at the National Institutes of Health

2007–2008

Office of Research on Women’s Health
Women In Science

at the National Institutes of Health

2007–2008
WOMEN IN SCIENCE AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Coordinating Committee on Research on Women’s Health (CCRWH), which advises 

the Director of the Office of Research on Women’s Health on 

matters related to the mission of the ORWH, is composed of 

Institute and Center Directors, or their designees, and facilitated the submission of profiles from their Institutes, Centers, 

or Offices. Members of the CCRWH are listed on the following 

page.

The ORWH would like to acknowledge the specific efforts of 

a few individuals whose assistance was invaluable with initiation and completion of this effort. They are Eileen Crehan 

(Wellesley College student /Summer 2007 Intern, ORWH), 

Joslyn Yudenfreund Kravitz, Ph.D. (AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow/Office of Intramural Research), Jennifer 

Reineke Pohlhaus, Ph.D. (AAAS Science & Technology Policy 

Fellow/ORWH), and Janine Austin Clayton, M.D. (National Eye 

Institute/Deputy Director, ORWH).

A special acknowledgement of appreciation must be extended 

to the following individuals who were vital to the preparation of 

this report: Sara Byars (Clinical Center), Jenny Haliski (Clinical Center), Gwynne Jenkins, Ph.D. (Office of Extramural Research), Kameha Kidd, Ph.D. (National Center for Research 

Resources), Jack Killen, M.D. (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine), Marie Lagana (Center for 

Information Technology), Camelia Owens, Ph.D. (Immediate 

Office of the Director), Louise Ramm, Ph.D. (National Center 

for Research Resources), Ellen Rolfes (National Institute of 

General Medical Sciences), Peggy Slovikosky (National Library 

of Medicine), Susanne Strickland, M.S. (Eunice Kennedy Shriver 

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development), 

and Elizabeth Wilder, Ph.D. (Office of Portfolio Analysis and 

Strategic Initiatives).

Acknowledgements

ii
wo m e n i n s c i e n c e a t t h e n a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t e s o f h e a l t h

NIH Coordinating Committee on Research on Women’s Health (2007–2008)

Marin Allen, Ph.D. 

Alternate, Office of Communications 

& Public Liaison

Jane Atkinson, D.D.S.

National Institute of Dental 

and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

Yvonne Bryan, Ph.D. 

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)

John Burklow, M.S. 

Office of Communications & Public Liaison

Maria Canto, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H. 

National Institute of Dental and 

Craniofacial Research

Vicki Cargill, M.D., M.S.C.E. 

Office of AIDS Research

Debbie Cohen, M.S. 

Office of Intramural Training & Education,

Office of Intramural Research

Deborah Dozier-Hall, M.S.W. 

National Institutes of Health 

Clinical Center (CC)

Gale Dutcher, M.S., M.L.S. 

National Library of Medicine (NLM)

Lenka Fedorkova, Ph.D. 

Office of Legislative Policy and Analysis

Mary Gant 

Alternate, National Institute of Environmental 

Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Valery Gordon, M.P.H., Ph.D. 

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging 

and Bioengineering (NIBIB)

O. Marcella Haynes 

Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity 

Management

Eleanor Hoff, Ph.D. 

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive 

and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Karen Hofman, M.D. 

Fogarty International Center (FIC)

M.K. Holohan Quattrocchi, J.D. 

National Human Genome Research 

Institute (NHGRI)

Joyce Hunter, Ph.D. 

National Center on Minority Health and 

Health Disparities (NCMHD)

Bonnie Kalberer, M.P.H. 

Office of Science Education, 

Office of Science Policy

Karin Kolsky 

Alternate, National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Anna Levy, M.S. 

National Cancer Institute

Tamara Lewis-Johnson, M.B.A., M.P.H. 

National Institute of Allergy and 

Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Ellen S. Liberman, Ph.D. 

National Eye Institute (NEI)

Patty Mabry, Ph.D. 

Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Vicki Malick 

Office of Clinical Research Training & Medical 

Education, Office of Intramural Research

Pamela Marino, Ph.D. 

National Institute of General Medical 

Sciences (NIGMS)

Padma Maruvada, Ph.D. 

National Center for Research Resources 

(NCRR)

Barbara Marzetta, S.M. 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 

(NHLBI)

Sheila McClure, Ph.D. 

National Center for Research Resources 

(NCRR)

Kate Nagy, M.A. 

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Sheila Newton, Ph.D. 

National Institute of Environmental 

Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Kathleen O’Leary, M.S.W. 

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Mary Frances Picciano, Ph.D. 

Office of Dietary Supplements, 

Office of Disease Prevention

Carol Pontzer, Ph.D. 

National Center for Complementary and 

Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

Linda Porter, Ph.D. 

National Institute of Neurological Disorders 

and Stroke (NINDS)

Svetlana Radaeva, Ph.D. 

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse 

and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Catherine Roca, M.D. 

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Mona Rowe, M.C.P. 

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of 

Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Milagros Ruiz 

Alternate, Fogarty International Center (FIC)

Denise Russo, Ph.D. 

Office of Extramural Research

Susan Scolnik 

Alternate, National Heart, Lung, 

and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Lana Shekim, Ph.D. 

National Institute of Deafness and Other 

Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Lana Skirboll, Ph.D. 

Office of Science Policy

Esther Sternberg, M.D. 

Intramural Program on Research 

on Women’s Health

Kate Stony, Ph.D. 

National Center for Complementary and 

Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

Madeline Turkeltaub, Ph.D., R.N. 

National Institute of Arthritis and 

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Cora Lee Wetherington, Ph.D. 

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Denise Wiesch, Ph.D., M.P.H. 

Center for Scientific Review (CSR)

Kester Williams 

Alternate, National Center on Minority Health 

and Health Disparities (NCMHD)

iii
Table of Contents

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

NIH Coordinating Committee on Research on Women’s Health 

(2007–2008) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Introduction..................................................................... vii

Special Tribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii

Senior Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

Office of the Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Immediate Office of the Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Office of AIDS Research (OAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Office of Disease Prevention (ODP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Office of Extramural Research (OER) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Office of Intramural Research (OIR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Office of Legislative Policy and Analysis (OLPA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Office of Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Initiatives (OPASI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Office of Science Policy (OSP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

National Cancer Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

National Eye Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

National Human Genome Research Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

National Institute on Aging...................................................... 71

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

PAGE

iv
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases . . . . . . . . . . 92

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Eunice Kennedy Shriver

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders . . . . . . . . . 110

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

National Institute on Drug Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

National Institute of General Medical Sciences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

National Institute of Mental Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

National Institute of Nursing Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

National Library of Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Center for Information Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

Center for Scientific Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Fogarty International Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207

National Center for Research Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

v
Foreword

As recent demographic 

and academic data demonstrate, the population earning advanced degrees in 

science and medicine continues to become more diverse. The change includes 

an increase in the number 

and proportion of women 

in that population. To help 

promote the advancement of women in research careers both 

within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intramural community and throughout the extramural research community, 

in 2007, we established the NIH Working Group on Women 

in Biomedical Careers.1 Through the Working Group’s efforts, 

the NIH is striving to determine solutions that will shrink and 

eventually close the gender gap in sciences and engineering. I 

strongly believe that the future of the biomedical research enterprise depends on attracting the most gifted individuals. That 

is why this publication, Women in Science at the National Institutes of Health, 2007–2008, which highlights successful women 

at the NIH, can serve as an inspiration to both women and men. 

This publication celebrates the careers and life accomplishments of talented female scientists and engineers who are 

part of the NIH community. Any discussion of “Women in 

Science” at the NIH must highlight the contributions of certain pioneering women. First among these is Ruth Kirschstein, 

M.D., Senior Advisor to the Director, NIH, and first female 

Director of an NIH Institute (National Institute of General 

Medical Sciences [NIGMS], 1974–1993). At a time when there 

were few women in science and medicine, she broke through 

barriers and helped change the NIH culture. Dr. Kirschstein 

also played a key role in establishing the Office of Research on 

Women’s Health (ORWH) in the Office of the Director (1990). 

The ORWH works to develop opportunities for and to support the recruitment, reentry, retention, and advancement of 

women in biomedical careers.

Bernadine Healy, M.D., was the first female Director of the 

NIH, serving from 1991 to 1993. Dr. Healy was instrumental 

in elevating career opportunities for and advancing the status 

of women across the NIH landscape. She provided impetus for 

the ORWH to address women’s health research and to improve 

opportunities for women in biomedical research careers. Dr. 

Healy appointed Vivian W. Pinn, M.D., as the first full-time Director of the ORWH, a position she has held since 1991. Under 

Dr. Pinn’s direction, the ORWH and the NIH have worked to 

determine the barriers to success for women in biomedical 

careers and have devised strategies to eliminate those barriers.2 Dr. Pinn, also the NIH Associate Director for Research on 

Women’s Health, co-chairs the NIH Working Group on Women 

in Biomedical Careers with me.

I am particularly delighted to commend the invaluable contributions of two other women within the Office of the Director: 

Norka Ruiz Bravo, Ph.D., and Lana Skirboll, Ph.D. In 2003, 

Dr. Ruiz Bravo accepted the position of NIH Deputy Director 

for Extramural Research (she is the third woman to hold this 

position since its creation in 1983), and Director of the Office 

of Extramural Research. Dr. Skirboll has served as Director of 

the Office of Science Policy and the NIH Associate Director for 

Science Policy since 1995. 

Turning to the NIH’s 27 Institutes and Centers, we find women 

currently directing 6 (or 22 percent) of them—the highest 

proportion in the history of the NIH. I am sure the profiles 

of each of these women—Barbara M. Alving, M.D.; Josephine 

P. Briggs, M.D.; Patricia Grady, Ph.D., R.N.; Story Landis, 

Ph.D.; Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D.; and Nora Volkow, M.D.—will 

inspire you.

I invite you to share in the stories of these dedicated and remarkable women in science. We are all fortunate to benefit 

from their leadership in the NIH community. 

Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D.

Director, NIH

1 NIH Working Group on Women in Biomedical Careers, 

http://womeninscience.nih.gov/workinggroup.

2 ORWH Workshop Report, Women in Biomedical Careers: Dynamics of 

Change, Strategies for the 21st Century.

vi
wo m e n i n s c i e n c e a t t h e n a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t e s o f h e a l t h

Introduction

I am delighted to present 

this publication, Women 

in Science at the National 

Institutes of Health, 2007–

2008, which was sponsored 

and prepared by the Office 

of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), Office of the Director, 

National Institutes of Health (NIH), in collaboration with the 

NIH Coordinating Committee on Research on Women’s Health 

(CCRWH). This publication was inspired by the brochure, National Institutes of Health: Women in Science, coordinated by 

Dr. Antonia Novello, then Deputy Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, in collaboration with the NIH Advisory Committee 

on Women’s Health Issues (predecessor of the CCRWH). Because of the current ongoing efforts of the NIH Working Group 

on Women in Biomedical Careers, appointed by the NIH Director, and also the impressive rise in the number of women 

scientists in recent years, it seemed an ideal time to prepare a 

similar publication and demonstrate the accomplishments and 

leadership of women scientists at the NIH.

Through the achievements and reflections of the accomplished 

members of the NIH community, this publication is intended 

to inspire young women and men to enter science careers, 

recognize role models of successful researchers, and consider 

careers within the NIH community. Rather than a directory of 

the totality of women scientists at the NIH, this effort is meant 

to highlight examples of the variety of roles, positions, and contributions of doctoral-level women in science across the NIH. 

In order to identify women scientists and leaders in the NIH 

community, members of the CCRWH assisted their Institutes, 

Centers, or Offices in selecting representative scientists and 

coordinating submissions from the outstanding women who 

are featured in this publication. I regret that we were unable to 

include all women scientists at the NIH, but the production of 

such a large document would have been prohibitive. 

Profiles of the women are organized into NIH components, 

including the Office of the Director, and the 27 Institutes and 

Centers at the NIH. In addition to providing information about 

their position and education, featured women were asked to 

lend insight into their career paths by describing pivotal events 

that shaped their careers as scientists, commenting on mentoring experiences, and discussing their perspective on how 

to balance personal and professional responsibilities. Some 

women also provided details on their career milestones, scientific accomplishments, or other inspirational observations 

about being a woman in science. 

The women represent diverse fields of accomplishments, 

backgrounds, positions, and career pathways. Many have provided comments on how they have successfully addressed dual 

professional and family responsibilities, a challenge often 

cited by young women considering careers in biomedical research. The brief biographical information about the women 

in this publication provides a perspective on where an interest 

in science can lead when combined with determination, guidance, experience, mentoring, and organizational support. In 

addition, the women in this publication have graciously provided details about life experiences that shaped their careers as 

women in science. Many of these women have served as mentors to other women and men, in addition to having benefited 

from mentoring themselves, which, in many cases, led to their 

pursuit of a career in science or to their chosen career pathway. 

The achievements and accomplishments of these and other 

women who are currently or were previously at the NIH have 

demonstrated the magnitude and breadth of abilities and accomplishments of women in science, policy, programmatic, 

and research careers. I have been personally inspired by the 

historical legends who preceded the women included in this 

publication, and I hold in awe the current women leaders and 

leaders-to-be in the NIH community. These women scientists have earned the great respect with which they are regarded, both by those in the NIH community, and those in the 

greater scientific research community. I am very proud that 

the ORWH, in collaboration with the CCRWH and all of the Institutes, Centers, and Programmatic and Policy Offices in the 

Office of the Director, is able to present a snapshot in time of 

the women scientists in the NIH community. 

Vivian W. Pinn, M.D.

Associate Director for Research on Women’s Health 

Director, Office of Research on Women’s Health

vii
Special Tribute

The Office of Research on Women’s Health 

honors the exemplary leadership of Dr. Ruth 

L. Kirschstein, who, among her many accomplishments, established the Office in 1990. Her 

rise to senior leadership began many years 

prior, when she was selected as the Director 

of the National Institute of General Medical 

Science, the first woman (and for many years, 

only woman) to serve as the Director of an NIH 

Institute or Center. Following these achievements, she has more recently been in the highranking positions of Deputy Director, NIH and 

Acting Director, NIH. In her current position 

as the Senior Advisor to the Director, NIH, Dr. 

Kirschstein continues to serve as a role model 

for women and men in research and scientific 

leadership positions. With all that she has 

attained, Dr. Kirschstein inspires others to 

reach for their career goals, which may, for 

many of us, include just one of the exceptional 

successes that she has realized over her lifelong career. – Vivian W. Pinn, M.D.

Ruth L. Kirschstein, M.D.

Senior Advisor to the Director, NIH

Former NIH positions:

» Acting Director, National Center for Complementary and 

Alternative Medicine, 2006–2007

» Acting Director, National Institutes of Health, 

2001–2002

» Deputy Director, National Institutes of Health, 1993–1999

» Acting Director, National Institutes of Health, 1993

» Acting Associate Director for Research on Women’s 

Health, 1990–1991

» Director, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, 

1974–1993

» Assistant Director, Division of Biologics and Standards, 

1971–1972

» Chief, Laboratory of Pathology, Division of Biologics 

and Standards, 1965–1972

» Acting Chief, Laboratory of Pathology, Division of 

Biologics and Standards, 1964–1965

» Assistant Chief, Laboratory of Viral Immunology and 

Chief, Section of Pathology, Division of Biologics and 

Standards, 1962–1964

» Chief, Section of Pathology, Laboratory of Viral Immunology, Division of Biologics and Standards, 1960–1962

» Medical Officer and Pathologist, Laboratory of Viral 

Products, Division of Biologics and Standards, 1957–1960

» Medical Officer and Resident in Pathology, Clinical 

Pathology, Clinical Center, 1956–1957 

Full profile on page 2

viii
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Senior Leadership

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

Norka Ruiz Bravo, Ph.D.

Deputy Director for Extramural Research; 

Director, Office of Extramural Research

Full profile on page 12

Vivian W. Pinn, M.D.

Associate Director for Research on Women’s Health; 

Director, Office of Research on Women’s Health

Full profile on page 21

Lana Skirboll, Ph.D.

Associate Director for Science Policy; 

Director, Office of Science Policy

INSTITUTE AND CENTER DIRECTORS

Barbara M. Alving, M.D.

National Center for Research Resources

Full profile on page 210

Josephine P. Briggs, M.D.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Full profile on page 198

Patricia A. Grady, Ph.D., R.N.

National Institute of Nursing Research

Full profile on page 179

Story Landis, Ph.D.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Full profile on page 168

Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Full profile on page 49

Nora Volkow, M.D.  

National Institute on Drug Abuse 

Full profile on page 132

ix

Barbara M. Alving, M.D. Josephine P. Briggs, M.D.. .D .h, Psidnay LrotS Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D. Nora Volkow, M.D.
INSTITUTE AND CENTER DEPUTY DIRECTORS

Judith A. Cooper, Ph.D.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 

Full profile page 110

A. Isabel Garcia, D.D.S.

National Institute on Dental and Craniofacial Research 

Full profile on page 112

Betsy L. Humphreys 

National Library of Medicine

Joyce A. Hunter, Ph.D.

National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities 

Full profile on page 207

Mary E. Kerr, Ph.D., R.N.

National Institute of Nursing Research 

Full profile on page 180

Cheryl Kitt, Ph.D.  

Center for Scientific Review 

Full profile on page 187

Yvonne Thompson Maddox, Ph.D.  

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Full profile on page 98

Louise E. Ramm, Ph.D.  

National Center for Research Resources 

Full profile on page 211

Belinda Seto, Ph.D. 

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering 

Full profile on page 96

Susan Blakely Shurin, M.D.   

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 

Full profile on page 50

Senior Leadership
Women in Science at the 

National Institutes of Health 

by Institute and Center
Office of the 

Director

IMMEDIATE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

Ruth L. Kirschstein, M.D. Senior Advisor to the Director, NIH

EDUCATION

M.D.: Tulane University 

School of Medicine, 1951

B.A.: (Biology) Long Island 

University, 1947

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Pathology and pathogenesis 

of infectious diseases, live 

viral vaccines, tumor viruses, 

basic biomedical research, 

and predoctoral training

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The most pivotal event, which set the rest of my career in 

motion, was coming to NIH to work and getting a job in research. This led to studies of polioviruses and to the development of the critical tests for the safety of the oral poliovirus 

vaccine and the choice of the Sabin strains for vaccination of 

the people of the United States and eventually of people around 

the world. Indeed the disease, poliomyelitis, was eradicated in 

this country and in the Western Hemisphere more than 20 

years ago.

Another pivotal event was my appointment in 1974 as Director 

of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the first 

woman to be appointed to such a high level at NIH.

Establishment and implementation of the Office of Research 

on Women’s Health and service as the first Director was another important milestone.

In 1993, I was chosen to be the Deputy Director of NIH and, 

most importantly, to be Acting Director of NIH for 6 months 

before the appointment of Dr. Varmus. I was also appointed as 

Acting Director of NIH for 2 1/2 years in 2000.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have been married for over 56 years and have worked in my 

chosen profession all my life. I have achieved an appropriate 

balance because of the full and wonderful partnership with my 

husband and my son and our ability to enjoy life fully. I have 

compartmentalized my days and done each task as thoroughly 

as possible and as perfectly as I was able. I have met the challenges, of which there were many, as they came, and solved 

each problem as needed. Continuity of efforts and enjoyment 

of each moment have been the hallmarks of my life. 

I have never had a mentor but I have mentored many, many 

young (and not so young) people, both women and men.

2
wo m e n i n s c i e n c e a t t h e n a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t e s o f h e a l t h

INSIGHTS

The most important thing is to enjoy what one is doing and to 

gain total satisfaction doing it; to accomplish what is needed; be 

sure one has given one’s best effort, even beyond one’s ability; 

to be able to recognize mistakes, correct them, and admit when 

one is wrong; and to learn from them and move ahead.

Also, if your work does not make you happy, consider changing 

what you do. The happier one is, the greater will be the satisfaction with the job and the greater the satisfaction in the job, the 

happier one will be.

Have an open door policy to all. One should never be too busy 

to stop and help someone in need, regardless of rank or status. 

Treat all people equally.

Amy Bany Adams, Ph.D.

Special Assistant to the Director, NIH

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Cell Biology) 

Yale University School of 

Medicine, 2003

S.B.: (Biology) Massachusetts 

Institute of Technology, 1994 

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

My thesis work concerned the 

genetic and anatomic basis of 

the neurotransmitter signaling 

that regulates behavior in the C. 

elegans model system.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I confess to being a true geek growing up – I loved all my classes 

in school and looking ahead to college, I couldn’t decide whether to focus on the humanities or the sciences. Then I attended a 

6-week summer science program in high school that included 

the opportunity to conduct your own research, and it changed 

my life. I was surrounded by incredibly impressive peers (including a 2006 Fields Medal winner), immersed in the thrills 

of scientific discovery and possibility, and spent the summer 

dazzled by the possibility of making the world a better place 

through research. The camaraderie and excitement of the scientific community I glimpsed that summer set me on the career 

path to becoming a scientist. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing my professional and personal life took on a new 

dimension in August 2007, with the birth of my beautiful 

son, Jack. 

Committing to starting a family was a bit daunting – there are 

tomes written about how hard it is to be a working mother. Furthermore, I moved away from the lab bench only a few years 

ago, and I am just establishing myself in the world of science 

policy – but the clock was ticking. Luckily, when I shared my 

concerns with an Institute Director, she counseled me to “just 

do it” – that there is never a perfect time to have a child, but 

there was no reason that I could not have a family and still succeed professionally. It was indescribably liberating to hear this 

advice from an incredible (and incredibly successful) woman 

scientist that I so admired.

Life as a working mother is challenging – I have never worked 

so hard in my life as I do now, balancing demands of family 

and work. However, it is all so much more fun than I ever 

hoped – watching my child grow into this fearless little person, 

every day has its miracle. Though my position includes a lot 

of unexpected, high-profile projects with quick deadlines, 

I have been able to thrive because my office provides a wonderfully supportive environment, and my colleagues and boss 

work hard to ensure I have the tools, resources, and flexibility 

I need to succeed.

Penny Wung Burgoon, Ph.D.

Senior Assistant to the Deputy Director, NIH

EDUCATION

Visiting Scholar: (Physiology) 

The Ohio State University, 2004

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: 

(Neurophysiology) University of 

Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 

2001–2004

Postdoctoral Research Associate: 

(Neurophysiology) University of 

Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 

1997–2000

Ph.D.: (Physiology) The Ohio State University, 1997

M.S.: (Physiology) The Ohio State University, 1994 

M.A.: (Exercise Physiology) California State University 

Northridge, California, 1989

B.A.: (Biology and Physical Education) Oberlin College, 1985

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

My research was focused on central control of biological timing. 

I studied the circadian clock and circadian rhythms in humans 

and mammalian models. I began examining aspects of human 

performance and physiology at different times of day and under 

different conditions. Then, I examined the brain control of the 

biological clock and its mechanisms of operation.

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PIVOTAL EVENTS

With a master’s degree in human physiology, I ran a clinical 

chemistry lab for an Army medical research center. I provided 

overall research support in tissue collection, data collection, 

and analysis to a number of investigators conducting human 

research studies. This period coincided with Operation Desert 

Storm, and our research quickly stopped and was redirected 

toward mission-specific needs. 

In retrospect, this period was really instrumental in my subsequent years because:

» It gave me great confidence in my skills and ability to apply 

new knowledge and techniques;

» I learned that I could perform well and manage the efforts of 

others under highly stressful conditions;

» I could appreciate the immediate impact of my efforts on 

the knowledge of human physiology, performance, and the 

mission of the army;

» I learned how research could be very team-oriented, as well 

as individually focused;

» This experience gave me a clear understanding of why and 

how I wanted to pursue further training in biology and 

physiology. It was a great jump-off point toward my doctoral degree.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Some of my most difficult times during my career have led to 

the most profound changes in my work/life balance. These periods of self-assessment have often been followed by times of 

great satisfaction and reward. As with many women, I struggled with balancing family and career. This ultimately led me 

to identify what was really important to me regarding science 

and my career, and everything else could be changed. That was 

a very “freeing” moment for me, allowing me to subsequently 

redirect my career down a different but very rewarding path in 

working for the NIH.

I was happily surprised to discover that moving into science 

policy required many of the same skill sets that I used for 

research. Problem solving, team work, research, and eureka 

moments – it still works for me. 

One of my better lessons learned along the way was to stop 

looking for the “cool” projects and start looking for the good 

mentors. If you look carefully, you can find both; but I needed 

a person who would help me look out for my best interests. 

 

Vesna Kutlesic, Ph.D.

Special Assistant to the Director, NIH 

EDUCATION

Fellowship: American Association 

for the Advancement of Science, 

Science and Technology Policy 

Fellowship, NIH, 2006–2008

Internship/Postdoctoral Fellowship: (Child Clinical Psychology) 

University of New Mexico Health 

Sciences Center, 1997

Ph.D.: (Clinical Psychology) 

Louisiana State University, 1995

M.A.: (Clinical Psychology) Louisiana State University, 1992

B.A.: (Psychology) Kent State University, 1988

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, child and 

family mental health, cognitive-behavioral therapy, multicultural considerations in assessment and treatment

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The interplay of mental health research, clinical practice, and 

training within culturally diverse communities had the most 

significant impact on my work as a scientist. Each of these 

dimensions informed priority areas in at least one of the 

others. My research helped structure and evaluate my work 

with clients, and provided a framework for testing proposed 

assessment and treatment models when working with trainees. Clients and trainees would regularly critique research and 

treatment models being implemented, and provide valuable 

input toward refining these approaches. Publication of these 

research findings and further consideration of their policy implications fostered an interest in health policy development, 

both on a national and international basis.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My mentoring experiences (i.e., both as a mentor and mentee) 

within academic, research, and clinical settings have been one 

of the highlights of my career. I have been fortunate to have 

worked with mentors who were dedicated to my professional 

growth in ways I was able to model and pass onto individuals 

I have mentored or supervised. The essence of the mentoring 

approach I found most rewarding was placing mentees’ professional growth goals over and above an organization’s needs, 

particularly when the two sets of needs are in conflict. Though 

organizational needs would be considered when developing 

a mentoring plan, they would not supersede mentees’ professional development goals. Also worked through with the 

mentee would be the types of professional experiences that 

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would be the best fit to accommodate significant life events in 

the mentee’s life, and to foster a sense of balance.

Camelia L. Owens, Ph.D.

American Association for the Advancement of Science 

(AAAS) – Science & Technology 

Policy Fellow, Immediate Office of the Director 

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Chemical Engineering) 

University of Delaware, 2004

Visiting Scholar: (Chemical Engineering) University of California–

Santa Barbara, 2002–2004

B.S.: (Chemical Engineering) 

University of Maryland Baltimore 

County, 1999

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Biomedical, biotechnology, engineering education, control 

systems, health policy

PIVOTAL EVENTS

During one of the holiday breaks in graduate school, I was traveling back home and I ran into Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland Baltimore County, in the 

airport. I remember talking to him about my career interests 

and experiences and stating how unsure I was of my next steps; 

he immediately reminded me of the Langston Hughes’ poem, 

Hold Fast to Dreams. From that conversation in the airport, I 

decided to always dream big and to really take strides to realize 

those dreams. It is with that mentality that I have been able to 

contribute to the biomedical research enterprise in different 

capacities, mentor the younger generation of scientists and engineers to come and keep a positive outlook about the fields of 

science and engineering and what I will accomplish in the next 

phases of my career.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Throughout my life, I have had several mentors, many of which 

were not obvious to me. To me, it is important to have individuals in your life who can provide a balanced array of perspectives from within your peer group and outside of it. From the 

other viewpoint, I am always surprised to hear myself called a 

mentor, but I welcome the experience and opportunity to help 

other individuals craft their vision.

Balancing my professional responsibilities with my personal 

life is very difficult, but I am physically and mentally healthier when I do so it is a priority for me. Over the years, I have 

become very structured with my schedule so that I can maintain 

that balance. I try to remain flexible, as sometimes I do have 

to accommodate for tight deadlines or a personal emergency. 

Ultimately, I try to plan as best I can to enjoy the personal and 

professional segments of my life.

OFFICE OF AIDS RESEARCH (OAR)

Victoria A. Cargill, M.D. Director of Minority Research and Clinical Studies, OAR

EDUCATION

M.S.C.E.: (Clinical 

Epidemiology) University 

of Pennsylvania, 1993

Certificate in Epidemiology: 

University of Pennsylvania, 

1986

Andrew W. Mellon Fellow: 

(Clinical Epidemiology) 

Hospital of the University 

of Pennsylvania, 1982–1984

Residency: Peter Bent 

Brigham Hospital, 1978–1980

Internship: Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, 1977–1978

M.D.: Boston University School of Medicine, 1977

B.A.: (Biological Sciences) Mount Holyoke College, 1973

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

HIV infection in African American women and heterosexual 

men and HIV risk reduction through community-based research

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I became seriously ill as a result of a needle-stick sustained 

while resuscitating a patient. The patient lived, but I almost 

died from hepatitis. The discrimination and cold isolation I 

experienced from my own peers while hospitalized uniquely 

sensitized me to the effects of disease-associated stigma.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is essential and cannot be done “on the cheap.” It 

requires commitment and time. Time is a precious and limited 

commodity, so to balance family and work I have a clear set of 

priorities. I keep this written down and visible as a reminder 

when stressed over too many demands. 

INSIGHTS

I can think of three major events that shaped my career, although at the time these events were anything but challenges 

to manage. The first event came as a young intern as I wrote 

earlier. To be in the prime of one’s health and to be suddenly 

and without warning desperately ill, with little voice in one’s 

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care (even as a physician) and be treated as a pariah profoundly affected me. I had a unique insight into how it felt to 

be a desperately ill patient and with an illness that everyone 

feared. I could not have known that a mere 4 years later, I would 

be seeing some of the early cases of what was then called gayrelated immunodeficiency disease (GRID) and what we now 

know to be HIV infection. I understood then, as now, in a very 

visceral way, the fear, the stigma, and the isolation of having an 

infectious disease that leads rational people to treat you in irrationally cruel ways. It is what underscores my passion and commitment to people living with HIV infection, as well as preventing 

the transmission of HIV infection in vulnerable populations.

The second big milestone in my career came when I was 

working as a physician in a neighborhood health center in the 

heart of Boston’s Jamaica Plain. I had decided to live within 

the community I served, and as a result had an opportunity 

to witness first hand the racism, xenophobia, and classicism 

that affected many of our patients who were usually from 

Puerto Rico or Hispaniola and spoke little English. Another 

pediatrician and I were working late and in the process of discussing our patients, when we discovered that we were both 

seeing unusual episodes of otitis media. Instead of the usual 

pathogens, this was an unusual organism, and we ended up 

staying late, mapping the cases out on a large map of Jamaica 

Plain that was in the pediatrician’s office. We quickly realized that our cases seemed to cluster around one particular 

city wading pool. We were able to pull the charts, demonstrate that the organism was indeed found in 90+ percent of 

our patients, and ultimately sampled the water and clinched 

the finding. I hadn’t heard of John Snow then or didn’t know 

much about epidemiology, but that was about to change! This 

“happenstance” led me to the University of Pennsylvania and 

the Andrew Mellon Clinical Epidemiology program.

The third milestone was the invitation to work with one of the 

best HIV prevention scientists around, Dr. Jeff Kelly. As a seminal researcher in HIV prevention, especially among men who 

have sex with men (MSM), I could not imagine having someone 

of his caliber take an interest in my HIV prevention work with 

inner city teens. But he did and under his tutelage, I was able 

to successfully compete for an RO1 grant, and became a co-investigator with him on several projects. At his suggestion, I also 

became a member of an NIH study section, and learned a great 

deal about the funding and review process. He really walked 

with me every step of the way as I went from a junior investigator, to an RO1-funded investigator, and ultimately a full professor of medicine, the second African American woman to do 

so in the history of the medical school where I was appointed.

I learned through these experiences and many since, that 

sometimes adversity really is the mother of creativity, and that 

no one path is ‘the right way.’ My advice is to make your own 

way, follow your passion, and find those who will advise and 

support you.

OFFICE OF BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES 

RESEARCH (OBSSR)

Margaret A. Chesney, Ph.D. Senior Advisor to the Director, OBSSR (Former); 

Deputy Director, National Center for Complementary 

and Alternative Medicine (Former)

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Psychiatry) 

Temple University School 

of Medicine, 1976

Ph.D.: (Counseling-Clinical 

Psychology) Colorado State 

University, 1975

M.S.: (Counseling-Clinical 

Psychology) Colorado State 

University, 1973

B.A.: (Psychology and Sociology) Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

I am involved in clinical investigations in the area of integrative or behavioral medicine including the role of the individual in the promotion of personal health; prevention of 

disease, and the potential for optimal management of health 

across the lifespan; and the role that lifestyle and behavior 

can play in health, development, and evaluation of behavioral 

strategies to enhance health and well-being, even in the face 

of serious health challenges. Much of my research has concentrated in three areas: women’s health concerns, cardiovascular disease, and HIV/AIDS. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

A sense of purpose has been very important to my scientific 

success. When the HIV/AIDS epidemic raged throughout San 

Francisco, I was asked to evaluate an HIV/AIDS program. I approached my colleague, Thomas Coates, a highly esteemed scientist from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) 

to consult on the effort. He turned the request around, asking 

if I would consider joining him at UCSF and working together 

on the epidemic. About this event, I have often said, “It is rare 

that a colleague directly asks for help with their work.” I was 

touched by his sincerity and the severity of the problem he confronted. I said, “Yes,” leaving the Department I directed at SRI 

(formerly Stanford Research Institute) and began a career as a 

Professor of Medicine at UCSF, where I believe I made important contributions to research on HIV/AIDS, as well as coping 

with chronic illness, personal growth, and women’s health.

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

It was balancing family responsibilities that opened doors for 

me with regard to exceptional mentoring. To care for my stepmother in the East, I sought training experiences that would 

allow me to work part-time in the Washington area and continue my work at UCSF. Fortunately, I was given an opportunity to work half-time with ORWH at NIH. The 2 years I worked 

at ORWH coincided with the Office’s 10-year anniversary. In 

addition to working with the office on a 10-year evaluation, I 

found that working on the anniversary activities gave me unparalleled opportunities to meet and be mentored by some 

of the most outstanding women in science, health policy, and 

public service in the United States. As a mentor, I dedicate 

myself to helping other women convert the personal choices 

they make in balancing family and professional responsibilities 

into their own unparalleled opportunities. 

INSIGHTS

I believe that strong leaders know their “true north.” Personally, this seems particularly true of women leaders. For me, it has 

been very important to think about what I want to contribute; to 

think about my values, and use these as an “internal compass” 

as I have gone through my life. For me, my “true north” is promoting health and preventing disease. When I have been faced 

with career choices, I have consulted my “internal compass” 

and it has helped me to stay on the course that is most meaningful to me, personally. It is easy to become intrigued by a 

number of scientific domains, or to be persuaded by topics that 

are highly popular at the moment, and this can create forces 

that can pull a person off course. If we, as women, consult 

our own internal compass, which often balances a number of 

forces, and stay true to our personal values, we are more likely 

to make decisions that will advance our interests as well as help 

us continue on a journey that will be personally and professionally meaningful. 

I was privileged to serve as the President of the Academy of 

Behavioral Medicine Research, the American Psychosomatic 

Society, and the Division of Health Psychology of the American 

Psychological Association (APA). I was honored to receive the 

Annual Award for Outstanding Contributions to the APA Division of Health Psychology in 1982 and 1986, the President’s 

Award from the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research in 

1987, and the Charles C. Sheppard Science Award, from the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1999. 

Two recent events that have meant a great deal to me were being 

elected to the Institute of Medicine in 2001 and receiving an 

honorary doctorate in humanities in 2008 from my alma mater, 

Whitman College.

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC LIAISON 

(OCPL) 

Marin P. Allen, Ph.D.         Deputy Associate Director, OCPL; 

Director of Public Information, NIH

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Public Communication) University of 

Maryland-College Park

M.A.: (Radio-TelevisionFilm) University of 

Maryland-College Park

B.A.: (Theater/English) 

University of MarylandCollege Park 

(with portfolio credits from 

The Corcoran School of Art)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Communication theory and practice; science and health communication; public communication; leadership communication; film; political communication; health literacy; cultural 

competency; rhetorical communication; visual competency; 

and language. Dissertation: “The Guest–Host Archetypes. Rhetorical Constraint on the Modern American Presidency.”

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My final science fair project in high school was a short, animated-the-old-fashioned-way — breath by breath — film 

called “Concepts of Infinity.” I was allowed into the judging 

session because I was the only one who could run the equipment. The project won a special award as it didn’t fit in any 

category. Later, in a Kodak student film competition, my film 

won an award that included cash and a new movie camera. The 

story was in the Washington Post, I was interviewed with my 

film on WETA-TV, and, importantly, I was invited to speak at 

the University of Oklahoma for the University Film Producers 

Association. I guess it was my earliest attempt, at age 18, to explain science. 

I began my career on the faculty at the University of Maryland - 

College Park and later was a tenured, full professor and chair at 

Gallaudet, where for the last 2 years, I was on dual appointment 

directing university public relations. In between, I was a media 

specialist with the White House Conference on Aging. In 1990, 

I joined the NIH as the Communication Director for NIDCD. 

In the early years, I also headed planning, evaluation, and legislation. I have been at OCPL since 2004, and I still teach one 

course each year. 

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Over the years, I was fortunate to receive honors and awards 

including Phi Kappa Phi; Pi Delta Epsilon; Phi Alpha Pi; Teacher of the Year (1984–1985); Emmy Award (1988–1989); Emmy 

Award (1986–1987); CINE Golden Eagle Awards (1988, 1989); 

NIH Director’s Awards (group) Biennial Report (2008) and 

(group) GWAS (2008); Achievement Award for Mentorship in 

the Partnership Program NIDCD; and NIH Merit Award NIH 

Discovery Young Scientist Challenge (2007). 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My son, a reporter covering national politics, was born during 

my early teaching years and my daughter, a licensed attorney, was born as I finished my Ph.D. She has memories (and 

photos) of sitting in my lap while I wrote. My husband of 34 

years is a consistently formidable intellect and a challenger of 

ideas. Laughter is our major family survival tool—and no one 

put too much emphasis on cooking! My lovely daughter-in-law 

has fallen in with us very comfortably.

INSIGHTS

I was the first woman hired as full-time faculty in my division at University of Maryland - College Park and am believed 

to be the first woman to teach television and film production 

full-time nationwide. It was pivotal that I was offered a teaching assistantship, allowing me to make the transition into 

the academy. I have had many mentors, most who demonstrated their leadership, some who shared knowledge, but all 

who insisted on excellence. I have been an official advisor to 

a great many mentees, and an unofficial sounding board to 

many more. I especially valued working on the NIDCD Partnership Program, benefitting young scientists from diverse 

backgrounds. 

I had an outstanding division chair in my first job and an outstanding dean when I was a department chair. I was fortunate 

to have had extraordinary colleagues who became friends as we 

discussed—and still discuss—the meaning of what we do and 

how we might do it better. I had the challenging experience of 

learning sign language mid-career. Signing altered my understanding of words, images, and communication.

I serve as NIH representative to the U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services (HHS) working group on health literacy and on literacy and communications working groups for 

Healthy People. Additionally, I serve on the NIH Nanotechnology Task Force Executive Committee. I speak and write about 

communication topics regularly. Translating science and health 

for a variety of audiences and in a variety of ways is an everenlightening experience.

Kim Pelis, Ph.D.            

Speechwriter, OCPL

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: (History 

of Blood Transfusion and Shock) 

Wellcome Institute for the History 

of Medicine and The Science 

Museum, London, 1995–1998

Ph.D.: (History of Medicine) 

The Johns Hopkins University 

School of Medicine, 1994

B.A.: (Great Books and 

pre-medical studies) 

University of Notre Dame, 1985

RESEARCH INTERESTS

At NIH, my research follows the Director’s speaking schedule. 

Solid research is the foundation of any good speech. Additionally, I continue to do medical historical research in my spare 

time. In particular, I will be writing a “biography” of typhus for 

Oxford University Press.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My undergraduate mentor died shortly before my college 

graduation. It suddenly seemed far more important to devote 

my life to doing what I loved than to following a conventional 

career path. I decided to study the meeting-place of two loves – 

history and medicine – in graduate school. This had the desired 

effect, but ultimately set me on another type of conventional 

career path. The path did little to foster the kind of passion that 

initially brought me to study medicine from “alternative” (i.e., 

historical, social, and cultural) perspectives.

This is where mentoring again enters the story. It also provides a pivotal moment in my career. Initially, I had no appreciation for how historical research skills might be used 

outside academic history departments. Unconventionally 

placed mentors helped me understand these skills differently, appreciate them more fully—and wield them more effectively. In so doing, I’ve found myself on a career path that 

is not only intellectually fulfilling, but also plays a small part 

in helping NIH fulfill its mission: which is of profound cultural, social, and even historical, significance! 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

If only experience necessarily led to wisdom, I would be able 

to offer insightful tips and illuminating examples. In the real 

world, however, I can only confess that the challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities are both 

legion and constant. My personal approach is a work in progress; my estimation of its success varies wildly by the day (and 

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sometimes by the hour). Humor helps. As do supportive colleagues, friends, and family members. And, when it comes to 

cleaning the kitchen, I try to remind myself that my mother’s 

standards are about as applicable to today’s world as her old 

poodle skirts would be considered fashionable. 

Sometimes, that even works for a few minutes.

OFFICE OF DISEASE PREVENTION (ODP)

Rashmi Gopal-Srivastava, Ph.D. Director, Extramural Research Program, 

Office of Rare Diseases, ODP

EDUCATION

Staff Fellow: 

(Molecular and 

Developmental Biology) 

National Eye Institute, 

NIH, 1992–1994

National Research 

Council Research 

Associate: (Molecular 

and Developmental 

Biology) National Eye 

Institute, NIH, 1989–1992

Ph.D.: (Microbiology and 

Immunology) Medical College 

of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1989

M.S.: (Biochemistry) Banaras Hindu University, India, 1982

B.S.: (Chemistry & Biology) Banaras Hindu University, 

India, 1979

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genetic diseases, including cancer

PIVOTAL EVENTS

In India in the late 1960s, where equal education for women 

was available (it was not universally available), there was little 

effort in preparing women for scientific careers. Instead, women’s careers primarily remained domestic. Studying home economics, arts, or social sciences and becoming a homemaker 

after getting married was the routine that I had seen many 

women around me go through. A pivotal event in my life was 

when my 6th grade science teacher understood my passion, 

dedication, and zeal for solving complex biological problems. 

Despite the challenges we both knew I would face, he encouraged me to take up science as a career and offered his help in 

persuading my parents. However, it was not needed, as my parents extended their full support. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Having the opportunity to mentor others is extremely important to me. I feel that my role as an individual, who has 

worked hard to achieve the dream, is to encourage others to 

do the same. As a graduate student and at the NIH, I mentored undergraduates on laboratory projects. Despite being 

busy with experiments and other professional responsibilities, I volunteered my time in teaching special science classes 

to elementary and middle school students. I have been invited 

to give lectures for Science and Math: Girls at the Cross Road 

of Success program, organized by the American Association 

of University Women, and am a member of the NIH Speakers 

Bureau, Office of Science Education.

Balancing personal life with professional responsibilities can 

be challenging, but is not impossible. After getting married in 

1983, I followed my husband to the United States. I was lucky 

that my husband also encouraged me to pursue higher studies. During the last couple of years in my graduate school, I 

was pregnant with my first child and my husband had moved 

to another state. It was suggested that I get another Masters 

degree so that I could finish early and join my husband, but 

I was determined and joined NIH immediately after finishing my doctorate. I had to be very organized and I did two to 

three experiments at the same time so that I could spend time 

with my family during the weekends. My second child was born 

while I continued research, published several manuscripts, 

and became one of the more productive scientists in the lab. 

Later, I moved to the NCI as an extramural scientist where the 

opportunities for desk science existed and continued to balance 

my life, despite being very busy. 

Our experiences shape our lifestyles. I firmly believe that life 

is to be lived to its utmost potential. I integrate the lessons I 

take from my personal life—playing the roles of wife, mother, 

friend, sister—with the roles that I play in my professional life 

such as a mentor, a colleague, and a leader. I am extremely passionate about both my worlds, and I use my experiences from 

each to benefit one other. I am a deeply involved parent, and I 

know that it is never good to mix in too much of one’s professional life with personal life, but I allow my professional side 

to act as a vehicle for motivation for my two daughters. Being a 

working woman, we are given several tasks as we play the traditional and the dynamic roles in society. Though it is impossible 

to not let your work and life coincide with one another, setting 

limits as to how much they relate has been most efficient for 

me.

INSIGHTS

Though our society has progressed in a direction where women 

are respected in their professional lives substantially, I would 

still like to see more girls in the science and technology field. 

With growing need and career opportunities, I believe that 

contributions by women in the sciences are necessary and 

important. I know that there are still several setbacks in our 

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journey to achieving personal and professional fulfillment in 

these fields, but with a combination of motivation, determination, and passion, I believe that every girl who dreams of being 

a physician, scientist, engineer, or working with the health care 

system can do so.

