ORWH-SUPPORTED CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS 

FY2006 

A major part of the ORWH mandate is to develop opportunities and support for the recruitment, 

retention, re-entry, and advancement of women in biomedical careers. To accomplish these 

goals, ORWH held a public hearing and major career development workshop in 1992. Based 

upon the Report from this meeting, ORWH initiated a number of programs to nurture the 

participation and advancement of women in biomedical careers in order to ensure that interest 

and priorities in women’s health remain at the forefront of our nation’s research agenda. ORWH 

has developed strategies and programs to implement the recommendations made at this 

workshop and to address career issues, barriers, and concerns of women and minorities in 

science. These programs include support for mentored research training in areas related to 

women’s health; support for biomedical scientists who have interrupted careers in research in 

order to fulfill family obligations to re-start their research careers; outreach to young girls and 

women who have an interest in pursuing careers in biomedical science; and collaboration with 

professional societies to encourage their support of the career advancement of women scientists. 

The Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) is under a 

separate report. 

Denniz Zolnoun, M.D., M.P.H., former BIRCWH Scholar at U NC 

K23-HD053631-01 

Refining Diagnostic Criteria of a Pain Disorder: Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome 

Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS), the most common type of chronic vulvovaginal pain, 

impairs the psychological, physical, and reproductive health of nearly 1 in 10 women at some 

point in their lifetime. The etiology of VVS is poorly understood. 

Dr. Zolnoun is a well-trained clinician who completed a Clinical Fellowship in Advanced 

Laparoscopy and Pelvic Pain at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has a 

master’s in public health epidemiology at UNC. Her long-term career goal is to study the 

pathogenesis of VVS and how different pathophysiologic mechanisms influence heterogeneity 

among various subgroups of women with this disorder. She plans to apply the meticulous 

methods of her clinical and epidemiology training to the basic study of VVS. This candidate has 

greatly expanded her knowledge of pain research and assessment methodology, and had the 

opportunity to conduct pilot studies supporting the proposed conceptual model for VVS while in 

the ORWH/Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) 

Program. 

This research focus is in desperate need of talented researchers. The reviewers comment that the 

well conceived research plan is feasible, complements Dr. Zolnoun’s previous training, and will 

add significantly to the literature on vulvar pain disorders. This award would provide a junior 

investigator with vital protected time to work closely with a team of mentors to facilitate and 

strengthen a foundation leading to a successful research career. 

The budget is adequate for the PI’s effort, training and research project. The proposed project has 

not been modified from the original application. This application touches on several of the 
ORWH research priorities including education and career development of women in science, 

interdisciplinary research, diseases and conditions that affect women, and disease initiation 

focusing on prevention and treatment strategies. 

This impressive junior investigator has the background that will allow her to complete the 

research project and advanced career development plan within the five-year time line. The 

Transition Award will provide an outstanding opportunity for Dr. Zolnoun to continue describing 

the disorder of VVS, and identify the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that produce 

this condition. In so doing, this will allow a promising physician scientist to strengthen her 

research objectives in preparation for a productive career as an independent researcher 

Keywords: career development and training, patient oriented research, clinical studies 

REAP Award. Multi-year Funding: NICHD will provide funding for the out-years. 

ORWH Research Priorities: (1) Overarching Themes for Research on Women’s Health: 

Interdisciplinary Research; (2) Areas of Interest in Women’s Health: Diseases and Conditions 

that Affect Women; (3) Special Emphasis Areas: Prevention and Treatment 

OFFICE OF SCIENCE EDUCATION 

For several years, ORWH and the Office of Science Education (OSE) have provided educational 

resources for pre-college students and others who are interested in science and health careers. 

The partnership sponsored two programs in fiscal year 2006. All videos are to be produced in 

DVD format in FY 2006. 

A key component to judging educator interest in the ORWH/OSE programs is “traffic” on the 

OSE URL http://science.education.nih.gov/women. During this fiscal year, there were 932,700 

successful hits to the URL. Of those hits, 23,535 were “unique hits”, or an increase of over 11 

percent from the previous year. Overwhelmingly, site visitors were from the United States; 

however, over 5 percent were from international email addresses (up 1 percent from fiscal year 

2005). The popularity of the two programs makes it evident that they are filling an important 

need for material about careers for women in science. 

Women are Scientists Video and Poster Series: Colorful, informative videos and posters for 

middle-school students that feature women scientists. The series is designed to stimulate the 

interest of girls in science at a time when they are making decisions about the course choices 

that may affect their career options later. In the middle-school years, many girls are 

discouraged from pursuing advanced levels of study in math and science. This series is intended 

to make them aware of the many interesting and rewarding careers in the medical sciences and 

the educational requirements necessary to pursue them. 

Highlights: The Women are Scientists video series continues to be popular among students and 

educators. Because of the volume of requests for these videos, the supply of the first three video 
kits has been exhausted, including the first reprinting of these kits. (A few are being held for 

emergency purposes.) 

In fiscal year 2006, a total of 2,346 video kits were distributed. The bulk of these were Women 

Scientists with Disabilities; 2,327 of these kits were distributed, or a 6 percent increase over 

fiscal year 2005. Kits for the other three videos were distributed by special request only and 

included 7 Women are Pathologists, 6 Women are Researchers, and 6 Women are Surgeons. 

The reported usage included requests from middle and high school teachers, home school 

teachers, and libraries and for outreach activities and career counseling. 

