application and user support.

Wilson Li, Systems Administrator

Wilson has been with the DEB and SF Coordinating Center since 2001.  He holds Microsoft certifications as an IT Professional and Solutions Associate, and is skilled at server and network administration, and application and user support.

Alberto Lopez, Applications Programmer

Alberto brings more than 20 years of software development experience to his position at UCSF.  His areas of expertise include data programming, database design, development and testing (MS SQL), application support and web programming.

Sally Mead, BA, Technical Project Liaison

Sally has worked in the DEB for 14 years in a variety of roles, and provides financial administration, technical writing and project management to the DSS.  She oversees the recharge operation and general finances for the DSS, helps with daily operations, and is delighted to work as a member of this team.

Julia Nagle, BA, Technical Project Manager

Julia has been working with study investigators in the DEB and SF Coordinating Center since 2009.  She holds a certificate in graphic design and has supported the proposal submission process on the department’s behalf.  She is skilled in web design, REDCap, and questionnaire testing and implementation.

Susan Rubin, MPH, Director of Research Initiatives, Academic Operations and Staffing (20% FTE)

Susan has provided project leadership to studies conducted by the SF Coordinating Center for more than 30 years.  She served as the Senior Project Director for the landmark Health, Aging and Body Composition Study (Health ABC) and the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI).  Susan contributes expertise in research study design, proposal and budget development, questionnaire design, data collection and study start-up and implementation.

Willi Wolf, BS, Information Systems Analyst

Willi graduated from Duke with a degree in Computer Science and worked in the DEB and CAPS in the 1990s under Dr. Susan Allen. He has worked in the private sector with AT&T and with IBM on globall7-based projects, and is glad to be back in the DEB.  When not working you may find him behind the piano learning Chopin!