Elizabeth A. Yetley, Ph.D. Senior Nutrition Research Scientist, 

Office of Dietary Supplements, ODP (Former)

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Human nutrition) Iowa State University, 1976

M.S.: (Human nutrition) Iowa State University, 1970

B.S.: (Community nutrition) Iowa State University, 1963

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Nutrition, nutritional assessment, nutrition science, and 

public health policy

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Pivotal events in my career included strong family encouragement to pursue a scientific curriculum in college despite 

considerable discrimination against female scientists; a tough 

major professor who grilled me unmercifully on a weekly basis 

about my research decisions and activities; several managers within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who encouraged me to advocate and use sound science in regulatory 

decisions despite political pressures to do otherwise; and the 

freedom and encouragement from my supervisor and colleagues in the Office of Dietary Supplements to focus on areas 

of nutrition science and public policy interfaces in ways that 

were relatively novel to this office. Perhaps the greatest pivotal 

factor was the unfailing support that I received from my husband throughout my entire professional career and particularly 

at times when discriminatory actions and intimidations against 

me as a female professional became overwhelming. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

In mentoring young scientists, I tried to instill the habit of incorporating scientific rigor into their science/policy activities. 

I also tried to help them in developing communication skills so 

that they could be advocates for science in hostile environments 

and be articulate enough to sell science to both scientists and 

non scientists. Several of these people have gone on to impressive careers in top academic and Federal agency management 

positions, in international science-based activities, and in 

significant research accomplishments. For subordinates who 

didn’t have the talent to become leaders, I always tried to be 

honest but constructive in my communications. To this day, several former subordinates whom I had to inform that they would 

not be getting promotions still thank me for my helping them 

to lead productive careers in positions that they initially did not 

want, but for which time showed them to be ideally suited.

INSIGHTS

The career milestones and scientific accomplishments for 

which I am most proud include those that had significant 

impacts on public policy decisions. While at the FDA, I provided the leadership for developing and sustaining a rigorous scientific standard for food label health claims despite 

considerable political pressures to water these standards 

down. Against strong public criticisms from many fronts, I 

led the FDA’s successful efforts to develop and implement a 

folic acid fortification program to reduce the risk of pregnancies affected by neural tube birth defects. The U.S. approach 

was subsequently adopted by the Canadian government and 

several European countries are likely to follow our lead in the 

near future. As lead of the U.S. delegation to a United Nations 

(UN)-sponsored international standard-setting body, I was 

successful in incorporating science-based approaches into 

dietary supplement and infant formula standards. Recognizing the significance of my impacts on science/policy interfaces, FDA appointed me as the first and sole “Lead Scientist 

for Nutrition.” More recently, I have successfully supported 

the development of a World Heath Organization/Food and 

Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO)-sponsored workshop 

and report on science-based models for safety standards for 

dietary supplements that is now being used by both developing and developed countries, including the U.S. Institute of 

Medicine.

Rebecca Bortz Costello, Ph.D.

Director of Grants and Extramural Activities, 

Office of Dietary Supplements, ODP

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Clinical Nutrition) University of Maryland, College Park, 

1994

M.S.: (Biology/Physiology) 

American University, Washington, 

DC, 1980

B.S.: (Biology) American University, Washington, DC, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases through 

diet and lifestyle; role of minerals in the etiology of disease and 

disease prevention; epidemiology and clinical trial methodology

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PIVOTAL EVENTS

My key to success has been multitasking throughout my professional career. Combining my early research career in clinical 

cardiology, first at Georgetown University and the Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Washington, DC, and then 

later in private practice at the Washington Adventist Hospital, 

Takoma Park, MD, drove my desire for higher education and 

learning. These clinical and academic environments provided 

for my success as a researcher and student. My mentor at the 

VA and Adventist Hospitals challenged my curiosity and quest 

for knowledge by supporting both my thesis and dissertation 

projects. I thrived on the excitement of initiating and recruiting 

for clinical trials, collecting the data, and publishing and presenting the results at national meetings. At times I was working 

at both institutions and commuting back and forth to classes at 

the University of Maryland. Returning to school for my doctorate in 1987, I was very focused and had a wealth of real life 

experiences to draw upon. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

In the short tenure I had as a teaching assistant at American 

University and at the University of Maryland, as well as teaching Nutrition at Columbia Union College (1994–1996), I delighted in sharing experiences and lessons with my students. 

Similarly, I have mentored a number of graduate students 

during my tenure at Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) on 

an array of projects and seen them accelerate on their career 

paths. My husband has been most supportive of my dual role 

as researcher and student, as we both worked full-time to meet 

the demands of our imposed schedules. Everything just seemed 

to fit together and fall in step—step-children visiting for vacations and the summer, adoption of a 6-year-old daughter when 

most couples were celebrating the end of their child-bearing 

years, and the return to school for my doctorate.

Mary Frances Picciano, Ph.D.

Senior Nutrition Research Scientist, 

Office of Dietary Supplements, ODP

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Nutrition) The Pennsylvania State University, 1974

M.S.: (Foods and Nutrition) The Pennsylvania State University, 1970

B.S.: (Biology) St. Francis College, Loretto, PA, 1968

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Nutrition during growth and development, maternal nutrition (lactation), infant nutrition, early childhood nutrition, 

nutritional assessment, trace mineral metabolism, folate 

metabolism

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As an undergraduate student in biology, I read an article on 

nutrition as a means of combating disease and was stimulated 

to pursue nutrition in graduate school. I became interested 

in human milk as a graduate student and was fascinated with 

its unique properties and this fascination guided my research 

career for over 30 years. I had the privilege to work with two 

outstanding women during my graduate training and they encouraged me to pursue a career in academia. They were not 

only fabulous scientific models, they also were models on how 

to best balance a career and family life. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The main supporting individuals in my professional career 

were my parents and my husband. They always encouraged me 

to pursue whatever path I chose and provided substantial help 

when I needed it most. I have had the opportunity to mentor 

a number of graduate students during my career and follow 

their careers in academia, and the public and private sectors 

with pride. In my present position, I am responsible for training and career development activities and am continually impressed with the substantial weight keen mentoring imparts on 

career choices and sustained professional achievement. 

Susan C. Rossi, Ph.D.

Deputy Director, Office of Medical Applications 

of Research, ODP

EDUCATION

M.P.H.: (Public Health) The Johns Hopkins University, 1994

Ph.D.: (Chemistry) Dartmouth College, 1987

B.S.: (Microbiology) San Jose State University, 1982

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Evidence-based medicine (EBM), cancer prevention, cancer 

screening, chemical carcinogenesis

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The critical importance of using a proper control group has 

been a central mantra for the work I have been involved with as 

a student or as a scientist. Whether one is working in a laboratory situation doing in vitro research, or alternately, involved 

in studies with human participants, the control is equally important as the test group. I was surprised when I moved from 

the bench doing basic science to clinical medicine how often 

a control group is not used in medical research, for example 

case series and case reports. EBM came about, in part, due to 

the difficulty of discriminating between well-conducted clinical research and studies that, although interesting, should only 

be used for hypothesis generation. I have to acknowledge my 

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OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

first research advisor, the late Professor Karen Wetterhahn, 

for driving this point home when I started my scientific career. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I think of work/life balance as an admirable goal that I can’t 

claim to have achieved. I am 52, married, with a 20-year-old 

daughter in college. When things got chaotic, and they did, I 

would just try to keep some forward momentum on all fronts 

while acknowledging that not all aspects of your life can be high 

priority at the same time.

Regarding mentoring, I have had the privilege of being mentored by some outstanding individuals, including Karen Wetterhahn, Michael Topal, John Gohagan, Sudhir Srivastava, 

Cherie Nichols, and Barry Kramer. Transmitting strong core 

scientific principles while allowing the person I am mentoring 

to develop as an individual and be ready for their own professional journey is what I hope to accomplish as a mentor. 

OFFICE OF EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH (OER) 

Norka Ruiz Bravo, Ph.D. Deputy Director for Extramural Research, NIH; 

Director, OER

EDUCATION

NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship: (Physiological 

Chemistry) Johns Hopkins 

University, 1983 

NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship: (Biochemistry and 

Molecular Biology) 

The University of Texas 

M.D. Anderson 

Cancer Research Center, 

1983–1986

Ph.D.: (Biology) Yale University, 1983

M.Phil.: (Biology) Yale University, 1981

B.A.: (Biology) Goucher College, 1975 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am a scientist by training and at heart, a cell and developmental biologist. For many years, I have served as a science administrator and manager. I enjoy the big picture perspective. In my 

current position, I am rewarded by fostering a policy environment that promotes interdisciplinary approaches to problems, 

combining different areas—scientific and administrative—in 

ways that lead to novel outcomes. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Rather than focus on specific events, I’d prefer to highlight 

categories of events that have positively affected my career as a 

scientist. One category is “movement.” My first move was at the 

age of 14, from my home in Peru to boarding school in Florida. 

During my 18 years at the NIH, I have served in more than a 

dozen positions. I am always ready to embrace new challenges. 

Another category is “variety.” I have served in various roles in 

several Institutes and Centers. The different “cultures,” i.e., 

differing priorities and ways of accomplishing tasks, offer 

unique “laboratories” for ways to advance science. And the 

final category is “opportunity.” When an opportunity has presented itself, I have always considered it. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have been presented opportunities by and studied and worked 

with amazing people. I believe in affording others such opportunities and challenges and am committed to doing my part to 

develop the next generation of science professionals. This is an 

integral part of good science and good science management.

My career and family are all part of my life, and both are rewarding. I take time for adventures, such as my husband’s and 

my recent Mt. Kilimanjaro climb. I also take time to read, bake, 

and do household chores. I derive satisfaction in such activities 

— a sense of closure that managing science really does not easily 

afford. I exercise regularly and make sure I attend at least one 

exercise class a week, more when possible. And when I have 

the chance, I relish hiking and bird watching. I have found, at 

least in my case, that with a bit of planning, life has a way of 

balancing itself. 

INSIGHTS

From my laboratory work early in my career through my various 

roles at the NIH in administering and managing the conduct of 

research, I have always felt both challenged by and, at the same 

time, comfortable in the scientific milieu. I think this duality 

comes from the fact that science is about the business of learning. I love being challenged, and I am always on the lookout for 

the new. I am also comfortable in knowing that in taking this 

approach, I will always be learning. 

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Sally J. Rockey, Ph.D. Deputy Director, OER

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Entomology) University of 

Wisconsin, 1986

Ph.D.: (Entomology) The 

Ohio State University, 1985 

M.S.: (Entomology) The 

Ohio State University, 1982

B.S.: (Zoology) The Ohio 

State University, 1980

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research was focused on the physiological, biochemical, and 

ecological basis of insect reproduction and development. My 

expertise now is science administration.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a child, I loved animals. When I found you could actually 

study them, I was a goner. Late in my undergraduate career, 

I changed course from zoology and switched to entomology, 

much to the puzzlement of my parents. The next big change 

was accepting a position in research administration with the 

U.S. Department of Agriculture. I was substantially altering what I had envisioned would be my career—becoming a 

professor and researcher—but I knew that I would likely not 

return to the bench. However, something weighed on me as 

I made the decision and has stayed with me—my belief that 

a government career not only would be rewarding for me 

professionally, but also could have an impact on the broader 

direction of science and help other researchers reach their 

aspirations. My most recent change was in coming to the NIH 

after 19 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

As with the prior changes, it has proven to be the right move.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

A high school teacher inspired me to study biology. While I 

never became a professor as I once had planned, my roles as 

Chief Information Officer, SES executive, research administrator, scientific misconduct liaison, supervisor, and communicator have afforded me many mentoring opportunities. Because 

of my diverse experiences and because I became a senior manager at a young age, I have had a number of young people turn 

to me for help in learning about becoming a leader. I guess you 

would say I did become a teacher of sorts. 

My motto is work hard and play hard! My mantra is to put 

family first but to accomplish the job so that this is possible. 

My husband and I have an 18-year-old son and so many outside 

interests and friends that I can’t wait to get home every day to 

enjoy making or listening to music, dealing a hand of cards, 

reading, swimming, or just relaxing. 

INSIGHTS

A career in science administration is rewarding in myriad ways, 

particularly in that your work reaches many people and has an 

impact on their work and lives. A government employee places 

public service at the forefront of what she or he does every day. 

I am glad I made the choices I did. I feel my contribution is significant to biomedical research because like a bench scientist, 

I aspire to understand how things work and try to find creative 

approaches to make them work in new and better ways. I believe my efforts in turn have a positive impact on my staff and 

the people we serve, both in the scientific community and the 

global community.

Sally Ann Amero, Ph.D.

NIH Review Policy Officer, 

Office of Extramural Programs, OER

EDUCATION

Research Associate: (Biology) 

Washington University, 1984–1987

Research Associate: (Biology) 

University of Virginia, 1980–1984

Research Assistant: (Chemistry)

University of Virginia, 1979–1980

Ph.D.: (Developmental Biology 

and Biochemical Genetics) West 

Virginia University, 1979

B.S.: (Biology) Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My former research interests focused on the mechanisms 

whereby DNA is folded into chromosomes, and certain stretches of DNA are either hidden or exposed by proteins that bind 

to them. These structural mechanisms are fundamental for 

proper replication of DNA and transmission of chromosomes 

to daughter cells, and for correct expression of genes in the 

right tissues and at the right time. 

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PIVOTAL EVENTS

The most important, pivotal event in my professional career 

was my negative tenure decision. This godsend in disguise 

served as the springboard that led me to science policy, which is 

much more fulfilling than my former research career and suits 

my skills and temperament. It is important to note, however, 

that my training and experience in research were necessary 

precursors for the job that I have now.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The work/life balance is an issue that most professional people, 

not just scientists, work to resolve. For me, an important life 

lesson was learning to place boundaries on the amount of my 

life that I am willing to devote to my professional responsibilities. In part, this meant finding a career in which I could be 

successful without sacrificing the personal responsibilities and 

activities that are important to me. 

Patricia Brown, V.M.D.

Director, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, OER 

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Residency and M.S.: 

(Laboratory Animal Medicine) 

Pennsylvania State University, 

The Milton S. Hershey Medical 

Center, 1982

V.M.D.: University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary 

Medicine, 1978

B.S.: (Animal Science) Pennsylvania State University, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Laboratory animal medicine and animal welfare policy

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My mother was raised on a farm in Pennsylvania, sparking her 

pursuit of a science education degree. Because of World War 

II, she did not teach, but worked in a Merck laboratory testing mosquito repellants. In today’s times, I believe she would 

have pursued a medical degree instead of being a stay-at-home, 

1950’s mom. Her daily challenge to me and my sisters was to 

be the best students and to not be dissuaded in our pursuit of 

knowledge. My oldest sister is a Ph.D. in nutrition and behavior while my younger sisters are a computer scientist and 

botanist. My attachment to our pets and our summer visits to 

my grandparents’ farm were the fuel that pushed me to pursue 

veterinary medicine. “Talking to the animals” came naturally 

to me and I enjoy the unique challenges of comparative biology and laboratory animal medicine. Working at NIH has given 

me many opportunities to support and advance the health of 

humans and animals through scientific discoveries in basic and 

translational research. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Working with pigs, mice, and monkeys when you are pregnant 

has its own set of challenges. I was blessed to have a supervisor with four young daughters who was very supportive of my 

need for a flexible work schedule during my first son’s early 

years. I was also extremely fortunate in that my husband chose 

to give up his career as an air traffic controller to stay at home 

with our boys after our second son was born. This allowed me 

to return to my career as a veterinarian at NIH and an officer in 

the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. At 

the time of this role reversal in the early 1980s, it was a quite 

unheard-of practice. As a result, his bond with his sons is very 

special to this day.

Sherry L. Mills, M.D.

Acting Director, Office of Extramural Programs 

and Senior Policy Advisor, OER

EDUCATION

M.P.H.: (Epidemiology) The Johns 

Hopkins School of Hygiene and 

Public Health, 1987

Residency: (Preventive Medicine) 

The Johns Hopkins School 

of Hygiene and Public Health, 

1986–1988 

Internship: (Internal Medicine) 

Providence Hospital, George 

Washington University School of 

Medicine, 1984–1985

M.D.: University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, 1984

A.B.: (Human Biology) Brown University, 1978 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My primary research interests were in social and behavioral 

sciences applied to cancer control. They included primary and 

secondary prevention in cancer control, advocacy for diverse 

populations, and tobacco control among diverse populations, 

including minority groups.

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PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a first-year medical student, I was fortunate to hear a presentation from Dr. Helene Gayle, who was then an M.P.H. candidate at Johns Hopkins, in which she described careers in public 

health. Her presentation was pivotal in my decision of a medical specialty: preventive medicine and public health. I appreciated most that through a public health career, populations, not 

just individuals, can be affected. Discovering a career in public 

health expanded the breadth of my career in medicine: direct 

patient care, scientific research, administration, and policy. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing professional and personal commitments is a work in 

progress. Demands in one’s professional and private life continuously change. It is essential that a working wife, mother, 

and daughter cultivate and nurture formal and informal networks to preserve balance. My role models and mentors have 

helped me work toward achieving balance. Some of the best 

advice I received: Don’t live in regret; make decisions, act on 

them, learn from them; if they are good ones, repeat them; if 

they are not good, learn from them and move on.

OFFICE OF INTRAMURAL RESEARCH (OIR) 

Arlyn Garcia-Perez, Ph.D. Assistant Director, OIR

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Kidney & Electrolyte 

Metabolism), NHLBI, NIH, 

1984–1987

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry) 

Michigan State University, 

1984

B.S.: (Cell and Molecular 

Biology) Massachusetts 

Institute of Technology 

(MIT), 1979

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Osmotic regulation of gene expression and osmotic stress, 

stress-induced regulation of gene expression, regulation of 

gene expression, osmotically active organic solutes (osmolytes), renal molecular physiology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Having left Cuba with only their education to count on, my parents always encouraged me to pursue the highest level of education possible and reinforced that I could do whatever I set my 

mind to do. My sister always led by example academically and I 

was exposed to MIT because she was a sophomore there when 

I first visited her as a freshman in high school. Having always 

loved science and math, I chose MIT for my undergraduate 

education. Although I thought I would go into medicine, at 

MIT, I was exposed early on to research and decided that I felt 

most compelled by the discovery aspect of science. Graduating 

from MIT was a life-changing event because it was such a test of 

character to achieve this that I knew from then on I could really 

do anything I set my mind to.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have been blessed with diverse scientific and administrative mentors whose guidance has been critical throughout 

my career. Thus, I learned early on the value of outstanding 

mentors and I have tried to be one as well. It has been enormously gratifying to be a mentor and see my own lab trainees 

become capable scientists, to know that I had a positive impact 

on their careers. As a scientist administrator, I’ve also had the 

joy of creating new training programs (such as the NIH Academy) and mentoring more than just in my own lab. The discovery of talented youth whom I encourage to become future 

physician–scientists is exceedingly rewarding. Among the aspects that we always discuss is work–personal life balance. My 

philosophy on that is summarized by “there’s a time to sow, 

and a time to reap.” The balance must be dynamic per stages in 

one’s career and personal life.

INSIGHTS

The best general advice I can give is to continuously examine 

yourself, getting to know what you truly like and dislike along 

your career path. Make sure that your dreams and aspirations 

are truly yours and not someone else’s. Exceptional opportunities tend to arise suddenly and with a very short decisionmaking period. If you know yourself, you can quickly decide 

whether to pursue an opportunity. Also, always maintain a positive attitude, looking at discouraging events or circumstances 

as a temporary phase. Analyze why something is not working 

and find alternate paths.

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Joan P. Schwartz, Ph.D. Assistant Director, OIR

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biological 

Chemistry) Harvard 

University, 1971

A.B.: (Chemistry) 

Cornell University, 1965

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Neurotrophic factors; Glia

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The support, and unquestioning assumption, from 

my mother as well as male 

teachers and professors, starting with my biology teacher in 

high school, that I could be any kind of scientist I wished.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have had a number of mentors, all of whom were balancing 

family and career, and all of whom offered different models 

for how to do so. In the end, no one can tell a person or couple 

what to do; they can only offer a set of potential strategies for 

consideration. The most important thing is the dialog between 

the spouses or partners so that both feel they are being heard 

and having input. Flexibility, open communication, and the 

ability to compromise are key. In our careers, my spouse and I 

had constantly to respond to a new situation in which one of us 

was making a decision that would impact both of us. Generally, 

the other one unexpectedly ended up in a better situation; so 

be open-minded! 

INSIGHTS

The Vietnam War and the Doctor Draft, unfortunate as they 

were, resulted in our spending our professional careers at the 

NIH and we have never regretted it. I became tenured, set up 

my own lab and was happily doing neurobiology research for 

many years. In 1994, the opportunity to work with the Deputy 

Director for Intramural Research and the Office of Intramural 

Research came along—after much hesitation, I tried it and discovered myself in a position where I could have an impact on 

the lives of other women scientists at the NIH. Many scientists 

want to keep their noses in the lab and don’t appreciate how 

rewarding “administration” or “policy” can be—it becomes 

your chance to make changes to the policies you are always 

complaining about, changes that affect not just you, but your 

fellow NIH scientists. So my recommendation is to seize the 

opportunity when it is offered—try it and you might discover 

you truly enjoy it and find it rewarding!

Bonny Harbinger, Ph.D., J.D.

Deputy Director, Office of Technology Transfer, OIR

EDUCATION

J.D.: Georgetown University Law 

Center, 1997

Postdoctoral Fellowship: (Clinical 

Psychology) Naval Regional 

Medical Center, San Diego, 1983

Ph.D.: (Clinical Psychology) 

United States International 

University, 1982

M.A.: (Psychology) United States 

International University, 1979

B.A.: (Social Work) Tel Aviv University, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am currently interested in visual analytics.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

There were two pivotal events. The first was my mentor advising and, in fact, insisting that I continue my post-graduate 

education and apply to graduate schools in the United States. 

The second was the AIDS epidemic that started in the 1980s. 

Because there was so little known about the disease and its 

manifestations, I became involved in research on both the 

neuropsychiatric manifestations of the disease as well as 

treatment studies being conducted in San Diego. Both these 

events provided me with the education and expertise needed 

to become one of the pioneers in treating the psychological 

aspects of AIDS in Southern California. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Finding a good mentor is both extremely important and difficult for most people. The search, however, is well worth the 

effort, as learning from someone else’s experience and finding 

a guide are invaluable. While I try to mentor and support the 

young women in my office, I struggle with finding a mentor of 

my own. For me, a good mentor is someone whom I personally admire, who has traits I wish to emulate, and who can serve 

as a guide and advisor in my current job as well as assist me 

with career development. I look for someone who can teach me 

from her life experiences and knowledge. Once the relationship is established and the mutual trust and respect built, the 

mentoring experience can be one of the richest in a person’s 

working career.

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Yolanda Mock Hawkins, Ph.D.

Director, NIH Academy, 

Office of Intramural Training and Education, OIR

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: (Cellular 

Senescence) National Institute on 

Aging, NIH, 1994–1998

Ph.D.: (Cellular & Molecular 

Biology) Meharry Medical College, 

Nashville, TN, 1994

M.S.: (Biology) Texas Southern 

University, 1990

B.S.: (Biology) Fisk University, 

Nashville, TN, 1986

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Signal transduction pathways and the role of protein kinase C

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Science, math, and engineering have always been my passion. 

I recall at an early age trying to make a candy machine from 

a shoe box; unfortunately, I could not master how to control 

the dispensing mechanism. Another time, while spending the 

summer at my grandparents, along with some other girls, I attempted to make a go-cart from spare pieces of wood and juice 

containers. Needless to say, our go-cart never worked like the 

ones built by the boys. These early experiences did not discourage me, but further fueled my curiosity. I am thankful for 

having parents who supported my interests and allowed me to 

participate in things like a summer enrichment program for 

junior high students at Rice University and also volunteer in 

Central America for the summer. The summer before entering graduate school, I volunteered in the lab of an investigator who would later serve as my department chair and graduate 

school dean. While volunteering in his lab, I observed female 

graduate students conducting experiments and, most importantly, working overnight taking samples from rats at various 

time points. After observing this, I knew that a Ph.D. graduate 

program was for me.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

During the latter stages of my postdoctoral training, I decided 

I wanted to try science administration. After completing my 

postdoctoral training, I transitioned into extramural and intramural science administrative positions. I have been fortunate to be able to use my science training and background in my 

administrative positions. I think being trained as a scientist has 

taught me how to plan, be organized, be detailed-oriented, and 

always have a backup plan. Balancing a career and husband is a 

constant challenge. I make an effort to always submit the best 

product because it represents me. I am thankful for having a 

husband that supports my interests.

Patricia Munse Sokolove, Ph.D.

Deputy Director, 

Office of Intramural Training and Education, OIR

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biology) 

Harvard University, 1970

A.M.: (Biology) 

Harvard University, 1968

A.B.: (Biology) Radcliffe 

College,1966

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interests include 

mitochondrial bioenergetics, 

liposomes as model membranes, 

and Ca2+ transport. Please note, however, that I closed my laboratory in 2001 and have been exclusively an academic administrator and AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow since.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I once heard Rita Colwell, former Director of the National 

Science Foundation (NSF), attribute her success as a scientist 

to her father and her husband. Although I am far from being 

as successful as Dr. Colwell, I heartily agree. My father always 

made it perfectly clear that I could do anything my younger 

brother could do, reinforcing this implicitly by including me 

in playing catch with a football or a softball in the evenings 

after supper. Both my ex-husband and my current husband 

have been willing to take on responsibilities for children and 

cooking that seriously decreased the pressure I experienced 

to get everything done. You can’t pick your father, but you can 

help your male partner to encourage his daughters to believe 

in themselves and test their limits while being a true partner 

in running your home. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Combining family and professional responsibilities helps one 

to maintain balance. There is nothing like coming home to a 

small child to put the stresses of the work day into perspective. Conversely, having professional duties to absorb some 

of one’s zeal helps keep a parent from devoting a smothering 

amount of energy to her family. So, I see “balancing” (the verb) 

as contributing to “balance” (the noun). In terms of meeting 

both personal and professional goals, I cannot recommend 

organization and advance planning (plus a dose of flexibility) 

too highly. Creating weekly menus and shopping only once a 

week is a big time saver, as is cooking with an eye to creating 

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leftovers. Remembering that what looks like housework to an 

adult can be play to a child is also useful; shop and cook and 

do laundry with your kids. You complete necessary tasks while 

spending quality time with your children.

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE POLICY AND ANALYSIS (OLPA) 

Lenka Fedorkova, Ph.D.

Legislative Analyst, OLPA

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Neuroscience) 

Kent State University, 2003

M.S.: (Physiology) 

Youngstown State University, 1998

B.S.: (Pre-Medical) 

Youngstown State University, 1996

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Neuroscience, specifically 

chronobiology, and science policy

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Throughout my early education, there were few role models 

that I could look to. There were, however, multiple factors that 

created a rich learning environment filled with opportunities 

to learn about nature, the universe, and all living systems. 

Beginning college-level equivalent mathematics, chemistry, 

physics, and biology courses in fifth grade of elementary school 

back in Czechoslovakia provided me with a solid foundation 

to draw from for years well into my higher education in the 

United States. The curiosity for learning, the recognition of the 

importance of knowing about our natural environment and our 

own bodies and minds were the product of influences from educators in my family and overall societal values that emphasized 

science education.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I had not fully appreciated the value of mentoring until later 

in my graduate studies, when I recognized a gap in my support 

network. I had many career questions my family could not help 

with due to their unfamiliarity with the U.S. system. I sought 

out both female and male instructors who I felt were giving of 

their time and interested in discussing my professional development decisions. There were several, mostly informal, councils that figured prominently in my professional development. 

Simultaneously, while also fulfilling the role of a mentor as a 

teaching assistant to my students, I became involved with the 

Association for Women In Science in Ohio and helped organize 

many public lectures and weekend biology workshops to get 

young girls excited about science. As I considered my professional journey, it was encouraging to meet working women with 

families. I knew I could do both successfully—my mom did! 

Busy times at work come and go, and especially when I used to 

travel a lot, I carved out time during weekends to recharge and 

stay connected with family and friends. 

OFFICE OF PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC 

INITIATIVES (OPASI) 

Deborah Guadalupe Duran, Ph.D. Chief, Systemic Assessments Branch, Division of 

Evaluation and Systematic Assessments, OPASI

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Social Psychology, 

minor in Statistics & 

Research Design) 

University of Denver, 1995

M.S.: (Computers, 

minor in Mathematics) 

Nova University, 

Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 1987

B.S.: (Secondary Education: social science, math, 

biology, and health) 

University of Nevada, 

Las Vegas, 1981

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Assessment of scientific organizations, adaptive evaluation 

of research and development programs, cultural aspects of 

health coping, cancer prevention and coping practices in 

Hispanic women.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Perhaps the most pivotal event that affected my success as a 

scientist was the advice to select an advisor who was established and successful. In doing such, my advisor supported 

my interests and enabled me to conduct my own research. I 

examined the cultural affects of health behaviors and the mistreatment of culturally manifested symptoms in western medicine. This line of research established me as the first scientist 

to explore somatic complaints in a cultural context, which 

resulted in an American Psychological Association award for 

innovative research to advance a field. I proceeded to become 

a principal investigator of two cancer projects focused on Hispanics my first year post doctorate. The success of these two 

awards moved me into government service where I began the 

study of science projects and programs’ performance. Toward 

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the end of the learning curve, scientific thinking prompted 

questions for more appropriate ways to assess scientific performance and the performance of science organizations. These 

questions initiated the quest for a new field of adaptive performance assessments.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

A mentor sees value in you and connects your assets to a significant activity. This simple act makes a difference in a career, 

as it helps the mentee know what she can do and provides support to take risks and to be innovative. I can unequivocally state 

that I would not be a scientist today if it were not for my mentors, those who took special interest in me. Simultaneously, 

each mentee fostered my growth as well. In particular, a female 

mentor helped me to understand why I acted and thought differently than those around me. She taught me how to integrate 

my culture with the culture of science and government. Her 

care and guidance helped me to understand my own cultural 

differences and to value my skills, insights, and abilities. Fortunately, I have been able to pass these gifts onto others. The 

ability to pass gifts to others comes from self-awareness that 

recognizes both self-need as well as self-value. Although the 

value of self is often derived from being successful at what we 

do, self-awareness comes from the balance of not doing or 

doing different activities other than work. Sports, art, dance, 

and relationships with family and friends provide a balance to 

the stress of my work life. 

INSIGHTS

Perhaps the key to my success is my mother, who told me from 

early childhood that I was very capable, so she consistently encouraged me to push through our poverty and deprivation in 

order to contribute to the greater good. From the early days of 

school through the early days of my career, I had key voices that 

saw something in me that I did not see in myself, and opened 

doors that I never knew existed. For instance, I was persistently 

recruited to play school sports even though it was counter to 

my peers in the inner-city environment. Sports turned into a 

coping mechanism that countered the violence and drugs in my 

neighborhoods and provided me scholarships through college. 

With this event and others, elders led me to the doors, but I 

had to have the courage to walk through. Support from others is 

critical to advance; yet, you are the one who has to make something of the opportunities given you. It is never anyone else’s 

fault that you did not persevere. Although success may seem 

improbable because there are so many unknowns, the journey 

means you are never stagnate and the process often unravels 

unplanned successes. You have to participate with intention.

Elizabeth L. Wilder, Ph.D. Acting Associate Director, OPASI; Acting Director, 

Division of Strategic Coordination, OPASI

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Developmental Biology and 

Genetics) Harvard Medical 

School, 1990–1995

Postdoctoral Fellowship: (Molecular Biology) 

Northwestern University, 

1989–1990

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry and 

Molecular Biology) Northwestern University, 1989

B.A.: (Chemistry) Hendrix College, 1984

RESEARCH INTERESTS

As a postdoctoral fellow and faculty member, my research interests were focused on signal transduction pathways during development, with an emphasis on how extracellular signals guide 

cell movements during organogenesis in Drosophila. Looking to 

broaden the landscape of my daily scientific pursuits, I came to 

the NIH as a program director to oversee extramural research in 

the area of kidney development for NIDDK. This later expanded 

to research covering basic biology of polycystic kidney disease 

and acute renal injury. I currently enjoy thinking about a wonderfully broad range of science via the NIH Roadmap.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The first pivotal event that had enormous impact on my success 

was the first talk that I gave at a major international meeting. 

My thesis advisor coached me, and it was incredibly valuable, 

since I learned the elements of a good, brief talk. Good speaking skills have been vital for success that I have achieved. The 

second pivotal event was obtaining a faculty position. Although 

I ultimately decided to pursue a non laboratory career path, 

being on the faculty at a major academic center was critical for 

learning how to develop and lead a research program. A third 

major event was being recruited to the NIH as a program director/program officer of extramural research programs at 

NIDDK. This was a great job for me because it allowed me to 

think about the bigger picture of science as opposed to the 

intricacies of an individual lab. I learned the role of NIH scientific staff in tracking a field of science, understanding research needs of the community, and how to facilitate research 

in the area through program management. NIH program staff 

can play an incredibly valuable role in shaping a field of science as well as assisting individual investigators. I was fortunate in being recruited to the NIH as the NIH Roadmap was 

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being developed. I was very interested in promoting increased 

interactions among scientists of differing disciplines, and the 

Roadmap seemed a perfect way to pursue this. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have benefited from several outstanding mentors, both in the 

early stages of my training as well as at the NIH. I feel strongly 

that guidance from people who have taken a path before is the 

most instructive way to learn. Mentoring involves not simply 

teaching someone how to do something, it involves helping 

someone learn how to think productively about a particular issue and how to approach problems. It involves knowing 

enough about a person’s interests and abilities to be helpful 

as they plot a career path. I take my role as mentor seriously 

and therefore attempt to listen first. Mentoring should absolutely be tailored to the recipient, so there are few points that 

I emphasize to all whom I mentor. One issue that I do emphasize, however, is the encouragement of life outside the lab or 

office. Each person’s pursuit of a life outside the lab or office is 

unique, but an almost universal truth is that too much emphasis on work reduces energy, creativity, and contentment levels. 

My own sense of balance is maintained through my family and 

personal relationships, exercise and outdoor activities, and 

community efforts. 

INSIGHTS

My primary insight into scientific careers, regardless of whether 

they occur in the lab, as a director of extramural programs at the 

NIH, in science policy, patent law, as a clinician, or anything else, 

is that smart, energetic people do well. “Smart” encompasses not 

only native intelligence, but training: one needs to be trained 

to think as a scientist, to write, to communicate effectively in 

person, and to do the specifics of any particular job at hand. 

Almost anyone can be trained, given the right mentors. The key 

element is passion: if you bring a keen interest to the job and 

energy to make things happen, interesting things will happen.

R. Lucille Roberts, Ph.D.

Lead Scientific Portfolio Analyst, Portfolio Analysis 

and Scientific Opportunities Branch, 

Division of Resource Development and Analysis, OPASI

EDUCATION

Staff Fellowship (Endocrinology 

of Parental Behavior): 

NICHD, NIH, 1999–2001

Pharmacology Research Associate 

Training (PRAT) awardee: 

(Behavioral Pharmacology) 

NIGMS, NIH, 1997–1999

Smithsonian National Board Fellow (Reproductive and 

Social Behavioral Development): National Zoological Park, 

1994–1996

Ph.D.: (Zoology) University of Maryland, 1994

M.S.: (Zoology) University of Maryland, 1991

B.S.: (Zoology) North Carolina State University, 1989

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Behavioral neuroendocrinology of social behavior, parental behavior and monogamy; etiology of child abuse, and child abuse 

prevention and intervention; neurobiological underpinnings 

of addiction and aggression

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a college student, my career goal was to become a college 

professor in biology or zoology, so that I could serve as a positive role model for other students as my professors had been 

for me. My postdoctoral training at the National Zoological 

Park was important to my career, because the Zoo attracts 

thousands of visitors from all over the world who are eager 

to learn. I was able to teach college courses in the local community and continue the research that had been my full-time 

occupation during graduate school. I also had the opportunity 

to engage in public outreach and interact with educators and 

researchers from all over the world. I learned that education 

is sometimes more effective in nontraditional contexts. I decided that a career in civil service might be the most rewarding for me, where my talents can serve a mission that benefits 

the wider public. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I mentored college students as a postdoctoral student and 

during my research position at NICHD; I still provide advice 

to some of those students on balancing family with career and 

choosing their own best career path. In my current position in 

OPASI, the young women who seek mentorship are often just 

beginning their careers in science administration; the challenges and benefits offered by the field of grants administration are very different from those in their former laboratory 

environment, and the questions often center upon how to best 

navigate on their new career path. I recently also have realized 

that another valuable way I can serve as a mentor is by working 

with younger girls who are coping with adolescence and trying 

to define the person they want to become. Girls need to interact with adults who exemplify how they can achieve whatever 

goal they set for themselves. I serve as a Girl Scout leader and 

youth advisor at my church. I also support the interests and 

endeavors of my own two children and my husband, who works 

full time while also finishing his doctoral degree in environmental engineering. We each make family our top priority, and 

everyone helps out to make it all work. 

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Madeleine F. Wallace, Ph.D.

Acting Chief, Evaluation Branch, Division of Evaluation 

and Systematic Assessments, OPASI

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Sociology, minor in 

Statistics) The University of 

Tennessee, 1996

M.A.: (Sociology and Statistics) 

The University of Tennessee, 1992 

B.A.: (Sociology) Lee University, 

Cleveland, TN, 1987

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Evaluating the impact of biomedical 

research programs, tailoring cardiovascular health information 

for lay audiences, and adapting and disseminating evidencebased HIV behavioral risk reduction interventions and drug 

abuse treatment and prevention programs to meet the needs of 

minority populations. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

While I was involved in health programs in rural Louisiana, I 

became interested in evaluating such programs and higherlevel policies to determine their ultimate effects on communities. I saw first-hand the consequences of implementing 

health programs without any evidence of their effectiveness. I 

realized that a multidisciplinary approach and bringing stakeholders together was needed to see problems from different 

perspectives and propose solutions that work. This experience reinforced my belief that health policies must be based 

on sound science.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I believe that determination and commitment are necessary 

but not sufficient conditions for a successful career. I see success on three levels. One level is the respect of peers so that you 

can work with those around you to implement sound policies. 

The second level is to mentor others. That is why I have taken 

an active role mentoring other scientists, especially Latinas in 

the sciences through organizations like the NIH Hispanic Employee Organization. And the third level is to contribute to the 

community. When you can achieve this balance, you view your 

work as an integral part of your life, and you can bring passion 

to your life, both at work and away from work. 

OFFICE OF RESEARCH ON WOMEN’S HEALTH (ORWH) 

Vivian W. Pinn, M.D. Associate Director for Research on Women’s Health, 

NIH; Director, ORWH

EDUCATION

Teaching Fellow in 

Pathology: Harvard Medical 

School, 1967–1970

Research Fellow and 

Acting Intern & Resident: 

(Pathology) Massachusetts 

General Hospital, Harvard 

Medical School, 1967–1970

M.D.: University of Virginia 

School of Medicine, 1967

B.A.: (Zoology) 

Wellesley College, 1962

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Immunopathology (renal, uropathology, and transplantation); 

health of women, minorities, and the underserved; diversity in 

academic and research careers

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My earliest dreams were to be a pediatrician, but several events 

changed my career path and provided unanticipated opportunities. During college, I took a leave of absence to care for my 

mother whose metastatic bone cancer was belatedly diagnosed 

after she had been treated instead for “arthritis.” Her untimely 

death further confirmed my commitment to be a physician and 

to be one that would listen to the complaints of patients with 

an open mind—something that has been central to my way of 

approaching women’s health today. Then, through my college 

placement service, I was offered a position as a research assistant with Dr. Benjamin Barnes and Dr. Martin Flax at the 

Massachusetts General Hospital, both known for their work in 

experimental transplant surgery and basic immunopathology 

research. That position, which I maintained until completing 

medical school and expanded upon during my postgraduate 

training, exposed me for the first time to the rigors and excitement of research and academic medicine—as well as a whole 

new field of interest that eventually shaped my career as a renal 

and transplant pathologist. Being the only woman and only 

person of color in my medical school class also made me aware 

of special issues that women faced in their health care, as well 

as an acute sensitivity to issues of women in medicine at a time 

when it was predominantly a male profession. My responsiveOFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

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ness to these issues, by working with students, eventually resulted in my appointment as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs 

at Tufts University School of Medicine. While Professor and 

Chair of Pathology at Howard University College of Medicine, 

a chance encounter with then NIH Director, Dr. Bernadine 

Healy, resulted in another opportunity to make a change in my 

career from academic medicine to entry into science policy and 

administration in what was then the new Office of Research on 

Women’s Health within the Office of the Director of NIH. Unexpected opportunities and thoughtful advice from senior colleagues have been pivotal over the years in providing me with 

enjoyable and diverse career horizons.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The leave of absence during my college years forced me into a 

more diverse undergraduate curriculum. I became aware of the 

need for a balanced education including poetry, arts, and other 

areas, in addition to the strict sciences in which pre-doctoral 

students usually concentrate, and the need for more balance in 

life and living. Admittedly, I haven’t done as well in actual allocation between my own professional and personal pursuits—

but I do try to advise others to do better. 

I have come to value mentoring, whether it is recognized by 

that term or is seen as advice or counseling, as one of the most 

important factors for being successful in careers in science 

and medicine, and in preserving one’s own pursuit of “life 

and living” as well as career. The value of mentoring or having 

someone from whom to seek wise counsel is based on the situations in which I did not have anyone I felt I could consult, as 

well as having been exposed to tremendous role models who 

took great interest in counseling and advising their trainees 

and students, including me. I consistently offer two phrases 

of advice to striving scientists and physicians: First, have 

a mentor and be a mentor; second, don’t be stopped from 

achieving greatness—overcome barriers and exceed the lowered expectations of some who would doubt your ability to rise 

to success. 

INSIGHTS

When I had the opportunity to join the National Institutes of 

Health, I remember wondering if this career change from academic medicine would be wise. But, this pathway for a different career has been stimulating and exciting, just as each of my 

unexpected career turns has been. So my advice to young and 

aspiring scientists, or even to those more advanced, is to be 

open to new opportunities, even if they seem risky, because the 

possibilities can be endless, and the excitement of new challenges and discovery, priceless.

Lisa Begg, Dr.P.H., R.N. Director of Research Programs, ORWH

EDUCATION

Dr.P.H.: (Epidemiology) University of Pittsburgh 

Graduate School of Public Health, 1985

M.P.H.: (Epidemiology) University of California at 

Los Angeles School of Public Health, 1981

M.S.: (Nursing) University of California at San Francisco 

School of Nursing, 1972

B.S.N.: Boston College School of Nursing, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Most of my extramural research career was in the broad area 

of cancer research, and within that, cancer epidemiology and 

specially breast cancer. I developed my own extramurally 

supported research career, and taught and mentored graduate 

students in epidemiology and nursing before joining NIH in 

1998. Since joining ORWH, I have broadened my areas across 

all of women’s health research, partnering with colleagues 

from across the NIH and HHS to foster greater research in 

this area. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I don’t have one event, as my career evolved over time as a 

Master’s-prepared Clinical Nurse Specialist in the 1970s. I 

then moved into senior administrative positions with national 

groups conducting cancer research projects. It was in the late 

1970s that I decided to return to school to obtain my doctorate and pursue my own research activities in the area of breast 

cancer epidemiology and the broader area of public health. I 

did so through all of the 1980s and through most of the 1990s 

until I joined the NIH. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

While I worked in academia, I mentored countless graduate students in public health and nursing. I also collaborated with numerous academic colleagues as we developed complex research 

programs. Since joining NIH, where I initially served as Branch 

Chief for Cancer Training at the NCI, I created new training opportunities for extramural investigators and sought to partner 

with their institutional mentors, so that as many young researchers as possible could become competitive for NIH-supported 

research training grants. Since joining ORWH over 7 years ago, 

I continue to mentor investigators on all levels as they seek to 

charter and expand their research careers. 

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INSIGHTS

If I was to suggest anything to younger investigators, it would 

be to look at the benefits of research collaboration, rather than 

focus on any negatives in your professional life. Academic 

career work is even harder now than when I served as a faculty 

member, there is no question about it, but the opportunities 

for creative work and professional growth far outweigh any 

negatives. I truly believe that. As a young investigator, I discovered some great and important insights that help guide me 

even now. Even the “less generous” colleague can teach you a 

lot about professional career issues, but also can provide important knowledge that will help your research career and advancement. These opportunities may not be obvious, but if you 

look for them, you can learn valuable lessons.

Eleanor Z. Hanna, Ph.D. Associate Director for Special Projects and Centers, 

ORWH

EDUCATION

Clinical and Research 

Fellowship: (Psychiatry 

and Psychology) Massachusetts General Hospital, 

1968–1971

Ph.D.: (Psychology) 

Boston University, 1971

B.S.: (Psychology) 

Boston University, 1959

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Sex/Gender and socioecological differences in health risk behaviors; factors influencing referral and treatment for modification of substance abuse; 

effects of treatment for substance abuse on health outcomes

Currently, Chair Trans-NIH Working Group for Research on 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFSWG)

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Everything I have done has been the result of unplanned junctures in what should have been a straight forward trajectory to 

a career as a research psychologist. I had been accepted into the 

graduate program at Boston University and was to be a teaching 

assistant; however, biology interfered and I learned during the 

summer that the child I was told would never arrive until there 

was surgical intervention was in utero. I was advised to have the 

baby and then matriculate into the doctoral program. The rationale was that pregnant women never finished their degrees 

so I was granted a 5-year window in which to do this. 