The OSE, with concurrence by ORWH, is in the final stages of reproducing the first three videos 

in DVD format. A cardboard wallet has been designed as a self mailer and the artwork approved. 

The master DVDs were revised several times, adding a splash page, chapters, and narrative text 

in addition to closed captioning. These significant changes involved additional funds, provided 

by OSE, and multiple reviews of the draft DVDs. The DVDs have been approved and 10,000 of 

each with their wallets are in final production. 

The fifth video, Women in Dental Research, is in the final stage of development. All filming has 

been completed. The two major events that must occur before the video can be finished are: 1) 

an agreement between the NIH’s and the celebrity’s (Mika Boorem) attorneys on wording of the 

consent form so it can be signed, and 2) the approval of Dr. Vivian Pinn, ORWH Director, of the 

final cut of the video. 

After the above approvals are obtained, the video’s director will proceed to balance the music 

and sound and make any last minute changes that are requested. A splash page with video 

chapters has been added, so viewers can selection sections of the video. Narrative text has been 

added along with closed captions. The supplementary part of the video has been separated and 

will have a variety of websites that students can view for additional information on careers. The 

main portion of the video has been kept under 25 minutes, as was suggested by the middle 

teacher who provided feedback on the video after his classes had viewed it. 

All artwork for the packaging, including the labels for the DVD and the poster, are complete. 

When the consent form is signed, the video is approved, and the final master DVD is complete, 

the printing and packaging can be completed. 

All five videos are scheduled to be available via the internet. Any costs associated with 

completing this part of the project including annual archival costs will be borne by the OSE. 

Women in Science Poster Series: A series of free posters, with a companion website, aimed 

primarily at middle-school girls. The series emphasizes that science and medical research offer 

many different career paths, all of which are excellent opportunities for women. They feature 

careers in neuroscience, heart disease, and cancer research. 

Highlights: Posters are distributed primarily at the science teacher conferences attended by OSE 

staff and by mail through a request form on the OSE website. The posters have been especially 

popular at teacher conferences, where there is a dearth of materials that focus on women in 

science. In fiscal year 2006, 1,674 copies of each poster were distributed to teachers, State 
departments of education, and local school systems; this was about a 10 percent increase over 

fiscal year 2005. 

Based on the number of each poster left in stock, it appears that orders can be filled through next 

spring before the current supply is depilated. The OSE has initiated action for a third printing of 

the posters at its own expense. 

ORWH/Office of Loan Repayment, OIR 

The OLRS, Office of Intramural Research (OIR) is responsible for the development and 

management of the Undergraduate Scholarship Program for Individuals from Disadvantaged 

Backgrounds (UGSP). The UGSP provides scholarships to undergraduate students who have 

been competitively selected from a nation-wide pool of candidates. The OLRS awards an 

average of 15 scholarships each year. The ORWH has been very supportive of supporting 

female UGSP scholars since FY01. In FY06, ORWH supported six UGSP scholars – four new 

scholars, one in her second year of the program, and one in her third year of the program. The 

following is a summary report on the ORWH-sponsored Scholars. 

Kelly R. Daigle, a senior majoring in biological sciences and biochemistry at North Carolina 

State University, received a second year of scholarship support through the UGSP. In the 

summers of 2005 and 2006, Kelly trained under Dr. Andrew Singleton in the National Institute 

on Aging’s Laboratory of Neurogenetics. In 2005 she presented a poster at the NIH Poster Day 

titled, “Identification and Validation of the Transcriptional Responses Controlled by DJ-1,” and 

in 2006 her poster was titled, “Toxicity of Parkinson's-Associated Chemicals on Neuronal Cells 

Following Induction of PINK1.” Upon graduation Kelly plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. in 

neuroscience. 

Yessenia M. Ibarra graduated in May 2006 from San Diego State University with a degree in 

cell and molecular biology. This summer at the NIH, she trained with Dr. Zu-Hang Sheng, Head, 

Synaptic Function Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Her project, 

which she presented at the NIH Poster Day, was titled, “Molecular Characterization of 

Intracellular Trafficking of Plasma Membrane Syntaxins.” This fall Yessenia began her Ph.D. in 

neuroscience at Harvard University with funding from the National Science Foundation. She 

plans to focus her research on acute spinal cord injury. 

Gi’Eira Shaque Jones is a junior majoring in biology at Elizabeth City State University in 

North Carolina. Her project at the NIH this summer focused on developing retroviral gene 

therapy to correct genetic mutations that cause immunological disorders such as Wiskott-Aldrich 

Syndrome (WAS), and her poster at the NIH Poster Day was titled, “Development of New Gene 

Transfer Vector for Gene Therapy of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome.” She conducted her research 

under the mentorship of Dr. Fabio Candotti, head of the Disorders of Immunity Section in the 

National Human Genome Research Institute. Gi’Eira is receiving additional scholarship support 

this year and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in genetics after graduation. 
Hillery Claire Metz graduated from the University of Idaho in May 2006 with a double major in 

biology and microbiology. She conducted research this summer under the mentorship of Dr. 

Susan Wray of the Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology Section, National Institute of 

Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Using time-lapse video microscopy, she studied the 

migration of GnRH-1 neurons, which are essential for reproductive function in vertebrates. She 

presented a poster at the NIH Poster Day, and her project was titled, “Dynamics of GnRH-1 

Neuronal Migration: The Role of Anosmin.” Hillery is continuing to train in Dr. Wray’s 

laboratory this year and then plans to pursue a Ph.D. in neurobiology. 

