IVTSF Leadership

Nichole Cubbage, DHSc, is the Founding Executive Director of the IVTSF. As a health scientist, researcher, and advocate, Nichole is dedicated to improving care for families affected by vanishing twin syndrome (VTS) and other multifetal pregnancy complications. She leads a research initiative focused on patient-provider communication gaps in VTS and works to translate evidence into practice through partnerships with organizations such as Multiples of America.

Nichole holds a Doctor of Health Science (DHSc), a Master of Science (MS) in Biotechnology with a specialization in Bioinformatics, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Philosophy, and two additional undergraduate degrees. Her work bridges the fields of public health, maternal-fetal medicine, and patient advocacy, with a strong emphasis on global collaboration. As a mother of two, Nichole brings both professional expertise and lived VTS experience to her mission. 

Andrea Greenwich Heffner, MAEd., serves as the Chair of the IVTSF, bringing a professional foundation in education and the nonprofit sector.  She has a strong background in professional writing, grant management, teaching, and community engagement. As both a writer and artist, Andrea has a talent for creating meaningful content that engages diverse audiences while ensuring clarity and impact. She holds a Master of Arts in Education (MAEd.) in Curriculum and Instruction from The College of William and Mary, and her BA in American Government from The University of Virginia.

Andrea is also a mother with lived experience of VTS. She is passionate about creating opportunities for connection, education, and inspiration – values she now channels into guiding IVTSF’s mission to raise awareness, advance research, and provide compassionate support for families impacted by VTS and multifetal loss.

Whitney Young serves as the Secretary and Foreign Affairs Officer of the IVTSF. She is a U.S. Navy veteran and attended The George Washington University's Elliot School of International Affairs. She brings strong organizational discipline and attention to detail.

As Secretary, Whitney ensures accurate documentation of board proceedings, manages official records, and supports effective communication across IVTSF’s leadership and volunteer teams. Her background in military administration and project coordination has equipped her with the skills to uphold the Foundation’s governance standards and operational excellence. Whitney is passionate about community engagement and contributing to IVTSF’s mission to raise awareness, advance research, and provide compassionate support for families and underserved populations affected by vanishing twin syndrome and multifetal loss.

Allison Groff, MD, FACOG, serves as a Clinical Advisor for the IVTSF. She is a mother of 3 and board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) based in Frederick, Maryland, USA. In addition to being a dedicated mother of 3, she is passionate about offering patient-centered care and advocating for women’s health. 

Dr. Groff is committed to empowering her patients through education and evidence-based care, supporting women across all stages of life. She attended medical school and residency at the State University of New York from 2006 to 2014 after completing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Emory University in 2005 and a BA in Psychology at Cornell University in 2002.

Brent H. Babcock, DC, serves as a Clincal Advisor for the IVTSF. is a seasoned chiropractor based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with over 40 years of experience in the field.  He is the founder of Babcock Chiropractic Clinic, where he has been dedicated to providing exceptional patient care.  His educational background includes studies at Brigham Young University and Texas Chiropractic College, where he received his Doctor of Chiropractic (DC).  

Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Babcock is an author and speaker on VTS and has shared his own experiences as a survivor of VTS. He has cared for hundreds of VTS survivors and has lectured internationally. His book, My Twin Vanished: Did Yours?, explores the psychological and emotional impacts of VTS.

Mr. Silva is a music teacher, musician, and father who experienced VTS with one of his children. Originally from Chile, he is now a researcher and Doctor of Musical Arts Candidate at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. His work explores the intersection of music, meaning-making, and human experience, and he brings a lived-parent perspective to the IVTSF’s efforts to center compassionate communication, family narratives, and long-term psychosocial understanding of twin loss.

Ms. Kapoor is a forensic genomics researcher at the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar, India. She is a competitively selected DST INSPIRE Fellow funded by India’s Department of Science & Technology. Her work integrates twin biology and molecular methods through a forensic lens, supporting IVTSF priorities related to twinning mechanisms, biomarker plausibility, and molecular translation into clinical understanding.