During those intervening years, I had my two children; got my 

bearings in epidemiological research by being part of the team 

that developed, produced the manuals for, and helped establish 

the first cancer registries in Massachusetts; and my husband 

went on to pursue his advanced degree in electronic engineering. I entered graduate school at the right time in that everyone 

was beginning to take a public health approach to illness. Additionally, I was in a city divided into distinct ethnic enclaves 

and produced research for my dissertation that integrated personality theory, socioecologic science, and time perspective to 

understand alienation. Massachusetts was decriminalizing 

alcoholism at that point and I became involved with efforts of 

the Department of Public Health and the Department of Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) to engage 

and treat alcoholics using multidiscliplinary crosscutting approaches and where I had the good fortune to work with and be 

mentored by Dr. Morris Chafetz as part of his team. 

Still planning on a research career, I stayed on at MGH where 

I had it all: my first R01 on the first try, teaching, and enough 

clinical work to keep me involved with patients. Then, my 

husband died. Not only had I lost my helpful partner, but I was 

faced with making choices so that my children could continue 

their lives as planned. Thus, I terminated my outside university teaching, increased my clinical and supervisory roles, and 

became more involved in administrative matters, remaining 

an active clinical researcher. Before long, I became a research 

consultant at the NIAAA and worked closely with the state and 

city in an advisory capacity, developing and evaluating alcohol 

programs. In 1976, I was appointed the Director of the West 

End Practice (Alcohol, Drugs, and HIV) to develop a diverse 

and professionally staffed service that was fully integrated into 

many of the diverse hospital services and that attracted medical 

students, residents, and fellows for training. 

Late in 1988, I was invited by NIAAA to design the intervention for and direct their participation in the Prevention and 

Treatment of Hypertension Study (PATHS), the first national, 

controlled clinical trial in assessing whether an intervention 

directed at reducing alcohol intake by heavy drinkers with high 

blood pressure would reduce blood pressure. While at NIAAA, 

I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Pinn, who had the broad 

and inclusive approach to which I had been accustomed in 

Boston and which is essential in dealing with health, treatment, 

education, and policy. In 2002, I was invited to join the staff 

of the ORWH to chair the CFSWG that stimulates and develops interdisciplinary initiatives across the NIH and to develop 

collegial ties with other governmental and nongovernmental 

agencies to that same end. 

23
MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Children and their well-being should always be primary. 

The sex of a mentor should not be an issue; my male mentors provided all that one could ask for. It is their humanity 

and strength of character, not only their expertise, that makes 

for greatness.

My most successful mentees have been men, many of whom 

remain friends and are in key leadership positions. One must 

remember that it was a predominately male-populated environment in my career until I arrived at NIH. The women and 

men who have been successful were those who were fine and 

decent human beings whom I was able to assist in making the 

choices appropriate to their lives, accepting them, and continuing to grow in their studies and careers. 

INSIGHTS

No truly dedicated professional has it easier because of her sex, 

nor should she. Most important is seeking out opportunities 

that permit a reasonable balance or be willing to make and live 

with the hard choices you must make to get it while continuing 

to grow, even in adversity. My choice to remain on the research 

track for promotion rather than take the clinician–teacher 

route certainly kept me at a lower academic rank, but never 

hurt my career. In today’s world, that might not be possible.

There was never a time when I was not trying to understand 

the world around me, especially in terms of understanding 

the external and internal factors involved in human behavior. 

Thus, I approached my schooling with the intent of learning 

everything: psychology, biology, sociology, and history, knowing that as a scientist, that would be the foundation on which 

to build.

The pivotal points in my career trajectory have been due to 

external life events and seemingly serendipitous; however, I 

had to make careful choices at each juncture. Perhaps I should/

would have made different ones, but I find myself at the end of 

my career in exactly the right place to continue to apply lessons 

learned and continue to develop knowledge in health science 

policy and research. 

Janine Austin Clayton, M.D. NEI Deputy Clinical Director (Former); 

Deputy Director, Office of Research on Women’s 

Health, Office of the Director, NIH

see full profile in NEI section 

on page 43 

Jennifer Reineke Pohlhaus, Ph.D.

American Association for the Advancement of Science 

(AAAS) – Science & Technology Policy Fellow, ORWH

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship (Ethical, 

Legal, and Social Issues in 

Genomics) Duke University, 2006

Graduate Certificate (Health 

Policy) Duke University, 2005

Ph.D. (Biochemistry) 

Duke University, 2005

B.S. (Biochemistry/

Biophysics) Rensselaer 

Polytechnic Institute, 1999

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Biomedical: DNA damage and repair, antibiotic resistance, genomics. Policy: Women’s health, global health and health disparities, workforce capacity and diversity in STEM (Science, 

Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields

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PIVOTAL EVENTS

The most pivotal event in my scientific career was joining the 

laboratory of Dr. Ken Kreuzer at Duke University. He accepted 

me into his lab when I decided to part with my first graduate 

advisor, and he encouraged my developing interests in science policy.

His laboratory was an environment where mutual respect between the advisor and the trainee was practiced by default. I 

owe my success as a scientist to his willingness to accept me 

into his laboratory and to the subsequent mentoring that I received from him. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Supervisors and advisors are often expected to mentor their 

employees and trainees, especially in a system like an academic 

health center. The key to creating a mentoring environment, 

rather than simply a supervisory or advisory environment, 

is the presence of mutual respect. I’ve been fortunate to encounter this type of respectful environment several times in 

my career.

Like many scientists, I often work compulsively, making it 

hard to achieve balance between my professional and personal 

lives. Luckily, my husband is also a scientist, so he understands 

my work, and he is always willing to listen. Through the many 

discussions we’ve had over the years we’ve been married, I’ve 

been able to reach conclusions that were under the surface, 

making what seemed like a difficult decision into something 

much easier.

OFFICE OF SCIENCE POLICY (OSP) 

Lana Skirboll, Ph.D. Associate Director for Science Policy, NIH; 

Director, OSP

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: (Psychiatry and Pharmacology) 

Yale University School of Medicine

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology) 

Georgetown University Medical School

Lynn Diane Hudson, Ph.D. Director, Office of Science Policy Analysis, OSP; 

Chief, Section of Developmental Genetics, 

Division of Intramural Research, National Institute 

of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 

EDUCATION

Research Associate: Brown 

University, 1979–1982

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

Harvard Medical School, 

1977–1979

Ph.D.: (Genetics and Cell 

Biology) University of 

Minnesota-Minneapolis, 

1977 

B.S.: (Biochemistry) 

University of WisconsinMadison, 1973

Nicolet College, Rhinelander, WI, 1970–1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Deciphering the gene network that regulates the development 

and differentiation of oligodendrocytes, the myelin-forming 

cells of the central nervous system 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The eureka moment—a flash of insight in a darkroom, where a 

pattern of bands on a film told me something that no one else 

in the world yet knew–sealed my scientific calling. While the 

“rush” of such moments is fleeting, an addiction to research 

persists. I soon found that the thrills aren’t limited to one’s 

own experiments. Being surrounded by colleagues banging 

out results, truly a benefit of being at the NIH, along with the 

vicarious pleasure of reading the literature, can make each day 

one of discovery. 

My graduate student laboratory studied lysosomal storage disorders, devising new ways to collect and analyze lysosomal enzymes from tears so that those squeamish about having blood 

drawn could be tested. Helping collect tears for Tay-Sachs 

Disease screening at a local synagogue cemented my calling for 

translational research—what could be better than contributing 

to health solutions while indulging a passion? 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Not much attention was paid to mentoring in the era when I was 

developing my scientific identity. One well-intentioned scientist decided that I would benefit from a female role model, so 

he selected a gifted Yale molecular biologist. This temporary 

arrangement was terminated when, to his dismay, she had a 

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baby. In his words, “I thought Joan was more into her science.” 

This didn’t deter me from having a family. 

When mentoring women scientists, I stress that of course 

they, too, can juggle family and a scientist’s life, and I am truly 

as delighted about their new babies as their experimental 

success. My two daughters are both math majors, even after 

hearing a Harvard president relate innate abilities to the small 

proportion of women in that field. Mentors must be positive. 

The worst thing a mentor can do is tell someone they cannot 

do something.

INSIGHTS

One of the joys of being a scientist is experiencing how science 

intersects with society. Serving as an officer for the American 

Society for Neurochemistry, working on scientific advisory 

boards for the Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease Foundation and 

the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, judging science fairs, 

helping our institute develop a curriculum supplement on the 

brain, engaging in peer review—all these activities sparked 

my interest in policy. How does our scientific enterprise work 

(or not work) and how can we engineer the system to facilitate 

research? I’ve been extremely fortunate both to be located at 

biomedical research central ( = NIH) and to be mentored by 

savvy senior women who provided the opportunity to learn 

first-hand what policy is. Now as Director of the Office of Science Policy Analysis, I’m thrilled to be part of a team tackling 

issues that impact the Nation’s health. 

Amy Pate Patterson, M.D. Director, Office of Biotechnology Activities, OSP

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Endocrinology and 

Metabolism), 

NIDDK and NHLBI, 

1988–1993 

Assistant Chief Resident: 

(Internal Medicine) 

New York Hospital, 

1987–1988

Residency: (Internal 

Medicine) New York Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering, 

1985–1988

M.D.: Albert Einstein Medical College, 1985

B.A.: (Biology) Harvard University, 1980 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research focus is the molecular underpinnings of mRNA 

editing and the relationships between lipid metabolism, infection, and inflammation. In the policy realm, my interests are 

the intersections of basic science, medicine, ethics, law, society 

and public health—where policy options are formulated and decisions made with the goal of public service. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Two events had profound and unexpected effects on my career 

path. After completing my post-doc at NIH, I was about to 

begin an academic research position. But due to the need to 

care for a family member, I postponed those plans to stay in 

the Washington, DC area. I accepted what I thought would 

be a short-term position at FDA as a medical officer in the 

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Over the next 

5 years, I learned first hand about drug development, clinical 

trial design, public health policy, and regulation. I also had the 

good fortune to be selected to represent HHS at the WHO on 

an emerging, controversial science policy topic. Scientists and 

ethicists from 30 nations developed international guidelines 

that are still in place today. That experience opened my eyes to 

the diversity of global perspectives in policy development and 

profoundly influenced my career path toward science policy, 

which offered ample opportunity for problem solving and 

public service, while delving into the crossroads of science, 

ethics, law, and society.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My first supervisor during a summer internship at NIH included me in developing and testing hypotheses as well as writing 

manuscripts. This was an important message for me at age 17—

that ideas are tested and honed through experimentation and 

thoughtful, lively discourse. These lessons hold true in the lab 

and in science policy.

In medical school and residency, every patient was a mentor; 

I learned that the only “wrong” question was the one I didn’t 

ask; the one diagnosis I didn’t think of was the one I might not 

make and one person I would not help. One of my professors 

emphasized medicine as a profession for those with a passion 

for “eating problems for breakfast.” A meticulous differential 

diagnosis, expecting challenge and dilemma, and finding joy in 

problem solving are critical in medicine and also turn out to be 

true assets in science policy. My current supervisor embodies 

these skills in spades and expects thorough analyses of issues.

Enjoying problem solving is also a skill essential for balancing work and family life. My husband and I have four children 

and they are our top priority. In order to make that happen, 

our lives have to be well organized. I have learned to expect the 

unexpected as a part of life and to have back-up plans in place. 

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Skills for raising a family—conflict resolution, negotiation, 

patience, resiliency, and time management—will stand one in 

good stead during any work day in the sciences.

INSIGHTS

Accept challenge. I was surprised when I was asked to serve as 

Assistant Chief Resident in Internal Medicine. It meant supervising the residents and the medical team responding to cardiac arrests and triage admissions from the emergency room 

and being first on call to supervise both the cardiac and medical intensive care unit at night. I accepted not because I felt I 

possessed the supervisory skills, but because of my passion for 

medicine and working with people. Through that experience, 

I learned much about accepting challenge, supervision, decisionmaking, and testing my preconceived notions. Pursue passion. Through my experience at FDA and WHO, I also learned 

the value of pursing one’s passion while choosing a career path 

and being open to new and unanticipated opportunities, even 

if it takes you off the career trajectory you had planned. I didn’t 

plan a career in science policy, but life intervened with unexpected personal challenges and professional opportunities, 

enabling self-discovery. Without passion for your work, there 

is little reward; caring deeply about what you do helps provide 

the drive to work through challenges. Third point, expect the 

unexpected and train yourself to enjoy challenge. Not only is 

this the heart of scientific inquiry but is, not surprisingly, a big 

part of raising a family as well. Fourth point, aim your efforts at 

excellence and shift your focus beyond yourself. Being a woman 

in science is not, for me, the issue—it is aiming for science in 

the service of public health. Finally, doors usually do not open 

unless you knock. 

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Susan Gottesman, Ph.D. NIH Distinguished Investigator and Chief, Biochemical 

Genetics Section, and Co-Chief, Laboratory of 

Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Microbiology 

and Molecular Genetics) 

Harvard University, 1972

B.A.: (Biochemical 

Sciences) Radcliffe College, 

Harvard University, 1967 

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Novel regulatory mechanisms: protein turnover and 

small noncoding RNAs and 

the regulatory networks they 

participate in. I study these 

in the bacteria E. coli. Our lab and our collaborators have identified the ATP-dependent Clp proteases, akin to the eukaryotic 

proteasome, and their in vivo roles, and, more recently, dozens 

of noncoding RNAs that act to posttranscriptionally regulate 

gene expression and are similar to microRNAs and RNAi in 

eukaryotes. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Family constraints and serendipity brought me to NIH for a 

postdoc while my husband, Michael, was in the Public Health 

Service in place of the draft; a continuation of my postdoc project led to beginning work on energy-dependent proteolysis, a 

major focus of the lab. An invitation from my Ph.D. advisor 

to chair a session at a Gordon Conference relatively early in 

my career led to invitations to write some important reviews, 

which in turn, led to other opportunities. Collaborations with 

M. Maurizi and S. Wickner in the NCI moved this work forward 

in ways I would not have been able to do myself. The freedom to 

follow up on some unexplained results led to the development 

of our work on small noncoding RNAs, and the opportunity 

to collaborate with others at the NIH (particularly G. Storz at 

NICHD) again moved this project ahead in directions and ways 

we could not have achieved alone. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My two children were born while I was a graduate student and 

a postdoc, when, even though things were busy, we didn’t have 

any obligations other than our own work and the family. Both 

the labs I was in at the time were supportive (my grad student 

advisor provided extra funds for child care), and I basically 

didn’t take a lot of time off. However, we’ve always managed to 

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live near the lab, allowing quick visits to school or other activities when the children were young, and limiting the time spent 

commuting. My husband, also a scientist, and I shared childcare duties, and because both of our schedules were relatively 

flexible, this worked out with only occasional chaos. Working 

at NIH made this a lot easier as well—no teaching and no grants 

meant there was time to attend PTA meetings in addition to 

being in the lab. 

INSIGHTS

After leaving the NIH, I was a research fellow at MIT for 2 years 

while Michael finished his residency; David Botstein provided 

support and allowed me to continue on my own project, continued from my postdoc. Work on this led me to pursue energydependent proteases when I established my own lab at the NIH, 

and our demonstration of the role of proteolysis in turning over 

a cell division inhibitor, as well as collaborative work to identify 

other bacterial proteases and their function, led to my election 

to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in 1998. This work 

serves as the basis for understanding how protein turnover is 

used as a regulatory mechanism in bacteria. A side project on 

regulation of an unstable protein led, in the mid-90s, to the 

recognition of the function of a noncoding RNA, leading to 

other noncoding RNAs, and analysis of how they work, projects 

that gradually have taken center stage in my lab, and that have 

attracted excellent postdocs and some attention from the rest 

of the scientific world, in part because of the important role of 

small RNAs in eukaryotic cells. 

As a woman doing science at a point when there were not 

quite as many of us around, I had the opportunity to serve on 

committees or give talks that I might not otherwise have been 

chosen for. While this can get out of hand, it often provided a 

broader view of my science, introductions to other scientists 

in many fields, and chances to participate in decisionmaking 

on policy issues. 

Elaine S. Jaffe, M.D. Senior Investigator and Chief, 

Hematopathology Section, Laboratory of Pathology, 

Center for Cancer Research

EDUCATION 

M.D.: University of 

Pennsylvania School of 

Medicine, 1969

Cornell University Medical 

College, 1965–1967

A.B.: (Zoology) Cornell 

University, 1965

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Diagnosis, biology, and 

pathogenesis of benign and 

malignant lymphoproliferative disorders; relationship of lymphomas to the normal 

immune system

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a second-year medical student, pathology captured my interest immediately. By examining cells and tissues, I could see 

with my own eyes disruptions in normal physiology and function. Certainly one could later study these at the biochemical or 

molecular level, but it is careful morphological analysis of the 

diseased tissues that often provides the first insight into the 

problem. Additionally, examination of a microscopic section 

can tell a whole story, revealing the patients’ signs, symptoms, 

and expected clinical course. The pathologist is like a detective, 

deciphering the morphological clues to arrive at the correct solution, and still today, discovering and uncovering a difficult 

diagnosis provides me with great satisfaction.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I benefited from wonderful mentors, and for me, facilitating 

the careers of young scientists is a great reward. I began my 

studies of lymphoma at a time when immunology was entering 

the modern age, and one was first able to identify and dissect 

the functions of T-cells and B-cells. A wonderful partnership 

was forged between Costan Berard, my mentor in pathology in 

the 1970’s, and Ira Green and Michael Frank, immunologists 

working in NIAID. Ira, in particular, was gregarious, curious, and eager to share his knowledge of the immune system. 

The marriage of immunology and pathology was critical to my 

career success. 

My first child was born during my fourth year of medical 

school; my second during my pathology residency. While balancing career and family was a challenge, my husband and 

family were always supportive. I think my children appreciated 

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my enthusiasm for my work, but knew that it did not diminish my interest and delight in their lives and achievements. 

My immediate supervisors always understood the competing 

demands in my life. However, I think a key for anyone in this 

situation is good organizational practices, maintaining your 

priorities, and staying focused at work. 

INSIGHTS

One of my earliest papers dealt with follicular lymphoma, 

which was then called “nodular lymphoma,” because of its 

uncertain relationship to lymphoid follicles. Using red cells 

bound with antibody and complement, we showed that the 

cells in the lymphoma expressed the same receptors as normal 

germinal center B-cells. This provided critical evidence linking “nodular lymphoma” to the lymphoid follicle. This paper, 

which was published in 1974 in the New England Journal of 

Medicine, became a Citation Classic. This work, done during 

my fellowship, provided some of the first evidence that neoplastic lymphoid cells recapitulated the functional properties 

of their predecessors. I have spent the subsequent 30 years dissecting the immunological diversity of lymphomas, and showing how they miraculously can inform us, not only about the 

biology of disease, but also about the normal immune system. 

I think a few other milestones stand out in my mind. In 1999, 

I was named by Science Watch as one of the 10 most frequently 

cited researchers in clinical oncology between the years 1981 

and 1998. I was the only woman named on the list. Hopefully, 

when the next tabulation is conducted, the contributions of 

women in science will merit greater recognition.

I have been fortunate to be recognized by my peers in pathology, hematology, and medicine. I served as the President of the 

Society for Hematopathology, President of the United States 

and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), and Chair of 

the Medical Sciences Section of AAAS. An amusing incident 

took place during my tenure as President of USCAP. During 

an Executive Committee meeting, we were discussing potential nominees to run for the Council. A number of women 

pathologists were mentioned as candidates. The Executive Director of the Society commented that “we could not have too 

many women on the slate, as we were in danger of having an all 

female ballot.” I replied that somehow it was never a problem 

when exclusively male slates were proposed in prior years. I 

think the point hit home, because that individual has recounted 

that story several times, and taken the message to heart. 

A recent milestone was serving as Senior Editor of the World 

Health Organization classification, Pathology and Genetics 

of Tumors of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues (2001). 

It is the first system for the classification of hematolymphoid 

neoplasms to be adopted on a worldwide basis. Moreover, the 

process we used to generate this classification has been looked 

to as a model of consensus development to be adopted by 

others. Indeed, following this success, I was asked to serve as 

one of four international editors for the next Edition of the 

WHO Monographs. 

Elise C. Kohn, M.D. Senior Investigator and Head, Molecular Signaling 

Section, Medical Oncology Branch and Affiliates, 

Center for Cancer Research

EDUCATION

M.D.: University of 

Michigan Medical School, 

1983

B.S.: (Cellular and Molecular Biology) University of 

Michigan, 1979

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Bench to bedside and back 

studies related to regulating 

the tumor and its microenvironment for clinical benefit. Targets include survival 

and chaperone proteins in ovarian cancer.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Important experiences in my career include opportunities, 

such as being an NCI summer student and having outstanding 

mentors such as Lance Liotta, Richard Wyatt, and Eddie Reed. 

Exposure to both clinical and laboratory research allowed me to 

identify aspects of the laboratory science that could be applied 

to the clinic and components of the disease that I could apply 

to the laboratory. Finally, the freedom to be creative and follow 

the science, something still unique at the NIH for early-stage 

clinicians and scientists, was essential to my development.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is one of the most important aspects to the successes I feel I have had and I am indebted to my mentors, 

especially Lance Liotta. It is also one of the most important 

aspects of my position as a clinician and scientist in the 

Medical Oncology Branch. Mentoring from high school students through near tenure-track investigators adds a major 

dimension and satisfaction to my job. I call my lab and clinical teams my other family.

I am a “late bloomer” as a parent, not becoming a parent 

until well after attaining tenure and my independent laboratory. However, I did experience the diagnosis, treatment, and 

death from cancer of my mother and mother-in-law early in 

my career. These experiences gave me a different insight into 

what it meant to me to be a cancer doctor and researcher. This 

is now further reinforced by my current experiences as a cancer 

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patient and how it affects my young son, my husband, and our 

relatives. There is no such thing as balance. I am always feeling 

that I am shortchanging either my home family or my lab family 

at one time or another.

INSIGHTS

I graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School 

where I also completed residency training in internal medicine. I came to the NCI for medical oncology training in the 

Medicine Branch and then joined the Laboratory of Pathology 

to investigate signal transduction molecular targets in invasion 

and angiogenesis, and ovarian cancer. My clinical focus is on 

translational clinical studies of ovarian cancer. I have participated in or led the Medical Ovarian Cancer Oncology Group 

since 1989 and have been a member of the Gynecologic Oncology Group since 1995. 

I serve on a number of NIH, NCI, and extramural NIH committees and programs, which include serving as a participating 

member and protocol investigator in the Gynecologic Oncology Group, judging the Fellows Award for Research Excellence 

competition yearly, serving as the co-Chair of the Breast and 

Gynecologic Malignancies Faculty, and as an editor or on the 

editorial boards of a number of medical journals. I have been 

honored to receive recognition for my work, which includes 

election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2002 and the Rosalind Elsie Franklin 

Award for Excellence in Ovarian Cancer Research from the 

Ovarian Cancer National Alliance in 2006.

Dinah S. Singer, Ph.D. Director, Division of Cancer Biology; 

Chief, Molecular Regulation Section, Experimental 

Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research

EDUCATION 

Senior Staff Fellow, 

Immunology Branch, IIRP, 

DCBD, National Cancer 

Institute, NIH, 1978 –1982

Staff Fellow: Nucleic Acid 

Enzymology Section, 

Laboratory of Biochemistry, 

DCBD, National Cancer 

Institute, NIH, 1975 –1978

Ph.D.: (Human Genetics 

and Development) 

Columbia University, 1975

M.Phil.: (Human Genetics and Development) 

Columbia University, 1974

B.S.: (Biology) Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1969

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Regulatory mechanisms governing gene transcription; 

cancer biology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Scientific success—whether based in the laboratory, clinic, or 

administration—is seldom based on either pivotal findings 

or events. Rather, success comes from cumulative “small” 

successes. In research, these successes derive from novel observations, which build on one another. For me, each novel 

observation was a “pivotal” event: the realization that I was 

learning something that had never been known before. The 

thrill of each discovery encouraged me to continue onto the 

next one. 

It is important to note and remember that success in science 

is never achieved alone, but in collaboration with colleagues, 

fellows, and trainees. I am grateful to all of the outstanding individuals with whom I’ve been fortunate to work; my successes 

are equally their successes.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

One of the greatest rewards of my scientific career has been the 

ability to mentor trainees at all levels: high school students, 

college students, post-bacs, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. Being able to teach them the pursuit of scientific 

questions, to watch their growth as scientists and share in the 

enthusiasm for scientific research has been and continues to 

be a great joy; watching their independent careers develop has 

been a continuing pleasure.

The skills required for mentoring trainees in a lab are not 

fundamentally different from those needed to raise a family. 

Indeed, they are probably mutually supportive. So, balancing family and professional responsibilities does not require 

distinct skill sets, just a commitment to both and careful time 

management. Needless to say, I couldn’t have performed the 

“balancing” act without the continuing support of my family.

INSIGHTS

I have been fortunate to have had two parallel careers in science—one laboratory based and one administratively based—

that were complementary and mutually supportive. My 

laboratory-based career has been centered on studies of the 

molecular regulation of MHC class I genes and conducted 

within the Experimental Immunology Branch, Center for 

Cancer Research (CCR), NCI. 

My accomplishments in this arena include the generation and 

characterization of the first MHC class I transfected cell lines 

and transgenic mice; the discovery that HIV Tat represses MHC 

class I transcription, thereby contributing to viral avoidance of 

immune surveillance; the discovery that susceptibility to autoimmunity correlates with MHC class I expression and that 

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down regulation of MHC class I expression confers protection 

from autoimmune disease; the discovery of a novel class of core 

promoters, the ATG deserts, that support transcription from 

multiple start sites and thus create a platform for integration 

of regulatory pathways; the discovery that general transcription 

factor complexes are dynamic structures that actively participate in the regulation of gene expression. 

As a science administrator, I have served as special advisor to 

the Deputy Director for Intramural Research where I formulated the original tenure-track policy; as special advisor to the 

Director, NCI, where I developed the NCI Scholars Program 

and the K22 award mechanism; as a Senior Science Officer at 

the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, where I managed the research programs of HHMI investigators; and most recently as 

Director, Division of Cancer Biology, NCI, where I am responsible for oversight of the NCI grant portfolio in cancer biology 

and for facilitating and supporting the emergence of new ideas, 

concepts, technologies, and opportunities in cancer biology. 

Examples of the initiatives that I have been responsible for are 

the implementation and management of the Mouse Models of 

Human Cancer Consortium, the Integrative Cancer Biology 

Program, and the Tumor Microenvironment Network.

Margaret A. Tucker, M.D. Chief, Genetic Epidemiology Branch and 

Director, Human Genetics Program, 

Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics 

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Medical 

Oncology) Stanford 

University Medical Center, 

1981–1983

Residency: (Internal 

Medicine) Stanford 

University Medical Center, 

1976–1978

M.D.: Harvard Medical 

School, 1976

B.A.: (Biology) Wellesley 

College, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Etiology of melanoma; familial cancers; multiple primary cancers; genetic and environmental components of cancer risk

PIVOTAL EVENTS

During my time in medical school, there were no women in 

leadership positions, and only one female professor (whom I 

did not encounter). I worked part-time for Dr. Fred Li interviewing families having at least two children with cancer. Fred 

introduced me to Dr. Joseph Fraumeni and Dr. Robert Miller 

at the NCI. I spent part of my elective time there working on 

familial non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and developed a fascination for family studies and cancer epidemiology. After residency, I returned to the NCI, where I have worked in cancer 

epidemiology ever since. Dr. Fraumeni and Dr. Robert Hoover 

have offered challenging opportunities and good mentoring. I 

have enjoyed working with and learning from colleagues in my 

branch. Family members who have participated in our studies have been, perhaps, my greatest teachers and my deepest 

inspiration. Their generosity is extraordinary.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is essential to help young investigators grow into independent scientists, but is also important at all career stages. 

All scientists need others to help them grow, develop new approaches, test out novel hypotheses, and continue to learn. 

Wallace Clark was an outstanding role model for me, with his 

boundless enthusiasm for learning across many disciplines—

from pathology to poetry to philosophy to photography. 

Balancing family life and a demanding career is difficult for 

everyone; I don’t know anyone who feels they have been successful at achieving perfect balance. There have certainly been 

periods in my life when I worked far too many hours and was 

less attentive to my family than I would have liked. There have 

been other periods when family needs were higher priority 

than work. I certainly have no regrets about the time I have 

taken to be present with my family. 

INSIGHTS

I have worked with melanoma-prone families for about 30 

years. When I returned to NCI, Mark Greene was initiating a 

clinical evaluation of melanoma-prone families with Wallace 

Clark. When Mark left several years later, I took over the study. 

Alisa Goldstein has taken the lead in the genetic analyses of 

these families. Mary Fraser has been the research nurse for 

almost 30 years. We have identified two major susceptibility genes for familial melanoma, CDKN2A and CDK4. These 

findings have been replicated in other families worldwide. We 

were founding members of the international melanoma genetics consortium, GenoMEL. We are working with GenoMEL 

to find additional melanoma susceptibility genes, evaluate 

gene–gene interactions, estimate penetrance of the mutations, 

conduct genotype–phenotype analyses, and define the associated cancers. 

I also conducted a case-control study of melanoma in collaboration with investigators from the University of Pennsylvania 

and University of California, San Francisco. We demonstrated 

that dysplastic nevi, unusual nevi first identified in NCI melanoma-prone families, are a central risk factor for melanoma 

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in the general population. In collaboration with Thomas Fears 

and DuPont Guerry, we developed a risk prediction model 

for 5-year absolute risk of melanoma. This model is posted at 

http://www.cancer.gov/melanomarisktool/.

It is exciting to see so many women investigators currently at 

the NIH. When I first came, there were few in leadership positions. When I became a branch chief in 1992, I was the only 

woman lab/branch chief in the Division of Cancer Etiology. 

Drs. Fraumeni and Hoover, and Dr. Sheila Zahm have been 

proactive in recruiting and promoting women. Division of 

Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) has been ahead 

of other intramural components at NIH in the percentage of 

women postdocs who become tenure track and tenured investigators. The leadership in DCEG is pretty evenly split between 

men and women.

Rachel Ballard-Barbash, M.D.

Associate Director, Applied Research Program, 

Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences

EDUCATION

Malbrook Fellow: 

(Clinical Nutrition) 

Mayo Clinic, 1984–1986

Fellowship: (Preventive Medicine) 

Mayo Clinic, 1983–1986

M.P.H.: (Epidemiology) 

School of Public Health, 

University of Minnesota, 1985

Residency: (Internal Medicine) 

Northwestern University, 1981–1983

Internship: (Internal Medicine and Pediatrics) 

Bowman Gray, 1980–1981

M.D.: University of Michigan School of Medicine, 1980

B.S.: (Natural Resources) University of Michigan, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I direct the Applied Research Program within the NCI’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences. The program’s mission is to understand how and why cancer care 

and control activities in the United States influence patterns 

of care and trends in cancer incidence, morbidity, mortality, and survival through evaluation of patterns and trends in 

cancer-associated health behaviors and risk factors, healthcare services, economics, and outcomes, including patientreported outcomes. My personal research focuses on 1) 

examining the association of diet, weight, and physical activity with cancer risk and prognosis in order to identify targets 

for prevention and control of primary and recurrent disease; 

2) advancing research on policy, environmental, and contextual factors that may influence adoption of recommended 

health behaviors; 3) improving systems for evaluating cancer 

control in national and local populations; and 4) examining 

healthcare utilization and quality of cancer care.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I have very little sense of having experienced pivotal events 

that influenced my career. However, one of the earliest events 

was training from my parents who taught their eight children 

that a life of service to people was a great honor and that if you 

started a job, you completed it. Growing up in a family of 10 

strong people also taught me the importance of negotiation in 

achieving a goal. The process of bringing together new ideas 

from very different perspectives has always excited me and 

seemed a foundation of scientific discovery. Early in my career, 

I spent some time working across different Federal agencies 

in the field of nutrition. From that experience, I learned that 

NIH provides unique opportunities to influence the direction 

of research discovery in health and medicine, which is one of 

the reasons I am here.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

One approach to ensuring growth in a field of research is to 

excite other investigators about the promise of that field. Mentoring new investigators provides the greatest opportunity to 

engage new thinking and excitement as they are often much 

more open about approaching a problem from a new perspective. A vital factor in sustaining a research career is the ability to 

balance family and personal goals with professional goals and 

responsibilities. In fact, sharing this perspective on how to accomplish that balance is a key part of mentoring. Research and 

professional work provide opportunities to contribute intellectually and to societal and health goals; my children, family, 

friends, and personal growth enrich life and give it meaning. 

A great tool for me in achieving balance has been to exercise 

regularly—it clears my mind of clutter. I often have my best insights while running!!

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Louise A. Brinton, Ph.D.

Chief, Hormonal and Reproductive Epidemiology 

Branch, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, 

Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Epidemiology) 

The Johns Hopkins University 

School of Hygiene and Public 

Health, 1979

M.P.H.: (Epidemiology) 

University of North Carolina at 

Chapel Hill, 1972

B.A.: (Anthropology) 

Beloit College, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Epidemiology of breast and gynecologic cancers; effects of 

exogenous hormones

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My success as a scientist has primarily reflected the influence 

of mentors who have allowed me to pursue my true interests. 

This included a department chair in graduate school who allowed me to transfer to the epidemiology department when I 

discovered that medical anthropology was not the best fit for 

me. Although individuals without medical training had not 

previously been accepted into the department, he provided 

me a unique opportunity through his recognition that social 

factors are essential in predicting health. At NCI, my mentors 

have provided me with opportunities to become involved in 

many interesting and challenging research projects, some of 

which appeared on the surface not to be logistically feasible. 

This has included a number of international projects, which 

interestingly have allowed me to fulfill my initial interests in 

medical anthropology in a much more effective manner than 

had I stayed within the field of anthropology. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As indicated previously, effective mentoring has been essential to my development as a scientist. I began work at NCI as 

a graduate student and my success is largely due to unselfish 

mentoring by a number of talented colleagues. These important 

individuals provided sufficient nurturing, but also allowed me 

an opportunity to develop as an independent scientist through 

their efforts to recognize my strengths. I have also had a tremendous advantage in working in a division that offers great 

flexibility in terms of merging personal and career interests. 

This has allowed me the opportunity to pursue my interests 

while maintaining a reasonable balance between work and 

family life. 

Michaele Chamblee Christian, M.D.

Associate Director, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, 

Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (Former)

EDUCATION

M.D.: Georgetown University 

School of Medicine, 1980

Pre-med courses, George 

Washington University, 1974–1975 

B.A.: (Political Science) 

Manhattanville College, 1969

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Early therapeutics development, 

ovarian cancer treatment, clinical 

trial design and methodology, health disparities and enhancing the participation of underrepresented populations in 

clinical trials

PIVOTAL EVENTS

In high school, I was not very good at math and, therefore, science courses such as chemistry and physics, and was discouraged from pursuing pre-med studies in college. I followed that 

advice and studied political science and art. Seven years later, 

I decided that I should pursue medicine since that had been my 

childhood dream and dreams deferred give rise to long-term 

regrets. I had to take the required pre-med courses before 

entering medical school. I did so with some trepidation but 

got A’s in nearly all of them and went onto graduate first in my 

medical school class. Because of the 7-year hiatus in my education, I did not pursue a Ph.D. despite the fact that I loved the 

laboratory when I was finally exposed to it late in my career. 

However, I have had a very satisfying career in clinical research 

and cancer medicine.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Effective mentoring is one of the most challenging needs of 

academic scientists and, yet, lack of mentoring is a common 

complaint of women and minorities. I did not have good mentoring, which is one reason that I had no basic science laboratory exposure until late in my academic career. As a black 

woman physician–scientist, I have attempted to provide and 

foster mentoring and to work with oncology professional societies to ensure that they are active in this area.

Having a family was a very high priority to me. I had the first 

of my three children as an intern and the second as a senior 

resident. Although this wasn’t ideal timing, I have successfully 

combined raising a family and managing a successful career. 

This has required compromise, a strong support system—especially from my husband—and resources. It requires that you 

either get housekeeping help or learn to deal with a few dust 

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balls. I chose a flexible work setting that allowed me to be present for “important” events in my children’s lives. Some very 

prominent women scientists have stopped working while their 

children were young and gone onto achieve significant scientific prominence. The most critical element is to clearly define 

what’s important, your priorities, and then arrange your career 

life to achieve them.

Kathleen A. Cronin, Ph.D.

Mathematical Statistician, Statistical Research and 

Applications Branch, Surveillance Research Program, 

Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences

EDUCATION

M.P.H.: (Epidemiology) 

The Johns Hopkins University 

School of Hygiene and Public 

Health, 1996

Ph.D.: (Operations Research) 

Cornell University, 1995

M.S.: (Operations Research) 

George Washington University, 

1989

B.S.: (Industrial Engineering) Buffalo University, 1985

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Modeling factors influencing population trends in cancer incidence and mortality, including risk factors, screening and 

treatment, developing statistical methods for measuring and 

reporting cancer survival, developing methods to measure 

cancer burden in the population, modeling individual risk for 

cancer patients

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I entered graduate school with the intention of continuing in 

engineering, but was quickly attracted to the area of biostatistics. The application of statistical methods to public health 

problems captured my interest and represented an area where 

I hoped I could make a contribution. After graduate school, I 

came to NCI as a cancer prevention fellow, which allowed me 

to change the direction of my career to focus on cancer research 

and included the opportunity to study epidemiology through an 

M.P.H. program. Statistical and engineering training in combination with an understanding of public health issues provided me with a unique point of view. The fellowship also gave me 

the opportunity to work with several groups at NCI, including 

the surveillance research program. Population-based research 

matched my skills and interests and I have continued to work 

in surveillance for the previous 10 years.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

With an 8-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter at home, 

balancing family and professional responsibilities is a constant 

struggle. It is very easy to get caught up in trying to do everything and setting unrealistic goals for yourself. The advice that 

I have received was to acknowledge constraints both at home 

and at work and then be satisfied with your accomplishments in 

both areas. There have been times when I took on less responsibility and even worked part-time for several years after my 

daughter was born. Finding and maintaining the balance that is 

right for me certainly contributes to my quality of life in many 

ways and allows me to better enjoy the time I spend at work.

Brenda K. Edwards, Ph.D.

Associate Director, Surveillance Research Program, 

Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Biostatistics) 

University of North Carolina 

at Chapel Hill, 1975

M.S.: (Biostatistics) 

Vanderbilt University, 1970

B.S.: (Mathematics & Biology) 

Murray State University, 1968

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Cancer surveillance, biostatistics, 

national health data systems, survival analysis, clinical trials 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The research environment and colleagues with diverse interests and expertise who work at the National Cancer Institute 

have been very influential in my scientific career. At NIH, 

posing questions and engaging a multidisciplinary scientific 

team to develop a series of studies that will provide answers is 

a normative but challenging aspect of each day. The role of a 

biostatistician provides many opportunities to work on a wide 

range of research projects. Fortunately, I have been involved 

in cancer prevention and control since its formative days and 

continue to collaborate with other public and private partners 

to integrate surveillance systems for reporting on progress in 

reducing our national cancer burden.

MENTORING &WORK/LIFE BALANCE

It has been my privilege to be trained by some of the leading 

statisticians in the world who valued their role as mentors and 

thoroughly enjoyed the field of statistics and analysis of data. 

Naturally, passing along this inheritance of genuine enthusiasm for applying innovative solutions to important public 

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NCI

health issues is something I try to do. Balancing professional 

responsibilities with personal interests and needs can get offcentered more often than I would like. Realignment of priorities and time are required whenever either the joy of work 

grows dim or the concerns of family are being neglected. 

Ann W. Hsing, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator, Hormonal and Reproductive 

Epidemiology Branch, Epidemiology and Biostatistics 

Program, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Epidemiology) 

The Johns Hopkins University 

School of Hygiene and Public 

Health, 1988

M.P.H.: (Biostatistics) University 

of California at Los Angeles, 1981

B.S.: (Public Health) 

China Medical College, Taiwan, 

Republic of China, 1979

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Epidemiology of prostate and hepatobiliary cancers; racial 

disparities in prostate cancer; westernization; endogenous 

hormones/growth factors; obesity, insulin resistance, and 

metabolic syndrome; chronic inflammation; genetic susceptibility; molecular epidemiology 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Joining NCI was the most important milestone in my professional life. The Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics has provided me with a rich environment in which to grow 

as a scientist and a unique opportunity to conduct high-risk, 

high-impact research in China and Africa. This is my childhood dream come true. As a child, I wanted to become a health 

professional and help people on the African continent. 

Two key events during my early years at NCI shaped my attitude as a scientist. The second day I arrived at NCI, my Branch 

Chief, Dr. William Blot, a world-renowned epidemiologist, 

asked me to comment on a manuscript he was writing. I could 

not believe that such a well-respected scientist would value 

the opinion of a new postdoc. The following year, before I 

traveled to China to launch my first study, Dr. Blot told me 

that, although I was a postdoc, I was representing NCI and 

everything I said or did mattered. Both times, I was filled with 

a great sense of pride and responsibility, and I told myself 

that, regardless of my rank, I would always hold myself and 

my studies to the highest standard.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

I have been fortunate to have had great mentors throughout 

my career. Three giants in epidemiology helped transform 

my professional life. At Hopkins, Drs. Frank Polk, my academic advisor, and George Comstock, my thesis advisor and 

former editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Epidemiology, taught me epidemiology and scientific writing. At NCI, I 

worked closely with Dr. Joseph Fraumeni, Jr., one of the best 

epidemiologists and writers in the field of science. Learning 

the ropes from these masters helped me develop solid skills 

and confidence. I have also received excellent career mentoring from Dr. Shelia Zahm, who has always generously shared 

her experience and wisdom with me and guided me through 

critical moments of my professional career. My colleague and 

dear friend, Dr. B.J. Stone, has provided invaluable peermentoring daily for the last 19 years. My success cannot be 

attributed to my efforts alone; I am grateful to my mentors, 

fellows, and collaborators. 

I view mentoring junior investigators as both a privilege and 

an obligation. As a senior investigator, it is my responsibility 

to nurture, protect, and help promote the careers of young scientists. I am especially committed to mentoring young women 

scientists, in particular minority women, as they are more often 

faced with unique obstacles along their journey to success. 

My two children were born before I was tenured. They brought 

enormous joy to my life, but also presented me with tremendous challenges in balancing professional and family responsibilities. I have not yet been able to achieve a perfect balance; 

however, with good time management, organizational skills, 

and strategic prioritization, it is quite possible to have a productive professional and personal life.

Crystal L. Mackall, M.D.

Chief, Pediatric Oncology Branch, 

Center for Cancer Research 

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Pediatric Hematology/Oncology) Pediatric Branch, 

NCI, NIH, 1989–1992

Residency: (Combined Pediatrics/

Internal Medicine) Children’s 

Hospital Medical Center of Akron/

Akron General Medical Center, 

1984–1988

Combined B.S. (Natural Sciences)/

M.D.: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, 1984

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RESEARCH INTERESTS

Immunotherapy, immune reconstitution, T cell homeostasis, 

pediatric oncology, tumor immunology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The single most important element of my NIH experience that 

provided me the opportunity to succeed was the availability of 

committed and qualified mentors within the NIH environment 

who made their interactions with junior members of their team 

a priority in their own busy schedules. Among these, Ron Gress 

was a pivotal influence in my scientific development and without his guidance and commitment, I would not have achieved 

my current level of success. In addition, having come to NIH 

with very little research experience (but plenty of drive and determination), my success depended largely upon the steadfast 

commitment that the Intramural Research Program has made 

to the training of physician–scientists. Fulfilling this commitment requires that the Intramural Research Program maintain 

strong clinical and scientific communities that work side-byside and encourage the recruitment and training of talented 

young physicians who are dedicated to careers in science. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

Each individual has to make a personal decision regarding priorities in his/her life. For me, I determined early in my career 

that my desire to have, and be part of, a family is my highest 

personal priority. Thus, while I love science and am incredibly dedicated to my professional career, I have found that life’s 

day-to-day stressors are more manageable by making a clear 

personal commitment to putting my family first. This does not 

mean that my family has not sacrificed on behalf of my career, 

but rather when “push-comes-to-shove” and the goals of each 

are irreconcilable, my family comes first. As a result, I am 

blessed to be raising two wonderful sons, currently aged 9 and 

12, and to be part of a loving and committed relationship of 27 

years with my life partner. 

Because I know that my own success was directly related to 

the commitment and talent of my mentors, I believe that my 

impact, in the long run, will ultimately depend upon my ability to impart my enthusiasm and love of science to young researchers. In this venture, I am careful to focus on both their 

intellectual and personal development, teaching them how to 

be good citizens within the greater scientific community and 

helping them to find their own personal happiness by exploring and defining their life’s goals and priorities. For most of the 

students and fellows that I mentor, this involves finding that 

same balance between work and family that I have found and 

that I encourage. When my fellows are happy and successful in 

both their personal and professional lives, then I believe that I 

have succeeded in mentoring. 