Patrina Ann Pellett graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, in 

May 2006 with a double major in biology and chemistry. This summer she was mentored by Dr. 

Kenneth Kirk in the Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and 

Digestive and Kidney Diseases. She is studying capsaicins, a compound in hot chili pepper, and 

hopes that knowledge of its unique properties can be utilized to make topical pain relief creams. 

She presented a poster at the NIH Poster Day titled, “The Synthesis of Ring Fluorinated 

Capsaicins.” Patrina will continue training in Dr. Kirk’s laboratory this year and then plans to 

pursue a graduate degree in environmental chemistry. 

Giselle Román Hernández received a third year of UGSP support to pursue her bachelor’s 

degree in chemical engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. During the 

summer of 2004, she studied the expression and function of EGF receptors in human derived 

glial cell lines, as well as in cells differentiated towards a neuronal phenotype. She trained in 

both Dr. Alfred Johnson’s laboratory in the National Cancer Institute and Dr. Eugene Major’s 

laboratory in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and presented a poster 

at the NIH Poster Day titled, “Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression during Neural Cell 

Differentiation.” She also presented a poster at the 2004 Annual Biomedical Conference for 

Minority Students in Dallas, Texas. Giselle returned to Dr. Johnson’s laboratory in the summers 

of 2005 and 2006 and presented additional posters both years with the same title. She graduated 

this spring and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in biological sciences at MIT. 

The support of these undergraduate students by the ORWH has allowed them to focus on their 

studies and receive excellent research training and skill enhancement activities at the NIH. 

These students exemplify measurable development in their biomedical research careers, 

evidenced, in part, through their academic achievements and research accomplishments. The 

continued support of the ORWH has allowed the UGSP to select additional excellent students 

who receive training in the NIH intramural program. These students are superb representatives 

of the ORWH and the UGSP. 

ORWH/OFFICE of INTRAMURAL RESEARCH and TRAINING 

The ORWH provided the Office of Education, now the Office of Intramural Training and 

Education, with funding to support a series of programs for postdoctoral fellows and 

postbaccalaureate trainees. Additionally, the ORWH-FAES-NIH High School Student Summer 

Program, the Fellows Award for Research Education (FARE) Program, and the NIH- Israel 

Program for Israeli Predoctoral Biomedical Researchers were supported by ORWH. 
Postdoctoral Fellow Programs 

For Postdoctoral Fellows, these programs included (1) the Survival Skills Workshops, 

five half-day workshops that were presented by Dr. Michael Zigmond and Beth Fisher of the 

University of Pittsburgh and addressed the topics of resume writing, job interviewing, 

negotiating a job offer, grant writing, and establishing a laboratory; (2) a career series consisting 

of panels of experts in career fields for which a biomedical research background is essential, 

including biodefense, teaching, patents, and technology transfer. The speakers for the career 

series were all former NIH fellows, who are particularly effective with the fellows and can offer 

them up-to-date information and networking for the jobs; (3) courses on Speaking and Writing 

about Science, each a 4-5 week course offered three times per year; (4) an Advanced Course: 

Speaking about Science, offered twice last year, offered a forum for in-depth, individualized 

assistance to each participant; (5) the Job Fair 2005, held annually in conjunction with the NIH 

Research Festival, which brought in companies that have jobs available - more than 800 fellows 

participated; (6) the Improved Language Skills course, offered to first year Visiting Fellows, to 

enable them to improve their English skills, necessary for future professional development, 

which has proved so popular that we offered it twice. The curriculum covered scientific 

vocabulary, diction, articulation, verbal pace, and general guidelines for speaking before a group. 

Postbaccalaureate Trainee Programs 

For Postbaccalaureate trainees, the programs offered included (1) Career Enhancement Seminars 

designed to assist postbaccalaureate trainees as they prepare for careers in research, which 

include sessions on speaking about science, tips on scientific poster presentations, preparation for 

the MCAT and GRE tests, and the Myers-Briggs personality inventory; (2) the fifth annual 

Poster Day for NIH postbaccalaureate trainees, held early in May, that showcased a record total 

of 254 trainees, representing a wide range of institutes and centers, who presented their research 

accomplishments to the NIH scientific community; (3) the Premed Advising Workshop for 

postbaccalaureate trainees who plan to apply for admission to medical school, given by Paula 

Ashby, Assistant Director of Academic Services, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and 

Dr. Lee Ann Michelson, Assistant Director, Office of Career Services, Harvard University. 

ORWH-FAES-NIH High School Student Summer Program 

In the summer of 2006, the program had 24 new high school students and 13 returning students. 

There were 20 women and 17 men, including 24 minorities (7 African-Americans and 1 

Hispanic man) and 1 hearing impaired student, coming from both public and private schools in 

Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The summer started with an informational 

meeting on June 21 at which the students learned the history of the program, heard about the 

structure of the NIH, the Intramural Research Program, and ORWH, and received guidance on 

how to make research presentations. Each week from June 28 until August 2 the students met as 

a group for a lunch-time session at which 6-8 of them made presentations on their research to 

each other. Included in the audience were their preceptors, a few of the high school teachers in 

the HHMI-NIH Summer Teachers’ Program, some of the advisors for the program (all members 

of the NIH scientific staff), and either Dr. Michael Gottesman, Deputy Director for Intramural 

Research or his Assistant Director, Dr. Joan Schwartz. The presence of these NIH senior 

scientific staff ensured a lively discussion of each presentation, and put each research project into 

a broader biomedical context. All the students also presented posters at the NIH Summer Student 

Poster Presentations day, August 3. They thus learned not only how to carry out a research 
project, how to ask important questions and how to design experiments to answer those 

questions, but also how to communicate their results to other scientists. 

