Teresa Sparks

Teresa Sparks, MD MAS is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. She serves as the Program Director for the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship at UCSF and is the Medical Director for the Prenatal Diagnosis Center at UCSF Benioff Children's Physicians (UBCP). Dr. Sparks specializes in both Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Clinical Genetics, caring for individuals primarily through the Prenatal Diagnosis Center and the Fetal Treatment Center who are pregnant or considering pregnancy, particularly those at higher risk due to fetal birth defects, fetal genetic diseases, maternal genetic or non-genetic diseases, and other complications.

Dr. Sparks received her M.D. in Medicine from the University of California, San Francisco in 2009. She completed her Residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Brigham & Women's Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital in 2013, followed by a Fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Medical Genetics at the University of California, San Francisco in 2017.

Dr. Sparks is a physician-scientist whose research focuses on developing a precision-based approach to care for non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) and other fetal anomalies. Her work involves establishing multicenter NIHF data over many years, performing genomic sequencing and other testing to discover underlying causes, refining clinical testing algorithms, and developing novel in utero treatment approaches. She is passionate about integrating genetics into maternal-fetal medicine and has made significant contributions to prenatal genetic diagnosis and counseling. As a Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator and an Investigator for the UCSF Center for Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine, she leads innovative research that bridges clinical care and scientific discovery.

Analysis of Dr. Sparks' recent publications reveals a strong focus on prenatal genetic diagnosis, non-immune hydrops fetalis, and the application of genomic sequencing in fetal medicine. Her work spans clinical guidelines, cost-effectiveness analyses, and prospective studies that have shaped current practices in maternal-fetal medicine. She has been particularly influential in establishing evidence-based approaches to diagnosing and managing rare fetal conditions through large-scale collaborative research efforts.

• 2022 Young Physician Scientist Award from the American Society of Clinical Investigation
• 2022 Outstanding Research Mentor Award from UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
• 2022 Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Faculty Teaching Award from UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
• 2020 Dru Carlson Memorial Award for best research in Ultrasound and Genetics from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• 2018 Abbott Nutrition/National Institutes of Health/Perinatal Research Society Early Career Speaker award

As the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Director, Dr. Sparks plays a critical role in training the next generation of specialists in this field. She has received multiple Outstanding Resident Teaching Awards from the UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, reflecting her commitment to medical education. Her research is supported by various grants, including her position as a Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator, which provides substantial resources for innovative, high-risk/high-reward research in maternal-fetal medicine.

Dr. Sparks is actively involved with the UCSF Center for Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine, where she leads research initiatives focused on non-immune hydrops fetalis. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams including geneticists, neonatologists, and basic scientists to develop comprehensive approaches to complex fetal conditions. Her leadership in the Prenatal Diagnosis Center and Fetal Treatment Center at UCSF positions her at the forefront of clinical innovation in maternal-fetal medicine.