Cheryl L. Marks, Ph.D.

Program Director, Mouse Models of Human 

Cancers Consortium and Associate Director, 

Division of Cancer Biology

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Biochemical Genetics) 

The George Washington School of Medicine, 1985

M.S.: (Chemistry) 

Southern Connecticut State University, 1970

A.B.: (Chemistry) Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, 1966 

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Developmental biology, systems genetics, animal models 

of disease, techniques to foster innovation and facilitate 

team science

PIVOTAL EVENTS

When I came to the NIH in 1971, I had an M.S. in chemistry, 

and no personal goal to obtain further formal education. But 

the laboratory chief for whom I worked had a different objective for me: To ensure that I had optimal career choices for 

the future. He facilitated my studies for a doctorate, obtaining 

permission for me to perform research in his laboratory while 

continuing to work for him. It was a busy 5 years–combining 

work and study and dissertation research–but his mentoring, 

unstinting support, and infectious love of science made the 

experience an exceptionally exciting time in my career. I owe 

the abundance of science opportunities that earning a Ph.D. 

affords to him and his wisdom.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

I cherish the many opportunities I have had to advise young researchers on their research programs in the course of managing extramural grants. Deciding to leave research at the bench 

after 20 years for science administration was a positive career 

decision; it is very satisfying to have an impact on the research 

direction in laboratories in many institutions and to help new 

investigators secure their first grants. 

In balancing family and work, it has helped immeasurably to 

have a spouse who supports my choices with enthusiasm and 

candor, especially when we confronted together the challenges 

of managing care of elderly parents with the responsibilities of 

two careers. 

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Eva Szabo, M.D.

Chief, Lung and Upper Aerodigestive Cancer Research 

Group, Division of Cancer Prevention

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Oncology) NCI, NIH, 

1989–1993

Internship/Residency: 

New York University-Bellevue 

Hospital in New York, 1986–1989

M.D.: Duke University 

Medical School, 1985

B.S.: (Molecular Biophysics 

and Biochemistry), 

Yale University, 1982

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Chemoprevention, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, 

differentiation-based therapies for cancer prevention and 

treatment

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I completed my training in internal medicine at Bellevue Hospital in New York at the height of the AIDS epidemic, prior 

to the advent of antiretroviral drugs. Our patients were very 

sick and there was little infrastructure in place to support the 

physicians. Especially after hours, the interns typically did 

almost everything for the patients, from drawing their blood to 

wheeling them to the radiology suite for X-rays. Since sleep was 

generally out of the question when one was on-call, I quickly 

learned that survival depended on “working smart”—quick 

thinking, efficiency, and organization. We all learned early to 

accept responsibility because if we did not do what needed to be 

done, there was no one else to do so. And, I learned the critical 

importance of being thorough and seeking advice when faced 

with uncertainty. These lessons have served me well both in 

patient care and in research. 

MENTORING &WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring young investigators and raising children have many 

similarities. Both require protection, exposure to new ideas, 

and a supportive environment to allow them to grow into independence. The mentor feels responsibility for the trainee, 

much as a parent is responsible for a child’s well-being. Mentoring is a life-long process; you mentor those younger than 

you, but you continue to learn from those around you. I have 

had the good fortune of learning from outstanding scientists in 

the field of chemoprevention and find them a constant source 

of inspiration.

Balancing family with work is particularly challenging, especially for women. That’s where “working smart” is critical, to 

juggle the demands of home and work. Flexibility and commitment from both spouses are required—your spouse must be 

your willing partner. Setting priorities (which include quality 

family time) and, at times, sacrificing personal leisure time, are 

the keys to managing the balance. 

Sheila E. Taube, Ph.D.

Director, Cancer Diagnosis Program, 

Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (Former)

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Associate: 

(Human Genetics) Yale University 

Medical School, 1971–1973

Ph.D.: (Microbiology) 

University of Pittsburgh School 

of Medicine, 1970

B.A.: (Biology)

Brandeis University, 1963

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Development of improved diagnostics for cancer, including 

biomarker trial designs, assay standardization, prediction of 

response to therapy and prognosis

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Two mentors had major impacts on my pursuit of science and 

on my success. My college advisor’s ability to impart the excitement of the hypothesis-testing approach to scientific thinking and discovery enhanced my ability to critically evaluate 

data and enabled successful research. My Ph.D. advisor taught 

me how to effectively communicate research findings both to 

other scientists as well as to lay audiences. The fascination with 

biology, the excitement of discovery, and the ability to convey 

the importance as well as the excitement with clarity have all 

enabled success in my career as an extramural science administrator. 

MENTORING &WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I mentored graduate students as a faculty member at the University of Connecticut Medical School before joining the NIH, 

particularly helping women plan their careers. I also served on 

the Committee on the Status of Women Microbiologists and 

worked on development of programs to help women scientists 

understand professional options and how to approach job decisions as they pursued scientific careers. This included balancing family and career, a nontrivial pursuit. In my case, I believe 

I could not have managed to raise two children, now both pro38
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fessionals, and pursue my career without the active support of 

my husband. There were few women role models when I began 

and little infrastructure that could facilitate dual-career families. We had to create our own infrastructure and make many 

compromises to allow both careers to progress and the children 

to be raised successfully.

Barbara K. Vonderhaar, Ph.D.

Chief, Mammary Biology and Tumorigenesis 

Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Oncology) 

McArdle Laboratory, University 

of Wisconsin, Madison, 1970

B.A.: (Chemistry) 

Clarke College, 1965 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research examines local, hormonally driven growth regulatory 

mechanisms associated with normal 

mammary gland development and 

tumorigenesis. Particular emphasis has been placed on clarification of the role(s) of prolactin and the variety of prolactin receptor isoforms expressed within mammary tissues in concert 

with estrogen, progesterone, and growth factors during these 

events. The goal is to utilize multidisciplinary approaches encompassing areas such as endocrinology, molecular genetics, 

stem cell biology, growth factors, oncogenes, cell signaling, and 

animal model systems to understand the pathobiology of breast 

cancer.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a second-year postdoctoral fellow in the NIH laboratory 

of Dr. Yale Topper, a pioneer in the area of mammary gland 

development, I was asked to present my work at the Gordon 

Research Conference on Mammary Gland Biology when he was 

suddenly unable to do so. Thus began the long association with 

the Gordon Research Conferences that has been pivotal to my 

research success. Over the subsequent 34 years, I attended 

over 50 Gordon Conferences covering a variety of topics, but 

primarily the Conferences on Mammary Gland Biology, Prolactin, Cancer, and Hormonal Carcinogenesis. At these intense 

and exciting meetings, even as a postdoc, I was able to meet 

the leaders in the field, debate concepts, share insights, and 

establish and nurture valuable collaborations. I later was elected to Chair the Mammary Gland Conference and to serve on 

the Board of Trustees (and as Board Chair) for the Gordon 

Research organization.

MENTORING &WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring young investigators is one of the privileges and joys 

of my research program. Since a career in science does not 

begin at the postdoctoral level, I have had students in my laboratory at the predoctoral level, including high school students 

as unpaid volunteers. I have mentored 142 high school and 

undergraduate students, postbaccalaureate and postdoctoral 

fellows and visiting scientists on sabbatical. I have won several mentoring awards, including the Association for Women 

in Science (AWIS) Bethesda Chapter Award for Excellence in 

Mentoring, the Colgate University Visiting Howard Hughes 

Medical Institute (HHMI) Scholars Mentoring Award, and the 

NCI Outstanding Mentor Award.

I have been married for 33 years. Together with my husband, I 

have raised two wonderful sons, clearly demonstrating that it 

is possible to balance a family and a highly successful scientific 

career. I have never regretted a decision where I placed family 

before career. Only when all is well with the family can one effectively concentrate on career.

Lauren V. Wood, M.D.

Senior Clinical Investigator, Vaccine Branch, 

Center for Cancer Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Allergy and Immunology) NIAID, 

NIH, 1988–1991

Residency: (Internal Medicine 

and Pediatrics) Baylor College of 

Medicine Affiliated Hospitals, 

Houston, Texas, 1984–1988

M.D.: Duke University School 

of Medicine, 1984

B.A.: (Biology) Oberlin College, 1980 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Vaccines and immune-based therapies for cancer and HIV 

infection, dendritic cell vaccines, human papillomavirus 

(HPV) vaccines, adolescent HIV/AIDS

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The pivotal experience of my career has involved professionally living through the transformation of HIV/AIDS from a 

death sentence to a life of possibilities as a result of advances 

in basic and clinical research. When I joined the NCI in 1992, 

we were taking care of the sickest kids on the planet, routinely 

had 15–20 inpatients that we rounded on until 11pm at night 

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and averaged over 50 deaths a year. As a consequence of one 

phase I drug study after another, and ultimately the advent of 

highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), hospitalization 

became a thing of the past and deaths dropped dramatically. 

Not everyone made it, but it is the thrill of my lifetime to see 

my former “babies” getting driver’s licenses, graduating from 

high school, going to college, and even getting married. It’s 

the reason I continue to pursue trying to harness the immune 

system to produce even better outcomes in HIV and cancer. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

I consider my father, Don H. Wood, M.D. (deceased 1995), to 

be my greatest mentor. He was a neurologist whose clinical 

research focus was stroke and improving stroke outcomes. It 

made me feel all grown up when we would get to have lunch 

together over in the Bldg. 31 cafeteria during the rare occasions 

he was on campus for NINDS Board of Scientific Counselors 

(BSC) advisory meetings. We could “talk shop” about medicine 

and research and he would always encourage me to hang tough. 

I didn’t have quite the challenge that many women do of balancing work and family responsibilities because I didn’t 

get married until later in life—a first-time bride at 45! I was 

blessed not to have to make a decision that many professional 

women encounter when they get married: whether to change or 

hyphenate their name. My husband's last name is the same as 

my maiden name (and no, we're not related) so I just became 

Mrs. Dr. Wood. It’s definitely a challenge and a lot of juggling, 

but worth every minute of the wait and the effort. Nothing that’s 

really great comes easy—whether it’s a great family life or a 

great work life and it is possible to have both.

40
Deborah A. Carper, Ph.D. Special Assistant to the Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Department of Zoology) 

University of Maryland, 

College Park,1984

B.S.: (Zoology) 

University of Maryland, 

College Park, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Pterygium, cataract, 

retinopathy of prematurity, omega-3 long-chain 

polyunsaturated fatty acid 

prevention of ocular neovascularization

EVENTS

The most outstanding day I had in the laboratory was when we 

absolutely knew we had cloned the cDNA for aldose reductase, 

an oxido-reductase implicated in diabetic complications. This 

event opened a 10-year quest to characterize the gene, its regulation, and the protein’s structure/function properties. It was 

exciting to carry out this research in the early days of molecular 

biology, with new techniques and machinery coming online in 

rapid succession. 

As another pivotal event, I must mention my gratitude to Dr. 

Jin Kinoshita, who was my mentor for many years. While working as his technician, he encouraged me to obtain my Ph.D. I 

can only assume that he saw some scientific potential. He gave 

research guidance and yet the freedom to grow as an independent investigator. I hope that he would see the following as my 

greatest compliment to him: “how would Jin do this?” 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Effective mentoring is so important for a young (and not so 

young) scientist. Mentors have life experiences that are invaluable when making career decisions, such as how to choose the 

right laboratory environment, how to network, and how to give 

back to the science community. The mentor is also enriched. I 

have delighted in seeing young investigators from my laboratory become scientists and clinicians in their own right.

Balancing family with professional responsibilities is challenging, but manageable as long as you keep a calendar and memo 

book with you at all times, and have a spouse with a great sense 

of humor! There is nothing more wonderful than raising a child 

(my daughter, Katie) and having the support of a loved one (my 

husband, Steve) on life’s journey. Science is the icing on the 

cake. It adds a dimension of personal identity, it allows you to 

NEI

National 

Eye Institute

41
NEI

dream and discover and make a contribution to our collective 

knowledge and public health endeavors.

INSIGHTS

One of the early milestones in my career was characterizing a 

cataract mouse model called the Philly mouse (from Philadelphia). My research showed a deficiency in a functional mRNA 

for beta-crystallin, a major protein of the lens. Publications 

in Science, Developmental Biology, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences were heady experiences for a young 

investigator. A second milestone was the cloning of aldose reductase, which led to many years of rewarding investigation. 

At that time, I built a laboratory and learned how to manage 

and mentor. I realized that one should encourage and welcome 

the new and exciting ideas and technologies that postdoctoral 

fellows bring to the laboratory. Lastly, I have participated in 

rewarding and exciting collaborations. Recently, working with 

Dr. Lois Smith’s laboratory, we found that mice fed a diet high 

in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have reduced pathological retinal angiogenesis. Dr. Smith will begin a study in 

premature babies to see if adding this nutrient decreases the 

risk of eye damage. 

I would consider sharing and discussing your research with 

mentors and scientists inside and outside NIH a crucial component of a successful scientific career. Positive criticism helps 

us grow as scientists. It is important to be open to new ideas and 

suggestions. Asking questions and participating in scientific 

dialogue has many benefits, which include framing your own 

future experiments and possibly building lasting and productive collaborations. 

Rachel R. Caspi, Ph.D. Chief, Immunoregulation Section and Deputy Chief, 

Laboratory of Immunology, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Fogarty Postdoctoral 

Fellowship: (Immunology) 

NEI, 1984–1986

Ph.D.: (Immunology) Bar 

Ilan University, Israel, 1984

B.A.: (Microbiology) 

Tel Aviv University

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Autoimmune disease

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a Postdoctoral Fellow, 

I discovered in a rat model of uveitis, a potentially blinding 

disease, that glial Müller cells in the eye regulate activation 

and function of autoimmune T lymphocytes that cause retinal 

damage. The mechanism involved down regulation of the high 

affinity IL-2 receptor, required direct contact, and was not antigen, strain, and even species-restricted, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved role conferring a survival advantage, such 

as immune privilege. Subsequently similar phenomena were 

identified for other cells in the eye as well as in other tissues. 

These findings were published in Science magazine in 1987. 

Another important advance was the development of a mouse 

model of autoimmune uveitis, which catapulted forward research on basic mechanisms of the disease and is now being 

used by scientists in this field worldwide.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

During my postdoctoral and early years as an independent 

investigator, there was much less awareness of and emphasis 

on the issue of mentoring than we give it today. Mentoring 

consisted mainly of interactions about the science being done 

rather than career development strategies. You had to either 

sink or swim. As for career and family, I have two grown sons, 

who were born during my undergraduate and early graduate 

years. While the timing was a personal decision, I found that 

it is much easier to miss a lecture when you are not the person 

giving it. Clearly institutional support for women scientists 

with family is important, but there is only one formula for success in balancing family and career: strong family support and 

an equitable division of child care and household duties between the parents. 

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NEI

INSIGHTS

Success as a scientist starts with choosing a subject that is important, asking central questions, and studying them using 

state-of-the-art approaches. But this is not enough. For a 

woman scientist in particular, assertiveness and tenacity make 

all the difference between failure and success. This applies 

to family as well as to professional issues. It seems that we, 

women, are our own worst enemies on the road to success. We 

are often unassertive, shy away from confrontation, and give in 

too easily. We expect that if we work hard and sacrifice, it will be 

seen and rewarded, and we are reluctant to “toot our own horn” 

and insist on recognition. Unfortunately, life does not work 

that way. You have to aim high, believe in yourself and persevere, or you will never get there. On the other hand, it is important to know when something is not worth a fight. But when 

opportunity knocks, you should be willing to step forward, be 

visible, and take on responsibility. Having good female role 

models can help, and those of us who have become successful 

are eager to help those on their way up. But it is you who actually 

has to climb the ladder and no amount of institutional support, 

pep talk, and good advice can substitute. You really can have it 

all, if you are willing to work for it with strength of purpose, 

integrity, and determination. 

Janine Austin Clayton, M.D. Deputy Clinical Director (Former); 

Deputy Director, Office of Research on Women’s 

Health, Office of the Director, NIH

EDUCATION 

Fellowship: (Uveitis and 

Ocular Immunology) 

National Eye Institute, 

NIH, 1994–1996

Fellowship: (Cornea 

and External Diseases) 

Wilmer Ophthalmological 

Institute, The Johns 

Hopkins University, 

1993–1994

Ophthalmology 

Residency: Medical 

College of Virginia, 1990–1993

M.D.: Howard University College of Medicine, 1989

B.A.: (Natural Sciences) The Johns Hopkins University, 1984

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Immune-mediated diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva, 

pediatric uveitis, role of sex and gender in ocular disease

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As I reflected on this question, I realized there is no single pivotal event, but rather a collection of blessings in circumstances, opportunities, networks of support, and role models that 

allowed me to grow first as a young girl interested in science 

into a physician scientist who happens to be a woman. Early 

exposure of students to all aspects of science is critical to initiate an interest and I was fortunate to have had many teachers 

who fostered that interest along the way, and incredible parents who provided me with love, support, and a firm foundation 

on which to grow. Being excited about learning was nurtured 

by family and teachers and I had many science-related educational experiences. I emphasize these early events because 

I believe they were critical to prepare a foundation sufficient 

to buoy me through the challenges of the rigorous education 

required. This foundation was built partly on educational, but 

also incorporated personal and broad exposure, encouragement, and validation in a wide variety of arenas. It solidified 

my resolve to become a physician and researcher.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

One of my mentors, Dr. LaSalle D. Lefall, Jr., is fond of the saying, 

“equanimity under duress.” As a surgical oncologist and the first 

African-American president of the American College of Surgeons, he undoubtedly experienced challenges in many arenas. 

His calm presentation, steadfast commitment to excellence, 

caring demeanor as a physician, and honorable manner in all 

aspects impressed upon me the importance of these ideals, 

first as a human being and second, as a physician. By having Dr. 

Lefall and others as mentors, I learned first-hand how mentors 

can have a profound impact by serving as credible role models, 

recognizing and fostering potential, and through personal validation. Mentors for women don’t necessarily have to be women. 

There’s no magic answer to balancing work and family, but it’s 

so very important to find what works for you. Having the choice 

is the ultimate commodity; we each carve our own path with the 

choices we make. 

INSIGHTS

Formalized clinical research training facilitated my development as a researcher and having spent time in the laboratory 

broadened my perspective to encompass a translational approach as a clinician scientist. Fellowship training took more 

time, but provided invaluable expertise that permitted further 

career development. Women should not allow their responsibilities to deter them from obtaining the best foundation possible 

early in career development. Don’t short change yourself! It is 

important to take advantage of opportunities to broaden your 

horizons when they present themselves; these experiences open 

doors and provide valuable skills and networks, which are built 

upon over time. I found it important to look at challenges in 

terms of what I could learn from them and as part of the journey 

rather than obstacles. Your outlook can make all the difference. 

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NEI

Sarah Sohraby, M.D., Ph.D. Deputy Scientific Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Physiological 

Sciences) Free University of Brussels School of 

Medicine, Belgium, 1988

M.D.: Free University 

of Brussels School of 

Medicine, Belgium, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Ion transport in epithelia

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a foreign Postdoctoral 

Fellow at NIH, I was lucky to be introduced to a new field—ion 

transport in cultured renal cells—and to work with a very openminded and brilliant lab chief (Dr. M. Burg) and an outstanding principal investigator (Dr. J. Turner). I was allowed to use 

my imagination while they were building my skills. As a team, 

we obtained beautiful results on a new ion transport protein 

called the Epithelial Sodium Channel and published in top scientific journals such as Nature and Science. This really boosted 

my confidence. But it was only when I joined Harvard Medical 

School for a second postdoc that I realized how well I had been 

prepared to work on my own. Moving from the nurturing environment of NIH to the incredibly competitive Harvard atmosphere could not have been smoother for me. Again, I was lucky 

to work with another outstanding and brilliant mentor, Dr. B. 

Brenner, who had the means to let me have a vision. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

During the eighties, I think mentoring was so good that there 

was no need for career development strategies. I never heard 

those words. It was a given that postdoctoral training in a top 

lab would open all avenues for a successful career. This is the 

reason I came to the United States in the first place. And lab 

chiefs were proud to contribute to those successes. As for 

family decisions, each of us makes personal choices. I chose to 

raise my four children with the help of an au-pair who lived in 

my home. Again, the thinking was different a generation ago 

and we were more into the ‘self-help’ mode. I never missed 

a day of work because of a child’s issue. The perception that a 

woman who takes care of a child is not dedicated to her profession may be the most important impediment to a successful career. It is very unfortunate that to this day, a woman who 

stays at home with a sick child is never viewed as a competitive 

professional.

INSIGHTS

As in any career, one has to like what they are doing to do it 

well. Of course, we can joke about the fact that a working woman 

always has two jobs, but it is a reality, no matter how much help 

she gets from her partner. Some women are capable of handling 

huge loads and we should be proud of that. As a professor in 

Belgium, I chaired a number of faculty committees and always 

raised awareness of other committee members, mostly men, 

that the ability of a woman to balance work and family commitments demonstrated particularly strong dedication and extraordinary capabilities. Although I have never expected those 

I have mentored to follow my path, I have challenged them, 

men and women alike, to look deeply within themselves, understand and work on their weaknesses, and capitalize on their 

strengths. And by the way, those children to whom we devote so 

much time, but still never enough, will be very proud when they 

boast about our achievements.

Santa J. Tumminia, Ph.D. Special Assistant to the Director

EDUCATION

Senior Staff Fellowship: 

(Mechanisms of 

Ocular Diseases) 

NEI, NIH, 1991–1998

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Biochemistry) Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, 

Hoffmann La-Roche, 

Nutley, NJ, 1987–1991

Ph.D.: (Biology) Rensselaer 

Polytechnic Institute; 

Troy, New York, 1987

M.S.: (Biology) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 

Troy, New York, 1984 

B.S.: (Biology) St. Joseph’s College, Brooklyn, New York, 1982

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research over the years has included studies of biochemical and structural differences of the major protein components 

of normal skeletal muscle and muscle obtained from patients 

diagnosed with neuromuscular disease; protein-nucleic acid 

interactions, specifically the relationship between ribosomal 

proteins and RNA; and the mechanisms involved in the disease 

processes of cataractogenesis and glaucoma. As Special Assistant to the Director of NEI, I undertake special assignments on 

behalf of the Director, involving program planning, science 

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NEI

policy, intramural and extramural assignments, and special 

initiatives necessary to accomplish the mission of NEI. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Although I had always wanted to be a scientist, I had the opportunity to see first-hand what that entailed while in college. 

As a student researcher at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 

I learned how to formulate a hypothesis, design and implement 

experiments, and critically analyze data. When I finished the 

10-week program, I knew that science was the path my career 

should take.

A second pivotal event was the transition from bench scientist 

to science administrator. With the birth of my daughter, I found 

that I needed to rethink my career. At the Foundation Fighting 

Blindness (FFB), I learned the “business end” of a grants program. I served as a spokesperson for a variety of media sources, 

e.g., taped/live radio and national/local newspapers and presented public testimony at congressional briefings. I participated in partnerships with pharmaceutical/biotechnological 

corporations. I found that science administration could be as 

satisfying and challenging as bench science.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

During my research endeavors, I’ve had the opportunity to supervise and mentor the work of technicians, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates. It has been a rich 

experience for me. I found that getting to know each mentored 

individual not only as a scientist, but as a person, greatly assisted in making the learning experience more satisfying and 

rewarding for both of us. 

Balancing a personal life with professional responsibilities 

can be a challenge. My biggest challenge occurred when my 

husband and I were ready to start a family. The entire pregnancy was fraught with difficulties and my daughter was born 3 

months premature. After her birth and during her first year, we 

struggled with her many health issues. At the same time, I juggled a full-time job—planning and carrying out experiments, 

and writing publications. My NEI supervisor was exceptionally 

supportive and worked closely with me during this time.

INSIGHTS

As a Science Executive with 20 years’ experience in research 

and administration in government, nonprofit, and corporate 

environments, I have learned that science can take you in many 

different directions and they can all be equally rewarding. 

From research on protein-nucleic acid interactions to studying the mechanisms involved in cataract formation to managing a grants portfolio as the Director of Grants and Awards for 

a nonprofit foundation, it has all been a wonderful learning 

experience. Not only for the contributions made to research 

or the collaborations made with other scientists and funding 

institutions, but for the relationships forged along the way. 

These experiences enabled my return to the NEI to serve as 

Special Assistant to the Director. In this capacity, I stay abreast 

of current developments and advances in vision research, and 

maintain an awareness of national efforts in NEI program areas 

by attending and representing the NEI Director at professional 

society meetings, national/international workshops, conferences, and symposia. I develop concept plans for future NEI 

research, programmatic, or policy initiatives. I participate in 

the identification of emerging scientific developments, which 

are of interest to the NEI and recommend program plans and 

strategies for dissemination of information. I develop and 

implement new policies, procedures, and science initiatives 

to meet the goals set by the Director. An example of this is the 

National Ophthalmic Disease Genotyping (eyeGENETM) Network, which involves a partnership of extramural laboratories 

and eye healthcare providers across the vision community. 

My one observation throughout this journey has been that every 

experience is a learning opportunity. Yes, even those that don’t 

turn out exactly as you planned. Take advantage of every opportunity to interact with others. Serve on committees, work 

on special projects, and network, network, network. There is a 

huge resource of help and information out there, if you’re just 

willing to reach out and look for it.

S. Patricia Becerra, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator and Chief, Protein Structure and 

Function Section, Laboratory of Retinal Cell and 

Molecular Biology, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry) University 

of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, 1979

B.Sc.: (Chemistry, Biology) 

University Cayetano Heredia, 

Lima, Peru, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Structure-function relationships 

of proteins with current emphasis 

in the biochemistry and molecular 

biology of proteins affecting 

the retina

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My mentors played an important role in inspiring my career. 

Most of them were women with strong careers, enthusiasm for 

science, and a good sense of balance between work and family 

life. However, my husband’s encouragement and support was 

decisive in my continued dedication to science. A first paper 

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NEI

accepted without revisions, a patent issued by the U.S. government, tenure given by the NIH, and the success of postdocs, 

all have contributed to my continued service to science. The 

Tenure-track Program at the NIH has had a positive effect on 

my profession. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

Our laboratory seeks to achieve its research goal through 

cutting-edge basic research and training of junior scientists 

in aspects of RPE/retina related science that are critical to the 

mission of NEI. The training of scientists is one of the most 

important activities and a privilege in my scientific life. The 

responsibility of being a role model for trainees has motivated me to seek a sound preparation for this task, be available, 

receptive and sensitive to mentees. Our research group has 

had postdoctoral fellows that share enthusiasm for science, 

appreciate cultural and individual differences, and enjoy networking and building a scientific and social community. 

During my postdoctoral years, I was exposed to outstanding 

women scientists. One of them gave me advice at a crucial 

time in my career: family and science are to be the main priorities in your life, she said, while another emphasized the 

importance of establishing family as early as possible. Sharing science with my family is part of my life, as much as sharing my family with those in the lab. The availability of reliable 

childcare providers and schools along with good health, reasonable salaries, and understanding supervisors have been 

essential to maintaining a balance between my family and 

professional responsibilities.

Emily Y. Chew, M.D.

Deputy Clinical Director; Deputy Director, 

Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Medical Retina and 

Genetics) University of Nijmegen, 

Holland

Fellowship: (Medical Retina)

Wilmer Eye Institute, The

Johns Hopkins University

Residency: (Ophthalmology) 

University of Toronto, 1981

M.D.: School of Medicine at the 

University of Toronto, 1977

Undergraduate: (Science) University of British Columbia, 

(Arts & Sciences) University of Toronto

Six-year combined undergraduate and medical school 

program

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

My main areas of research are clinical studies, both epidemiologic and controlled clinical trials for retinal diseases, agerelated macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy, two leading causes of blindness in the United States. We 

collaborate with both intramural and extramural investigators 

on large multicenter trials. We also participate in translation 

research with our colleagues in basic science labs using animal 

models and others to evaluate hypotheses generated from epidemiologic data. We are particularly interested in the genetic 

studies of these retinal diseases. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

During my training as an ophthalmologist, I was inspired by 

a mentor who conducted research in retinoblastoma. She 

emphasized the importance of research in moving forward 

in helping our patients. This was further emphasized while I 

was at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, as 

a fellow working in the field of medical retina. This was a center 

that initiated a number of clinical studies, especially in the field 

of AMD and diabetic retinopathy. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

I am particularly proud to be a director of the Medical Retina 

Fellowship program at NEI and a mentor to medical students 

from the Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP) and the 

Howard Hughes Scholars at NIH. They become a vital part of my 

group as they bring in new perspective and enthusiasm. They 

have taught me a great deal and we have enjoyed watching them 

grow in their academic and personal lives. I have been very fortunate to have supportive and talented colleagues and we work 

as a team on our research and our training programs.

The most difficult part of my life is balancing the work, the 

mentoring, and research with the family. I am very fortunate 

to have a very supportive husband and three daughters. We have 

learned the importance of patience, flexibility, and the ability 

to enjoy every part of life. 

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NEI

Mary Frances Cotch, Ph.D.

Chief, Epidemiology Branch, Division of Epidemiology 

and Clinical Applications

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Epidemiology) The Johns 

Hopkins University, 1988 

B.A.: (Mathematics) University 

at Albany, State University 

of New York, 1983

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Epidemiology, understanding 

clinical and genetic aspects of 

disease within and across diverse 

populations, public health 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

At the start of my professional career, I had the opportunity to 

work on AIDS surveillance efforts in the District of Columbia. 

It was early in the HIV epidemic, and this experience gave me 

a fundamental understanding of the various aspects of doing 

fieldwork in an inner-city setting under difficult conditions. 

It also made me realize how important empathy is in collecting detailed information from individuals within an ethnically and economically diverse community and gave me an 

appreciation for important human facets to consider in the 

design and implementation of preventive and therapeutic 

intervention programs. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

While I was her student, my doctoral mentor had two children 

and still managed to advance from Assistant Professor to Full 

Professor. I learned from her the importance of organization, 

prioritization, and focus, and the need to select carefully among 

opportunities and to decline the rest. This approach worked 

for her, and I think it’s worked for me. I was fortunate to have 

the opportunity to establish my research career before having 

a family, and although the balancing of family with professional 

responsibilities is a constant challenge, it helps to plan ahead 

and have flexible scheduling, good child care, an understanding and supportive family, and a sense of humor.

Chyren Hunter, Ph.D.

Program Manager, Retinal Neuroscience, 

Division of Extramural Research (Former); 

Deputy Director, Division of Extramural Activities 

and Training Officer, Extramural Research Programs, 

National Institute on Aging

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Biomedical Sciences, 

Neurobiology) Mount Sinai 

School of Medicine, City 

University of New York, 1988

B.A.: (Bio-Psychology) Wesleyan 

University, 1978 

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Information processing and 

neural computation in 

sensory systems

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I have been blessed with caring family, mentors, and friends. 

Their support and guidance sustains me in my pursuit of new 

opportunities and challenges in my professional career. A 

pivotal event that affirmed my decision and desire to pursue 

a career in research occurred during my first postdoctoral 

position. This position was in a laboratory at the forefront 

of research on neurotransmitters in sensory systems. It was 

very gratifying to be fully engaged in this research and have 

my results selected for a platform session at an important international meeting. Adding new, significant knowledge to a 

field of research was a thrill; of personal significance is its reinforcement of my own internal barometer for success based 

on focused effort and hard work. This and other events helped 

confirm my interest in science and helped prepare me for my 

current position. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

My responsibilities during my tenure at the National Eye Institute and currently at the National Institute on Aging include 

helping new investigators acquire research funding. In addition to basic information on grant deadlines and opportunities, the new investigator often also seeks advice on navigating 

professional and personal challenges to their career success. 

This has required me to take on mentoring and advisory roles. 

Although time-consuming and demanding, it is gratifying 

to follow the career of an investigator, seeing their scientific 

accomplishments and accolades accumulate. In my own experience, my professional responsibilities are both a joy and 

a burden when it comes to balancing family and career. The 

myriad duties and tasks I am responsible for are both a joy and 

a refuge, where I am capable and confident. Time spent in my 

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NEI

professional career also means less time spent accompanying 

a parent to appointments and insuring that the family unit is 

running smoothly and is happy and fulfilled. My siblings and 

extended family represent an essential support system in navigating my professional and familial responsibilities.

Maryann Redford, D.D.S.

Program Director, Collaborative Clinical Research, 

Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Clinical Trials) The Johns 

Hopkins University School of 

Hygiene and Public Health, 

1998–1999

M.P.H.: (Epidemiology) 

Uniformed Services University 

of the Health Sciences, 1990

D.D.S.: 

Georgetown University, 1983 

B.S.: (Biology) Adelphi University, 1979

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Clinical research; multicenter clinical trials

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Several years after graduating from dental school, I was a practicing dentist and in the process of exploring the market to buy 

my own dental practice. In the course of that effort, I came to 

realize that, despite enjoying the interaction with patients, the 

day-to-day practice of clinical dentistry wasn’t satisfying my 

intellectual curiosity. In reaching out for guidance, I was fortunate to be introduced to a network of dynamic female health 

professionals who had built upon their clinical training to 

pursue careers in public health and research. Their enthusiasm 

for research careers was contagious and inspiring. Although 

not completely sure of where an additional degree would take 

me, I followed the lead of these women and went back to school 

and earned a Masters in Public Health (M.P.H.). 

One of the women I was lucky enough to be referred to was 

another dentist at NIH, Dushanka Kleinman. When we first 

met, Dushanka was a Program Director at the National Institute of Dental Research, but over the years, she assumed many 

leadership positions within the Institute and the U.S. Public 

Health Service. Dushanka encouraged me to earn the M.P.H. 

and guided me to my first position at NIH. She has continued 

to provide friendship and mentoring throughout my career and 

remains a valued friend and colleague. 

NIH has provided a stimulating and nurturing environment 

for professional growth and development. Another pivotal 

opportunity occurred when I was provided support by NIH 

to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins 

Center for Clinical Trials. I was truly fortunate to work closely 

with the founding father of the Center and a pioneer in clinical 

trials research, Curtis Meinert. Curt took me under his wing, 

oversaw my training, and mentored me in the art and science 

of multicenter clinical trials. This unique training experience 

enhanced my clinical research skills and launched me on an 

exciting and truly satisfying career track. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

It was a phone call to a complete stranger that started me on 

my sojourn as an NIH scientist. I appreciate the many people 

who have positively influenced my career path and try to be 

mindful that I too may be serving as a role model. I also make 

it a practice to talk to children about what they want to be when 

they grow up—especially girls—hoping to elicit some interest 

in science and medicine, but also to encourage them to believe 

that they can successfully pursue any profession they choose. 

My work with multicenter clinical trials involves considerable 

travel often impacting my weekends and occasional holidays. 

While this travel schedule takes away from family and personal 

time, the satisfaction I receive from working with these talented and dedicated study groups inspires me and more than 

makes up for the personal hardship. 

48
National Heart, 

Lung, and 

Blood Institute

NHLBI

Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D. Director

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Basic and 

Clinical Fellowship: 

(Cardiology) Brigham 

and Women’s Hospital, 

Harvard Medical School, 

Boston, 1987

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Hypertension) 

Brigham and Women’s 

Hospital, Harvard 

Medical School, 1984

M.D.: Cornell University Medical College, 1981

B.A.: (Psychology) St. Olaf College, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

For several decades, my research has focused on basic mechanisms of vascular diseases and on clinical research in the 

molecular and genetic targeting of treatments to blood vessel 

diseases. I have explored mechanisms of growth regulation 

of vascular smooth muscle cells by cell cycle proteins, and I 

have delineated the mechanisms that regulate the vascular 

proliferation and remodeling that lead to blood vessel blockages. Currently, my research focuses on the role of genetic 

factors in blood vessel diseases, including atherosclerosis and 

Hutchinson Gilford Progeria Syndrome, a rare, prematureaging syndrome.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

One important lesson that I have learned is to pay attention to 

patients’ signs and symptoms, reflect upon them, and try to 

understand aspects that “don’t make sense” through basic or 

clinical research. An example occurred during my early days 

as an Interventional Cardiologist at the University of Michigan when I took care of many patients with coronary blockages 

who required angioplasty. The high rates of coronary restenosis 

were not amenable to repeat device procedures, and I became 

intrigued by the biology of abnormal vascular remodeling, or 

coronary restenosis, that lead to their recurrent symptoms. 

These clinical insights have informed my basic and clinical 

research for the past 20 years. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing a career with family responsibilities is a challenge for 

women and men in all professions. My generation of women 

has gone through a transition when women typically pursued 

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NHLBI

their careers at home (my mother’s generation) to an expectation that women will lead fully balanced lives, integrating professional aspirations and family commitments (my daughters’ 

generation). My advice to my daughters is to find your passion 

and then pursue it “with all you’ve got”—don’t be afraid to live 

your dreams. You will find a way to balance your love of your 

career and your love of your family.

INSIGHTS

My second piece of advice is to find what you love to do, and 

then live it each and every day. It is about following your heart. 

I was lucky. I found my passion relatively early in life. I was 

always drawn to scientific research through my father, who 

was a chemist, but I also yearned for a human connection. I 

didn’t decide to pursue medicine until late in college, which 

required me to take premedical courses as a postbaccalaureate. This was unusual at the time, especially for a woman, but 

fortunately is much more common now. I was drawn to cardiology during my fourth year of medical school, and my love for 

medicine was further solidified that year as I spent 6 months 

with the Flying Doctors Service in East Africa. My career has 

taken twists and turns. We all face bumps in the road as well 

as major hurdles. But what has sustained me is my passion for 

medicine, patient care, and science. So my message to you is 

to find what you love to do in medicine and then don’t lose 

faith. Passion in your life’s work will sustain you through the 

good times and the bad times. Your work is going to fill a large 

part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do 

what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great 

work is to do what you love to do. 

Susan Blakely Shurin, M.D. Deputy Director

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Pediatric HematologyOncology) Children’s 

Hospital Medical Center, 

Boston, 1974–1977

Residency: (Pediatrics) 

Johns Hopkins Hospital, 

1971–1972; Boston City 

Hospital, 1972–1974

M.D.: The Johns Hopkins 

University School of 

Medicine, 1971

B.A.: (Biology) Harvard-Radcliffe, 1965

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Laboratory: Neutrophil physiology

Clinical: sickle cell disease, hemophilia, pediatric oncology, 

bioethics

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I had spectacular and inspired mentors in my family and among 

my teachers as a high school student, college undergraduate, and medical student. All encouraged me to do as much as 

I wanted, and to pursue a scientific and research career. As a 

fellow, I had a mentor who deliberately ensured that I learned 

useful political and management skills, and that I appreciated 

the importance of collaboration, networking, and building and 

repairing relationships (skills that are often neglected in the 

mentoring of young scientists). 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My older son was born when I was a fourth-year medical student and my younger was born when I was chief resident in 

pediatrics. My entire professional career has been spent meeting both sets of responsibilities.

I have been an active and involved teacher since I was an intern 

in pediatrics. I was a director of a training program and clinical 

division for 17 years, responsible for training medical students, 

house officers, and fellows, as well as for nurturing the careers 

of junior faculty. Four of my students and trainees are now on 

the faculty at Case Western Reserve University; 4 of my Ph.D. 

and M.D./Ph.D. students are on the faculty at other universities; and 12 of my trainees (residents and students) are on the 

faculty at several hospitals and universities. In my present position, I mentor professional staff and trainees at the NHLBI. 

INSIGHTS

My grandmother’s sister was the second woman to graduate 

from Washington University Medical School (in 1922), and my 

grandfather was a pediatrician. Both assumed that a woman 

had to choose between a family and a career. Graduating from 

college, I was terrified that I would be bored or be stuck doing 

work that wasn’t meaningful. I entered a medical school class 

that included 15 women out of 77 students. The prevailing attitude—even at Johns Hopkins, which was unusual in being willing to accept women—was that a woman (especially a married 

woman) was taking the place of a man, and did not really belong 

in medical school. I was determined not to have to choose between having a family and a career. I was fortunate not to require much sleep, and have never regretted my choices. What 

I have loved the most is the sense that in science and in medicine, there really are no upper limits—one never knows or masters everything, and there is always more to do. 

As my career developed, I found that I needed new challenges 

to keep growing. It was challenging to find “next steps” that met 

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my needs and that were as meaningful as teaching, doing research, and taking care of patients. I have found my later career 

choices to be even more personal than my earlier ones, because 

they have required that I know more about myself than I knew 

when I entered the profession. My colleagues have had more 

varied success at making later career shifts than they have had 

with their more uniformly successful primary career choices. 

Perhaps most important has been learning to recognize “success.” Early on, others define success for you. As you mature, 

you really have to define it for yourself. I spent a lot of time 

trying not to look inward, because I felt that “it wasn’t about 

me.” I now recognize more vividly that an effective servant–

leader must have insight and self-awareness that is an expansive, rather than an introspective, process. It is exciting to 

know that one can continue to grow life-long. 

Cecilia Wen-Ya Lo, Ph.D. Chief, Laboratory of Developmental Biology and 

Director, Genetics and Developmental Biology Center, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

Harvard Medical School, 

1980

Ph.D.: (Cell and 

Developmental Biology) 

Rockefeller University, 1979

B.S.: (Biology) 

Massachusetts Institute of 

Technology, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The main research focus of my laboratory is on elucidating 

the genetic basis for human congenital heart disease. We use 

mouse models together with genetic, cell, and molecular, and 

imaging tools to unravel the developmental mechanisms that 

regulate and pattern cardiovascular development. Findings 

from our mouse models have provided the basis for several 

ongoing translational projects on children with complex congenital heart disease. The long-term goal of these studies is to 

help improve the standard of care and the prognosis for children with congenital heart disease.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I had two teachers who really stimulated my interest in science 

and taught me how to think—a science teacher in 7th grade 

(Mr. Inguii in IS161), and an advanced placement (AP) biology 

teacher in 12th grade (Mrs. Shapiro at Bronx High School of 

Science). They both challenged me with questions for which 

there are not necessarily any answers and showed me how to 

think for myself. They showed me the scientific process at its 

best. They gave me the joy of learning, which to me is what a 

career in scientific research is all about.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Unfortunately, at my previous institution (University of Pennsylvania), there were no female role models. I was one of three 

female professors in the Biology Department, which comprised 

28 faculty, and neither of the other two women had children. 

Perhaps because of this, I did not have children until long after 

I was tenured, a decision I regret now. However, at the time, I 

did not think having a family was an option given my dedication 

to my career. I felt it would have been unfair to have children 

because I thought I would not have sufficient time to devote to 

raising them. Knowing what I know now, I would have done 

some things much differently.

INSIGHTS

Being a woman in science is not easy, and in reality, being a scientist, male or female, is not easy. However, I do think women 

often carry more than half the load, if nothing else, at least 

during the 9 months of pregnancy! I think there is something 

to the old saying that if there is a will, there is a way. Clearly, 

many women have been able to balance having a family with 

a very successful career. Our Institute director, Dr. Nabel, is a 

great example! From my own personal experience, nothing can 

compare with having a child to love and watching him or her 

grow, and when you have one (or more), somehow you make 

it work. The key to success is being highly organized, both at 

home and at work, and having a network of support, either by 

way of school, spouse, family, friends, nannies, and/or babysitters. I think young women today need to know that it is possible 

to balance the demands of a successful career in science with 

those of a family—it just takes careful planning and purposeful 

action. The good news is that now there is much more public 

awareness and support for women who are balancing family 

life with a career. I have never regretted having my son, only 

regretted that I did not have him much earlier.

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Helena O. Mishoe, Ph.D. Rear Admiral, U.S. Public Health Service; Associate 

Director for Minority Health Affairs and Director, 

Office of Research Training and Minority Health 

EDUCATION

M.P.H.: (Health Services 

Administration) Uniformed 

Services University School 

of Medicine, 2002

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

NICDR, Laboratory of Oral 

Medicine, 1987–1988

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

NIDDK, Laboratory 

of Chemical Biology, 

1984–1987

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

NIAID, Laboratory of Biology of Viruses, 1981–1984

Ph.D.: (Microbiology) Georgetown University, 

School of Medicine, 1981

B.S.: (Biology) Delaware State University, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My expertise is in molecular biology and gene expression in 

DNA tumor viruses, hemoglobinopathies, and diabetes. As 

a program director, my portfolio included stem cell biology 

and transplantation, and blood cell development. Of particular note, I developed an initiative entitled, “Stem Cell Transplantation to Establish Allochimerism” that was among the 

first efforts to focus on a nonmyeloablative approach to significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with 

transplantation and provide a potentially curative therapeutic 

option previously unavailable to the hemoglobinopathy patient 

population. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The most pivotal event that affected my success as a scientist 

was my commissioning into the United States Public Health 

Service (USPHS). The USPHS’ day-to-day oversight and management is the responsibility of the U.S. Surgeon General. Our 

service is composed of 11 public health professional disciplines 

with the common mission of protecting the health and safety 

of the Nation. As a Scientist Officer, I have had the opportunity 

to work with scientists across the Nation and abroad in both 

agencies within and outside of the Department of Health and 

Human Services. This extraordinary exposure to other scientific disciplines with various perspectives in approaching scientific problems has been invaluable. In 2005, I was appointed 

by the Surgeon General to serve as Chief Scientist Officer. This 

opportunity has provided even greater exposure to view public 

health across the 11 professional disciplines. I was recently 

promoted to the rank of Assistant Surgeon General. The Public 

Health Service has provided me with a phenomenal skill set 

that has been central to my success as a scientist.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

In contrast to the laboratory setting, the extramural program 

provides mentoring opportunities at various general schedule 

(GS) levels. Mentoring is very important because it allows me 

to listen, as well as share personal challenges, with the hope 

of helping others. Currently, I work most closely with students 

whose career goal is either graduate or medical school. In addition, I spend time sharing my experiences with mid- and 

senior-level individuals in the workplace. I also utilize mentors for guidance as well as share my failures and successes. 