Fellows Award for Research Education (FARE) 

The FARE program was established by the NIH Fellows Committee in 1994 as a mechanism for 

promoting and recognizing research excellence in the intramural program. All graduate students 

and postdoctoral fellows with less than five years total research experience at the NIH are 

encouraged to submit abstracts to the FARE competition. The abstracts are evaluated 

anonymously by study sections composed of tenure-track and tenured NIH investigators, prior 

FARE winners, and other fellows, on the basis of scientific merit, originality, experimental 

design, and overall quality. The first authors of the top twenty-five percent of the abstracts in 

each study section are recognized as FARE winners. Each receives a $1000 travel award to be 

used for presenting his/her work at a scientific meeting during the fiscal year. The ORWH 

contributed $50,000 in FY2006 to support the Fellows Award for Research Education Program. 

There were 262 awardees made. 

NIH- Israel Program for Israeli Predoctoral Biomedical Researchers 

The program exposes pre-doctoral Israeli students at the Sackler Medical Faculty at Tel Aviv 

University (TAU) to the leading research programs in women’s health at the NIH in cooperation 

with the Office of Intramural Research, Fogarty International Center (FIC), and ORWH through 

the Graduate Program Partnerships program. The program facilitates and enhances biomedical 

research in Israel, the Middle East and the US, establishes scientific collaborations between 

Israel and the NIH, and trains promising students for postdoctoral studies at the NIH. 

A joint TAU-NIH committee chooses the best students to join the program each year, who then 

perform research in the Israeli laboratory (10 months/year) and the NIH laboratory (2 

months/year), for three years. Each student is awarded a scholarship from the respective Israeli 

university and supported by $10,000/year from NIH. In 2006, five students were supported. 

The students that participated in the program have covered many aspects of cutting edge research 

with a special emphasis on women’s health. Topics that were studied include breast cancer and 

it’s comparison to male-specific prostate cancer, sexual dichotomy in the expression of activitydependent neuroprotective protein, bone metabolism and cancer, the genetics of hearing loss, 

human familial dyautonomia, the genetics of Down Syndrome, and the genetics of autism. 

ORWH/ NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN 

DEVELOPMENT FIBROID FELLOWSHIP 

The ORWH/NIDCD Fibroid Fellowship was established to provide for the support of continued 

studies of the molecular derangements accompanying uterine fibroids. This fellowship was 

awarded to Chantal Mayers, who is participating in the Johns Hopkins University Graduate 

Partnerships Program. The Graduate Partnerships Program (GPP), established in 2000, links the 

NIH Intramural Research Program with PhD programs at U.S. and international universities. 
Chantal Mayers is a graduate of Salisbury State University, Salisbury, Maryland. Chantal 

discovered her interest in research as an undergraduate. After graduation she sought and was 

awarded one of the highly competitive postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Awards 

with Dr. James Segars in NICHD. After doing research with Dr. Segars, and colleagues at the 

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences for three years, Chantal joined the Johns 

Hopkins Partnership to pursue her PhD. She has elected to continue working with Dr. Segars for 

her dissertation based on her continued interest in the research of his lab. 

In this fellowship, Chantal Mayers will study the factors that contribute to fibroid cell growth, 

with the assumption that understanding these factors is a necessary step toward rational 

development of treatment for fibroids that might bypass the creation of medical menopause. She 

will be examining and characterizing the molecular features of mechano-transduction signaling 

in fibroids, compared to normal uterine tissue. Specifically, the coupling of mechanotransduction signaling to the small GTP-binding protein Rho is poorly understood, and 

elucidation of the altered signaling in fibroid tissues is relevant to mechano-transduction in 

general. It is clear that mechanical signaling occurs in normal uterine tissues, since the uterus is a 

contractile organ that leads to labor and birth. 

INTRAMURAL WOMEN’S HEALTH FELLOWSHIPS IN INTERDISCIPLINARY 

WOMEN’S HEALTH RESEARCH 

ORWH and the NIH Intramural Program for Research on Women’s Health (IPRWH) announced 

the selection of the first recipients of the NIH Women’s Health Fellowships in Intramural 

Women’s Health Research. This intramural program is supported jointly by ORWH and the 

Office of Intramural Research (OIR). The Fellowships are funded through the Foundation of the 

NIH. The two fellows, Suzanne C. O’Neil, Ph.D., University of North Carolina (UNC) 

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Shannon K. Laughlin, M.D., Loyola University, 

recently began working with their NIH components. 