Regarding appropriate balance between professional responsibilities and family, I remained continuously challenged by 

this important need. With previous responsibilities to elderly 

parents that both suffered from stroke and related complications, to my own immediate family, and meeting professional 

responsibilities, I have sometimes felt that excellence in all 

areas is difficult to achieve. We must learn to take better care 

of ourselves so that we are able to serve others in their time 

of need.

INSIGHTS

I challenge myself daily to model the following values: leadership, integrity, excellence, and service. Illustrative of leadership and service, the following quote has become my motto,

“Because of my title, I was the first one to enter here. I shall be 

the last to go out.”—Duchesse d’Alencon, refusing help during a fire at a 

Paris charity bazaar in 1897.

Regarding excellence, I routinely share the following with my 

students, other mentees, as well as a personal reminder, “It is 

better to be prepared and not have an opportunity than to have 

an opportunity and not be prepared.” In addition, I encourage 

taking on new challenges, always be willing to volunteer, writing down your goals, and keeping track of your successes. Let 

each of us prepare to lend the next generation our hopes and 

dreams as others have so generously given to us.

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Martha Vaughan, M.D. Chief, Section on Metabolic Regulation, Translational 

Medicine Branch, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Research Fellow: 

Laboratory of Cellular 

Physiology, National Heart 

Institute, 1952–1954

Research Fellow: 

Department of Research 

Medicine, University of 

Pennsylvania, 1951–1952

Intern: Medical Service, 

New Haven Hospital, 

1950–1951 

Research Fellow: 

Department of Physiological Chemistry, Yale University, 1949 

M.D.: Yale University School of Medicine, 1949

Ph.B.: University of Chicago, 1944

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Current research on signal transduction and ADP-ribosylation factors emerged more than 15 years ago from our earlier studies of mechanisms of action of hormones that involve 

GTP-binding regulatory proteins and of cholera toxin, which 

mimics certain effects of those hormones. After we showed 

that the toxin is an ADP-ribosyltransferase, others using the 

toxin enzyme as an experimental tool found that it was activated by a 20-kDa GTP-binding protein, which they named 

ADP-ribosylation factor, or ARF. To define the mechanism of 

its action on cholera toxin, we purified ARF—in fact two different ARFs—from bovine brain, cloned multiple ARFs from 

diverse organisms, and investigated gene structures to define 

three classes of human ARFs. This classification continues to 

provide a useful framework for relating and comparing the 

ubiquitous ARF molecules, which are so similar in all eukaryotes. When a critical role for two yeast ARFs in protein secretion and vesicular trafficking was reported, we initiated studies 

to identify guanine nucleotide-exchange proteins (GEPs) that 

would activate specific human ARFs and thereby regulate their 

action. We continue to demonstrate novel, often surprising, 

activities of some of these molecules that contain, in addition 

to the signature Sec7 domain responsible for GEP activity, several other potentially functional sequences. Thus far, we have 

characterized only a few of these and related even fewer to the 

ARF-activating function.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

This is impossible for me. I cannot decide at what date to place 

“success,” or the “event(s).”

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Throughout my life, at many different times and places, I have 

enjoyed and benefited from the kindness, assistance, and 

advice of teachers, colleagues, and friends. I cannot recall, 

however, any of these related to “balancing family with professional responsibilities.” In the 1950s, it was not a problem that 

concerned many people. For the extent to which we succeeded 

in that endeavor, I am grateful to my husband, Jack Orloff, also 

a physician–scientist, and our three wonderful sons. It would 

not have been possible, however, had I not learned early in my 

life how responsible, caring families “work” to be that way. 

INSIGHTS

My contributions as a “mentor or model for women who are 

going into science careers” are probably less than those of more 

recent medical school graduates, because during the first decades, none of my postdoctoral fellows or other professional 

colleagues were women. In those years, relatively few M.D.s, 

men or women, were involved in biomedical research. Then, as 

before and since, my goal was to help all students, fellows, and 

other coworkers to learn to make informed, thoughtful, and responsible decisions followed up by effective implementation, 

whether in the sphere of laboratory investigation, patient care, 

or personal and family concerns.

Diane E. Bild, M.D.

Deputy Director, 

Division of Prevention and Population Sciences

EDUCATION

M.P.H.: (Epidemiology) 

University of Michigan, 1984

Residency: (Internal 

Medicine) Medical College 

of Wisconsin, 1983

M.D.: University of Illinois, 1980

B.S.: (Biology) 

University of Illinois, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Through my training in Internal Medicine, I became interested 

in chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart 

disease, which affected most of the patients I encountered. 

More important, I became interested in their prevention, 

which seemed to be a better way to improve quality of life than 

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treatment, which is often not completely effective. Through my 

training in epidemiology, I learned the methods for identifying risk factors for disease and later applied this to diabetes complications and heart disease. As the Project Officer for 

several large population-based epidemiology studies, I became 

interested in ethnic differences in cardiovascular disease 

(CVD) risk, prevention of CVD, and subclinical CVD measurement. One specific area of recent interest has been the identification of early or subclinical CVD through noninvasive testing, 

using these methods to understand the development of disease, 

and determining whether such tests have clinical value.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The first turning point in my career came when I discovered the 

Public Health Service Epidemiology Training Program Fellowship, a program that encouraged and facilitated physicians to 

become epidemiologists. At the time, I was looking for a way to 

apply my internal medicine training to preventive medicine. 

That opportunity led me into the field of epidemiology and preventive medicine.

The second major turning point came several years later, when 

I accepted a position in the Division of Epidemiology and 

Clinical Applications at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood 

Institute, where I have remained for 18 years (though the Division has changed its name). NHLBI has provided a place for my 

career to develop both breadth and depth while also allowing 

balance in my life.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The key to balancing family and professional responsibilities 

is to have a lot of help at home. The flexibility that NIH offered 

was also very important. I worked part-time for several years 

to keep my work life and home life in balance. I have been able 

to meet the school bus, attend daytime school events, and be at 

home when needed. However, I have not identified any “magic 

bullet” that makes it all fall into place easily—it is hard work! 

Dorothy Berlin Gail, Ph.D.

Chief, Lung Biology and Disease Branch, 

Division of Lung Diseases

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Physiology), 

Georgetown University, 1973

M.A.: (Physiology) 

Boston University, 1968

B.A.: (Zoology) 

Hunter College, 1966

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My laboratory research was in the 

field of lung cell biology. Specific 

areas included regulation of the lung surfactant system, nonrespiratory, or “metabolic” functions of lung cells, including protein synthesis and metabolism, and the effects of 

anesthetic agents on lung function. It has been extremely 

rewarding for me to have had the opportunity to continue to 

contribute to lung cell biology research as part of my responsibilities in the extramural program phase of my career. These 

responsibilities now include other areas of lung research as 

well, including acute lung injury, lung developmental biology, 

pediatric lung disease, interstitial lung diseases, and pulmonary vascular biology.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

In 1970, my husband and I moved to Washington, DC, so he 

could fulfill his military obligation. I met with Dr. Estelle 

Ramey, Professor of Physiology at Georgetown University, to 

ask about job openings for a laboratory technician. We talked 

for a while and then she leaned back and looked me over. “You 

do not want to be a technician,” she informed me, “you want to 

go for your Ph.D.” I hesitantly agreed, but told her that I would 

be in DC for 2 years and could not possibly complete my Ph.D. 

in time. “Nonsense!!” she said. “Just get started. It will be ok. 

Trust me. Find an advisor, and get to work!” 

And I did. I found an advisor, received my Ph.D., and worked 

in research and then as a health scientist administrator and 

Branch Chief at the NHLBI. None of this would have been possible without Dr. Ramey’s support and encouragement. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Clearly, mentoring is a key factor in building one’s career. Everyone needs a mentor, and ideally, more than one, in every 

career phase. My thesis advisor and his colleague and wife have 

been my mentors for over 30 years. Their support has been invaluable. I very much enjoy mentoring young people who come 

to work in the Branch and the Division. Several have gone onto 

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become professionals in science or other fields. Changes in the 

workplace including flextime and telecommuting are helping 

staff deal with challenges of balancing family. These are great 

innovations, which I strongly support. 

Alice M. Mascette, M.D.

Chief, Heart Failure & Arrhythmias Branch, 

Division of Cardiovascular Diseases

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Cardiology) Walter 

Reed Army Medical Center, 1987

Residency: (Internal Medicine) 

Walter Reed Army Medical 

Center, 1983

M.D.: Georgetown University 

School of Medicine, 1980

B.A.: (Biology and Psychology) 

Cornell University, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am a Program Director of the Heart Failure Clinical Research 

Network, a collaboration of eight regional coordinating centers 

and a data coordinating center established to promote research 

in the diagnosis and management of heart failure. 

I am also the Chief of the Heart Failure & Arrhythmias Branch, 

which conducts and manages an integrated basic and clinical 

research program to study normal cardiac function and pathogenesis to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of 

heart failure and arrhythmias. In addition, the branch supports 

research in myocardial protection and resuscitation science.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I was the first woman selected to the cardiology fellowship program at Walter Reed, and 11 years later, was the first woman to 

be selected as a teaching chief, directing a fellowship training 

program, in the Army. Being the first of anything imposes a 

certain set of performance standards that compel one to do the 

best job possible. I thoroughly enjoyed the process of clinical 

teaching and training and find it one of the most rewarding aspects of medicine. The transition to the much broader arena 

of multicenter clinical trials at the NHLBI translates to a far 

greater impact on public health and clinical practice. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Women still constitute a definite minority of cardiologists and 

as long as that’s the case, I think there will be a chain of mentoring. I was inspired by the female cardiologist (Dr. Esther 

Ocuin) who helped teach me angiography and angioplasty in 

the catheterization laboratory and I helped some young women 

with their own career choice of cardiology who have gone onto 

be mentors for yet another generation of women. I was sent a 

newspaper article recently about a woman I mentored and the 

women in cardiology she went onto influence. So that’s a nice 

example of a direct lineage of women helping women in their 

career choice in cardiology. 

The field of clinical interventional cardiology is a demanding one in terms of hours, call schedules, emergencies, and 

the physical demands of working at meticulous procedures 

while wearing a leaded apron and jacket. For many women, 

the time spent doing procedures involving radiation makes 

planning a family complicated. Luckily, the field of cardiology 

is broad with alternate areas of specialization that can provide 

a work environment that can be made more family-friendly. 

The type of work that we do on the extramural side of NHLBI 

creating and managing new initiatives and clinical trials provides a wonderful opportunity to approximate the type of work 

week that most people have and allows the opportunity to have 

a richer family life. 

Susan E. Old, Ph.D.

Acting Deputy Director, 

Division of Cardiovascular Diseases

EDUCATION

Senior Staff Fellow: National Eye 

Institute, NIH, 1991–1994

Staff Fellow: National Eye Institute, NIH, 1989–1991

Postdoctoral Research Fellow: 

Division of Pediatric Neurology, 

Columbia University College of 

Physicians & Surgeons, 1987–1988

Ph.D.: (Human Genetics) 

University of Michigan, 1987

B.S.: (Biological Sciences) 

University of California, Irvine, 1981

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

I began my research experience as an undergraduate, and 

continued as a research technician, prior to going to graduate school in human genetics. My hands-on research experiences were in molecular genetics and protein chemistry. Since 

taking on an extramural scientist position, my areas of scientific interest have expanded to include genetics, genomics, 

proteomics, bioinformatics, and systems biology.

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PIVOTAL EVENTS

Early in my career, I moved from doing bench science to 

science management and administration. This led to tremendous scientific growth and career opportunities. The 

chance to shape research direction, enhance the scientific 

enterprise, and explore creative leadership models provides 

great personal and career satisfaction. I have found the keys 

to being successful are mentorship, networking, and team 

building. Developing viable and positive mentoring relationships is essential. I was fortunate to engage successful individuals in mentoring relationships and I took advantage of 

the guidance and opportunities they provided. In addition, 

opportunities to interact with influential and creative people 

within and across the NIH Institutes/Centers, as well as with 

leading academic scientists, were instrumental for success. 

Early in my career, I participated in and led trans-NIH and 

trans-NHLBI groups (both strategic vision and program 

management). This facilitated access to innovative thinking 

and enabled my ability to move new ideas forward. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I attribute much of my success to finding and engaging successful individuals in a mentoring relationship. Mentoring takes 

the time and energy of everyone involved, so having clear goals 

and expectations is helpful. In turn, I have mentored others to 

help them reach their career goals. Being able to help others 

also helps me focus on and grow toward my career goals. 

I have been very fortunate to be able to balance family with my 

professional responsibilities. Having priorities is important, 

and my family is at the top of my priority list. I have been allowed the flexibility, both at home and at work, to be able to 

participate fully in my children’s activities. I have tried to provide similar flexibility for those who work with me. The ability to be organized and multitask, as well as having people who 

support you, makes the balancing act possible.

Gail D. Pearson, M.D., Sc.D.

Chief, Heart Development and Structural Diseases 

Branch, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Pediatric Cardiology) Children’s National Medical 

Center, 1994–1997

Internship and residency: 

(Pediatrics) Children’s National 

Medical Center, 1991–1994

M.D.: The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1991

Sc.D.: (Health Policy and 

Economics) The Johns Hopkins 

University School of Hygiene and Public Health, 1990

M.P.A.: (Health Care Management) 

American University, 1978

B.A.: (Sociology) University of Michigan, 1974 

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Pediatric cardiology encompasses many different conditions 

with varied physiological implications for the affected children. 

Systematic evidence on which to make treatment decisions has 

been limited by small numbers of patients and the absence of 

an infrastructure to support multicenter studies. My principal 

research activity here at NHLBI has been to establish and participate as a scientific partner in the Pediatric Heart Network, 

www.PediatricHeartNetwork.org. Since 2001, we have designed 

and launched four randomized trials and three observational 

studies. One of the trials, a randomized comparison of two 

surgical strategies for the first-stage repair of hypoplastic 

left heart syndrome, is a landmark for the field because of the 

surgical community’s recommendation for and agreement to 

participate in randomization. Another trial, comparing the effects of losartan vs. atenolol on aortic root growth in individuals 

with Marfan syndrome, is based on exciting findings in mouse 

models of Marfan syndrome and offers the unique opportunity 

to determine whether these findings can be translated to children and young adults.

I am interested in all aspects of pediatric translational and 

clinical research, and also represent NHLBI in several pediatric scientific and policy activities across NIH, and with outside 

groups such as the American Heart Association. 

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PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a pediatric cardiology fellow, I was often frustrated by the 

need to base medical decisions on experience and anecdote 

rather than systematic evidence, and envisioned an academic 

career that would help change this. My career path diverged, 

however, when the call came from NHLBI to discuss joining 

their extramural staff. I recalled the words of a medical school 

mentor who had encouraged me to consider many career options, so I approached this opportunity with curiosity and an 

open mind. Joining NHLBI and developing the Pediatric Heart 

Network, while also continuing to treat children with heart 

disease, have given me unprecedented opportunities to bring 

evidence-based medicine to pediatric cardiology. The Network 

opens many scientific doors and allows me to work with and 

learn from many talented individuals, and my patients provide 

an essential perspective that informs the clinical research. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I see life as a continuous learning experience, so for me, being 

mentored is an ongoing process involving multiple relationships over time. I have received superb advice from colleagues 

and friends and as a result, have learned the value of thinking 

outside the box and forging novel collaborations. Mentoring 

others is also an important part of my professional life, and is 

as valuable to me as the advice I receive from others. 

Meeting family and professional obligations requires dexterous juggling and accepting that the occasional ball will fall on 

your head. Having a wonderful husband who is a full partner 

in parenting helps enormously, and having shared interests 

makes family time more cohesive. I have learned to delegate 

and use electronic resources to improve efficiency at home 

and at work. Finally, I have been fortunate to work in an environment that supports professional flexibility in the interests 

of improving science.

Denise G. Simons-Morton, M.D., Ph.D.

Senior Scientific Advisor, 

Division of Prevention and Population Sciences

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Epidemiology, 

minor in Biostatistics) 

University of Texas School of 

Public Health, Houston, 1991

Postdoctoral Fellow: Training 

Program in Behavioral Research 

(NIH Training Grant), Center for 

Health Promotion R&D, University of Texas Health Science 

Center, Houston, 1987–1989

M.P.H.: The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene 

and Public Health, 1982

Resident: (Preventive Medicine) University of Maryland 

School of Medicine, 1980–1983

Residency: (Family Practice) University of Maryland, 

School of Medicine, 1980–1981

M.D.: University of Maryland School of Medicine, 

Baltimore, MD, 1979

B.S.: (Zoology & Psychology) University of Maryland, 

College Park, 1973

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I have been a Project Officer and scientific collaborator on numerous clinical trials relevant to prevention of cardiovascular 

diseases. Topics include effects of dietary interventions on 

blood cholesterol or blood pressure, effects of treatment strategies for diabetes on cardiovascular disease events, effects of 

behavioral approaches on healthcare-seeking behaviors, and 

approaches to improve cardiovascular-related health behaviors. I am an expert in clinical-trial design, including trials 

using individual-level as well as group-level randomization. 

My primary research interests are clinical trials testing lifestyle 

approaches and risk factor treatments for primary prevention 

of cardiovascular disease.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My sixth-grade teacher, Mr. Sell, gave me C’s because he said I 

could “do better.” This was very motivating—as I really wanted 

As. I worked harder as a consequence, and continue to work 

hard until this day. My Ph.D. advisor, Fred Annegers, always 

paused to think before he answered a student’s questions, resulting in very thoughtful answers. This was a good role model, 

and one I hope one day to emulate. My husband, Bruce Si57
mons-Morton, himself a behavioral scientist, taught me about 

the complex nature of behaviors as they relate to health. I believe that behaviors strongly affect health; this area is a major 

focus of my research activities.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As a junior faculty member in academia, I had no real mentor. 

It was difficult to figure out what to do to advance my career. 

However, when I came to the NHLBI, Jeffrey Cutler became my 

supervisor and mentor. I learned a great deal from him about 

the importance of a scientific evidence base for new research 

and the need to attend to details. 

Balancing family with professional responsibilities has been 

a struggle throughout my two children’s lives, from infancy 

through teenage years. Being able to equally split household 

responsibilities was extremely important, as was making it a 

priority to leave the office at a reasonable hour. Now that my 

children have left home, I try to balance professional responsibilities with personal growth activities. I believe we need a 

balanced life for mental and physical health. Achieving this, 

however, sometimes requires forgoing professional opportunities. 

Sonia I. Skarlatos, Ph.D.

Acting Director, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases

EDUCATION 

Senior Staff Fellow: (Atherosclerosis) NIH/NHLBI, 1985–1992

Ph.D.: (Physiology) Pennsylvania 

State University, 1985

M.S.: (Biology) Shippensburg 

State University, 1982

B.S.: (Biology) Shippensburg 

State University, 1981

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

I became involved in research on lipids and lipoproteins early 

in my career within the intramural research program at the 

NHLBI. In 1992, I moved to the NHLBI Extramural Program 

where I continued my interest in cardiovascular diseases by developing, overseeing, and managing programs in atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and gene therapy. As the gene 

therapy coordinator, I ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of ongoing NHLBI gene therapy clinical trials.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

When I moved to the Extramural Program, I had experience 

in planning experiments, analyzing data, and writing manuscripts, but I had no research administration experience. Thus, 

my first goal was to obtain fundamental knowledge and perspectives on how to successfully perform my duties as a health 

scientist administrator (HSA). I successfully competed for a 

position in the NIH Health Scientist Administrator Program. 

This 1-year program was essential for my career, because it 

provided an excellent knowledge of my position and a network 

of colleagues across the NIH. However, the most pivotal event 

in my career was to take the initiative to identify and arrange 

to have an outstanding mentor. From the start, my mentor involved me in promising and high-visibility programs, gave me 

the opportunity to assume responsibility for these programs, 

provided access to senior leadership in the Division and the 

Institute, and provided insight into the dynamics of NIH. With 

hard work coupled with creative approaches to problems, 

senior leadership recognized my capabilities. This was the beginning of a very rewarding career as an extramural scientist: 

from HSA to acting director of an extramural division that supports over $1.3 billion in grants and contracts.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Over the years, I have enjoyed mentoring staff at different 

levels—from support staff to professional staff. I have engaged staff in helping me with different projects, motivated 

them to develop their own projects, and encouraged them 

to be proactive in seeking new responsibilities. As a woman 

scientist, it was not always easy to balance family and professional responsibilities. I already had a family by the time I 

went to graduate school, so I learned to manage my time well. 

The ability to plan ahead and organize my day-to-day activities became very useful when I started as a fellow at the NIH, 

and later as an HSA. Experiments never start at 9 am or end 

at 5 pm, nor do the responsibilities of senior-level extramural 

positions. In addition, keeping physically fit by running three 

miles each day has given me the stamina to successfully meet 

professional and family demands. 

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Gail G. Weinmann, M.D.

Deputy Director, Division of Lung Diseases

EDUCATION

Pulmonary Research Fellow: 

The Johns Hopkins University 

School of Hygiene and Public 

Health, 1981–1983

Pulmonary Clinical Fellow: 

The Johns Hopkins University 

Hospital, 1980–1981

Pulmonary Research Fellow: 

Cardiovascular Research 

Institute, San Francisco, CA, 1979–1980

Resident: (Straight Medicine) University of California 

Medical Institution, San Francisco, CA, 1978–1979

Resident: (Straight Medicine) 

Georgetown University Hospital, 1976–1978

M.D.: Cornell University Medical College, 

New York, New York, 1976

A.B.: (Biology) Barnard College, New York, New York, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My past research, while in academics, included high-frequency 

ventilation, airway control, and the health effects of groundlevel ozone exposure. Initially, after arriving at the NIH, I supervised chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 

environmental lung diseases research, followed by research 

across airways diseases, including asthma, COPD, and cystic 

fibrosis, and now across all lung diseases. The research varies 

from basic mechanisms to phase III trials evaluating new therapies, and includes training and educational activities.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Becoming a scientist is a life-long process with many branch 

points. An important factor was always being in an environment in which research was a top priority. These environments 

provided support, infrastructure, mentors, and like-minded 

colleagues, all of which create a rich basis from which to grow.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentors are extremely important and they are everywhere. 

One mentor may be for the overall scientific direction, one 

for hands-on help in the lab, and another for ways to mentor 

others. A champion is important early in a career as an advocate 

and guide through the initial steps on the career ladder.

When you love what you do, a balance between family and work 

comes naturally, but will require decisions, based upon each 

personal situation and preferences. One family may be content 

with and able to afford outside child or parent care, and another 

may not. One family may choose a transcontinental commute, 

another a transcontinental move. Work and family are always 

evolving and full of surprises, so an open mind and flexibility 

are important.

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National NHGRI

Human 

Genome 

Research 

Institute

Joan Ellen Bailey-Wilson, Ph.D. Senior Investigator and Head, Statistical Genetics 

Section and Co-Chief, Inherited Disease Research 

Branch, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Training: (Sta-

tistical Genetics) Louisiana 

State University Medical 

Center, 1980–1982

Ph.D.: (Medical Genetics/

Biomathematics) Indiana 

University, 1981

B.A.: (Biology) Western 

Maryland College, 1975

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genetic epidemiology of 

complex diseases; genetic susceptibility to lung cancer, pros-

tate cancer, breast cancer, myopia, and other eye diseases, and 

cleft lip and palate; gene–environment interactions; develop-

ment and evaluation of statistical genetics methods

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My parents encouraged my early interests in science and, at a 

time when it was uncommon, never suggested that a little girl 

should NOT want a chemistry set and a microscope for Christ-

mas! They sacrificed to get them for me and to help me attain 

my goals. Having grown up during the Depression, they always 

said that a good education was the one thing no one could take 

away from you! Their pride in my every accomplishment and 

their unfailing belief that I could be a scientist were critical to 

my success. In college, Dr. Jean Kerschner, a wonderful female 

geneticist, ignited my interest in genetics. My graduate school 

mentors, Drs. Joe Christian and John and Judy Gersting, fur-

thered my interests in statistical genetics and computing. Fi-

nally, Dr. Robert Elston, my postdoctoral advisor, long-term 

friend, and colleague increased my statistical knowledge, my 

ability to think critically, and my mentoring abilities.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring young scientists is something I enjoy immensely! I 

was so lucky to have wonderful mentors, who guided me in sci-

ence and in how to balance family and career. My husband (a 

statistical geneticist and my co-Branch Chief) and I have always 

considered ourselves colleagues rather than competitors, and 

we share family responsibilities equally. We owe a lot of that to 

our mentors, who were all devoted to their families. We learned 

the team approach from the Gerstings, mathematics/computer 

scientists at our graduate school who were passionate about 

their careers, each other, and their two wonderful little boys! 

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NHGRI

From Robert Elston (with four great kids) I learned to review/

write/edit articles while waiting at ballet or soccer practice—so 

you can be there for your family, and still get your work done 

efficiently! But most importantly, don’t expect your house or 

life to be perfect, and don’t sweat the small stuff!

INSIGHTS

When I was growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, it was unusual 

for a woman to have a career. A high school guidance counselor 

advised me that college was a waste of time since I would “just 

get married and have kids.” My response was, “Why can’t I do 

ALL of that?” I have seen science, and our culture, change so 

that now my daughter (like my son) has never been told she 

“can’t” pursue her career of choice. Most of my colleagues, 

both male and female, have spouses/partners and children. As 

current President of the International Genetic Epidemiology 

Society, collaborator on successful grants, tenured Senior Investigator at the NIH with over 150 publications, and a devoted 

wife and mother, I hope that young people will see that they 

can have a good life AND be a good scientist! You CAN do “all 

of that” and enjoy it!

Elaine A. Ostrander, Ph.D. Senior Investigator and Head, Comparative Genetics 

Section and Chief, Cancer Genetics Branch, Division 

of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Microbiology 

and Immunology) 

Oregon Health Services 

University, 1987

B.S.: (Medical Technology) 

University of Washington, 

1981

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My laboratory is broadly interested in the question of 

mammalian genetic variation and we are using two 

approaches to explore this topic. Advances from the human 

genome project have proven critical to our studies of genetic 

variants that contribute to breast and prostate cancer in highrisk families and individuals from the general population. Our 

work has led to clearer understanding of the role of the BRCA1 

and BRCA2 genes, as well as an understanding of factors that 

play a role in prostate cancer susceptibility, aggressiveness, 

or progression. 

In a second avenue of work, we have led the field in developing the canine system as a model for understanding the role 

of genetic variation in disease susceptibility, morphology, and 

behavior. Toward that end, we have and continue to identify 

genes contributing to diseases of interest for both humans and 

companion animals that have proven difficult to study in small, 

limited, human families. Our most recent work has focused on 

finding genes that control growth regulation in dog breeds differing in size and shape which, when gone awry, likely play a 

role in cancer susceptibility and progression. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

While finalizing my Ph.D. thesis, I had succeeded in isolating 

1g of an extremely valuable DNA sample. As I admired my 

handiwork, the tube slipped, spilling all over my laboratory 

bench paper. Hearing my screams, a graduate student from an 

adjacent lab ran over and announced that we should try to save 

the sample. In two sleepless days, we reisolated 95 percent of 

the DNA leading to a published paper aptly titled, “Isolation of 

Critical DNA Samples from Laboratory Bench Paper” by Ostrander, Maslen, and Hallick. 

That single experience bonded us, leading to a 25-year personal 

and professional relationship that encompasses our experimental quests, manuscript euphoria, grant writing struggles, 

family life frustrations, and marital puzzles. It does not take an 

army of cheerleaders to survive as a scientist; it takes just one 

strong friendship born of common experiences, compassion, 

shared goals, and reciprocal mentorship. I am forever grateful 

I found that. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

While pregnant with my first child, I developed complications. 

As I lay in the hospital listening to my baby’s heartbeat, one of 

my unbelievably energetic graduate students walked in and announced that since I was hospitalized and away from the phone, 

it would be a good chance for us to work on a paper together. I 

was momentarily taken aback, but then decided why not? We 

got the paper done, the student is now a fellow at Harvard, and 

I have learned so much from my students about how to just get 

things done. Each day presents a set of conflicting choices and 

there is no magic formula for organizing your time. My advice 

to other women is to never feel guilty, integrate your family into 

your work life as much as possible, and see each challenge as an 

opportunity to grow together. 

INSIGHTS

I have been very fortunate throughout my career to work with 

extremely talented people at all levels. These relationships and 

scientific collaborations have resulted in numerous discoveries 

that have been published in high-impact journals. These accomplishments have surpassed my wildest imagination, and I 

owe it to my family and the many scientific collaborators I have 

been fortunate to work with over the last several years. 

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Throughout my research career, I’ve learned three important 

things. First, your family must always be your first priority. 

They are the only people who love you unconditionally and 

without that knowledge, you will ultimately falter. Second, talented and generous collaborators are a rarity and need to be 

treated as such. And lastly, many of my most significant papers 

were taken up a notch by the contributions of specialists in 

statistical genetics, epidemiology, or phylogenetics, and out 

of those experiences have been born life-long friendships and 

collaborations. 

It is also important to note that the questions you seek to 

answer at the start of your career may not be the ones that 

present themselves to you on a silver platter. Flexibility is 

key. Science is about satisfying curiosities, making novel 

discoveries, and for a few moments every now and again, 

being the only person on the planet who knows how something works. Having a job where your goal is to understand 

how life works is an unbelievable privilege. I want my 

daughters to know I made a difference in the world, and in 

doing so, I want to see them shoot for the stars as well.

Jane Louise Peterson, Ph.D. Program Director, Large-scale Sequencing Program and 

Associate Director, Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctorate: 

(Molecular Biophysics 

and Biochemistry) Yale 

University, 1975–1978

Ph.D.: (Molecular, Cellular 

and Developmental Biology) 

University of Colorado, 1975

B.S.: (Biology) 

Western College, 1969

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genomics: Comparative 

sequencing, medical sequencing, Human Microbiome 

Project, The Cancer Genome Atlas, Knockout Mouse Project

PIVOTAL EVENT

My career in genomics has been guided by a series of experiences. I was fortunate that my early interests led to work 

in laboratories where I studied chromatin. When I made the 

decision to leave the bench, my first science administration 

experience at NSF was quite broad and included working with 

a “Women in Science” program. I then moved to NIGMS to a 

program focused on chromatin research. When the idea for the 

Human Genome Project (HGP) arose at NIH, its initial home 

was in NIGMS, where I was working in a small DNA sequencing 

program. As the project evolved, I was fortunate to work on it, 

resulting in 15 years of one “pivotal” event after another. I owe 

my success largely to inspiration and guidance from the leaders 

I have been fortunate to work with: Dr. Watson, Dr. Collins, and 

the outstanding grantees in genomic sequencing. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring throughout my career has allowed me to help 

women find their places in science. With each encounter, I 

learn more about life, science, people, careers, and opportunities. Young women today are savvier about career paths than 

I was at their ages and I often get more from the interactions 

than I give! Mentoring is a lot of fun and it gives me tremendous energy for my own work.

In raising two children, I experienced the challenges of balancing my commitment to science and home. It is demanding and requires sacrifices, but is rewarded by the joy of seeing 

one’s children find their own passions. One child shares my 

love of science (medical student) and the other, who heard 

“genome politics” at dinner, developed a passion for politics 

(environmental lobbyist). As is often true, this balancing act 

could not have happened without the support of my husband 

and children. 

INSIGHTS

The experience of watching the HGP develop from an idea to 

early implementation and then through a rapid redefinition as 

the technology and strategy changed, has been the journey of 

a lifetime. The experience of working on a new, controversial, 

and high-profile project came with challenges and demanded 

innovative approaches as compared to more established programs. For example, working on the HGP required that I develop an ability to change directions frequently, take risks, think 

innovatively about how to get the job done, maximize flexibility 

within a bureaucracy, and use and extend my scientific background in nontraditional ways. Subsequently, I have had the 

opportunity to lead several trans-NIH projects that grew out 

of the HGP. This has given me the opportunity to continue to 

use these skills in other NIH programs. Learning these lessons 

and applying them has made for a rewarding, fun, and exciting 

career. I feel fortunate that now I can share the excitement that 

I have for genomics with a new generation of students through 

lectures and personal interactions.

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NHGRI

Pamela L. Schwartzberg, M.D., Ph.D. Senior Investigator and Head, Cell Signaling Section, 

Genetic Disease Research Branch, Division of 

Intramural Research

EDUCATION 

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

National Cancer Institute 

1993–1997 

Internship: (Pediatrics) 

Boston Children’s 

Hospital, 1993

M.D./Ph.D.: (Molecular 

Biology) Columbia 

University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1992

B.S.: (Biochemistry) 

Princeton University, 1981

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Lymphocyte signal transduction, T cell differentiation, 

immune responses to infectious disease, disease mechanisms 

in primary immunodeficiencies 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

During my training, I have been fortunate to have a series of 

wonderful mentors, including Stephen Goff, Elizabeth Robertson, and Harold Varmus. Among the most important gifts 

they gave me in my training was the freedom to pursue my 

own interests and projects. Even as a technician working for 

Steve Goff, I was told, “go to the library and figure out what you 

would like to do.” There is a tremendous amount of trust and 

responsibility that is bestowed upon you when you are given 

this gift early in your career and ultimately, I think that having 

that freedom is what allows you to become an independent scientist. To be successful in science, I always think one has to be 

“bitten by the scientific bug.” Being able to take ownership of 

my work early on certainly had a tremendous influence on my 

interest and drive in science. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I try to instill in my trainees the excitement and wonder of 

science, and also provide the support and freedom to pursue 

their own interests. It takes a certain amount of trust, but 

I think that is important for your trainees and having been 

given that gift, it is one that I hope to share. I suspect that I 

will always find balancing family and science a challenge. 

Science for me can be all-encompassing—I never have enough 

time to learn all I want. Having said that, I would find balancing 

near impossible without the strong support of my partner, Alan 

Kimmel, who is also an investigator at NIH and who has been 

a tremendous intellectual and emotional support, in addition 

to being an incredible father. For me, it has been essential to 

have strong support systems both at home and from colleagues 

at work, and I have been fortunate. 

INSIGHTS

One of the most important influences on my career has been 

the decision to join the intramural faculty of the NIH. The 

interactive environment and collegiality of the intramural 

program at NIH, combined with its broad depth and diverse 

range of interests, has provided me with a wealth of scientific 

interactions, and has greatly contributed to the direction and 

success of my work. In particular, both the NHGRI and the immunological community on campus have incredible strengths 

and have provided me with wonderful colleagues and a great 

intellectual community. NIH is a great place to do science and 

I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work here.

Julia Angela Segre, Ph.D. Senior Investigator and Head, Epithelial Biology 

Section, Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Training: 

(Molecular Genetics and 

Cell Biology) University 

of Chicago, 1996–2000

Ph.D.: (Genetics) 

MIT, 1996

B.A.: (Mathematics) 

Amherst College, 1987

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Gene-environment interactions at the skin surface 

that result in dermatologic disorders

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Strangely, the event with the most impact on my success as 

a scientist was the most devastating. I was “scooped” on my 

Ph.D. thesis research, which means that just as I was finalizing 

my research discovery, I found that similar experiments were 

being published by a competing group. Although it was initially 

painful, I never regretted my hard work and personal dedication, because through this I found the love of scientific inquiry. 

From that moment on, I have always been sure that my goal as 

a scientist is to satisfy my own curiosity and not for glory. This 

freedom has enabled me to confidently strive to answer challenging questions, to follow my own interests, and not worry if 

the path is unconventional.

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NHGRI

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I’ve been lucky or perhaps astute enough to only work for and 

with people whom I respect tremendously, which includes 

during my Ph.D. and postdoctoral training and in my current position. My grandparents, parents, sisters, and husband have always been my greatest supporters, sharing my 

respect for intellectual pursuits and providing the environment in which I can “go for it.” While on tenure-track, I’ve 

had two daughters (now aged 3 and 5) and I’ve loved being 

a mom more than I ever imagined. There’s no substitute for 

time spent with my daughters, so I never compromise this. 

Although it is a constant juggling act, I remain deeply committed to being a scientist, mentor, mentee, wife, daughter, 

granddaughter, sister and mother.

INSIGHTS

I was a mathematics major in college, and I was the first 

woman in my department to be awarded summa cum laude 

on my undergraduate thesis. Although there were very few 

other women in my math and physics classes, these skills 

have prevented me from being intimidated by data analysis 

that requires quantitative or computational skills. I’ve never 

believed that “girls can’t do math.”

I’ve really valued my friendships with other women scientists 

who have opened up their lives to me. These friendships have 

guided and supported me through challenges including job 

searches, returning to work after childbirth, and the tenure 

process. The world is changing and senior male colleagues, 

who have their own daughters trying to combine successful careers and families, have been some of my most unexpected, but 

strongest, supporters. 

Laura Elnitski, Ph.D.

Investigator and Head, Genomic Functional Analysis 

Section, Genome Technology Branch, Division of 

Intramural Research

EDUCATION

National Research Service Award 

(NRSA) Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Comparative Genomics) 

Pennsylvania State University, 

2001–2004

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry and 

Molecular Biology) Pennsylvania 

State University, 1998

B.S.: (Molecular and Cellular 

Biology) Pennsylvania State 

University, 1991

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The major aims of the Genomic Functional Analysis Section are 

to identify cis- and trans-acting functional elements in vertebrate genomes. Approaches I use to find these elements incorporate computational and experimental components, including 

whole-genome comparative analyses, machine-learning techniques, and laboratory testing. Major projects in my group aim 

to (1) identify bidirectional promoters in the human genome 

and elucidate their involvement in cancer, (2) understand 

the relationship between sequence-based regulatory features 

and expression patterns from alternative promoters, and (3) 

develop high-throughput assays to identify silencer elements 

throughout the human genome. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Early in my graduate career, I transferred from an esteemed, 

scientific training program to a smaller academic department. 

Although the scope and opportunities differed in my new environment, I found myself surrounded by exuberant scientists, 

whose mentoring was pivotal toward my scientific development. Over the course of those ensuing years, whole-genome 

comparative analysis projects were developing in the research 

community. The experience of participating in those projects meant that I could observe how statisticians, geneticists, 

and programmers conducted their research. I watched as 

leaders in the field assembled enormous amounts of data into 

focused conclusions. I also met colleagues with whom I have 

forged long-term collaborations. No matter which career 

stage I was in (including now), I found motivation in the idea 

of making significant contributions toward the betterment of 

human health. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The best mentoring prepares trainees for success on their 

own. When I mentor people, I strive to make them aware of 

the expectations of the research community: strong basic 

skills, a professional network, and the ability to recognize 

opportunities. Most importantly, I encourage people to cultivate independent thoughts and have confidence in their 

own ideas. Mentors provide the opportunity to excel, yet the 

motivation necessary for achievement rests within one’s self. 

Patience and perseverance are the best lessons I’ve learned 

while pursuing a research career.

Academic research frequently requires exceptional hours to 

fulfill the obligations of work, sometimes creating a direct 

conflict with the expectations of the outside world. I find that 

no magic formula exists for all situations, and the best solution 

is to determine one’s own comfortable balance between work, 

family, and self. Prioritize projects for work, form a support 

system to help with children, and seek advice when needed. 

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NHGRI

Bettie J. Graham, Ph.D.

Associate Director and Program Director, 

Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION

Grants Associate Program: 

NIH, 1978–1979 

Staff Fellow: 

(DNA Viruses) National Cancer 

Institute, 1974–1978

Postdoctoral Fellowship: (RNA 

Tumor Viruses) Albert Einstein 

College of Medicine, 1971–1974 

Ph.D.: (Virology) 

Baylor College of Medicine, 1971

B.S.: (Biology/Chemistry) Texas Southern University, 1962

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genomics, technology development for genomic sciences, and 

training and career development.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I was very fortunate to have parents who valued education and 

supported my thirst for knowledge. In my early years, I had 

outstanding and committed teachers who instilled the importance of learning the basics, demanded excellence, and 

provided extracurricular activities in mathematics and the 

sciences. My first introduction to research was as an undergraduate, and while I did not participate in my advisor’s research project, I was exposed to the research environment. I 

received my first introduction to research at Baylor, where I 

received my doctoral degree. The quality of the faculty and the 

range of research topics provided me with a rich introduction 

to virology. My mentor was very involved in ensuring that my 

academic and career development goals equaled or exceeded 

my expectations. Throughout my career, all my mentors have 

been outstanding, supportive, and committed to my success as 

a scientist (research and management).

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring complements didactic and on-the-job training. It 

provides direction to one’s career. Without mentoring, individuals may find the path that leads to their success uncertain 

and often with barriers that are difficult to overcome. Mentoring is important at all stages of one’s career. In the case of the 

extramural program, new health scientist administrators who 

come from academia or industry need an orientation to NIH’s 

extramural programs in order to make their tasks easier. Given 

my wealth of knowledge and experience about the NIH, I provide such an orientation and am always available to provide 

advice to new and seasoned health scientist administrators.

Marjan Huizing, Ph.D.

Associate Investigator and Head, Cell Biology of 

Metabolic Disorders Unit, Medical Genetics Branch, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Research Fellow: Medical Genetics 

Branch, NHGRI, NIH, 2002–2003

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow: 

Heritable Disorders Branch, 

NICHD, NIH, 1998–2002

Ph.D.: (Medical Sciences) 

Nijmegen University, 

Netherlands, 1998

Teacher’s degree: (Science and 

Biology) Wageningen University, Netherlands, 1993

Internship: (Molecular Biology) Monash University, 

Melbourne, Australia, 1991–1992

M.S.: (Molecular Biology and Biochemistry) Wageningen 

University, Netherlands, 1992

B.S.: (Molecular Life Sciences) Wageningen University, 

Netherlands, 1990

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Cell biology of human metabolic disorders; the study of 

patients’ cells with rare biochemical diseases to elucidate 

(unknown) intracellular pathways and processes; special 

interests include intracellular formation and trafficking of 

lysosome-related organelles, mitochondrial membrane transport, glycobiology, and sialic acid metabolism.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a graduate student, I had the opportunity to perform parts 

of my research in different laboratories, including at Monash 

University (Melbourne, Australia), the Max Planck Institute 

(Gottingen, Germany), University of Bari (Italy), and The Wadsworth Center (Albany, NY, USA). In each of these laboratories, 

I learned new aspects of approaches to scientific research, 

experimental design, laboratory etiquette, and interpersonal 

contacts. In each of these settings, I also had to adjust to living 

in a different country and speaking a foreign language. These 

experiences have helped me get a broad view on how things 

work in scientific research, in collaborations, and in adjusting 

to different laboratory situations and techniques. These experiences were challenging and adventurous and certainly influenced me to become the person and scientist that I am today. 

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have had good mentors throughout my career. My mentors 

were strong role models for me, giving me opportunities to 

develop further as a scientist. I strive to be an equally good 

mentor by helping students feel responsible and enthusiastic 

about their work, integrating them into research projects, providing encouragement and praise, and giving them opportunities to present their work at scientific meetings. 

I am driven by enthusiasm for challenges and adventure in 

my personal life as well. In addition to traveling throughout 

the world, I also compete internationally in athletic competitions, including speed-skating, rowing, running, cycling, 

and triathlons. I won the 1999 amateur world championships 

duathlon, and several U.S. duathlon national championships. 

The attempt to combine laboratory research, athletic competitions, travel, and social life is a challenge by itself. I believe that 

enthusiasm and drive for whatever you take on in life are vital 

factors to succeed. 

Laura M. Koehly, Ph.D.

Investigator and Head, Social Network Methods 

Section, Social and Behavioral Research Branch, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Quantitative Psychology) 

University of Illinois at 

Urbana-Champaign, 1996

M.S.: (Statistics) 

University of Illinois at 

Urbana-Champaign, 1995

A.M.: (Quantitative Psychology) 

University of Illinois at 

Urbana-Champaign, 1994

B.S.: (Psychology, Statistics) 

University of California, Davis, 1989

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Social network methods, family systems, hereditary risk dissemination, communal aspects of coping with hereditary risk, 

network-based interventions

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I attribute my success to the people along my career path who 

have gone above and beyond to help me grow professionally, 

and my determination in pursuing my research interests. Early 

in my career, one of my professors was instrumental in guiding 

me toward a discipline that excites me still! A chance meeting at 

a conference led to a postdoctoral experience that focused my 

interests on families as they communicate about and cope with 

hereditary disease. I was persistent in pursuing my research 

interests, which did not fit within the mainstream of my field. I 

trusted that the direction of my work would make an important 

contribution to the field and have important implications in 

translational work. Since arriving at NHGRI, the community 

of scientists, their clear investment in my success, and interest 

and support of my innovative approach to studying families has 

been a significant contributor to my accomplishments.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The mentoring that I received as a young researcher was pivotal 

in moving me toward my professional goals. One of the most 

important aspects of my current position is providing similar 

support and guidance toward the professional development 

of my postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and trainees. 