The Shared Postdoctoral Fellowship is supported through a donation from Batelle and is awarded 

to Suzanne C. O’Neil, Ph.D. Dr. O’Neil has examined the emotional and behavioral responses 

of women seeking genetic testing for BRCA1/BRCA2 breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility 

genes. “The Women’s Health Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for a postdoctoral 

scientist,” stated Dr. O’Neil. “The resources provided by the Fellowship will allow me to 

investigate my own research questions concerning individualized preventive medicine based on 

genetic risk under the mentorship of the faculty of the National Human Genome Research 

Institute’s (NHGRI) Social and Behavioral Research Branch and the National Cancer Institute. It 

will provide an excellent foundation for my career as a clinical scientist.” Dr. O’Neil obtained 

her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Delaware and did a clinical internship in 

behavioral medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. She has been a postdoctoral 

fellow at UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

The Clinical/Translational Fellowship is funded through a donation from AstraZenaca and is 

awarded to Shannon K. Laughlin, M.D. Dr. Laughlin is completing her final year of residency in 

Obstetrics and Gynecology at Loyola University. “During the course of my last year at Loyola, I 

developed a particular interest in fibroids (benign tumors in the walls of the uterus) and noted the 
difference between African American and white patients in prevalence and severity of fibroids,” 

said Dr. Laughlin. “The Women’s Health Fellowship will enable me to enhance my statistical 

and epidemiological skills for future research.” Dr. Laughlin is working with the Epidemiology 

branch of the National Institute of Environmental Health (NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park, 

North Carolina. Her research plan is to identify factors that place women at high risk of 

developing fibroids and to discover if early identification and treatment of high-risk women, or 

perhaps preventive measures, will reduce the need for surgery. 

NIH DIRECTOR’S PIONEER AWARD (NDPA) 

The NDPA is designed to support individual scientists of exceptional creativity who propose 

pioneering approaches to major challenges in biomedical and behavioral research. The term 

“pioneering” is used to describe highly innovative – potentially transformative – approaches that 

have the potential to produce an unusually high impact, and the term “award” is used to mean a 

grant for conducting research, rather than a reward for past achievements. Biomedical and 

behavioral research is defined broadly in this announcement as encompassing scientific 

investigations in the biological, behavioral, clinical, social, physical, chemical, computational, 

engineering, and mathematical sciences. The NDPA is meant to support individuals who intend 

to pursue new research directions that are not already supported by other mechanisms. The 

program is not intended simply to expand the funding of persons already well supported for a 

particular project. 

In FY2006, ORWH provided full funding to one of the NDPA recipients, Rosalind A. Segal, 

M.D., Ph.D. of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She is an associate professor of neurobiology 

at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Pediatric Oncology at the DanaFarber Cancer Institute. Segal received a Ph.D. in cell biology from Rockefeller University in 

1985 and an M.D. from Cornell University Medical College in 1986. Her laboratory focuses on 

the biology of brain tumors by probing the complex molecular machinery of the developing 

brain. Segal’s research aims to understand the mechanisms critical for normal development of 

the nervous system and how deregulated proliferation, migration, and survival of cells can cause 

brain tumors and other neurological diseases. She will use her Pioneer Award for genetic and 

biochemical studies to identify the way complex sugars work to maintain neural stem cells in the 

developing and adult brain. Her prior honors include the Klingenstein Fund Robert Ebert 

Fellowship and a fellowship from the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer 

Research. 
MINORITY FACULTY STUDENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (MFSP) 

The goal of the Minority Faculty Student Partnership Program is to train minority students and 

faculty members in the latest principles and techniques of biotechnology. Through lectures and 

“hands-on” laboratory experience, each participant gains insights and hands-on experience 

regarding the current thrust of biotechnology. This newly gained information is then taken back 

and integrated programs at their respective home institution. Faculty members also foster the 

implementation of minority outreach programs at their respective institutions based on this 

program’s design. 

The Bio-Trac program is an ongoing educational program sponsored by the Foundation for the 

Education in the Sciences, Inc. at the NIH that provides a series of one-week lecture and “handson” laboratory training workshops in different areas of biotechnology that are topical and in 

demand in the sciences. Bio-Trac has provided instruction to over 9,000 scientists in the last 20 

years. 

In 2006, ORWH supported two Bio-Trac workshops for the Minority Student Faculty 

Partnership Program Initiative. These were the Cellular and Molecular Immunology Workshop 

in May-June 2006 and the Mammalian Cell Culture Methods and Principles of Stem Cell 

Technology Workshop in September 2006. Twenty-four participants from 11 different colleges 

and universities participated in these workshops. 

NIH/ NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION PARTNERSHIP TRAVEL AWARD 

PROGRAM 

Sine 1998, the NIH and the National Medical Association (NMA) partnership committee has 

worked collaboratively to provide travel awards to support residents and fellows interested in 

academic medicine to attend the Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly of the NMA. The 

Awardees participate in a special two day academic skills workshop held in conjunction with the 

Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly. The topics of the workshop range from how to 

write a grant to time management skills. 

The intent of this award is to enhance the potential careers of residents and fellows of all medical 

and surgical specialties interested in an academic career, and secondly, to encourage research in 

disease areas that disproportionately impact the health of underserved communities. The NIH 

anticipates that through this scientific opportunity, a greater number of physicians from 

communities that are underrepresented in science will enter into and remain in academic research 

positions. 

The applicant must be a member of nationally underrepresented group in biomedical or 

behavioral research and the applicant must have a strong interest in academic medicine. A 

special evaluation committee composed of NIH professional staff and NMA members evaluates 

and assesses each application. The committee makes recommendations for awards based on the 

selection criteria and policies and provisions of the NIH governing administrative awards. 
ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE 13TH ANNUAL SEMINAR SERIES 

The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is dedicated to achieving equity and full 

participation for women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. The Bethesda 

Chapter of AWIS was formed in 1991 and has grown to over 150 members. Its members are 

actively engaged in scientific research, education, administration and policy activities, and are 

employed in federal agencies, academia, business, and non-profit organizations. 

In FY2006, ORWH provided support for the 13th Annual Seminar Series, Strategies for Success 

in Science. Seminars included “Successful Career and Family: How do you Make it all Work?” 

and “The Challenge of the Grand Challenges: A Career in Global Health Research”, among 

others. 

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY WOMEN IN CELL BIOLOGY 

WORKSHOP 

Women in Cell Biology (WICB) is a long-standing committee of the American Society for Cell 

Biology (ASCB). WICB provides year-round to provide career support and advice. They 

respond to reports of discriminatory practices, offer a speaker referral service to help program 

organizers identify women speakers, and produce monthly columns for the ASCB Newsletter. In 

addition, WICB has a traditional presence at the American Society for Cell Biology Annual 

Meeting, providing networking and workshop opportunities. This year, ORWH provided 

funding to support the Workshop, “Developing Leadership Skills” which will be held at the 46th 

Annual Meeting on December 9, 2006 and led by the WICB committee. 

TRAINING PROGRAM IN HEALTH POLICY FOR BIRCWH FELLOWS 

ORWH developed the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health 

(BIRCWH) Program as an institutional career development award. BIRCWH supports research 

career development of junior faculty members who have recently completed clinical training or 

postdoctoral fellowships, and who are pursuing basic, clinical, translational and/or health 

services research relevant to women’s health. 

This program was designed to provide BIRCWH scholars with a solid understanding of the 

health policy legislative process in Washington. The training was a day-long event in November 

2006, conducted by the George Washington University Department of Health Policy Faculty. 

Congressional and administration staff members will also provide instruction to the scholars. 
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RESEARCH CAREER (WRHR) 

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (RFA HD04-014) 

A total of 117 scholars have been appointed to the program since 1998. Since June 2006, 33 new 

scholars have been appointed to the program, 17 appointed in the 2004 WRHR program sites and 

16 in the 2005 sites. The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine WRHR Program hosted 

the May 2005 WRHR Scholars’ Research Symposium and Directors’ Meeting. Wayne State 

University WRHR Program in Detroit hosted the June 2006 WRHR Scholars’ Research 

Symposium and Directors’ Meeting. The next meeting will be hosted by the Oregon Health 

Sciences University WRHR Program in Portland, Oregon in May 2007.A new national WRHR 

website is hosted by the University of Rochester WRHR Program: http://www.wrhrscholars.org/. 

For FY 2006, ORWH funded 10 Centers: 

(1) 2 K12 HD001255-06 

Robert L. Barbieri, M.D. 

Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School 

Title: Development of Scholars in Ob-Gyn for the 21st Century 

This continuing program builds on a long tradition of investigation and teaching in women’s 

reproductive health. Dr. Barbieri has put together an outstanding plan that will make available 

biomedical resources in the extensive Harvard-affiliated system. The didactic component along 

with the clinical breadth and biomedical research capabilities of the system will provide a rich 

foundation for career development. Individualized plans are personalized for each scholar and 

could include enrollment in Masters or PhD programs. In particular, assignment to one of three 

career tracks based on the scholar’s background can only optimize a quality research experience. 

Mentoring from both a research and academic career advisor make-up a cohesive plan to solidify 

career development. Strengths include the five core strategies and key functional components 

that leverage the full potential of research training to ensure successful career development of 

ob/gyn physician scientists. 

(2) 2 K12 HD001258-06 

John C. Hauth, M.D. 

University of Alabama at Birmingham 

Title: Ob/Gyn Faculty Research Career Development Program 

This renewal application is based on a research infrastructure that can accommodate and sustain 

an independent program dedicated to future generations of physician scientists. Dr. Hauth plans 

to include the program as a division within the Center for Research in Women’s Health, thereby 

allowing scholars access to research programs and senior mentors. The Center’s mission to 

maximize educational opportunities complements the institution’s plan to provide a resource-rich 

environment for research training. This application offers a formal structured pathway by which 

entry-level or advanced scholars at different levels of development and expertise can be expected 

to acquire research skills appropriate to their ultimate goal of becoming independent 

investigators. A major strength is the critical mass of senior academicians with enhanced 
interdisciplinary research skills to assist in the development of physician scientists capable of 

sustaining independent research careers. 

(3) 2 K12 HD001259-06 

Thomas R. Moore, M.D. 

University of California San Diego 

Title: Reproductive Sciences Research Career Development Center 

This ongoing proposal includes a flexible two-phase program to accommodate the needs of 

potential scholars with a broad range of scientific backgrounds and experience. Dr. Moore plans 

to increase the opportunities for creative interdisciplinary approaches to diseases by bringing 

together basic scientists and ob/gyn clinical collaborators interested in the application of research 

advances specific to women’s reproductive health. Scholars who enter this program have access 

to clinical translational and basic science collaborators with expertise in applying scientific 

findings to bedside medicine. A major strength is the Mentoring Committee, which represents a 

unique approach to provide scholars with an optimal research environment, and assists in 

sharpening their research skills as they move toward independence. Required didactic courses 

and opportunities for advanced degrees round out the training experience. 

(4) 2 K12 HD001332-06 

James R. Woods, M.D. 