Sometimes this comes at a cost, as I need to shift my focus away 

from the work at hand, but the growth and success of my fellows 

is essential. 

Since I do not have children and am not married, the challenge 

for me is creating a balanced life for myself. Often, I find my 

research and the demands of my work-related responsibilities 

take up my evenings and weekends. I need to consciously force 

myself out of that pattern and create time that is focused on 

nonwork-related activities. A successful balance between work 

and play grounds me so that I am a better mentor. 

Donna Krasnewich, M.D., Ph.D.

Deputy Clinical Director

EDUCATION

Residency: (Pediatrics) Children’s 

National Medical Center, 1989

Internship: (Pediatrics) 

University of Minnesota, 1987

M.D.: 

Wayne State University, 1986 

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology) 

Wayne State University, 1986

BS: (Cell Biology) 

University of Michigan, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Congenital disorders of glycosylation, metabolic disorders 

in children

NHGRI

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PIVOTAL EVENTS

During pediatric residency, my mentors explained that there 

is something learned from every clinical situation. Children 

showed me how to learn, their parents taught me how to listen, 

and astute clinicians honed my knowledge base and judgment. However, it was one newborn with significant visible 

differences, born into a family struggling to cope, who helped 

me recognize that there is more to medicine. Clinical research 

requires both the ability to analyze data and the recognition 

that each affected individual makes a contribution to medical 

knowledge. Treating each subject with respect creates a research environment conducive to a successful project. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

A supportive personal network is the key to both mentoring 

and balancing family with professional responsibilities. While 

maintaining my career, I raised three children, one with significant disabilities, because I had a supportive husband, strong 

clinical colleagues, and a network of women to discuss work 

and life strategies. There is no question that we need to support the younger members of our community in their quest to 

be both happy at home and academically successful. We listen, 

we advise, we support, and we teach by example. When problems arise, no matter how big or small, we address them with 

honesty and concrete solutions. Mentoring is much like raising children; doing it successfully requires patience, a sense of 

humor, and flexibility. The rewards are boundless.

Teri A. Manolio, M.D., Ph.D.

Director, Office of Population Genomics and Senior 

Advisor to the Director, NHGRI, for Population 

Genomics, Office of the Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Human Genetics/Genetic 

Epidemiology) The Johns Hopkins 

University School of Hygiene and 

Public Health, 2001

M.Hlth.Sc.: (Epidemiology) The 

Johns Hopkins University School 

of Hygiene and Public Health, 

1987

M.D.: University of Maryland at 

Baltimore, 1980

B.S.: (Biochemistry) University of Maryland at College Park, 

1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genome-wide association in complex diseases, modification 

of genetic associations by nongenetic factors, risk factors for 

subclinical cardiovascular disease, impact of self-defined race/

ethnicity and ancestral origin on genetic associations

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Two pivotal events in my NIH career were both fortuitous and 

providential—becoming the project officer of the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) in 1987, and becoming involved 

in nascent population-based studies of genetic variation 

in 2003. I inherited the massive effort that became CHS 6 

months after joining NHLBI, when the prior project officer 

unexpectedly stepped down. Though totally unprepared, I was 

incredibly fortunate to work with and learn from true giants 

in cardiovascular epidemiology who showed me, step by step, 

how to develop and lead a successful cohort study. Sixteen 

years later, experience gained in CHS and similar studies 

led to the opportunity to work with Francis Collins and colleagues in developing a large-scale prospective study of genes 

and environment. This eventually produced a well fleshedout study design, a series of preparatory research projects, 

and ultimately led to my moving to NHGRI to apply genomic 

technologies to population studies.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have been most fortunate in the mentors I’ve had and in the 

colleagues I’ve mentored, and found that one of the best ways to 

facilitate mentoring is to find ways to be useful to your mentor, 

to unload them of time-consuming tasks, so that they have time 

to devote to you. I’ve also been struck by the enormous satisfaction I receive from seeing someone I’ve mentored develop and 

grow, even when they’ve followed my advice.

Balancing family demands has generally been easier for 

me than for my colleagues, as I do not have children, so 

I’ve often had more flexibility in expanding my hours when 

something particularly exciting was going on. As my parents 

have aged, however, I’ve increasingly encountered the need 

for sudden absences from work and am gratified by the support I receive from my colleagues in my attempts to meet 

these new obligations. 

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Colleen M. McBride, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator and Head, Public Health Genomics 

Section and Chief, Social and Behavioral Research 

Branch, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION                   

Postdoctoral Training: 

(Health Services Research) 

Group Health Cooperative, 1992

Ph.D.: (Behavioral Epidemiology) 

University of Minnesota, 

Minneapolis, 1990

M.A.: (Sociology) University 

of Arizona, Tucson, 1982

B.A.: (Sociology) University 

of Wisconsin, Madison, 1980

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Developing effective population-based interventions for health 

behavior change, using genetic risk feedback to motivate behavior change, reducing disparities in health outcomes

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Being awarded my first NIH R01 grant as an independent investigator was a very powerful affirmation that I had support 

for my ideas from my peers. I worked very hard on the grant, 

taking over a year to carefully construct my argument and study 

design, picked a team of great scientists whom I also liked a lot, 

and gave the effort my full-force focus. The hard work paid off; 

I got the grant on the first try. It was life-altering in that it had 

been such a labor of love through which I had followed my own 

instincts and then it was all punctuated by such a terrific happy 

ending. This experience infused me with the mix of confidence 

and fire-in-the-gut motivation that I believe has been critical 

to my success. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have had the great good fortune to have had several outstanding and tough mentors. That said, mentoring has been and 

continues to be by far the greatest challenge for me as a scientist. Finding the optimal balance between being critical while 

nurturing the independent intellectual spirit of a junior scientist is an elusive and continuing challenge. But when I do have a 

moment of mentoring chemistry between myself and a junior 

scientist, there is nothing I do that is as satisfying. 

I am no expert at balancing personal and professional responsibilities. I try simply to recognize signs that my spirit is 

flagging and take time to regenerate and restore. Most of that 

comes from regularly getting away from the work, really away, 

off the cell phone, e-mail and blackberry, and turning full attention to the other important areas of life.

Yardena Samuels, Ph.D.

Tenure-Track Investigator and Head, Molecular 

Cancer Genetics Section, Cancer Genetics Branch, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: The 

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive 

Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins 

University School of Medicine, 

2003–2006

Ph.D.: (Molecular Cancer Biology) 

Ludwig Institute for Cancer 

Research, Imperial College, 

London, 2002

M.Sc.: (Immunology and Cancer 

Research) Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Medical 

School, 1997 

B.Sc.: (Cancer and Genetics) Newnham College, 

Cambridge University, 1993

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Cancer genetics: Identification of genes that are mutated in 

melanoma and the elucidation of the cellular pathways that 

these alterations perturb; functional evaluation of mutant 

PI3Ka, which is one of the most highly mutated oncogenes in 

human cancer

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Ever since I could remember, I was drawn to science, from 

writing stories at an early age about biological systems to 

doing mini-chemistry experiments at home. However, I never 

showed a clear preference for any particular scientific discipline until the day we found out that a member of my family had 

cancer. From that day, I found myself sitting with my books, 

studying more biology. During my B.Sc. at Cambridge, I read 

about Bert Vogelstein’s genetic model of colorectal tumorigenesis. Its ingenuity struck me and compelled into this field. 

Much later, during my postdoc, I was part of a group that discovered and characterized mutations in the PIK3CA gene. 

This event strengthened my conviction that my scientific path 

was to pursue cancer genetics as a means of understanding 

tumorigenesis and thereby combating it. These three events 

had a reinforcing power that I want to be part of a community 

of people that contribute to the understanding and treatment 

of cancer.

NHGRI

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NHGRI

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing my family and my scientific career is not always easy. 

It requires delicate tweaking to be both the best mother and 

the best scientist I can be. Balancing the two successfully stems 

from good fortune and enormous support from my husband, 

colleagues, and mentors.

I was fortunate to do my postdoctoral training with mentors 

who had a compassionate attitude with respect to my first 

pregnancy. My pregnancy couldn’t have come at a more exciting and challenging time in my scientific development. I was 

part of a rather demanding project, the support of my mentors 

and fellow postdocs were crucial for its successful completion. 

My second pregnancy came at an equally challenging time, 

while I was setting up a lab at NHGRI. Once again, with enormous help from supervisors, colleagues, and mentees, the lab 

operated smoothly during my maternity leave. Having such 

people around gives one great confidence and a feeling of being 

very fortunate. 

Ellen Sidransky, M.D.

Senior Investigator and Head, Molecular 

Neurogenetics Section, Medical Genetics Branch, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

NIH Interinstitute Genetics 

Fellowship, 1989

Residency: (Pediatrics) 

Northwestern University, 1984

M.D.: Tulane University 

School of Medicine, 1981

B.A.: (Biology) 

Brandeis University, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Human genetics, lysosmal storage disorders, Mendelian disorders, Gaucher disease, genetic modifiers

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Balancing different aspects of my research, both at the bench 

and the bedside, has been most important in my success as a 

scientist. I am continually amazed by how the patients whom I 

encounter in the clinic have driven my research directions. For 

example, the evaluation of a patient with Gaucher disease who 

had features of parkinsonism subsequently led to my discovery 

of a link between mutations in the Gaucher gene and Parkinson disease and may contribute to a better understanding of 

both disorders. Likewise, observations made in the laboratory 

have resulted in some of my most important clinical insights. 

The unexpectedly severe phenotype of a mouse model of Gaucher disease helped me to recognize a similar lethal phenotype 

in human newborns. The ability to translate findings in both 

the basic research and clinical arenas has greatly enriched my 

career, and has helped to keep it interesting and meaningful.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

During my 19-year career at the NIH, I have raised four children. While at times this has been challenging, exhausting, and 

even frustrating, I believe that the experience has made me a 

better scientist, manager, clinician, and person. In many ways, 

the demands of family seemed to limit my scientific productivity, but, in the long run I believe that the skills, prioritization, 

and efficiency that I had to develop because of my busy life have 

ultimately benefited my career. Also caring for a sick parent or 

child provided me with insights into the frustrations and needs 

of my patients. The parenting experience has also made me a 

better mentor, for through the differences in each of my children, I have come to appreciate the different needs, talents, 

and learning styles of trainees. This has also provided me with 

a greater understanding of their struggles, accomplishments, 

and successes. 

Yingzi Yang, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator and Head, Developmental 

Genetics Section, Genetic Disease Research Branch, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION 

Postdoctoral Fellow: 

(Molecular Genetics) 

Harvard University, 1996–2000

Ph.D.: (Molecular Biology), 

Weill Medical College of 

Cornell University, 1996

B.S.: (Biophysics) 

Fudan University, China, 1988

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genetics of mammalian embryonic development

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I was brought up in a family that loves science. I like science 

also because I was good at math and science when I was a kid. 

I was fortunate enough to get in one of the most prestigious 

Universities in China, where I received my first rigorous scientific training. My career in biomedical science was greatly 

influenced by Dr. Lee Niswander, who was my graduate school 

mentor, and Dr. Andy McMahon, who was my postdoctoral 

mentor. Both Lee and Andy are the world’s most renowned 

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NHGRI

scientists in the research fields of molecular genetics and developmental biology. They let me understand that to have a successful scientific career, one has to have the true passion for 

science and be dedicated, persistent, fair, and unbiased. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I think mentoring and training the next generation of biomedical scientists is one of my most important responsibilities as a 

lab head. I hope that trainees in my lab will learn how to think 

independently, identify the fundamental questions in science, and come up with appropriate and novel approaches to 

find answers to the questions. I believe my daily interactions 

with them play a bigger role in influencing their thoughts and 

attitudes about science and career. 

Science is a demanding career. As a woman with a family, I 

think I am lucky to have a very understanding husband who has 

been very supportive to my career. I was able to stay at work for 

long hours and travel several times a year if needed. To spend 

quality time with my family, I try hard not to bring work home 

and make the best use of my flexible schedule.

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NIA

National 

Institute 

on Aging

Judith A. Salerno, M.D. Deputy Director (Former)

EDUCATION 

M.D.: Harvard Medical 

School, 1985

S.M.: (Health Policy 

and Management) 

Harvard School of 

Public Health, 1976 

B.A.: (History/

College Studies) 

Stonehill College, 1973

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Long-term care, career 

development programs, arts, and aging

PIVOTAL EVENTS

After a rewarding professional career as a health policy analyst, I decided that I was better suited to a career in medicine 

and science. Asking myself, “Why not follow your dreams?” I 

returned to school to take more undergraduate science courses 

and found myself, nearing age 30, competing for grades with 

18- and 19-year olds. I recall one of my chemistry professors 

suggesting that I was “too old” to take up science and, worse yet, 

medicine, especially if I wished to have a family. Without question, his doubts about my career choices were uppermost in my 

mind while I worked toward an “A” in his course. He motivated 

me to achieve and to learn science, albeit through my refusal to 

accept his cynicism and disapproval. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As a single mother with three teenaged children, I frequently 

feel “off balance.” I have always worked to support my family, 

even during my years of clinical training, but I can’t imagine 

a life without my career. Over the years, I have become comfortable with the perspective that either professional responsibilities or family may be on the “front burner” at any given 

time—never both together—but there will always be something 

on the stove! I have been fortunate to have good friends who 

can leap into help me, good supervisors who understand my 

priorities, and great children who are very forgiving if I can’t 

make it to every soccer and baseball game. My female role 

models were few and far between, but I remember (and thank) 

each and every one.

INSIGHTS

My “second career” has given me the opportunity to work in 

different professional settings and experience a variety of 

ways a physician–scientist can serve numerous communities. 

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NIA

For example, I have built a geriatric medicine program in an 

academic health center, developed a fellowship training program in geriatrics, been actively involved with a consortium of 

community health organizations, worked in a laboratory doing 

clinical neuroscience research, and been in the thick of health 

policy decisionmaking at the highest levels of government. 

Now, my work at NIA allows me to draw from all these past experiences to advance the mission of our Institute—to encourage 

and support biomedical research, the development of research 

resources, and research training, as well as improve public understanding of the health of our aging population.

I would strongly recommend that women be undaunted about 

letting their colleagues know when, on occasion, personal or 

family responsibilities need to take priority, while always remembering that the rewards of a family need not exclude a satisfying professional life and that both can sustain you through 

the peaks and valleys of life. 

J Taylor Harden, Ph.D., R.N. Acting Deputy Director; 

Assistant to the Director for Special Populations

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.:(Psycho-Gerontology/Psychiatric Mental 

Health Nursing) University 

of Texas at Austin, 1989 

M.S.: (Psych-Mental Health 

Nursing) University of 

Maryland at Baltimore, 1977 

B.S.N.: University of 

Maryland at Baltimore, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

D r . H a r d e n h a s w i d e -

ranging research and teaching interests in aging; her core 

research interests are prevention and health promotion for 

older, minority women, with emphasis on behavioral interventions as well as functional and psychosocial outcomes.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As an African American female, product of public schools in 

Washington, DC, and the first in my family to attend college, 

I wanted to help others in a profession that also offered security and flexibility—a career in nursing seemed appropriate. 

After obtaining a baccalaureate degree in nursing, I became a 

military nurse, where my interest in physical and mental health 

and health promotion grew. But the focus gradually changed 

from acute illness in young adults to chronic health conditions 

in older adults and from clinical practice to clinical research, 

leading to a Ph.D. in nursing, with emphasis in research and 

psycho-gerontology. Being selected an NIH Extramural Associate made a critical difference in my tenure as a scientist 

in aging research. I was mentored by Dr. Miriam Kelty from 

the National Institute on Aging and Dr. Gertrude McFarland, 

then of the Division of Research Grants and now, Center for 

Scientific Review. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My career mentors in aging have modeled the critical dynamics of priority setting and balancing family with professional 

responsibilities. A helpful management illustration, taught 

early in my career and remembered often, involves a glass jar, 

rocks, stones, pebbles, sand, and water. First, I was asked to 

put the rocks in the jar and then asked the question, “is the jar 

full?” After adding each of the items in a succession of rounds, 

I was asked, “is the jar full?” Finally, I was asked to add water. 

The water saturated the sand, covered the pebbles, stones, and 

rocks, and spilled over the top of the jar. The lesson became 

clear—your family, friends, and mentors are the rocks, and 

room must be made for them as a first priority, work and professional responsibilities will seep in to fill all other available 

space. Learn what is important and make priorities. 

INSIGHTS

In a professional life dedicated to higher education and aging 

research, the various administrative and leadership positions I have held have deepened my commitment to improve 

not only the quantity, but the quality of life of older adults. As 

the Assistant to the Director for Special Populations, NIA, my 

responsibilities include building collaborations and communications with extramural faculty scientists and professional 

organizations. I plan, develop, implement, and manage scientific meetings for women, minority, and disabled scientists, 

including an annual 7-day NIA Summer Institute on Aging Research. This involves a highly competitive application process, 

scientific review of abstracts, coordination of approximately 

40 doctoral-level participants, and over 25 senior faculty from 

intramural and extramural research programs, scientific associations, academic institutions, and private foundations. As 

a result, over 800 new and emerging leaders and scholars in 

aging research, usually more women than men, have benefited 

from the informative curriculum and enduring network of the 

NIA Summer Institute. 

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NIA

Michele Kim Evans, M.D. Deputy Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program

EDUCATION 

Fellowship Training: 

(Medical Oncology) 

National Cancer Institute, 

1986–1990 

Postgraduate Training: 

(Internal Medicine) 

Emory University School 

of Medicine, 1981–1984

M.D.: University of 

Medicine and Dentistry 

of New Jersey: The Robert 

Wood Johnson Medical 

School, 1981

A.B.: (Biology) Barnard College, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Biochemistry of DNA repair, the role of DNA damage and 

repair in cancer, minority health and health disparities

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Two events changed my career goal from community-based 

clinical medicine to research. First, in medical school, Dean 

Jack Gardner said he saw me as a research fellow in 10 years, 

not practicing medicine. He felt I was not stretching myself 

in my career choices and clearly had a vision for me that I did 

not even have for myself. He felt I needed the push he was 

prepared to give. Even after I came to NIH, he made certain 

I stayed on track.

Second, my NIH mentors, Drs. Dan Longo, Samuel Broder 

and Bruce Chabner continued Dr. Gardner’s efforts by continually challenging me to pursue being a true physician–

scientist. By providing vital support and training at each bend 

in the career path, this triumvirate nurtured me at critical 

career junctures and enabled the basic science work, the 

clinical work, the community-based epidemiologic study of 

health disparities work I do.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Traditional mentors like my parents and educators have been 

critical in every career step. As a minority female, I have 

thrived in mentoring relationships with minority men and 

women as well as those with nonminorities. As a physician–

scientist, many patients I have treated were excellent mentors, 

developing my patient care skills as I was torn between career 

opportunities in clinical practice and research. 

There is no perfect balance between family and work, just a 

never-ending series of careful compromises in order to successfully fulfill the multiple roles women must play on a daily 

basis. Hour to hour, one role dominates over the other as one 

is asked to be mother, researcher, wife, daughter, cook, physician, statistician, and director of the school pageant all in one 

day. Once one accepts that there is no perfect balance, it is 

much easier to succeed in both the professional and personal 

spheres of life. 

INSIGHTS

My most significant career milestone has been the design and 

implementation of HANDLS, the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span Study. This multidisciplinary, community-based, prospective longitudinal 

epidemiologic study examines how race and socioeconomic 

status influence the development of age-related health disparities among African Americans and whites in Baltimore. This 

unique study employs novel research tools—mobile medical research vehicles—to improve participation rates and retention 

among nontraditional research participants. HANDLS allows 

me to conduct research on health disparities, have a clinical 

outlet, and conduct basic and translational research—a true 

convergence of all the factors that led me to become a physician–scientist.

As a minority woman in science, I have been in the ‘doublebind,’ described in 1975 by Shirley Malcolm. Even in 2007, 

additional challenges for minority women in science further 

complicate career progression and frequently compound 

their roles and responsibilities. I enjoy meeting the challenges and paying the price presented by my career path as 

no other provides such a robust chance to make a difference 

and do important work.

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NIA

Marcelle Morrison-Bogorad, Ph.D. Director, Division of Neuroscience

EDUCATION 

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Biological Chemistry) 

University of Cincinnati 

Medical Center, 1971–1975

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry), 

Beatson Institute for 

Cancer Research, 

Glasgow University, 1971

Hons. B.Sc.: 

(Biochemistry), 

University of Aberdeen, 

Aberdeen, Scotland, 1967

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Basic and applied research on causes and treatment of normal 

age-related behavioral change and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Being one of the few researchers in neuroscience who had molecular biology experience and working with a collaborator who 

complemented my molecular experience with knowledge of the 

brain were two important aspects of my career.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

I mentored both women and men in my laboratory and was 

a successful role model for women and for medical students 

who wanted a taste of research. Mentoring was really a source of 

joy because I could see my charges develop professionally. My 

husband and I have no children, so I have the utmost respect 

for those who combine child rearing with their professional 

responsibilities. 

INSIGHTS

I have never felt that being a woman hindered my career development although I did have to press for equal pay early on. 

While an undergraduate, I was the first female to be voted head 

of my mixed hall of residence. Take advantage of these opportunities for service for they give you valuable experience and you 

never know where they may lead. In my case, being asked to be 

on the National Alzheimer’s Association Medical and Scientific Advisory Board later in my career exposed me to the wider 

world of AD research and to caregivers and volunteers and laid 

the foundation for my eventual move to the NIH.

Chhanda Dutta, Ph.D.

Chief, Clinical Gerontology Branch, 

Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology) 

Uniformed Services University 

of the Health Sciences, 1986

B.S.: (Biology) American 

University, 1982 

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Clinical research on age-related 

loss of muscle (sarcopenia), 

age-related physiological changes 

across the lifespan, influence of 

physical activity/exercise on aging, and exercise programs for 

older adults

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Being of Indian descent, although born and raised in the United 

States, forced me to navigate through, and often struggle with, 

the influences and expectations of two very different cultures 

for many years of my life. My struggles eventually taught me to 

find commonalities in things seemingly disparate, to integrate 

various influences, and to be self-directed. I think these same 

skills were pivotal to the development of my scientific career. 

For instance, although my doctoral thesis focused on reproductive endocrinology, my Ph.D. is in pharmacology, and my postdoctoral research was on vitamin D and calcium metabolism. 

I was also a pharmacologist in the Food and Drug Administration, prior to arriving at the NIA in 1993. Ultimately, I was able 

to draw from and continue to build upon my diverse scientific 

background and research experiences to successfully work in 

and promote the multidisciplinary field of aging research.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing personal and professional responsibilities is an 

admirable goal, but in reality, it is difficult to achieve. At the 

time I was going through graduate school and postdoctoral 

training, there were not any mentoring programs available. 

Like so many of my contemporary colleagues, I have learned 

to shift my energies between personal and professional responsibilities, as needed. In practice, we make trade-offs 

between personal and professional responsibilities, rather 

than achieve any balance.

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NIA

Josephine M. Egan, M.D.

Chief, Diabetes Section and Acting Chief, Laboratory 

of Clinical Investigation, Intramural Research Program

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Endocrinology) 

University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, 1987–1990

Fellowship: (Clinical Pharmacology) 

Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 1984–1986

M.B.B.Ch.: National University of Ireland, 1979

B.Sc.: (Pharmacology) National University of Ireland, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

I am fascinated by the beta cell in islets of Langerhans within 

the pancreas. They are like little machines that sense any perturbations in blood glucose, and they can exquisitely modulate 

the amount of insulin secreted, as needed, at any moment in 

time. In type 2 diabetes, the sensing machinery is gone awry, 

and consequently, blood glucose is higher than it should be.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My Irish training gave me a good, solid medical background. 

It opened my mind to unsolved medical dilemmas. If I had not 

come to the United States from Ireland in 1984, I would not be 

carrying out basic research. I completed a Clinical Pharmacology Fellowship in Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, when I 

first came to the United States. Baylor was a very rich research 

environment, with lots of potential collaborations and many 

excellent researchers, and I was able immerse myself in research for a full 2 years. This gave me the confidence to think I 

might be successful in biological research. From the moment I 

learnt how to isolate islets of Langerhans and actually see them 

in a dish, I was hooked on islet research. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

During my fellowship at the University of Virginia, I began 

to study insulin secretion under the supportive direction of 

Dr. Michael Thorner. Under NIA Scientific Director George 

Martin, I explored what happens to insulin secretion with age 

to learn what might prevent the inexorable declines in insulin secretion with aging and disease. It was always difficult to 

balance family life with work. I often brought my first baby to 

the laboratory on weekends and evenings. I would work, feeling happy that he was with me, sleeping in his chair. With my 

second child, I worked at the bench throughout the working 

day, saving any writing for late night. During the week, my life 

was devoted to work, family, and sleep. I never owned a television, keeping up with current events through National Public 

Radio (NPR). I always carried a few manuscripts to read if I was 

picking up the kids and they were running late. 

Rebecca A. Fuldner, Ph.D.

Chief, Aging Physiology Branch, Division of Aging Biology

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: Laboratory of Tumor Immunology 

and Biology, NCI, NIH, 1987–1990 

Ph.D.: (Cell and Developmental Biology) 

University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1986

B.S.: (Biochemistry) University of California, Berkeley, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

How aging affects immunity; alterations in tissue function 

with aging

PIVOTAL EVENTS

While at the University of California at Berkeley, my first exposure to laboratory research was a work–study job during 

my sophomore year. The encouragement I received from my 

mentor and others in the laboratory as well as my sense of accomplishment in completing a project made my decision to 

become a research scientist quite simple, and I never looked 

back. The early 80s were a stimulating time in science as there 

were many new discoveries in the field of molecular biology 

that were full of promise. Later at The Institute for Genomic 

Research, I was fortunate to be one of the first scientists to view 

the entire set of genes encoded by the human genome. Not only 

was this experience exciting, but I also was involved in a gene 

race to find the gene(s) for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. 

Working in such a team setting was quite useful in helping to 

develop skills that are necessary for managing large multidisciplinary projects. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The most important career choice you will make is choosing 

your mentors. I encourage junior scientists to consult with 

previous students and postdocs about their experiences in the 

laboratory under consideration. This is time-consuming, but 

well worth the effort as the mentors you choose early in your 

career are critical. One of my former mentors once told me, 

“You can’t choose your parents, but you can choose your career 

advisor.” This advice also is true for those considering combining a family with a research career. Raising a family and being 

a successful scientist are both demanding endeavors. Find a 

partner willing to be equally responsible for home and family 

life. Most successful women scientists that I know are extremely efficient, having developed organizational skills early on that 

helped them later accommodate the increasing demands on 

their time. I would encourage young women scientists to identify and adopt some of these techniques early in their careers 

so that they become second nature. 

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NIA

Nina Silverberg, Ph.D.

Assistant Director, Alzheimer’s Disease Centers Program, 

Division of Neuroscience

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Cognitive Psychology) 

University of Arizona, 1998

B.A.: (Biopsychology) 

Brandeis University, 1989

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Measuring memory and thinking ability in older people, Native 

Americans, and other underrepresented populations; educating the 

public as well as physicians about 

the latest research; and encouraging participation in research

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Unlike some people who know their career goals from age 

2, when I finished college, I still had no idea what I wanted 

to “be when I grew up.” So, drawing on a connection from a 

previous job as a research assistant at a rehabilitation hospital 

in Philadelphia, I found a similar position at Massachusetts 

General Hospital. Working with people with aphasia, I developed a strong interest in how language is represented in the 

brain, particularly in how we produce language. I was told the 

best in the field was someone at the University of Arizona. 

Though it seemed literally and figuratively like Mars to me, I 

fell in love with Tucson and had a superb graduate school experience. I was later drawn back to Arizona and was fortunate 

to obtain a position at Sun Health Research Institute, where 

my current research interests blossomed and culminated in 

my present job.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My best mentor is my mom, who always encouraged me to feel 

proud of my accomplishments and to learn from my mistakes. 

Moreover, she is a terrific role model. Having grown up in an 

immigrant household, she worked her way through college. She 

not only was the spokesperson for Metro, but also launched her 

own successful media relations consulting business.

I was pregnant with my second child when I applied for my current position. My son was 4 weeks old when we moved from 

Arizona to Bethesda and 2 weeks later, I started working. My 

first week on the job, since I was nursing, I dragged my infant 

and my mother back across the country to a meeting in California. My son, of course, decided he was hungry just as I was to be 

introduced to the scientists I would be working with! How’s that 

for balancing family with professional responsibilities? 

Catherine A. Wolkow, Ph.D.

Head, Invertebrate Molecular Genetics Unit, 

Laboratory of Neurosciences, 

Intramural Research Program

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Molecular Biology 

& Genetics) 

The Johns Hopkins University 

School of Medicine, 1997

B.A.: (Chemistry) Pomona 

College, 1990

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genetic determinants of healthy 

aging and longevity

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The major factor in my career success has been the collaborations I have conducted with other colleagues. Science is a collaborative enterprise, regardless of the fact that we sometimes 

spend long hours in the lab working alone on our own projects. 

Our work is only meaningful when it fits into a larger picture 

that includes the findings of our colleagues. In both my graduate and postdoc work, I was able to incorporate my studies with 

those of my lab-mates, leading to a more significant contribution at the end. As a lead investigator, I work very hard to find 

common connections between the projects ongoing in my lab 

and to establish a sense of collaboration between the various 

members of the lab. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring and collaboration are essential for building a successful scientific career. While some may be comfortable approaching a powerful scientist for advice, this has been an 

intimidating prospect for me. To overcome this, I took advantage of any opportunity to interact with senior scientists. 

This helped me get over my shyness and establish a rapport for 

mentoring discussions.

The delicate balance between family and professional responsibilities is ever-changing. It helps to appreciate that everyone 

struggles with this issue and nothing ever feels quite enough. 

When I started my family, I decided that I could only do my best 

and that worrying wasn’t going to solve the problem. On most 

days, I feel fairly comfortable with the balance that my husband 

and I have achieved. On the harder days, I try to keep in mind 

that this balance may get easier as the kids grow up. 

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NIAAA

National 

Institute on 

Alcohol Abuse 

and Alcoholism

Hee-Yong Kim, Ph.D. Chief, Laboratory of Molecular Signaling, 

Division of Intramural Clinical Biological Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Analytical 

Chemistry) University 

of Houston, 1984

M.S.: (Natural Product 

Chemistry) Seoul 

National University, 

Seoul, Korea, 1980

B.S.: (Pharmacy) 

Seoul National University, 

Seoul, Korea, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Membrane biochemistry and modification, mass spectrometric characterization of signaling proteins and membrane 

lipids, development of mass spectrometric methodology for 

membrane phospholipids remodeling and membrane–protein/ protein–protein interaction

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My decision to study mass spectrometry for my Ph.D. affected my career tremendously. Dr. Marvin Vestal and his group 

were about to make a breakthrough that could revolutionize 

the way biological studies were performed. I wanted to learn 

more about this exciting field, but I did not have the background to pursue the types of projects carried out in his lab. 

Understandably, Dr. Vestal was not willing to take me as his 

student. After a week of contemplation, I decided not to give 

up. I took extra courses and researched the literature on my 

own, got accepted by Dr. Vestal, worked hard, produced, and 

became one of his favorite students, eventually earning the 

nickname ‘Ace.’ Being trained as a mass spectrometrist greatly expanded the horizon of my research capability in pursuing 

biological problems. More importantly, once I experienced 

the success of learning a seemingly difficult new field, I was 

ready to face new challenges in all aspects of my scientific 

career without being intimidated. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As a mother of two boys, it was sometimes difficult to juggle the 

time. However, I tried to do my best to be productive whether 

at work or at home. I always felt grateful for the opportunity to 

work as a woman scientist despite having to leave my precious 

children in daycare. Most of all, my husband, who is also a scientist, understood the long hours of a scientist’s daily life and 

was a great help. We always placed family life first, while pursuing our careers. At times, some sacrifices were inevitably made 

both at work and home. However, I found that there is always a 

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NIAAA

way to make it work in the long run, as long as one does not give 

up. My advice to women scientists is that under any circumstances, be confident in your ability, grateful, responsible, and 

never give up anything that is dear to your heart.

INSIGHTS

I came to the United States after receiving my master’s degree 

in Korea. Naturally, I had difficulties in following lectures, 

expressing my thoughts, and communicating with others even 

on scientific matters. Furthermore, I cannot forget to mention my struggle to understand the culture of American life, 

at least for the first 5 years. Despite the hardship, I never gave 

up my dream of being an excellent scientist and a contributor 

to biomedical research. 

As a foreigner and a woman, advancing each step of my career 

seemed to be a hurdle. I felt honored when elected to the Board 

of Directors of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry in 

1995. This experience provided me with a unique opportunity to learn not only the broad prospect of cutting-edge mass 

spectrometric research, but also the collaborative spirit and 

organizational skills of the scientific community. Serving as 

the Nomination Committee Chair of the same society gave me 

an opportunity to examine successful examples of scientific 

activities. I served on the Editorial Board for Analytical Biochemistry, and organized/lectured at many national and international scientific meetings. I currently serve on the Board for 

the International Society for Studies on Fatty acids and Lipids. 

While these activities at times detracted from my scientific 

productivity, they contributed to my scientific track record. In 

2006, I was promoted to Laboratory Chief. It was tremendous 

progress for a shy woman who had limited capability of expressing herself 27 years ago. Thinking back, it was the patience 

and tenacity that helped me to get here. I always tried my best 

in whatever I undertook and waited patiently for the results of 

my efforts. In doing so, I found it necessary to be assertive but 

polite. I struggled with this idea for a while and I am indebted 

to my friends and colleagues who helped me through the difficult times. I believe that if one is earnestly doing his/her best, 

there will be an outcome commensurate with the efforts, even 

if it may not be immediate. In addition, I would like to encourage women scientists to actively cultivate a cooperative and 

nurturing environment and to network. Above all, each of us 

must strive to become a good scientist with high work ethics, 

as the success of our profession is undoubtedly impinged upon 

scientific merits.

Patricia A. Powell, Ph.D. Chief, Science Policy Branch,

Office of Science Policy and Communications

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Cellular and Molecular Biology) Washington 

University, 1988

B.A.: (Classics) Franklin 

and Marshall College, 1980 

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Molecular and cellular 

genetics and developmental 

biology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

After graduating from college I worked as a lab technician for a year prior to entering 

graduate school. I was very fortunate to work with a Principal 

Investigator who was at the top of her field. She had an uncanny ability to ask the central question, whether in a seminar 

or informal discussion. The value of asking the right question 

stuck with me and guided my research career. In addition, for 

the first time, I experienced the fun of doing cutting-edge research. Even this early in my career I realized the importance 

of conveying both the excitement and the value of what we 

were doing in the laboratory. This started out as drawing genes 

and plasmids on paper napkins at the family dinner table, but 

eventually led to my spending a year at the National Science 

Foundation working on how to translate cutting-edge science 

for the lay public.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is critical in science and I have both benefited from 

excellent mentoring as well as tried to provide it to others. One 

of the most valuable comments I ever received came from a 

mentor who was leaving the place where we both worked. He 

said, “When I talk with you in the future, I’m always going to 

start by asking about your family, not your job.” When I start 

to lose sight of my priorities, that statement comes back to me. 

I do think being able to share a love of science, an excitement 

for exploration, and the value of a good question is a gift that 

scientists can give their children. 

INSIGHTS

My career has taken many twists and turns that I certainly did 

not foresee from the outset. My research experience ranges 

from generating genetically modified virus-resistant plants, to 

pattern formation and neural development in the fruitfly. In 

my thesis lab, there was great excitement around being one of 

the first to express foreign genes in plants, and the first to engineer resistance to viruses using this technology. In later years, 

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NIAAA

watching the debate on genetically modified organisms play 

out and seeing the influence of the spin by both extremes on 

public opinion, I became increasingly interested in the communication of science and science policy. In order to pursue 

this interest, I spent 1 year as an American Association for the 

Advancement of Science, Science and Technology Policy Fellow 

at the National Science Foundation focusing on how to provide 

information about cutting-edge science to the public through 

science museums, television and radio programs, and IMAX 

films. Our primary goal was in educating the public about major 

areas of current research occurring worldwide that warranted 

translation—especially research that might impact individual 

decisionmaking or policy formulation. Following my year at 

NSF, I moved to NIH as an AAAS policy fellow and remained 

there. Working at NIAAA, I focused much of my attention on 

the issue of underage drinking. One of the highlights of my 

policy work at NIH was serving as liaison to the Surgeon General’s Office as we cowrote and edited the Surgeon General’s 

Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking. 

Tina Vanderveen, Ph.D. Director, Office of 

Extramural Activities 

(Former)

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Nutrition) 

Ohio State University, 1976

M.S.: (Public Administration) George Washington 

University, 1965

B.S.: (Biological Sciences) 

Montana State University, 

1953

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The scientific pursuit of alcohol consumption as it relates to 

better understanding of direct and indirect health effects attributable to human disease, comorbid disorders, mortality, 

and public health; relationships between biological factors and 

behaviors occurring in the context of environmental settings 

need to be untangled to better explain biological variability in 

response to the consumption of alcohol throughout the human 

lifespan 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The opportunities that enabled me to pursue a career in science include advice from my parents to pursue college after 

high school. It included hard work to earn sufficient money to 

afford this! Secondly, I was encouraged to seek opportunities 

to seek financial assistance and to make those commitments 

necessary to achieve my goals. Finally, I was employed in the 

private sector; money to conduct research was available and no 

one in the company was qualified to undertake development of 

a sound research program!

It was at the insistence of my husband that I explored graduate 

possibilities for someone with considerable work experience, a 

few graduate hours toward a doctoral degree, and a strong belief 

that biology and behavior were somehow related in a way that 

could help health and disease! This took 3 years in a graduate 

program in residence nearly 2,000 miles from my home! I 

would add that leaving two young children, even in wonderful 

and competent care, was not easy. However, our entire family 

shared my goal and upon its accomplishment we found ourselves moving to Washington and me hunting for employment. 

My NIH career has evolved as a Health Science Administrator. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have alluded to this balance in the above paragraph. I would 

add and emphasize that my marriage and family responsibility has always been a partner relationship with my husband. 

We had no other family support in child care, our lifestyle was 

modest, and our combined focused interest is science and 

academics. We are both scientists; our children have pursued 

careers in art and science. 

The mentoring I have received was largely what I have sought in 

relation to goals that I felt were realistic. Before coming to NIH, 

I was not aware of the myriad opportunities for career progression through extramural programs. After my initial employment 

as a special assistant, I quickly realized that combining graduate 

school experience with previous experience as an administrator 

enabled me to assume the duties and responsibilities that comprise the Health Science Administration field. I had numerous 

mentors and very much cherished the opportunity to interact 

with scientists in the extramural community. In the most recent 

years, I acquired additional responsibilities and now have the 

privilege of providing mentoring for scientists who have recently joined my staff as Scientific Review Administrators. 

INSIGHTS

Being a woman in science and/or a woman in the arts is still a 

challenge. Perhaps this is not so apparent in the earliest stages 

because gaining entry is easier in the sciences as well as other 

professions. In early adulthood, a more complex array of choices and value considerations provide barriers for many women. 

Several issues are at play here. It is my observation that early 

marriage provides some risk as intellectual development and 

fulfillment can be difficult concepts to discuss with partners. 

The necessities of economics and support of young families 

further complicates decisions. A huge factor is geographic 

mobility; couples and families do not want to be separated and 

sometimes this is necessary on a temporary basis. To women, I 

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NIAAA

would really say, be your own person even as you accommodate 

other demands and expectations. A partnership, which was my 

good fortune to find, accounts for my happiness and success. 

Beata Buzas, Ph.D.

Scientific Review Officer, Extramural Project Review 

Branch, Office of Extramural Activities

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

Uniformed Services University, 

Maryland, 1992–1995

Ph.D.: (Neuroscience) Jozsef 

Attila University, Hungary, 1991

M.S.: (Biology and Chemistry) Eotvos Lorand University, 

Hungary, 1988

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Neuroscience, signal transduction, genetics, addiction 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I think my most important attribute as a scientist is my endless 

sense of wonderment of and curiosity about the natural world. 

I love learning new things, whether it is intricate details of how 

the brain works or how migrating birds find their way, and even 

about subjects that I understand only as a layman, such as astronomy. In school, I loved every subject and being a scientist 

is like never leaving school; you are a student forever. Being 

imaginative and organized is also important, so is approaching hypotheses in a scientifically strict and unbiased manner. 

Scientific integrity is the most essential quality every scientist 

must possess. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I had three children in less than 4 years as a junior research 

faculty, and it was difficult to find the balance between professional and family life. I came from a country where there 

is much more support for working mothers. It was a heart 

break to leave my few-weeks-old babies in the care of someone else, but when I saw them thriving, it allayed my concerns. 

For many years, I had no time at all for myself; I was either at 

work or with my children. We also made some compromises: 

we bought a small house close to work instead of a larger one 

farther away, so I did not have to spend valuable time commuting. Often people asked me, “How can you do all this?” and my 

answer always was, “You just do what you need to do,” which is 

the motto of many working mothers. 

Mary-Anne Enoch, M.D.

Staff Scientist, Section of Human Neurogenetics,

Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Division of Intramural

Clinical and Biological Research

EDUCATION

M.B.B.S.: University College 

Hospital Medical School, 

London, 1981

B.A.: (Genetics) King’s College, 

Cambridge University, 1975 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genetic vulnerability and gene x 

environment interactions underlying alcoholism and comorbid 

disorders, particularly anxiety 

disorders; intermediate phenotypes (EEG power, event-related 

potentials [ERP], dimensional anxiety) for alcoholism and 

anxiety disorders

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Science has been my major interest since early childhood. 

I entered college wanting to be a physicist and exited it as 

a geneticist. I was then torn: should I go into research or 

become a physician? The latter won out and for several years 

I worked as a successful family practitioner with an interest in alcoholism, in London, United Kingdom. However I 

missed the intellectual stimulation of science so when my 

husband was offered a job in Washington, DC, I jumped at 

the opportunity to join NIAAA. My medical background gives 

me a broad perspective to my research in alcoholism and comorbid disorders and helps me in my work as a member of 

the NIH Neuroscience institutional review board (IRB). My 

most memorable times at NIAAA have been working together 

with members of Native American tribes in Oklahoma, collecting genotype—phenotype datasets to help understand the 

devastating consequences of alcoholism at an individual and 

community level. Pivotal reality-check moments in my scientific career came with the realization that if I was to get on, 

particularly as a woman scientist, I would have to be assertive 

and ask for the promotion, volunteer for the committee, organize the symposium, break into the networking system, and 

continually speak up.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My working hours as a scientist are flexible so that I have 

been able to balance professional responsibilities with raising my three children, for example by writing papers and reviewing manuscripts at home. I have learnt that in order to 

be a well-rounded scientist, it is important to nurture one’s 

outside life and not to get totally caught up in the job, interesting as it may be. 

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NIAID

National 

Institute of 

Allergy and 

Infectious 

Diseases

Carole A. Heilman, Ph.D. Director, Division of Microbiology 

and Infectious Diseases

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Microbiology) 

Rutgers University, 1979 

M.S.: (Microbiology) 

Rutgers University, 1976

B.A.: (Biology) 

Boston University, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Infectious diseases with an 

emphasis on translational 

research and emerging/

re-emerging threats

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I was fortunate to have mentors who demonstrated great personal and professional integrity. The concepts of scientific excellence and rigor were part of my training in bench research. 

My first few papers were published with reviewers’ comments 

such as “absolutely nothing negative to say,” and “critically 

important findings.” This reinforced the value of quality and 

scrupulousness in research. These continue to be among my 

fundamental principles.

I also learned from my mentors the importance of looking at 

the entire picture when answering a scientific question. Although I’m a molecular biologist by training, I find that taking 

a multidisciplinary, broad-based approach almost always leads 

to more creative thinking and effective solutions. This has 

served me well in my current position.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

 A large part of my ability to balance family and responsibility comes from the fact that this was the accepted model in my 

family. My mother worked at a time when that was unusual for 

women. Loving your job is an important part of balancing. The 

time you spend away from your family has to be worth it. That 

time can be valuable to your family as well. Routine and organization help tremendously, as does a network of supportive 

colleagues, many of whom are facing similar challenges. 

Mentoring is a responsibility and privilege for everyone in science and comes in many forms. Talking with a young scientist who is trying to sort out options, becoming a role model 

at work, explaining to elementary school children the wonders 

of germs, or conducting a homemade chromatography experiment can make a lasting impression beyond what you ever 

imagined.