University of Rochester 

Title: Rochester Women’s Reproductive Health Research Program 

This renewal application presents an outstanding pathway for ob/gyn physician scientists to 

commence their research careers. Scholars entering this program complete a basic core of 

didactic courses emphasizing clinical research design, data processing and analysis, writing and 

ethics. Dr. Woods believes that a core curriculum of knowledge, skills and research perspectives 

will be important in clinical investigation and practice. With this in mind and taking into account 

the experience of the scholars, the program offers two individualized tracks: laboratory science 

and clinical science. Both tracks will provide scholars with the underpinnings needed to 

maximize the benefit from mentored research. The environment offers a longstanding 

multidisciplinary research focus, including a pool of mentors who are leaders in their respective 

fields and experienced educators. This approach to training is the cornerstone of a program that 

has been successful in training physician scientists. 

(5) 1 K12 HD050128-01 

Joe L. Simpson, M.D. 

Baylor College of Medicine 

Title: Baylor WRHR Program 

This application offers career development for ob/gyn clinicians pursuing molecular research 

related to women’s reproductive health. The program is a partnership involving M.D. Anderson 

Cancer Center that offers scholars greater access to clinical resources and core laboratories, as 

well as a full range of training opportunities to facilitate a seamless transition to research 

independence for scholars. A major strength includes the mentoring program that complements a 
formal didactic curriculum consisting of five required courses. Dr. Simpson has arranged for 

each scholar to have two mentors and an individualized training plan expressly designed for their 

professional backgrounds. These are important strengths of the program. The primary research 

mentor’s role is to secure the development of solid investigative expertise. The secondary ob/gyn 

academic mentor’s responsibilities are to maintain the clinical perspective and monitor academic 

progress. 

(6) 2 K12 HD001271-06 

Ronald S. Gibbs, M.D. 

University of Colorado Denver/HSC Aurora 

Title: Colorado WRHR Career Development Center 

This continuing program has a flexible plan focused on basic cellular and molecular mechanisms 

and translational research for scholars seeking an independent research career in women’s 

reproductive health. Dr. Gibbs has established milestones for advancement in the program, 

including an ongoing dialogue with mentors, successfully completing a model curriculum for 

scholars with varying degrees of experience, and writing research proposals. The institution is 

developing several core laboratory facilities to assist scholars in the design and implementation 

of their research projects. The combined expertise of these cores will provide the infrastructure 

for a multifaceted approach to the challenges of career development. A major strength of the 

program is the new interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Reproductive Science that is expected 

to foster interactions among scientists and clinicians and offers scholars exposure to multiple 

disciplines in a rich intellectual environment. 

(7) 1 K12 HD050113-01 

Robert C. Cefalo, M.D., Ph.D. 

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 

Title: WRHR Career Development at UNC 

This application builds on the institution’s climate of research growth and commitment to 

patient-oriented translational research. Dr. Cefalo has a program with a long tradition of 

preparing ob/gyn physicians for careers in clinical research and a track record of interdisciplinary 

reproductive health research. One objective is to orient new investigators toward large-scale 

collaborative research teams. Scholars entering this program will convene a mentor panel to 

access scientific expertise, consultation, and resources. The new Ob/Gyn Resource Core is 

available to provide comprehensive services to support integration of laboratory methods into the 

scholars’ research projects. A major strength of the program is the proposed partnership with the 

Morehouse School of Medicine to identify eligible members of the ob/gyn faculty to participate 

in the program. Didactic components and a tailored program of training increase the likelihood 

of future research independence. 

(8) 1 K12 HD050121-01 

Sherman Elias, M.D. 

Northwestern University 

Title: Research Career Development in Obstetrics and Gynecology 
This proposal has a highly innovative approach for establishing a training program for ob/gyn 

physician scientists. Dr. Elias proposes a custom-designed research training and career 

development plan for each scholar. Scholars will be exposed to research tools, graduate courses, 

and grant writing skills. The program is designed to accommodate scholars with a variety of 

research backgrounds. The scholars will enter a basic science or clinical track based on their 

interests and previous research experience. The program provides an outstanding pool of 

experienced basic science, translational and clinical research mentors whose expertise spans a 

wide spectrum of reproductive science research. This group has an established track record for 

training independent investigators. The strength of the program is its location, surrounded by six 

medical schools in the Chicago area that has one of the largest concentrations of highly qualified 

potential scholars. 

(9) 2 K12 HD001254-06 

Mary D'Alton, M.D. 

Colombia University Health Sciences 

Title: Columbia U CTR For Career Dev. In Reproductive Sciences 

This ongoing program offers a unique opportunity for scholars to learn experimental concepts 

and techniques that will provide the necessary basics for a fruitful academic career. Dr. D’Alton 

plans to attract mentors primarily from the Center for Reproductive Sciences within the 

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. An important strength of the program is its longstanding history of combining basic investigation and training in the reproductive sciences. With 

this objective in mind, the program intends to recruit scholars who have an interest and passion 

for basic investigation. The underlying theme is to maintain an essential clinical link to 

encourage a bridge between basic research process and its application and relevance to clinical 

principles related to women’s health concerns. Clinical advisors will be available to facilitate this 

linkage. This program appears well positioned to train the next generation of outstanding 

physician scientists in women’s reproductive health. 

(10) 1 K12 HD050108-01 

Donald R. Coustan, M.D. 

Women and Infants Hospital - Rhode Island/Brown Medical School 

Title: Brown Medical School/WIHRI Dept of Ob/Gyn WRHR Program 

This proposal presents a very strong program dedicated to the career development of physician 

scientists and clinical investigators. Dr. Coustan has a flexible program that will provide each 

scholar with a core curriculum essential for his/her development as an independent investigator 

in women’s health, a suitable mentor who can provide the guidance and expertise to assure 

successful academic development and skills as an independent investigator, and the research 

infrastructure in an environment conducive to investigation into women’s health. The scholars 

will be able to capitalize on a diverse group of senior scientific mentors and supporting 

investigators providing academic career advice. A major strength of this program is the focus on 

the translation of basic research into patient-oriented, clinical research to improve women’s 

health. Their goal of creating independent investigators who will be committed to research 

careers in women’s reproductive health should be realized. 
ORWH REENTRY PROGRAM 

The ORWH Reentry Program helps fully trained scientists (women and men) to re-establish 

careers in biomedical or behavioral science after taking time off to fulfill familial 

responsibilities. In FY2006, the ORWH supported five individuals. 

NHLBI Reentry Candidate: Mary Owen, Ph.D. 

Institution: Medical College of Georgia 

PI: Richard E. White, Ph.D. 

Grant: R01HL73890 

Title: Molecular Basis of Estrogen dual effects on coronary arteries 

Dr. Mary Owen obtained her Ph.D. from Medical College of Georgia in 1979. After two years of 

post-doctoral training at UCLA, she became a Research Assistant Professor at the University of 

Vermont Medical School. In 1984, Dr. Owen became an Assistant Professor at the University of 

Illinois at Rockford and became an Associate Professor at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and 

Science in 1988. Due to her mother’s illness, Dr. Owen took a leave for seven years and recently 

returned to the Georgia Campus of Philadelphia College. Prior to her leave, Dr. Owen has been 

an active researcher in cardiovascular field. Her research was supported by NHLBI and AHA. 

NIDCD Reentry Candidate: Carol McArthur, M.D. 

Institution: Oregon Health and Science University 

PI: Dennis R. Trune, Ph.D. 

Grant: R01DC005593 

Title: Steroid Responsive Mechanisms in the Ear 

Dr. Carol McArthur received her M.D. from UCLA School of Medicine in 1984. She trained at 

UC Davis for her residency, and she received a fellowship from Harvard School of Medicine in 

Pediatric Otolaryngology. In 1996, she left academic medicine to raise two young children. She 

gave up her clinical practice to move to Portland with her husband, at which time she turned to 

academic medicine at OHSU. In 2002, she reestablished her clinical practice on a half time basis 

and at the same time, she began volunteering in Dr. Trune’s laboratory within the otolaryngology 

department. This supplement will be used to facilitate her reentry into academic science. 

NIDCR Reentry Candidate: Theresa Freeman, Ph.D. 

Institution: Thomas Jefferson University 

PI: Irving M. Shapiro, Ph.D. 

Grant: R01DE010875 

Title: Bone Growth in Dental, Cranial, and Skeletal Tissues 

Dr. Freeman received her Ph.D. from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and 

Rutgers University in 1996. After completing a brief postdoctoral fellowship at New Jersey 

Department of Human Services, she took a position as Research Assistant Professor at the 

University of Pennsylvania. She decided to relinquish this position when it became clear that she 

needed to provide parental care to her children. During her seven year hiatus, she took a part 

time consulting position that allowed her to work from home. In 2004, Dr. Freeman was 

employed by Thomas Jefferson University as a Research Associate where she provides support 

to a large number of researchers. She plans to use the supplement to devote time to her own 

research project in order to build a career in biomedical research. 
NHLBI Reentry Candidate: Madhu Bajaj, M.D. 

Institution: UCLA Orthopedic Hospital 

PI: S. Paul Bajaj, Ph.D. 

Grant: R01HL36365 

Title: Biochemistry of Normal & Abnormal Variants of Factors IX 

Dr. Madhu Bajaj received her M.D. in 1976 from Armed Forces Medical College in Poona, 

India. She then completed residency and fellowship training at the University of California at 

San Diego Medical Center and St. Louis University Medical Center. In 1991, she was appointed 

Assistant Professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine at St. 

Louis University School of Medicine. She received tenure in 2000 but was not able to stay in 

this position due to her daughter’s depression and the family’s move to Los Angeles. She was 

able to secure a clinical position as a Visiting Professor at the University of Southern California. 

However, she would like to reenter research and study the activation of factor IX by tissue factor 

VIIa in the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. 

NIDA Reentry Candidate: Adriana Cordal, M.D. 

Institution: University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ –Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 

PI: Douglas Ziedonis, M.D. 

Grant: R01DA15537 and R01DA15978 

Title: Treatment of Addiction to Nicotine in Schizophrenia; Modifying MET for use with ASI 

Data 

Dr. Adriana Cordal received her M.D. in 1985 from the UniverSidad de la Republica in 

Montevideo Uruguay. She completed residencies and fellowships at St. Luke’s Roosevelt 

Hospital Center before beginning as a full time academic faculty member at the University of 

Medicine and Dentistry of NJ in 1994. Upon relocation to Washington State for her husband’s 

job transfer, she began a part-time psychiatric practice. In 2003, her family returned to the East 

Coast and she joined the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School faculty in 2003. Despite having 

a clinical position, Dr. Cordal wishes to become an independent academic researcher, which she 

plans to pursue with this supplement.