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NIAID

INSIGHTS

I could never have wished for a better time to have started my 

career. Molecular biology was a new concept and I was helping 

to define it, starting to develop unique tools that are now commonplace and well established in today’s laboratories. Cloning 

and developing the first “transcriptional map” of the human 

papillomavirus, applying molecular biology techniques to eukaryotic models of disease—these may seem ordinary now but 

they were revolutionary at that time. 

I find it interesting that even in this day and age, a separate 

distinction is made for Women in Science. Perhaps one of the 

best gifts I have received is the belief that being a woman and a 

scientist was not unusual. Although my path has changed directions from the bench to the office, the scientist in me has never 

been stronger.

Hortencia M. Hornbeak, Ph.D. Associate Director for Scientific Review and Policy, 

Scientific Review Program, 

Division of Extramural Activities

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Pox Virus) NIAID, 

1972–1974

Ph.D.: (Medical Microbiology) Georgetown University 

School of Medicine and 

Dentistry, 1972

B.A.: (Biology & Chemistry) 

Skidmore College, 1968

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Prevention, diagnosis, 

immunology and treatment of infectious diseases at the 

national and international levels

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My scientific career began with a solid scientific foundation. I 

received a B.A. in biology and chemistry from Skidmore College, followed by graduate training, a Ph.D. degree in medical 

microbiology from Georgetown University Medical School, and 

a postdoctoral fellowship at the NIAID. As an Assistant Professor at a newly established medical school, South Alabama, I 

conducted research, taught medical and allied health students, 

and had numerous administrative and management responsibilities. As a result, I became keenly aware of my leadership 

and management skills and my ability to independently assume 

major responsibilities. These capabilities grew and were further developed through my career at the NIH, the world’s preeminent research institution. This organization has exposed 

me to outstanding scientists and facilities, and increased my 

appreciation of the benefits of NIH’s research to global health.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Formal and informal mentors have significantly affected my 

scientific development and career decisions. These mentors 

strengthened my interest in learning from all available resources, developing my strengths, and making sound career 

decisions that fit my family’s needs. Decisions have been made 

within a broad framework of knowledge, which has led to optimal choices. If decisions have unexpected consequences, I 

identify reasons, capitalize on positive aspects, and use newly 

gained perspectives in future decisions.

Throughout my career, decisions were made to minimize stress 

on my family and to maximize the effects of my scientific, leadership and administrative career goals. To balance family and 

professional responsibility, I address the most demanding 

tasks when I am most productive and intercalate my family 

and work responsibilities. Through family support, resourcefulness, flexibility, and planning, my promotions to positions 

of increasing responsibility were accommodated without 

undue stress.

INSIGHTS

I have been a critical player in the development of major Institute programs in the areas of basic and clinical research 

in HIV/AIDS, immunology, transplantation, biodefense and 

emerging/re-emerging infectious diseases. This work required 

knowledge of science and national/international policy and 

procedures in an environment of constant change.

The vision and leadership skills I developed during my career 

are recognized within and outside the NIH. I have been on the 

faculty of Brookings Institute training programs for senior executive management, interacted with national and international scientists as part of NIAID, NIH, and HHS research programs 

and grantsmanship workshops, and represented HHS on U.S. 

State Department and Global Fund activities.

Throughout my scientific career, the latitude to make decisions 

and take risks in safe environments has contributed to my personal and professional growth, and has resulted in the development of skills, perspectives, and opportunities that otherwise 

would not have been available. In addition, my ability to network and gain knowledge of organization’s culture/politics and 

acquisition of resources (e.g., staff, training, equipment, etc.) 

has been critical for success.

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NIAID

Margaret (Peggy) I. Johnston, Ph.D. Assistant Director for Vaccine Research; 

Director, Vaccine Research Program, 

Division of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Associate: 

Rega Institute for Medical 

Research, Katholieke 

Universiteit Leuven, 

Leuven, Belgium, 1977–1978

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry) 

Tufts University, 1977

B.S.: (Chemistry) CarnegieMellon University, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

HIV vaccine research, 

discovery

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My father instilled in me an insatiable curiosity about the 

world, and my mother demonstrated how helping others can be 

enormously fulfilling. Mix these characteristics with a strong 

desire to be part of a team and add good mentorship and the 

result is a rewarding career in trying to solve one of the world’s 

greatest biomedical challenges—stopping the spread of HIV 

(www.bethegeneration.org).

My mentors, including David Stollar, my Ph.D. thesis advisor 

at Tufts University and J.J. McGowan, my first supervisor at 

NIAID, were clearly positive forces. I have also been fortunate 

to have contributed to several successes in the AIDS field to 

keep me going.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My partner and I are designated-guardian/godparents for five 

children, which means I have somewhat different challenges 

than those faced by my colleagues who are parents. Without 

the demands of raising children, it is perhaps too easy to work 

longer and harder. My challenge has been in creating and 

maintaining this extended family, allowing time for a rewarding life outside work and keeping up with those children, some 

of whom live quite far from DC.

I was taught early on that employment is a two-way street. The 

employee needs to give to the organization, and the organization needs to give back something of value to the employee. 

Clear communication from both sides and a willingness to 

give-and-take over time is necessary.

INSIGHTS

As Director of the vaccine research program in the Division of 

AIDS, I have responsibility for NIAID’s extramural research 

programs focused on HIV/AIDS vaccines, including initiatives 

in fundamental vaccine-related research; vaccine design and 

discovery; preclinical evaluation and development; and clinical 

trials, including the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. As Assistant 

Director for HIV Vaccines at NIAID, I serve as a liaison between 

the extramural and intramural HIV/AIDS vaccine research 

communities, and with the nonprofit and private sectors to 

help establish productive collaborations and to ensure an integrated and coordinated vaccine research and development 

program. I chair several inter- and intra-agency groups and I 

serve on several international advisory and coordinating bodies 

in the field of HIV vaccine research and development.

I have worked in the field of AIDS since 1987. Prior to returning to NIAID in the fall of 1998, I was the founding Scientific 

Director of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI). 

Before HIV/AIDS, I had an academic research/teaching career 

that included employment at the Rega Institute in Belgium, the 

NIH, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS).

What are the keys to success?

1. Understand what the job needs from you so you can excel in 

giving to the job. Then you are in a good position for #2 below.

2. Figure out what will make you happy and then go for it. Ask 

for it. Your boss is not a mind reader. And hopefully he/she will 

be willing to negotiate.

3. Learn to negotiate. Understand what is of value to yourself 

and the person with whom you are negotiating—and be willing 

to walk away.

4. Value what you bring to the table. If the organization does 

not recognize your value, you are not in the right organization 

and you should leave.

5. Embrace rather than fear change. Change is inevitable and 

brings the possibility of more, not less. Letting go leaves you a 

free hand when the brass ring comes around. And it will. 

6. Grab for your brass ring, whatever it may be. Everyone has 

self-doubts at times, even though they may not show it. So be 

brave and go for it.

7. If you should fail (and everyone does) or when you do need 

help, lean on others. They will feel useful and you will get the 

support you need.

8. Learn something from every failure. Those moments are 

much greater teachers than your successes.

9. When you need to choose, and you will, put family first. As 

former Senator Paul Tsongas wrote, no one ever lay on their 

death bed wishing they’d worked harder. 

10. You are the boss of yourself and don’t let anyone tell 

you otherwise. So please take from this list what works for you 

and throw the rest away! 

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NIAID

Susan Plaeger, Ph.D. Director, Basic Sciences Program, 

Division of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

EDUCATION 

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Human Immunobiology) 

University of California 

at Los Angeles, School of 

Medicine, 1983–1985

Ph.D.: (Microbiology 

and Immunology) 

Louisiana State University 

Medical Center, 1982

M.S.: (Microbiology 

and Immunology) 

Louisiana State University 

Medical Center, 1976

B.S.: (Medical Technology—Biology and Chemistry) 

Loyola University, New Orleans, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Basic research on the biology and pathogenesis of HIV and 

virus/host interactions of HIV-1

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The most positive influences were a mother and father who 

always told me that I could be anything I wanted to be. Neither 

of them had the opportunity to finish college, so they wanted 

that for me more than anything. My father also always treated 

me the same as my three brothers, never ever implying that I 

could not do anything that they could.

A negative experience that had an influence was a professor in 

graduate school who told me that my NIH fellowship was wasted 

because I would only go home and have babies and not use my 

Ph.D., which gave me the impetus to prove him wrong in the 

biggest way I could.

MENTORS & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I found mentors at every stage of my career, many but not all of 

whom were women. They were people I admired and who had 

skills that I wanted to develop, for example being successful 

grant writers. These people were pivotal to me in their encouragement and support.

Balancing family with science has been hard. It requires a very 

supportive spouse. I still feel sad about certain events in my 

son’s life that I missed. But my son is proud of me. He spent a lot 

of time in my lab, and I spent a lot of time driving between my 

lab and his school so that I could serve cookies, or whatever the 

“normal” mothers were doing. I don’t regret any of it, but warn 

young women that “having it all” is not really possible; family 

and career take a lot of effort and compromise.

INSIGHTS

Scientific milestones include being the only woman in my 

postdocs group at UCLA, getting my first NIH R01 grant, establishing an independent laboratory, and after 20 years in the 

lab, coming to the NIH as an extramural branch chief.

My most inspirational experience was finding incredible 

mentors and role models who supported me in every way. I 

remember finishing a grant renewal late on a Saturday night 

with two of my female colleagues and mentors there with me. 

It is that kind of mutual support, established women helping 

those more junior, which is the best hope for the success of 

women scientists. 

Kathryn Christine Zoon, Ph.D. Director, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry) 

The Johns Hopkins 

University, 1976

B.S.: (Chemistry) 

Rensselaer Polytechnic 

Institute (RPI), 1970

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Interferon, cytokine biology, 

signal transduction

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Many experiences influenced my career and achievement. Early on, an interest in 

chemistry was sparked both by my uncle Robert Pollock, a 

chemist for General Foods, whom I greatly admired, and by the 

great interest in science at the time. At RPI, my mentor, Stanley 

Bunce, encouraged me to advance my career in chemistry. It 

was with this encouragement and the support of my mom and 

dad, uncle and husband, that I pursued a Ph.D. in biochemistry at Johns Hopkins with John Scocca. John taught me survival 

skills that have benefited me throughout my career. My postdoctoral mentor and Nobel Prize winner, Christian Anfinsen, 

taught me that being the best was dependent not only on how 

smart you were, but also on caring for all the folks with whom 

you worked. This lesson has shaped my success as has his other 

lesson—the importance of always being prepared. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

The help of my parents, August and Violet Egloff, made it possible for me to pursue this career by helping to care for my 

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two daughters, Chrissy and Jenny. Without their support, this 

would have been close to impossible.

INSIGHTS

As Julia Childs said, the most important parts of cooking are 

ingredients and timing. This was particularly true for my career 

at the FDA, which I joined at the dawn of the new biotechnology revolution. I used my skills to capitalize on the opportune 

timing and advanced through the ranks of the FDA at the encouragement of my family, particularly my husband, Bob, FDA 

leadership, and Ruth Kirschstein, then Deputy Director of NIH. 

With their support of my efforts, I became the Director of the 

Center of Biologics at the FDA where I led a team of dedicated 

staff for 10 years overseeing the safety and efficacy of vaccines, 

biotechnology products, blood, and blood products. Al Rabson 

and Ruth Kirschstein encouraged me to return to the NIH in 

2003, which was my ultimate desire. After spending two great 

years with the Center of Cancer Research, I was lured back 

to my love of public health infectious disease challenges and 

joined the NIAID. I had come full circle back to my roots and 

I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge of being the Scientific 

Director (SD) of the Division of Intramural Research (DIR).

Yasmine Belkaid, Ph.D.

Head, Mucosal Immunology Unit, Laboratory of 

Parasitic Diseases, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Immunology) Orsay University, Pasteur Institute, Paris, 

France, 1996

Diplome d' Etude Approfondie (DEA): (Immunology) Orsay 

University, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France, 1991

M.S.: (Biochemistry) University of Science & Technology 

Houari Boumediene of Algiers, Algeria, 1990

B.S.: (Biochemistry) University of Science & Technology 

Houari Boumediene of Algiers, Algeria, 1989

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Understanding the mechanisms underlying pathogen persistence, in particular, in the context of parasitic infections

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Of the experiences that have stimulated my research career, 

being exposed to research on parasitic diseases in endemic 

areas during my training was the first to shape my success. 

Having supervisors that understand the demands of a family 

life and having the support of several mentors has also been 

pivotal in my development and achievement as a scientist.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

The balance of family and professional responsibilities for 

me has only been achieved because my companion considers my career as important as his own. As well, access to day 

care on campus was important during the early childhood of 

my children. 

Nancy D. Bridges, M.D.

Chief, Transplantation Immunobiology Branch, 

Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation

EDUCATION

Fellow: (Pediatric Cardiology 

and intervention) The Children’s 

Hospital, Boston, 1988–1991

Intern/Residency: (Pediatrics) 

The Children’s Hospital 

of Philadelphia, 1985–1988

M.D.: New York University 

School of Medicine, 1985

B.S.: (Nursing) 

Columbia University, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am a pediatric cardiac interventionist and transplant physician by training. My research interests are in translational and 

clinical investigations in organ and pancreatic islet transplantation, specifically early recognition of alloimmune activation 

and quiescence, and of graft acceptance and rejection; immunologic tolerance in transplant recipients; the identification 

of immunologic biomarkers that will allow for individualized, 

pre-emptive immunomodulatory therapies to prevent rejection; and the advancement of pancreatic islet transplantation 

to a therapy with equipoise and durable benefit.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

An early decisive moment in my career occurred before I went 

to medical school. I watched a young woman pediatric cardiologist walk up to the bedside of a critically ill infant and, 

using physical examination skills, make a diagnosis and direct 

therapy. This made a profound impression on me and influenced my view of medicine as a discipline requiring the ability 

to solve complex problems and make decisions based on the 

analysis of data—often inadequate—learned through observation. Subsequently, the greatest influences on my scientific 

career have been the result of being mentored by and forming 

professional collaborations with extraordinarily talented and 

innovative physicians and scientists who, in addition to being 

inspirational as a result of their own achievements, were able 

to help me learn how to learn, how to be self-critical, and how 

to teach. 

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Teaching has always been an important part of my career, and 

has taken many forms, from the design and implementation of 

structured didactic programs to establishing durable mentoring relationships with physicians in training, to nurturing the 

careers of the staff in my branch here at Division of Allergy, 

Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT).

Interest in—or preferably a passion for—things outside of science contribute in obvious and subtle ways to career success. I 

don’t think it matters very much whether the focus is skydiving, rock climbing, or—as in my case—things that are considerably more mundane, such as reading and discussing books and 

playing the cello. 

Melody C. Carter, M.D.

Staff Clinician, Mast Cell Biology Section, Laboratory 

of Allergic Diseases, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Allergy/Immunology) 

NIAID, 2000–2002

Residency: (Pediatrics) 

Emory University, 1981–1984

M.D.: Tulane University 

Medical School, 1981

B.S.: (Biology) Newcomb College, 

Tulane University, 1977 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Pediatric mastocytosis, pediatric asthma, anaphylaxis

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The pursuit of a career in research was prompted by the care 

of inner-city children with asthma and allergic diseases and 

the impact of their environment on disease morbidity. I began 

clinical research as an Assistant Professor in pediatrics at 

Emory University. This experience was the impetus for my pursuing a career in Allergy/Immunology at the NIH. The mechanisms of allergic and immunologic disease development as well 

as the increased incidence are particularly complex in minority 

inner-city populations. Consequently, I have been involved in 

asthma research and inflammatory mechanisms.

The mast cell is central in the development of allergic disease. 

Opportunities at the NIH have allowed me to develop expertise 

in patients with mastocytosis, a disease of abnormal proliferation of mast cells. Understanding the mechanisms of mast cells 

in allergic diseases has enhanced my understanding of the mediator effects of mast cells and is precipitating investigations of 

new therapeutic approaches. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Thomas Platts-Mills has been my most influential mentor for 

starting a career in Allergy/Immunology research. His guidance and expertise have been immeasurable. I began a clinical research project on inner-city asthma and environmental 

modification to evaluate its impact on disease morbidity. This 

experience ignited an interest in this field and a desire to 

pursue A&I after 15 years of general pediatrics.

Since completing my fellowship and becoming a staff clinician 

at the NIH, Dean Metcalfe has guided my career and continues 

to exemplify the proficiency required to maintain a career in 

research. He is a prolific and well-respected author and I am 

benefiting from his expertise to expand my knowledge in a new 

field and publish sound research.

My husband has been very supportive and my most ardent 

fan since I have changed career paths. His encouragement 

and patience has allowed me the opportunity flourish in a 

new endeavor.

Christine W. Czarniecki, Ph.D.

Chief, Office of Regulatory Affairs, 

Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation 

EDUCATION

Staff Fellow: (Laboratory of 

Experimental Pathology) 

National Institute for Arthritis, 

Metabolic and Digestive Diseases, 

NIH, 1978–1981

Ph.D.: (Microbiology) 

Georgetown University, 1978

B.S.: (Biology) Muhlenberg 

College, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The biological and biochemical mechanisms of interferon 

action on retrovirus replication; the effects of interferons and 

other cytokines on infectious diseases of clinical significance; 

the scientific aspects of the drug development process; interferons, cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, and small molecules 

as therapies for clinical indications including asthma, cancer, 

and infectious and autoimmune diseases

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The most significant event that affected my scientific career 

occurred when, in the early 1980s, after a 3-year fellowship at 

NIH, I took a huge risk (which later turned out to be a great 

opportunity) and joined a small group of scientists who had 

started a fledgling company called Genentech, Inc. It was the 

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birth of the biotechnology industry and I was given the opportunity of being a part of its creation. At that time, the pharmaceutical industry was not viewed as a place where high-quality 

research could be carried out and published. At Genentech, we 

scientists set out to change that image and we were successful 

in doing so. In my 12 years at Genentech, I not only continued 

and broadened my research from my NIH work, but I was also 

able to develop significant research collaborations with scientists in academia and government, publishing over 30 scientific 

papers in peer-reviewed journals and authoring three patents. 

This network of scientists has been and continues to be a major 

force contributing to success in my scientific career.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

In 1950, my parents and I came to the United States as “Displaced Persons,” having been displaced from the home country 

as a result of World War II. The lack of extended family support and lack of formal education as well as language barriers 

severely limited my parents’ ability to provide me with career 

guidance beyond emphasizing the importance of education. 

As a result, my teachers and professors became the source of 

this type of guidance and became my mentors. At each stage 

of my scientific career, I was fortunate to have a mentor who 

helped me identify opportunities that would lead me to a new 

level—always moving forward and upward. Since these mentors 

were critical to my success, I strongly support and encourage 

mentoring activities and I feel a strong obligation to serve as a 

mentor, for others, whenever possible. I have participated in 

many programs encouraging young women in science at the 

high school and university level and have served as a panelist 

in different programs-discussion options in scientific careers. 

In my current NIH position, I lead a staff of degreed (Ph.D. and 

M.D.) as well as nondegreed individuals and thus have many 

opportunities for mentoring. With regards to balancing family 

with professional responsibilities, the family responsibilities 

that have faced me center on care and support of my parents. 

The challenges in providing care to an aging parent are significant and thus, at times, my career choices and decisions have 

been influenced by those needs.

Maria Y. Giovanni, Ph.D.

Assistant Director for Microbial Genomics and 

Advanced Technologies, Division of Microbiology 

and Infectious Diseases 

EDUCATION

Staff and Senior Staff Fellowship: 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood 

Institute, NIH, 1982–1988

Postdoctoral Fellowship: University of Pennsylvania, 1981–1982

Ph.D.: (Molecular Biology) University of Pennsylvania, 1981

Graduate Fellowship: University 

of Pennsylvania, 1976–1981

B.A.: (Biology) University of Pennsylvania, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Infectious diseases, microbial genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, public health, technology development, medical 

diagnostics

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As an undergraduate biology major at the University of Pennsylvania, my career path was pediatric medicine. When my 

father died suddenly during my sophomore year, my world 

was turned around. I needed to find a job that would provide 

a learning experience and spending money. While perusing 

work–study positions, one caught my eye. I made an appointment with Penn professor Dr. Mary Catherine Glick and was 

fortunate to be offered a job in her lab. The lab became my 

home and passion, setting my career in motion. I went onto 

pursue a Ph.D. in molecular biology and did my thesis work 

there. 

Over the past 25 years, from my postdocs to my current position, Dr. Glick has continued to be my mentor. One small 

event, pursuing a job opportunity posted on a bulletin board, 

changed my life. I love my career and the intellectual pursuits 

that it continues to provide.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

A number of factors have allowed me to pursue a successful 

career at the NIH as a scientist and to be a working mother and 

wife. These include a flexible work schedule, a supportive husband, stable and nurturing daycare, home within a few miles of 

NIH, and mentors and colleagues who understand the demands 

of the balancing act.

In spite of the time challenges, feeling engaged in my work 

helps me to be more energized with my family. Because of my 

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career, I’ve had the opportunity to become involved in school 

activities such as chairing and participating in science days and 

fairs, organizing our elementary school’s first after-school science club, and serving as science educator at the National Eye 

Institute’s Vision School Program. My daughters have grown 

up understanding the importance my career holds for me and 

it has added an extra dimension to our relationship.

Kyung J. Kwon-Chung, Ph.D.

Head, Molecular Microbiology Section, 

Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Bacteriology), 

University of Wisconsin, 1965

M.S.: (Bacteriology), 

University of Wisconsin, 1963

M.S.: (Biology) Ewha Womans 

University, Seoul, Korea, 1958

B.S.: (Biology) Ewha Womans 

University, Seoul, Korea, 1956

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Pathogenic mycology in general, pathobiology of the fungi that 

cause aspergillosis and cryptococcosis

PIVOTAL EVENTS

An invaluable experience led me to become a mycologist 

and inspired my career. My desire to be a scientist stemmed 

from a strong interest and a fascination I had of the biological 

world since my early childhood. In light of my strong interest, 

choosing biology as my major in college was a natural decision. 

However, my choice of mycology as a focus was inspired by 

an exceptional degree of dedication by my late professor, Dr. 

Marion Backus, at the University of Wisconsin. This mentorship was an invaluable experience and the decisive factor in 

achieving the success in my mycology career. Among other 

important factors in my career has been the NIH environment, 

which has afforded me the luxury of pursuing risky projects that 

may have been discouraged at universities where cost effectiveness can be a major concern. Last, but not least, strong family 

support was the most important factor. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring young scientists as they enter research careers has 

been very rewarding. The challenge in mentorship has not been 

the directing of their research, but in grooming them to be excited about the field of research for the long term.

It was not an easy task to balance family and professional responsibilities. While my three children were very young, my mother 

played a pivotal role in complementing my duties to raise them. 

Having a very thoughtful and supportive husband was also a critical factor that helped me with my responsibilities.

Sharon Henrietta Jackson, M.D.

Tenure-Track Investigator and Head, Monocyte 

Trafficking Unit, Laboratory of Host Defenses, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Research Fellowship: (Allergy/

Immunology) NIAID, 1996–2001

Clinical Associate: (Allergy/

Immunology) NIAID, 1991–1996

Residency: (Pediatrics) 

Mount Sinai Hospital, 

New York, 1988–1991

M.D.: State University 

of New York at Buffalo, 1988

B.A.: (Psychology) 

Williams College, 1982

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The ongoing investigations of the Monocyte Trafficking Unit 

are focused on characterizing the role of reactive oxygen species 

(ROS) in T lymphocyte homeostasis and function. The interrelated objectives of our research program are characterizing 

NADPH oxidase and NADPH oxidase-derived ROS regulation 

of T cell function, characterizing the role of the NADPH oxidase 

in regulating the molecular communication signals between 

dendritic cells and T cells, and investigating the role of NADPH 

oxidase and NADPH oxidase-derived ROS in the pathogenesis 

of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Targeted gene deletions and genetically engineered knockout 

mice with diseases that mirror exactly the human diseases. 

“Wow, you can do that?” is what I thought as I sat listening to 

what would be my fellowship project. I heard it, I tried it, and 

I succeeded at it! Nothing fosters passion to pursue a dream 

or goal like success; however, success often carries with it accompanying obstacles and challenges. Learning to endure 

these challenges has strengthened and focused my resolve to 

overcome the obstacles while advancing my research to the next 

level. So I thrive on the infinite possibilities of using science 

to solve problems and make new discoveries that will impact 

human health. 

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As one of the few African American females seeking to become 

a tenured physician–scientist within the NIH intramural 

program, I have enjoyed mentoring students at all levels of 

training. The most valuable lesson I have learned from these 

experiences is that a positive mentoring relationship requires 

definitions and ongoing discussions about expectations for the 

mentoring relationship. This lesson has helped me remain 

positive in my endeavors and avoid being burdened or disappointed when my expectations for mentoring have been unfulfilled. 

Balancing career and family has helped me be more positive 

and accepting of my best efforts at work and at home. Hope 

guides me and I expect positive outcomes. Everyday is an adventure for my son and me. I have learned to cull resources, 

eliminate distractions, and remain focused on the agenda for 

the day without guilt for my choices. Now that I am a parent, I 

feel my life is balanced! 

Susan K. Pierce, Ph.D.

Chief, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, 

Division of Intramural Research 

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Immunology) 

University of Pennsylvania, 1976

M.S.: (Microbiology) 

Yale University, 1974

B.S.: (Microbiology) Pennsylvania 

State University, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the immune 

system’s B lymphocytes are activated to differentiate into 

long-lived memory B cells and antibody-secreting cells and the 

influence malaria infections have on this process

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As I look back, I can’t define a critical point around which my 

scientific career pivoted. Each phase of my career seemed extraordinarily challenging at the time, beginning with graduate 

school, through postdoctoral training, to my first faculty position, up through the ranks, and most recently as a lab chief at 

NIAID. But with encouragement, some luck, and hard work, 

my career was built step by step. Of course, there were times 

when the going seemed tough, but these times were balanced 

by good times and the sheer exhilaration that comes with discovery. Being closer to the last step than the first step in my 

career, I know that in science you never really arrive; there is 

always a next step.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As a senior scientist, I am often asked by young researchers just 

starting their careers, “Is it really possible to have children and 

a successful career?” You’ll need the support of your husband 

and mentoring throughout your training and independent research career, but with these, having both a family and a career 

is possible. My answer is simply, “Yes, if that’s what you want 

to do.” I have three grown children and by my recent marriage, 

a stepdaughter and three grandchildren. It is fair to say that my 

children always come first, but even with that immutable priority, there is still time and energy to lead a productive professional life. I have no doubt that families balance careers and in 

return, careers balance families. With some luck, you can have 

the best of both worlds.

Suzette A. Priola, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator and Chief, 

TSE/Prion Molecular Biology Section, 

Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, 

Division of Intramural Research 

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Microbiology and 

Immunology) 

University of California, Los 

Angeles, 1990

B.S.: (Biology) University of 

New Mexico, 1985

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Prion/amyloid diseases, protein 

misfolding and neurodegeneration, 

viral and molecular mechanisms 

underlying diseases of the central nervous system, general 

viral pathogenesis, therapeutics

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Two experiences were particularly central to shaping my success as a scientist. The first was choosing to do a postdoc with 

an excellent mentor, Dr. Bruce Chesebro, at the NIH Rocky 

Mountain Laboratories. This was crucial in my development 

as a scientist as I was given the freedom to think both scientifically and creatively. My appointment as a member, and later 

Chair, of the FDA transmissible spongiform encephalopathies 

(TSE) Advisory Committee was also pivotal. This experience 

was invaluable in that it provided insight into how what we do 

at the bench and the resultant expertise and experience gained 

can have a profound impact on everyday lives. That experience 

drove home the absolute requirement to always do relevant, interesting, and hopefully groundbreaking science as rigorously 

and creatively as possible.

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I consider mentoring new researchers, both when they are 

members of my lab and after they leave the lab, to be one of 

the most important aspects of my work as an NIH scientist. I 

firmly believe that you cannot mentor by just passing on facts or 

providing technical training—you have to teach people to think 

both scientifically and creatively and give them the confidence 

to do so. Open communication between the PI, students, postdocs, etc., is therefore a must. I have found that open communication inevitably leads postdocs and students to come 

up with their own ideas and approaches. It also increases the 

confidence of young researchers that they do, or don’t, have the 

ability to run their own lab.

Helen Rita Quill, Ph.D.

Chief, Basic Immunology Branch, 

Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry) Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1979

B.A.: (Chemistry) Trinity College, 

Washington,DC, 1968

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Basic immunology and the application of immunological principles 

to the prevention and treatment of 

human disease

PIVOTAL EVENTS

But for a terrific high school chemistry teacher, and a science 

fair project on the wonders of chelation, I would have become 

another unemployable art history or English major and missed 

out on the intellectual excitement unique to scientific work. 

Remarkably generous and expert mentoring was provided to 

me first as a laboratory technician and then as a formal graduate 

student and postdoctoral fellow. Federal training funds allowed 

me the time to develop my own expertise and the opportunity 

to discover previously unknown facts about important aspects 

of biological systems. Great mentoring was the key. Nearly as 

important was the free exchange of ideas and critiques among 

my peers at each stage of development. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing professional responsibilities with personal goals 

and activities is difficult in any career that engages one’s strong 

interest and commitment. The obvious and sometimes overwhelming demands of laboratory work are unavoidable if success is expected. And as it turns out, even the administrators of 

science, although freed from the need to harvest cell cultures 

or inject mice at 2 am, are subject to unpredictable demands 

on their time to accomplish important goals. An ungrudging 

willingness to expend extra effort is essential, and a flexible 

work schedule and advance planning go a long way toward 

making it possible to also engage in rewarding activities separate from work. Even with a flexible work schedule, balance is 

best obtained if nonwork routines and special activities are at 

least penciled-into the calendar well in advance, so that time 

doesn’t pass unknowingly before the realization that work has 

consumed the past many months. 

Polly R. Sager, Ph.D.

Assistant Director for International Research in 

Infectious Diseases, Division of Microbiology and 

Infectious Diseases

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Toxicology) 

University of Rochester, 1982

M.S.: (Toxicology) 

University of Rochester, 1980

B.S.: (Zoology) 

Houghton College, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Infectious disease research relevant 

to developing countries (malaria, 

tuberculosis [TB], influenza, tropical diseases), infrastructure 

development and support in resource-constrained settings, particularly involving clinical research, networking, and partnerships to maximize scientific success in developing countries 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My career has taken many twists and turns over the years as 

I’ve transitioned from neurodevelopmental toxicology to my 

current international work on infectious diseases and infrastructure development in resource-constrained countries. 

I have taken advantage of opportunities to change directions 

that have enabled me to grow as a scientist and science manager. When I came to NIAID in 1989, I helped develop animal 

models for testing efficacy of an antiviral drug against AIDS. 

Later, when biodefense became paramount, I was able to apply 

my knowledge and experience to developing initiatives for the 

rapid acceleration of biodefense research. My work on international AIDS initiatives also helped me to move into the broader 

area of standardizing and coordinating research support and 

infrastructure in developing countries. I feel that this helps to 

ensure that research in developing countries meets the highest 

quality standards and therefore leads to improved health.

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Thankfully, I never had to choose between family and career. 

That simply wasn’t an option since I was a single mother while 

a graduate student, postdoc, and during my early professional 

career. I have been, and continue to be, blessed with mentors 

and supervisors who trust me to make the hour-by-hour decisions needed to balance responsibilities—and who are willing 

to consider creative solutions. My daughters not only survived, 

but are now established in their own successful careers. 

Some of my most memorable mentors taught me “how the 

system works.” These are lessons rarely offered—but are the 

most valuable for career advancement. One should never be 

shy about asking for mentoring because the lessons learned 

are invaluable. I thank my mentors and supervisors—male and 

female—for their guidance and support. 

Kanta Subbarao, M.D. 

Senior Investigator, Respiratory Viruses Section, 

Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

M.P.H.: (Epidemiology) 

University of Oklahoma Health 

Sciences Center, College of 

Public Health, 1988

Fellowship: (Pediatric Infectious 

Diseases) Oklahoma Children’s 

Memorial Hospital, University of 

Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 

1985–1988

Internship and Residency: 

(Pediatrics) Cardinal Glennon Memorial Hospital 

for Children, St. Louis University, 1982–1985

M.B.B.S.: Christian Medical College, 

Vellore and the University of Madras, India, 1982

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Development of vaccines against pandemic strains of influenza 

and the development of animal models and evaluation of vaccines against the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) 

coronavirus 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I grew up on a university campus surrounded by academics 

and researchers, including my father. My family instilled in 

me a respect for hard work and encouraged me to seek the best 

training available in the field I chose. I attribute part of my success as a scientist to being in the right place at the right time. 

I was at the CDC in Atlanta when the first cases of avian H5N1 

influenza occurred in Hong Kong in 1997. Studying the viruses 

from that outbreak stimulated a change in the direction of my 

career, from research on human influenza viruses to avian influenza viruses infecting humans. Three months after I joined 

the NIH, the SARS outbreak occurred. I was able to initiate an 

exciting new research program on SARS because I had experience working with avian influenza viruses, had access to the 

appropriate containment facilities, and was given the resources 

and support necessary to work on the newly identified SARScoronavirus.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have made two significant transitions in my professional life, 

first in moving to the United States after completing medical 

school in India and many years later, from clinical medicine to 

a laboratory research career at the NIH. I have been fortunate 

in being able to make these transitions smoothly and feel that 

they have enriched my career. I am also grateful to my mentors. In addition to providing advice and training, a mentor 

can facilitate opportunities and recognition of one’s work. The 

mentor may introduce a young scientist to other scientists in 

the field, pass along opportunities to speak or write or nominate them to professional societies. 

A supportive and understanding spouse makes it easier to 

balance family and professional responsibilities. In my experience, one of the most significant challenges faced by 

two-career couples is in searching for jobs and balancing the 

options that are available to both, recognizing that compromise is essential.

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National 

Institute of 

Arthritis and 

Musculoskeletal 

and Skin 

Diseases

Joan A. McGowan, Ph.D. Director, Division of Musculoskeletal Diseases, 

Extramural Program

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Cell Biology) 

Brown University, 1978

M.S.: (Nutrition) 

Cornell University, 1968

B.S.: (Chemistry) 

Marymount College, 

New York City, NY, 1966

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My main research interests 

are in translational and 

clinical bone disease.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I was very slow to understand that a woman could make a career 

in science. When I started college, I hadn’t met many college 

graduates except my teachers, who were mostly nuns. I had a 

wonderful chemistry teacher in my first year of college who 

convinced me that you could have a normal life and be a scientist—well, maybe we were wrong about that or overly optimistic! 

I think the most important characteristic women scientists can 

develop is resilience. Things don’t always work out the way you 

expected or in the timeframe you gave it—life is like a scientific experiment and you have to be alert to the unexpected and 

follow up on directions you never imagined when you started. 

As John Lennon said, “Life is what happens, while you are 

making other plans.”

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I had wonderful mentoring as a graduate student at Brown, but 

little to none during my postdoctoral and early faculty years at 

Harvard. I learned a lot from that about how important it is to 

give advice and encouragement to young investigators, not only 

about the science, but about career moves and the importance 

of playing on teams outside your own environment. Young scientists should get mentoring from the people they work most 

closely with, but often they don’t, and I tell them to seek out 

mentors and guidance from wherever they can find it. 

I taught high school chemistry and biology, worked as a technician in two different laboratories, and had two children before 

I began my Ph.D. Balance of work and family life is not something you achieve every day. Some days you have to be there 

totally for the family and other times your head must be in your 

work. You miss a few things in both arenas while you are juggling, but your life is richer and maybe a former “soccer coach/

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Mom” can make use of the skills acquired managing people. I 

was very fortunate to have a very supportive scholar husband 

and when my children were school age, my mother came to live 

with us, making us a three-parent family. My advice to women 

professionals is that life is long and you don’t have to accomplish everything in the first two decades out of college.

INSIGHTS

NIH has really given me a chance to tap into talents and to do 

work I would never have had a chance to do in an academic institution. I have organized two large consensus conferences and 

served as the Senior Scientific Editor of a Surgeon General’s 

Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis. I also worked with 

the Women’s Health Initiative from its inception. I have had 

the chance to try to enhance and facilitate scientific careers, of 

both women and men, through counseling about grant applications, but also by selecting people for panels and workshops 

and conferences that gave them a chance to be seen and appreciated. I am very proud to have received the Leadership Award 

from the Women in Orthopedics for mentoring women in that 

field. Most of what has brought me the greatest satisfaction is 

beyond my “day job.” So I would say that taking advantage of 

opportunities to do volunteer work within the framework of 

your current job and position can be one of the most important things you can do for your career and your life. And, as a 

mentor, my goal is to offer those opportunities to others.

Ivona Aksentijevich, M.D.

Group Leader, Microarray Unit and Director, Molecular 

Diagnostics Lab, Genetics and Genomics Branch, 

Intramural Research Program

EDUCATION

NIH Genetics Fellowship: 

(Clinical Molecular Genetics) 

NIH, 1997–1999

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Arthritis and Rheumatism) 

NIAMS, 1990–1995

M.D.: University of Belgrade, 

Medical School, Belgrade, Serbia, 

Yugoslavia, 1986

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genetics and genomics of human inflammatory diseases

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I came to NIH soon after graduating from a medical school in 

Yugoslavia without any research experience. The first couple 

of years were very stressful, as I had to learn both the English 

language and the language of science. Looking in retrospect at 

the past 18 years, I think the most important factor in my career 

has been having an inspiring mentor. If it had not been for Dr. 

Daniel Kastner and his boundless love and enthusiasm for science, and for his compassionate nature, I am not sure whether I 

would have stayed in the demanding field of research. Our team 

battled for seven years until we cloned a gene causing an inflammatory disease. I will always remember the hardships and 

many disappointments we lived through, and of our joy once we 

had the culprit gene. A competent and kind mentor makes a lab 

a joyful and welcoming place to work.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As a mother of five, who is also working a full-time job in science, I feel that I have had to truly develop a sense of balance, 

efficiency, and self-discipline in order to make the two worlds 

mesh harmoniously. That is to say, that at any given moment, 

one side might have to take a break from the spotlight in order 

for the other to get a chance to further develop. And yet, somehow, through this constant compromise, both sides have intertwined such that they play off each other in the best way 

possible. My children might never have had a mom waiting at 

the school bus stop, but they have a mom of whom they are very 

proud. And while my students at work do not have a mentor 

available during late hours, they do have a mother-like teacher 

to coach them through their research work.

Elaine Frances Remmers, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist, Genomics Section, Genetics and 

Genomics Branch, Intramural Research Program

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Microbiology) University 

of Maryland, College Park, 1982

B.S.: (Biochemistry) University of 

Maryland, College Park, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Complex genetics of common 

rheumatic diseases

PIVOTAL EVENTS

During my career, I have realized 

that it is important to pursue a scientific question that interests you even if you do not have the expertise to answer it. Find 

and consult the experts. Learn new methods, if necessary, and 

tackle a new discipline. 

I wanted to know why one rat strain developed severe experimental arthritis while another strain remained unaffected. 

Although I was not trained in genetics, I delved into genetic 

studies, realizing that it was the key to the fundamental differences in these strains. When it became apparent that simple 

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Mendelian genetics could not explain the strain differences, I 

learned techniques to investigate complex genetics. 

My initial question has led to instrumental research in identifying over 20 genetic loci that contribute to disease susceptibility 

or severity, and generated more than 70 peer-reviewed articles 

describing animal model studies and their genetic basis. Recently it has also led to the identification of three new genes 

that contribute to rheumatoid arthritis in man, and two recent 

New England Journal of Medicine publications, including one 

describing a disease-associated variant of the STAT4 gene. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My mentors have encouraged me to take on new challenges in 

my work by helping put me in contact with experts and providing resources that made the work possible. Balancing my family 

and professional responsibilities has been greatly facilitated by 

my supportive husband and by understanding mentors.

Susana A. Serrate-Sztein, M.D.

Director, Division of Skin and Rheumatic Diseases, 

Extramural Program

EDUCATION

M.D.: School of Medicine, Buenos 

Aires University, 1979

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Clinical and translational research 

on rheumatic diseases and autoimmunity; influence of genetic, 

sex, and environmental factors in 

the development of autoimmune 

diseases. Immunology, pathology 

and biopsychosocial approaches 

to chronic diseases. Research careers of new investigators and 

participation of women and minority groups in biomedical research. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The transition from the bench to work on science, management, and administration at NIH was exhilarating and enlightening. I gained new understanding about the complexities of 

research and the systems that promote and support the most 

talented scientists in the United States. I enjoyed the opportunities to work with outstanding scientists to influence the 

direction of research on many chronic debilitating diseases, 

including many that disproportionally affect women, such as 

lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I am responsible for the Division of Skin and Rheumatic Diseases at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal 

and Skin Diseases where I oversee a large portfolio of grants 

and contracts dealing with the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of skin and rheumatic diseases. 

I have mentored students, young college graduates, and more 

senior professionals who have moved onto successful careers 

in biomedical research and research administration. I have had 

great mentors who influenced my career by virtue of their enthusiasm about science and their trust in my abilities. Helping 

others find a way to use their strengths to advance their careers 

is a challenge and a great source of personal and professional 

satisfaction. 

I have three children and a wonderful support system at home 

with my husband and my mother, who have shared with me the 

joys and responsibilities of raising them. I have been fortunate 

in that my children also understood that when Mom was working late or at away meetings, it was because she was working 

with other scientists to find cures for diseases that also affect 

children. It was not always easy, but having them understand 

and, when possible, participate in some of those activities 

helped tremendously.

Madeline Turkeltaub, Ph.D., R.N.

Director, Division of Extramural Research Activities, 

Extramural Program (Former)

EDUCATION 

Certificate: (Adult Primary Care 

Nurse Practitioner) The George 

Washington University, 1990

Ph.D.: (Higher Education 

Administration and Curriculum Development) University of 

Maryland, College Park, 1980 

M.N.: (Neurological Nursing) 

University of Pittsburgh, 1970

B.S.N.: (Nursing) Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, 1966

Diploma: (Nursing) Long Island College Hospital School of 

Nursing, Brooklyn, NY, 1965

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Patient outcomes, asthma and allergic disease, clinical trials 

management

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PIVOTAL EVENTS

As far as I can remember, I have always had an interest in 

pathophysiology and the causes of cellular malfunction. The 

profession of nursing allowed me to operationalize my interest. Federal Nurse Traineeships for both my baccalaureate and 

master’s degrees provided full tuition plus a stipend. Although 

there was no payback required, I have always felt that I had an 

obligation to public service and have generally fulfilled my 

career goals in public institutions. My interest in research in 

patient outcomes came from my desire to provide the most 

effective and current evidence-based care. As one of the first 

nurses to chair an Institutional Review Board in Maryland, I 

was directly involved in protection of human subjects. My experience at NIH started as a Clinical Research Project Manager 

and has evolved into an extramural Director position, which 

also continues to include supervision of clinical coordinators 

and oversight of safe clinical studies/trials.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Continuing to practice my profession while having a family 

stems from a sense of obligation related to the Federal funds 

expended on my education and the belief that with the help of 

my husband, a physician, I could balance both work and family. 

Our mutual understanding of the demands and the satisfaction 

of providing high-quality patient care was important to our 

supportive relationship. 

My philosophy as a mentor is to maximize the potential of my 

mentees. I first met my most influential mentor when I was 

a staff nurse. As Director of Nursing, she chose me to be on 

a committee and I can still hear her saying what a good job I 

did. During my career, she reappeared—when I met her again 

she invited me to work with her on a project that I knew little 

about, but she said, “I know you can do it,” and I did do it! 

Taking on new challenges is fun, and so is encouraging other 

people so that they too will develop the confidence to maximize their potential.

IN MEMORIUM:

The NIH mourns the death of Dr. Maddy Turkeltaub in the Spring of 2008. ORWH acknowledges 

the special role that she provided in overseeing 

the Specialized Centers of Research (SCOR) on 

Sex and Gender Factors Affecting Women’s Health 

Program, as well as her many other contributions 

to the NIH.

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National 

Institute of 

Biomedical 

Imaging 

and 

Bioengineering

Belinda Seto, Ph.D. Deputy Director

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry) 

Purdue University, 1974

B.S.: (Biology) University of 

California, Davis, 1970

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

My research interests 

include protein chemistry of 

enzymes involved in proline 

metabolism, protein–protein 

interactions, and enzyme 

mechanisms. I have also conducted research in virology, 

hepatitis viruses. As a research administrator, I was involved 

in developing clinical trial policies: data and safety monitoring, inclusion of women and minorities in clinical research.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My junior year in college at the University of California, Davis, 

was extremely science-intensive. By then, I had taken numerous science courses and enjoyed my experiences with laboratory experimentation. My interests were rewarded when I was 

given the opportunity to do an honor science project during 

the following summer. I worked on a research project involving anaerobic metabolism in methane bacteria. In order to 

understand the various metabolic products generated when 

these microbes are grown under a variety of conditions, I developed chromatographic methods to identify the metabolites. 

The project introduced me to the world of research, the quest 

for the unknown, and the thrill of answering questions about 

“what ifs.”

After completing my doctorate at Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, I came to the NIH for postdoctoral training. I was 

fortunate to work with Dr. Theresa Stadtman in the Laboratory 

of Biochemistry in the NHLBI. Dr. Stadtman is a world-renowned biochemist who succeeded in the largely male-dominated world of biochemistry in the 1960s. Not only did I gain 

tremendous experience in biochemistry, Dr. Stadtman was a 

wonderful role model for an ambitious female scientist.

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As I developed as an independent researcher, numerous senior 

scientists, including Dr. Stadtman, took time to mentor me. 

I learned that it is possible to be both professionally successful and generous to junior researchers. Dr. Stadtman gave me 

credit for my work by providing the opportunity for me to be 

the sole author on several publications in prestigious journals. 

In addition, I learned the importance of achieving a balance 

between my personal and professional time. During graduate 

school, I met my husband who, like me, is a scientist. I am 

extremely fortunate that he has always supported my professional goals. Early on, we arranged for at least one of us to be 

home with our three daughters in the evenings. I was able to 

have time with my children, who have grown into self-confident, independent young women who share our interest in 

biomedical research.

INSIGHTS

Research endeavors allowed me the opportunity to explore 

and pursue leads that are often surprising. I will never forget 

what Dr. Stadtman told me: negative experiments are as important, if not more so, than those that work as planned. It is 

liberating to recognize that what may seem like failure may 

indeed be revealing of some unknown concepts. Believing in 

this philosophy, I have learned to take calculated risks in my 

career. I decided to have a family before obtaining a tenured 

or permanent position in the lab. This might have been a risky 

move because I didn’t know the time and energy that children 

would require of me to be away from the bench. Yet, the decision gave me the most gratifying experience; my daughters are 

my most successful experiments. Not only did I gain a family, 

I was also able to achieve recognition in science. Learning that 

the two are not mutually exclusive was one of my most valuable lessons. Purdue University recently awarded me the Distinguished Alumnus in Science award and receiving the award 

with my family at my side, I knew that each of my endeavors 

was worth the fight. Dr. Stadtman bestowed upon me the gift 

of intellectual fearlessness. I discovered a confidence to push 

forth, even in trying circumstances, and it is one with which I 

hope to inspire others.

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Eunice 

Kennedy Shriver

National 

Institute of 

Child Health 

and Human 

Development

Yvonne Thompson Maddox, Ph.D. Deputy Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Physiology and 

Biophysics) Georgetown 

University, 1981

B.S.: (Biology) Virginia 

Union University, 1965

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Delineating how inflammatory mediators injure cells 

and studying gender differences in the vascular system

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My father became critically ill during my senior year in undergraduate school; this meant, given a stay-at-home mother and 

two younger brothers, that I had to forgo my dream of becoming 

a physician and find a job. Right out of undergraduate school, 

with a B.S. in biology and a great sense of faith in myself, I 

obtained a position as a blood bank technician at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. It is because of that job 

and the woman who managed the blood bank that I am where 

I am today. That work experience led me to private industry, a 

graduate degree, academia, and later to NIH. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

In my late twenties, married, and a mother, I enrolled in graduate school at Georgetown University. As I struggled to obtain 

the Ph.D. in physiology, I came to fully appreciate the value of 

mentoring and its role in career building. I had the great benefit of having two exceptionally bright and caring preceptors. 

One was a woman, an endocrinologist and full professor, who 

constantly reminded me that I could achieve whatever I desired. In addition, to make sure that my dreams were realized, 

she was always there to promote me and to keep me on track. 

The second mentor was a man, a British scientist, full professor 

and editor of a noted scientific journal. He was my thesis preceptor and he emphasized that “nothing took the place of good 

training,” and the necessity for obtaining a basic core of knowledge in the sciences in order to be successful as a researcher. 

He encouraged me to be innovative and to be constructively 

critical. While he admitted that many female students faced 

tougher obstacles than male students, he encouraged me to 

visualize what I wanted in a career and to expect nothing short 

of that vision. Thus, I found ways to juggle the child, the house 

work, the business trips, the lectures, the grant writing; and in 

doing so, was able to instill in my son, now a successful architect, that skill of “keeping all the balls in the air.” “Taking hold 

of and tackling the situation at hand” is also the message that I 

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have conveyed to the many budding scientists and administrators whom I have mentored.

INSIGHTS

Serving as the Deputy Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 

(NICHD) enables me to fulfill my life-long dream, to help 

protect and promote the health and well-being of women and 

children, especially those who may be vulnerable because of 

the circumstances in which they are born and live. NICHD research focuses on areas that are critical to women and children 

and to our Nation’s health: child development, developmental 

biology, nutrition, AIDS, intellectual disabilities, population 

issues, reproductive biology, contraception, pregnancy, and 

medical rehabilitation. My role is to guide and oversee NICHD 

organizations and programs and to work with other NIH Institutes and Centers and with outside groups and institutions. 

I value the hard work and the many rewards of my research 

career, but also know that discoveries in the laboratory and 

insights gained at the bedside cannot help individual women 

and children unless these discoveries and insights shape the 

programs and policies that affect the health of populations. 

In addition, it is critical that partnerships be forged with the 

many publics that benefit from and impact upon medical research. So, I am fortunate to be able to lead many activities to 

improve the health of special populations, both domestically 

and abroad. For example, NICHD supported research that 

showed that putting infants to sleep on their backs reduces 

the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Working 

with the American Academy of Pediatrics, we have translated 

this science into the national “back to sleep” campaign, and 

U.S. SIDS rates have dropped by more than 50 percent. I have 

subsequently drawn upon the strengths of the African American community in a national coalition to bring greater reduction of SIDS rates in African American children. 

 I have learned from each of my positions at the NIH, including the time I served as Acting Deputy Director, NIH, the value 

of establishing collaborations and enhancing communications 

in moving our scientific advances to the populations who are 

most in need. As Co-Chair of the NIH’s Public Trust Initiative, 

I work with colleagues and NIH’s many publics to enhance understanding and trust of medical research. It was an honor to 

colead the Department of Health and Human Services National Strategy to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and the Department’s 

Race and Health Disparities Initiative, and to help develop the 

agenda to address the challenges we face in reaching underserved populations in which poverty and cultural barriers interfere with delivering effective, vital health messages. 

Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz, Ph.D. Chief, Section on Organelle Biology, 

Cell Biology and Metabolism Program, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry) 

The Johns Hopkins 

University, 1986

M.S.: (Biology) 

Stanford University, 1979

B.A.: (Psychology and 

Philosophy) Swarthmore 

College, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Understanding how intracellular organelles are assembled and inherited, and how proteins move within cells; 

development of quantitative tools and methods for analyzing 

proteins and organelle dynamics in living cells

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The most pivotal event in my experience as a scientist was recognizing the power of live cell imaging with Green Fluorescent 

Protein (GFP). This occurred early in my career as an independent investigator when I started using GFP in experiments. 

At the time, GFP was viewed simply as a new type of reporter 

molecule. I soon realized that by employing techniques such as 

photobleaching and photoactivation in living cells, GFP could 

be used as a quantitative tool to measure intracellular protein 

diffusion, protein binding/dissociation rates, and transport 

kinetics in single cells. This, in turn, led me to collaborate 

with biophysicists and physicists to employ kinetic modeling 

approaches to address key organizational principles of endomembrane structure and function.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As a proud mother of two and with a husband busy negotiating 

peace agreements at the U.S. State Department, I have always 

walked a tight rope in balancing family with professional responsibilities. Two approaches have helped in this process. 

One is having a clear perspective on the relationship of home 

and work. My family knows that I am committed first to them 

and then to doing science. This makes them supportive when 

there are events or periods at work that require more of my 

time and energy. A second is pacing one’s style of doing work. 

I’ve discovered that continuous, small steps at work often lead 

more quickly to real accomplishment in science than large 

bursts of work that drain all your energy. One needs to know 

exactly when crunch time is for a project. Then one goes all out. 

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Regarding mentoring, I have found that it is very important not 

to prejudge the abilities of your students and postdocs. Time 

and again I have been amazed by their growth in doing science. 

Also, I feel it is very important to listen to students and postdocs and to respect their ideas. The students and postdocs in 

my lab always provide significant input of ideas and direction 

into the projects they are working on.

INSIGHTS

In being in the forefront in the use of quantitative, live cell imaging with GFP fusion proteins, my lab has been able to discover a variety of new features of organelles and protein transport 

pathways. These discoveries, however, have not always been 

met with the most enthusiastic response, especially when they 

contradict existing paradigms. I’ve found that extraordinary 

determination and patience are important for weathering these 

storms. It is also important to rise above the fray by listening to 

your critics and then concentrating on doing new experiments 

to shed additional light on a problem. 

Germaine M. Buck Louis, Ph.D., R.N. Senior Investigator and Chief, Epidemiology Branch, 

Division of Epidemiology, Statistics, and 

Prevention Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Epidemiology) 

State University of NY 

at Buffalo, 1987

M.S.: (Epidemiology) 

State University of NY 

at Buffalo, 1980

B.A.: (Sociology) 

State University of NY 

at Buffalo, 1978

R.N.: Millard Fillmore 

School of Nursing, 1975

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Environmental determinants of human fecundity and fertility, 

development of methodologies for measuring exposures during 

critical or sensitive windows of human development for the 

assessment of reproductive toxicity

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My passion for reproductive epidemiology has continually 

served as a source of my motivation. Upon reflection, two 

pivotal factors have positively affected my ability to succeed: 

1) supportive mentors, and 2) seed money for new investigators. Young investigators need mentors who will listen, encourage, and actually assist them in the transition to independent 

investigator. Without exception, I am continually reminded 

how much of my success is attributed to past and current mentors. Secondly, seed money is critical to help young investigators succeed, and I was fortunate to have this resource available 

to me. Funding allowed me to get started, learn the ropes, and 

build my confidence. Lastly, being a mother made me a better 

researcher. I have never designed a protocol asking study participants (or their families) to do something I would not do 

or ask of my family. I believe this has served me well without 

losing any scientific integrity.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My first mentors were all men who were dedicated to their professions and families, as were my former department chairs. As 

a mother of four and a long-time provider of elder care, I never 

have felt guilty when my professional responsibilities were 

temporarily offset by family responsibilities. This balancing act 

is dynamic and often changes in an unpredictable way, underscoring the need to be flexible. I was fortunate to have a flexible 

work environment that empowered me to decide where, when, 

and how I would work to the extent possible in academe. The 

tone for a balanced professional and personal life was set from 

the top down, requiring no one to apologize for wanting to be 

defined by more than one’s profession. As scientists, we are 

selectively highly motivated. Tapping into this motivation by 

offering a flexible work environment allows life to define our 

professional demands rather than the reverse. 

INSIGHTS

I can think of three milestones that fostered my professional 

development, beginning with the completion of the academic 

requirements for an earned doctorate. As I was completing 

my degree in 1987, I was very interested in competing for the 

Abraham Lilienfeld Student Prize Paper Award offered by the 

Society for Epidemiologic Research in recognition of the best 

student-authored dissertation paper. Despite being discouraged from competing by my department chair (his advice was 

that the award normally went to students in the top schools), 

I was strongly encouraged to apply by my mentor, whose unconditional support was a continual source of motivation for 

me. He remains my mentor to this day. From this experience, 

I learned how to make “no” a motivating influence in my life. 

The second major milestone was earning tenure at my previous 

institution despite underrepresentation of women amongst the 

tenured medical school faculty. Tenure is incredibly liberating and bestows recognition (both internally and externally) 

about one’s ability to conduct original research, train the next 

cadre of students, and serve one’s profession and institution. 

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Tenure is achievable even if the timeline requires flexibility 

to accommodate the responsibilities associated with raising 

young children or providing elder care, such as in my case. 

Without question, I believe being a mother and daughter made 

me a better reproductive epidemiologist.

Another important milestone was being asked to serve The 

National Academies by working on some of the most pressing problems facing the American people. Serving on panels 

with experts from various disciplines is challenging, informative, and just plain fun. There is a cost in that time spent may 

mean fewer papers. However, time spent opens new career 

avenues such as those involving the synthesis of information 

with regard to public policy and advocacy. A well-developed 

professional should open his/her self to such experiences, especially before advising others not to pursue such opportunities. My best advice for junior faculty and young investigators 

is to consider the word “no” advisory at best, and to follow your 

passion in the pursuit of new knowledge or professional service 

opportunities. Do so within the comfort of your timeline.

Lynne Meryl Mofenson, M.D. Chief, Pediatric, Adolescent & Maternal AIDS Branch, 

Center for Research for Mothers & Children

EDUCATION

M.D.: Albert Einstein 

College of Medicine, 1977

B.A.: (Psychology) 

State University of New 

York, Stony Brook, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Clinical and epidemiologic 

research in issues related to 

pediatric/perinatal infectious diseases; specifically, 

HIV infection and HIVassociated coinfections in 

pregnant women, infants, children, and adolescents

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Coming to the NIH in 1989 was a pivotal experience. The environment provided by my supervisor, colleagues, and the 

NICHD in general allowed me to recognize my areas of expertise and where I could best make contributions. It also allowed 

me the flexibility to expand my activities outside of standard 

NIH work. My greatest rewards are providing consultation domestically and to the World Health Organization on guidelines 

for care and treatment of HIV-infected women and children, 

and seeing the effect of these guidelines on improving global 

public health. I feel privileged to have been accorded this 

unique opportunity by the NIH, and grateful to the NICHD 

leadership for allowing me to expand my work to include not 

just supporting research, but also assisting in implementing 

the research findings globally.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

I have to give my husband full credit for my ability to balance 

family and career; he worked from home and was primary caregiver for our daughter from age 5 years through high school, 

and has been (and is) very understanding and patient with 

the long hours and frequent travel that my job requires. I try 

to ensure that the work environment in my Branch is flexible 

enough to allow staff time with their families and not allow 

work to overwhelm their lives (as I often do). I encourage my 

extramural staff to not just supervise but actively participate in 

the research we support. It is rewarding to watch the staff develop individual expertise areas and make contributions to the 

scientific literature and public health policy. I am very proud of 

the work our staff has been able to accomplish and the contributions they have made.

INSIGHTS

After medical school, I entered private pediatric and infectious 

diseases practice, where I saw some of the first HIV-infected 

patients in the early 1980s. My career then veered toward 

public health and in 1985, I moved to work in the Division 

of Infectious Disease Control in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. There I became involved with HIV in 

children (along with other infectious diseases) from a public 

health and policy perspective. This was expanded when I 

joined the NICHD in 1989 and focused my work specifically 

on HIV infection and its treatment in women and children. It 

has been very rewarding to see the major public health effects 

on the HIV epidemic in women and children, resulting from 

the work of our Branch and collaborating Institutes. When I 

joined the NIH, there were thousands of HIV-infected infants 

being born in the United States each year and HIV infection 

in children was a death sentence. Now, new pediatric HIV infections have been nearly eliminated domestically and HIVinfected children are becoming adolescents and young adults, 

thanks to new treatments. The challenge now is to make these 

domestic achievements become a global reality. In 1994, I was 

selected by the NIH Director to chair the Public Health Task 

Force that developed guidelines on prevention of mother-tochild transmission, following the results of Pediatric AIDS 

Clinical Trials Group protocol 076. This provided me a model 

for translating research results into guidelines and effective 

public policy and led to my commitment to this type of translational activity in the pediatric HIV arena. Through my experiences with pediatric HIV research at NIH, I have learned that 

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collaborations (which are not always easy to achieve) are often 

the key to achieving positive results. This could be viewed as a 

more “female” point of view, as opposed to a more traditional 

“male” competitive research model, but I feel the results we 

have achieved show the success of this approach. 

Catherine Y. Spong, M.D. Chief, Pregnancy and Perinatology Branch, 

Center for Developmental Biology & Perinatal Medicine; 

Chief, Unit on Perinatal and Developmental 

Neurobiology, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Senior Staff Fellow: 

Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, NICHD, 

1997–2000

Fellowship: (Maternal 

Fetal Medicine) NICHD 

and Georgetown University 

Medical Center, 1995–1998

Internship/Residency: 

(Obstetrics and Gynecology) Harbor UCLA Medical 

Center, 1991–1995

M.D.: (Six-Year Medical Program) 

University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1991

B.A.: (Biology and Chemistry) 

University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1991

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research focuses on maternal and child health, emphasizing prematurity and fetal growth restriction. In addition, I am 

interested in the developing fetus and neuroprotective agents 

to prevent fetal injury. I am also the Program Scientist for the 

NICHD Maternal Fetal Medicine Units Network, a network 

of 14 sites in the United States that performs clinical trials in 

high-risk pregnancies. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My parents encouraged me to enter science fairs beginning in 

kindergarten. They stimulated my curiosity, identifying projects appropriate for my age (growing avacado pits under different conditions, growing crystals in first grade, evaluating 

magnetic fields in second, and so on). They taught me how to 

develop a hypothesis and to realize that things did not always 

work out as expected.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

In order to balance so many activities, including being an Extramural NICHD Branch Chief, running an intramural lab, remaining clinically active as a maternal fetal medicine specialist, 

being an associate Editor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, an Editor 

of three textbooks, and a wife and mother, I am fortunate to 

be surrounded by incredibly supportive, intelligent, and hardworking people. I owe much to those I work with, my family and 

parents, for it is their support that drives me and facilitates my 

ability to succeed. I have tried to instill in those I mentor the 

critical importance of believing in what you do, doing things 

you enjoy, and the importance of family.

INSIGHTS

I have been interested in a career in medicine as long as I can 

remember. I have always wanted to help people and to improve 

the lives of others. My career has been marked by taking advantage of unexpected opportunities and looking beyond what is 

typical. In medical school, one of my earliest mentors was new 

to the school and unexpectedly welcomed us to join his lab—an 

opportunity I readily accepted. I had been involved in research 

in high school and really enjoyed it. His constant guidance over 

the subsequent 5 years provided extensive experience and the 

introduction to national meetings where I have been presenting and attending for many years. 

In choosing my specialty, I was drawn to obstetrics with the 

hope of being able to improve the health of mothers and children, but the clincher was that this was a field where there was 

the potential for pure joy. Certainly there can be sadness, but 

being present at the birth of a child is a gift never forgotten. In 

a visit to the NIH as a resident, I learned of an opportunity to 

pursue my maternal–fetal medicine fellowship at the NICHD 

and participate in cutting-edge research. Developing my skills 

as a basic scientist intramurally, I learned of opportunities for 

full-time positions at NICHD for obstetricians, something I 

had not realized existed. 

Since joining the NICHD in 1995, and the extramural program in 2000, I have been honored to develop and identify research programs that impact how obstetrical care is given, for 

example, participating in trials that have identified a therapy 

to prevent recurrent preterm birth and in ongoing studies on 

stillbirth. I have learned that improving the health of women 

in pregnancy feeds into our ultimate goal, to improve life-long 

health. The ability to optimize the intrauterine environment 

and hence allowing the baby the best environment for development, not only improves pregnancy outcome, but also improves long-term health for the mother and child and thus the 

health of all with less heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. 

Most importantly, I have learned that the best mechanism for 

success is to surround yourself with supportive and successful 

people. I have been blessed with incredibly supportive family 

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and friends and I have worked very hard to keep my family as 

the center of my life. For me, children are the essence of life; 

their presence resonates in everything I do, thus I have incorporated my children as an integral part of my professional 

career.

Christine Almy Bachrach, Ph.D.

Chief, Demographic & Behavioral Sciences Branch, 

Center for Population Research; 

Acting Associate Director for Behavioral & Social 

Sciences, NIH; Acting Director, Office of Behavioral and 

Social Sciences Research, Office of the Director, NIH

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Population Dynamics) 

The Johns Hopkins University 

School of Hygiene and Public 

Health, 1979

M.A.: (Sociology [Demography]) 

Georgetown University, 1974

B.A.: (Social Relations) Harvard 

University, 1972 

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Social environmental effects on health; health and development over the life course; fertility, family formation, and reproductive behaviors; social demography; dynamic processes 

of social change

PIVOTAL EVENTS

When I arrived at the NIH as an extramural program officer, I 

had to learn that I could be a scientist without doing research 

myself. Learning that lesson allowed me to develop a broad 

vision of science that discovers opportunities in the ways that 

scientific fields intersect and challenge one another. Several 

pivotal experiences facilitated my learning process. I chaired 

a trans-NIH conference on social and cultural dimensions of 

health and initiated a second on social and behavioral contributions to health disparities. I chaired the Social Environment Working Group for the National Children’s Study; and 

joined the National Advisory Committee of the Robert Wood 

Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) Health and Society Scholars 

Program. The NIH environment has allowed me to learn constantly over the past two decades, and enabled me to contribute to an extraordinarily exciting scientific goal: integrating 

knowledge from biomedical, behavioral, and social scientists 

to improve health. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Over the years, I have mentored a steady stream of staff, interns, and fellows, maintaining relationships with quite a few. 

I helped to establish a mentoring program that is now formally 

adopted by the Population Association of America. I mentored 

in the NCI’s “Knowledge Management” program, and as a 

member of the National Advisory Board of the RWJF Health 

and Society Scholars Program. 

Having been fortunate in my own professional life, I am especially committed to helping young women negotiate their 

personal and professional lives. I had children immediately 

after completing my doctoral training. I combined part-time 

work (60–75 percent) with parenting for 13 rewarding years, 

juggling building my publication record with making Halloween costumes for my children. I have never felt I paid a price: 

NICHD appointed me to lead my current program 1 year after 

I resumed full-time work and supported me as I developed an 

endlessly rewarding career. 

Maria L. Dufau, M.D., Ph.D.

Chief, Section on Molecular Endocrinology, 

Endocrinology and Reproduction Research Branch, 

Program in Developmental Endocrinology and 

Genetics, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Medical Sciences) 

National University of Cuyo, 

Mendoza, Argentina, 1968

Research Fellow: (Medicine 

and Pediatrics) Massachusetts 

General Hospital and Boston 

Lying-In Hospital, 1963–1967

Rockefeller Foundation 

Fellowship 1962–1966

Rockefeller Foundation 

Biochemical Training Program: Tulane University, 1962–1963 

M.D.: National University of Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 1962

B.A.: (Education) Normal School, Mendoza Argentina 1955 

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Molecular basis of the hormonal control of gonadal function 

with emphasis on the structure and regulation of the human 

luteinizing hormone receptor (repression and de-repression 

mechanisms, epigenetics, signal transduction); multiple-promoter control of human prolactin receptor gene transcription 

by steroids and growth factors; elucidation of the function of 

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inhibitory short forms of the prolactin receptor and their relevance to physiological regulation and breast cancer; the regulatory mechanisms involved in the progress of spermatogenesis 

and Leydig cell function, including the identification and functional characterization of novel regulatory genes that participate in the progression of testicular gametogenesis, Leydig cell 

function, and other endocrine processes

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My rigorous medical training gave me a broad base for the understanding of human biology and pathology, and very early 

on I became interested in endocrinology. I was encouraged 

by two of my teachers (chairmen of physiology and medicine) 

to apply for a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship, which permitted me to obtain training in clinical endocrinology in the 

United States and to begin a career in biomedical research. I 

was very fortunate to have excellent mentors throughout my 

training, which permitted me to rapidly develop an independent field of research. Also, from my earliest days of investigation at the NICHD, my research was well recognized and I 

received funding that allowed me to pursue my research goals. 

Furthermore, I must acknowledge the contributions of many 

talented postdoctoral fellows, my staff scientist, research associates, and visiting scientists who have worked in my laboratory over the years, and my collaborators to the success of my 

research program. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

A major component of my activities has been mentoring of 

the many fellows from the United States and abroad who have 

trained in my laboratory. I have always emphasized the importance of acquiring a broad knowledge of the field, as well as 

specialized insights into their specific research topics. I have 

instilled the need for learning and performing all techniques 

required for the experiments, as indispensable to facilitate 

their future independent research. While guiding and nurturing them to perform productively, and to always follow novel 

approaches, I have fostered their independence. It has been 

very pleasing to observe them grow as successful investigators 

in academia, industry, and as high-level administrators of research programs. 

I was able to maintain a continuous series of research accomplishments in my laboratory program while raising a son and 

attending to family responsibilities, with the invaluable support of my husband and other family members.

Lynnette K. Nieman, M.D.

Senior Investigator and Chief, Section on Reproductive 

Medicine, Program in Reproductive and Adult 

Endocrinology, Division of Intramural Research; 

Associate Director, Inter-institute Endocrinology 

Training Program

EDUCATION

M.D.: SUNY Buffalo, 1978

A.B.: (Molecular and Cellular 

Biology) Smith College, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Clinical investigation of cortisol 

deficiency and excess; effects of 

gonadal steroids on reproduction

PIVOTAL EVENTS

When I was a chief resident, one 

of my coworkers and I were talking about success as an academic. He very mysteriously said, “Success is very simple, just 

follow the three P’s...” Of course, I had to know about these 

magical concepts. After some delaying tactics, he finally told 

me: Patience, Persistence, and Perseverance. While I did not 

feel enlightened at the time, I have come to realize the merit 

in this advice, and the subtle nuances between each of the 

“P’s.” Science is not a noninterrupted series of “aha” events, 

or wonderful discoveries, but rather, a process toward a goal. 

The process may be tedious and disheartening. Although they 

do not guarantee it, patience in the moment, long-term persistence toward the goal, and perseverance in times of adversity, 

all contribute to success.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

It is hard to balance personal/family and professional responsibilities without worrying about the outcome of each. Apart 

from choosing a supportive partner, my advice is to first know 

and prioritize what you want—children, personal pursuits, 

housework, etc. Next, figure out your resources—money, time, 

helpers. Then think about all the solutions and buy, negotiate, 

or reschedule to rebalance your life. Finally, recognize that 

there may be times when it just isn’t fun to juggle.

Sadly, mentoring is not well-rewarded in the academic world 

and the traits thought to characterize a successful scientist may 

not overlap those of a good mentor. Despite this, we all need 

mentoring until we retire. A mentor who is also a good friend is 

rare and precious. Sometimes mentoring needs can be parsed 

amongst many colleagues. Self-reflection about needs and creatively considering solutions (e-mail, short interviews, longterm coffee breaks) may help.

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Ida Stephens Owens, Ph.D.

Chief, Section on Genetic Disorders of Drug Metabolism, 

Heritable Disorders Branch, 

Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Physiology) 

Duke University, 1967

B. S.: (Biology) North Carolina 

Central University, 1961 

RESEARCH INTEREST 

My research focuses on the genetics and modulation of human 

endoplasmic reticulum-bound 

detoxifying enzymes, UDPglucuronosyltransferases (UGT), 

which rid the body of an unlimited number of endogenously 

and exogenously derived chemical toxins

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Upon completing my undergraduate studies at North Carolina Central University, I unexpectedly gained entry into the 

Physiology Department at Duke University Medical School by 

fortuitously meeting the departmental chairman (D.C. Tosteson) and was among the first two African Americans to receive a Ph.D. from that University (J. J. Blum, Ph.D. mentor). 

Secondly, I joined the NIH with a United States Public Health 

Service (USPHS) grant and completed postdoctoral work with 

Y.J. Topper in National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and 

Digestive Diseases (former) (NIAMDD) followed by postdoctoral training with D.W. Nebert in NICHD with the promise of 

a tenure-track position. During the second postdoctoral endeavor, I sought and gained approval of my mentor to develop a 

program concerning the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase system. 

This system was in the pathway related to the interest of my 

mentor who focused on cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases. With the advent of cloning technology, I was able to 

carry out molecular studies that developed into a cutting-edge 

research program, which included the first sequencing of the 

novel 13-gene human UGT1 complex locus containing the bilirubin-specific UGT gene. This enabled us to describe the first 

genetic defect in children afflicted with Crigler-Najjar (CN) 

diseases (Types I and II) and earn the NIH Director’s award. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have been a dedicated mentor since gaining tenure at NICHD, 

training many students starting with sustained support of a 

bio-aide from Howard University (S. Farquharson) in 1989, 

who went onto obtain a Ph.D. from Duke University. There 

have been more than 80 summer interns, postbaccalaureate 

trainees, and postdocs trained in my laboratory. Following a 

1993 NIH survey that showed women scientists at NIH were 

treated unfairly, corrective measures were taken, including a 

surveillance process to prevent reversibility of this action. As 

NIH mandated, a senior-level female scientist, designated 

Women Scientists Advisor (WSA), was elected in each institute 

by her peers to monitor unfair treatment; I was elected WSA by 

women scientists in NICHD. Although I was supposed to serve 

for 2 years, I have been in that position since 1997, as a replacement was never identified. 

With respect to family life, great support from my husband 

made my earlier years of balancing family responsibilities 

manageable. Indeed it was demanding juggling time between 

science and the multitude of issues surrounding the care of 

children. As every opportunity counted, it was very much a 

bonus to add-on family vacations at the end of scientific meetings, making the juggling act and the two competing responsibilities come together with an enjoyable outcome. 

Keiko Ozato, Ph.D.

Chief, Section on Molecular Genetics of Immunity 

and Deputy Chief, Laboratory of Molecular Growth 

Regulation, Program in Genomics of Differentiation, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Visiting Associate: NCI,1987–1981 

Research Associate: 

Johns Hopkins University, 

School of Medicine, 1975–1978 

Postdoctoral training: 

(Developmental Immunology) 

Carnegie Institution 

of Washington, 1973–1975 

Ph.D.: (Developmental Biology) 

Kyoto University, Japan, 1973

M.S.: (Science) Kyoto University, Faculty of Science, 1966

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Gene regulation in the developing immune system 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My mother, who was a traditional Japanese housewife with 

no scientific education, had unconditionally supported me to 

pursue a scientific career. This was in the face of opposition 

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and other obstacles. Her trust in me and in science has been 

the primal, lasting impetus for me to work in research. Later, 

I have had close scientific interactions with my husband and 

received consistent encouragement from him. This has been 

the most valuable asset I have had throughout my career. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Although our daily focus is directed toward the natural world, 

positive interactions with fellow scientists are important requirements for making progress in our work. Though we are 

not formally trained in mentoring, it seems that many of us 

learn to establish nurturing interactions with other laboratory 

workers during our research career. Early scientific education 

can incite interest in science in young minds that may lead to 

a career in science. The Summer Intern and other programs at 

the Institute allow us to interact with young students and are 

important opportunities toward this goal. 

With respect to the family–career balance, we have witnessed 

a historical shift in emphasis for women scientists during our 

own time. Now we are no longer looked upon critically if we 

choose to work late into the night in the laboratory when we 

have a family at home.

Tracey A. Rouault, M.D.

Chief, Section on Human Iron Metabolism and 

Head, Molecular Medicine Program, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

M.D.: Duke University Medical 

School, 1977

B.S.: (Biology) Yale College, 1973

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am interested in understanding 

how humans regulate iron metabolism to ensure that there is sufficient iron to support the function 

of cellular enzymes, while avoiding 

problems of toxicity caused by 

iron overload. Individual cells and tissues regulate uptake and 

sequestration of iron in the cytosol, and in mitochondria, the 

main engines of cellular metabolism. Our work has demonstrated that iron regulatory protein 2 is the main regulator of 

mammalian cytosolic iron homeostasis. Mice that lack iron 

regulatory protein 2 develop microcytic anemia, erythropoietic protoporphyria, and adult-onset neurodegeneration. 

We are studying our mouse model to better understand early 

mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease. In addition, we 

are interested in mitochondrial iron homeostasis, and we are 

studying how disruption of mitochondrial iron-sulfur cluster assembly leads to the human neurodegenerative disease, 

Friedreich ataxia. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

When I was a student at Duke Medical School, I had the opportunity to work in a medical research laboratory during my 

third year of studies. I completed a project that involved using 

electron microscopy to evaluate red cell membrane lesions in 

patients with a rare type of hemolytic anemia. My work led to 

writing and publication of an article in the journal, Blood. I 

experienced the satisfaction of answering a research question 

and summarizing the results of my work in a research article. 

The success of this small project was important in the development of my career, because I had the opportunity to present 

my results at a symposium and to write a scientific paper, and I 

realized that research could be rewarding and exciting.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My two children were born before I started my research fellowship at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child 

Health and Human Development. I found that research was 

compatible with my responsibilities at home because I could 

plan experiments and organize my life. Despite the possibility of working regular hours during my early years in research, 

I frequently had to stay late or work at night to complete experiments. Fortunately, we were able to hire several wonderful 

women from South America who lived in our house during the 

week. We sponsored one of these women for U.S. citizenship, 

and we have remained close with her family for many years. As 

a result, both of my daughters speak excellent Spanish, a great 

extra benefit of our child-care arrangements. As a mentor of 

young scientists, I try to be as flexible as possible, because I 

think that people work best when they feel that they control 

their own destinies.

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Gisela Storz, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator and Chief, Section on Environmental 

Gene Regulation, Cell Biology, and Metabolism Program, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry) 

University of California, 

Berkeley 1988

B.A.: (Biochemistry) 

University of Colorado, 

Boulder, 1984

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Cellular defenses against oxidative 

stress, identification and characterization of noncoding RNAs, identification and characterization of small, unannotated proteins

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The continuing support, encouragement, and advice of several 

individuals, both mentors and colleagues, as well as my husband, have been critical throughout my career. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I think mentoring students and postdoctoral fellows is one 

of the biggest joys in my profession. It is a great pleasure for 

me to follow the careers of former lab members and to hear 

of their successes.

For me, having three children has provided a good counterbalance to the rigors of leading a research group and fulfilling 

other professional responsibilities. It is sometimes a challenge 

to accommodate the demands of both work and family while 

retaining time for myself, but I feel fortunate to have a very interesting and fulfilling life. 

Marian Willinger, Ph.D.

Special Assistant for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 

Pregnancy & Perinatology Branch, 

Center for Developmental Biology & Perinatal Medicine

EDUCATION

NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Neuropathology), Harvard 

Medical School, 1976–1979

Ph.D.: (Microbiology), 

University of Pennsylvania, 1976 

B.A.: (Biology) 

SUNY Binghamton, 1970

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome 

(SIDS), stillbirth, adverse pregnancy and infant outcome, 

health disparities

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My graduate and postdoctoral training were of the highest 

quality and are the foundation for my achievements. When 

I was junior faculty, I realized I wanted a future as a member 

of a team to improve public health rather than being a bench 

scientist. I spent a year interviewing with Federal agencies, 

think tanks, and science journalists trying to find the right fit. 

I joined the early years of the NIAID effort to combat AIDS. 

Quickly, I learned how the government tackles a public health 

threat. My passion is maternal and child health and an opportunity became available to expand the SIDS program at NICHD. 

Soon after, the international community was mobilizing with 

new knowledge to reduce SIDS risk. I forged fruitful collaborations and learned new disciplines. I became part of a powerful 

team, which was successful in reducing SIDS deaths by half. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My thesis advisor taught me to think objectively, critically, and 

creatively about scientific questions. I try to impart these values 

when mentoring. Also, I try to support young people in their 

career search. The willingness of senior professionals to give 

me their time was vital to my search. 

It took vigilance and staying focused on my personal priorities when balancing family and professional responsibilities. I 

wanted the peace of mind that I was doing the best that I could 

for my family, so support systems were very important. As a 

baby, my son had a wonderful daycare provider. My parents 

also helped and good schools were essential. The NICHD leadership at all levels share my value of family, and value my contributions. Their support has enabled me to achieve a healthy 

balance and accomplish my personal and professional goals. 

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Anne D. Willoughby, M.D.

Director, Center for Research for Mothers & Children 

(Former)

EDUCATION

USPHS Epidemiology Fellowship: NIH, 1984–1986

M.P.H.: (Epidemiology) 

University of California – Berkley, 1983–1984

Robert Wood Johnson General Academic Fellowship: 

Stanford University, 1981–1983

M.D.: Cornell University Medical College, 1978

A.B.: (Psychology) Bryn Mawr College, 1973

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Maternal and child health, pediatric and maternal HIV/AIDS, 

global health

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I believe that my work at NIH has been a stimulus to my growth 

as a scientist. Through talking with scientists all over the United 

States and abroad, attending professional meetings, making site 

visits to many excellent medical academic centers, and even 

the routine process of reading grant applications and attending 

study sections, I have had an opportunity to see the superb science funded by NIH be initiated and come to fruition. I always 

say that attending study section is listening to the smartest 

people in the world talk about the nascent work of the smartest 

people in the world. The growth made possible by working at 

NIH is unparalleled in the entire world and I am lucky to be a 

part of it.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

One of the finest mentors in the world is Dr. Wendy Baldwin, 

who was branch chief of the Demographic and Behavioral 

Sciences Branch in NICHD. Wendy later became the Deputy 

Director of NICHD and then Deputy Director of the NIH. She 

was a mentor extraordinaire because she saw every moment 

with me as a teachable moment. She always wanted me to 

know more than I already did and would show me the ropes 

if I would stand still for 15 seconds. She appointed people to 

committees who were a “reach” for them—and they succeeded, to their surprise but not Wendy’s. She made it all look easy 

and full of joy and purpose.

I was pregnant with my first child when I interviewed at NIH. 

He is now a second-year medical student. I guess that means 

that I somehow balanced life and work well. I think the key 

(and the only key) is to work incredibly hard and face the fact 

that you are going to be exhausted much of the time. You can’t 

complain about the exhaustion because it is the price you pay 

for what you have. You know you made a choice and you aren’t 

entitled to be anything but grateful that you have choices.

Karen K. Winer, M.D.

Medical Officer, Endocrinology, Nutrition & Growth 

Branch, Center for Research for Mothers & Children

EDUCATION

M.D.: Sackler School 

of Medicine 1984

B.A.: (Music History and Theory) 

Boston University, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Disorders of growth and sexual 

maturation, osteoporosis prevention, bone growth and accrual 

in childhood, type 1 diabetes, 

calcium metabolism, and 

hypoparathyroidism. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The training I received during my fellowship years at the 

NICHD represents a pivotal experience. The unique environment at the NIH helped pave the way for my initiation of several 

important intramural and extramural projects. First, my study 

to develop an effective treatment for hypoparathyroidism with 

the missing hormone, parathyroid hormone, has markedly 

improved the quality of life of my patients and a new wealth 

of research spawned from my findings has been enormously 

gratifying. Second, the multicenter Bone Mineral Density in 

Childhood Study (BMDCS), a 6-year study of bone growth, 

provides unique longitudinal bone density measures, bone 

age, sexual maturation, and anthropometric data for 2,000 

children ages 5–18. The study has opened the door for further 

investigations in disorders of skeletal growth and maturation 

that often accompany chronic illness in childhood. Third, my 

involvement with the successful multicenter Diabetes Research 

in Children’s Network (DirecNet), a group of five centers that 

are working together to develop and test noninvasive ways to 

monitor children with type 1 diabetes with the ultimate goal of 

“closing the loop” between automatic glucose level measurements and appropriate insulin delivery responses.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing family with professional responsibilities has been 

challenging, but the experiences and satisfaction I derive 

from each has given me tools that have been invaluable in 

succeeding in the other. The boundless curiosity of my children and their ability each day to see the world new born and 

their keen eye for the human condition created an important 

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model for me as I pursued my research. The nurturing skills 

I developed as a mother have made me more effective in the 

way I care for my protocol patients and far more determined 

to improve their lives. 

An essential part of my work as a program administrator is to 

provide guidance to investigators. I communicate with investigators and speak with them at professional meetings to discuss 

their research ideas, difficulties with navigating the NIH review 

system, and funding opportunities at the NICHD. Since 1999, 

I have been program director for K12–Child Health Career 

Development Award Program. This program provides training and research funds for young investigators, giving them 

opportunities to develop their research skills that would, in 

the absence of this program, be unavailable to them. Over the 

past 17 years, 550 junior investigators have received training 

through this program. 

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NIDCD

National 

Institute on 

Deafness and 

Other 

Communication 

Disorders

Judith A. Cooper, Ph.D.

Deputy Director; Director, Division of Scientific Programs

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Speech and Hearing 

Sciences) University of 

Washington, 1982

M.S.: (Speech and Hearing 

Sciences) Vanderbilt 

University, 1972

B.F.A.: (Speech Pathology) 

Southern Methodist 

University, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Language and autism, language disorders in children, adult 

aphasia, language and deafness

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I strongly believe my success as a scientist is directly related 

to pivotal “environments” and individuals I encountered at 

critical points in my career. These include 1) Prior to NIH, 

several key colleagues and professors who encouraged me to 

look beyond a career in clinical practice and to pursue a doctoral degree in communication sciences and disorders, 2) Once 

at NIH, a division director who fostered my independence and 

supported pursuit of my scientific interests, and 3) The overall NIH environment, and its associated opportunities. In this 

environment, where I have spent almost my entire professional 

career, I have been able to develop and facilitate programs in 

areas such as linguistic-cultural diversity; language and autism; 

specific-language impairment; and treatment of adult aphasia, 

providing me with a fulfilling, ever-interesting, and rewarding 

career. Success for me has always been strongly linked to job 

satisfaction and believing in the value of what I do.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My opportunities for mentoring have primarily involved assisting, advising, and advocating for the research community, 

and supporting and fostering development of staff within my 

division. Working with beginning and seasoned investigators, 

helping them navigate the NIH system and often reach the 

funding goal, has been very rewarding to me. This interpersonal interaction and providing assistance is extremely important to me regarding job satisfaction and what I have always 

wanted in my career, i.e., to help make a difference in the lives 

of individuals with communication disorders.

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With two sons and an NIH spouse, I have had experience with 

balancing family and professional responsibilities. Success for 

me was largely due to having a spouse who believed in egalitarian sharing of family tasks, and viewed our professional 

responsibilities equally. In addition, having a supportive work 

environment that allowed flexibility and self-directing of work/

schedule was critical. These supports are critical to success in 

the balancing act. 

Amy M. Donahue, Ph.D.

Chief, Hearing and Balance/Vestibular Sciences Branch, 

Division of Scientific Programs

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Speech and Hearing 

Science) University of Tennessee, 

Knoxville, 1985

M.A.: (Audiology) University 

of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1979

B.S.: (Speech and Hearing) Middle 

Tennessee State University, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Normal and disordered bases of 

hearing, including noise-induced hearing loss, presbycusis 

and cochlear implants; science administration

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My success as a scientist is the result of a combination of hard 

work and good fortune. I met individuals who encouraged me to 

believe in myself and who were willing to provide opportunities 

to learn and grow. Four individuals (the father of a friend, an 

academic professor/advisor, a research mentor, and a division 

chief) were instrumental in helping me envision and create 

my career in science. Beyond the “people” aspect, my desire to 

seek a career in science outside the traditional academic career 

path, provided the basis and setting for numerous experiences, 

challenges, and opportunities more diverse than I ever imagined and surely different from those of a traditional academic 

career path.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The role and value of mentoring in shaping my career is 

without question and it is certain that my career would have 

been different without mentoring. In turn, it is now my responsibility to mentor others. Any professional woman who 

fully engages her capacity to connect with others will struggle with balancing family and professional responsibilities. 

While each of us may have a different family “unit,” whether 

balancing care for parent, child, husband, sibling, or other 

loved one, the balancing challenges are similar. Working in 

an environment that recognizes the personal dimensions of 

its employees has been invaluable in helping me balance my 

personal and professional responsibilities.

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National 

Institute 

of Dental and 

Craniofacial 

Research

A. Isabel Garcia, D.D.S. Deputy Director

EDUCATION

Residency: (Dental Public 

Health) University of 

Michigan, 1989

M.P.H.: University of 

Michigan, 1988

D.D.S.: Medical College of 

Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1980

B.S.: (Chemistry) University 

of Mary Washington, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Health policy and legislation, health disparities, organization 

and financing of care, oral/pharyngeal cancer outcomes

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My career would have taken a totally different path without 

the influence of several people who widened my professional 

outlook and gave me new and unexpected job opportunities. 

Former Virginia oral health director, Dr. Joe Doherty, gave me 

my first dental public health job, where I first experienced the 

satisfaction of providing care to people in great need as well 

as the frustration of not being able to address their problems 

more thoroughly. That job helped me realize that public health 

and science are the means to better health for communities. It 

also made me appreciate that I needed to return to school for 

formal public health training. Dr. Brian Burt and colleagues at 

the University of Michigan taught me the basics of scientific 

inquiry, epidemiology, and public health, which formed the 

foundation of my subsequent career in the U.S. Public Health 

Service (USPHS). Dr. Dushanka Kleinman recruited me to 

NIDCR and gave me the chance to integrate dentistry and 

public health in a research environment, and Dr. Larry Tabak 

challenged me to jump out of my comfort zone and continues to 

teach me by example many lessons about leadership and professionalism. Of important note is my husband, mentor, and 

public health colleague, Dr. Ric Bothwell, whose unwavering 

support has allowed me to take on positions of greater responsibility over the years. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have benefited from the counsel and guidance of many mentors before, during, and after my professional training. My 

parents set an exceptional example of hard work, integrity, 

and perseverance in the face of many challenges. After coming 

to the United States from Cuba in the early 1970s, they were 

undeterred by the typical barriers faced by new immigrants and 

made sure that I didn’t lose sight of the importance of getting 

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an education and setting high career goals. Besides the professional mentors already mentioned, other mentors have been 

ordinary people without professional degrees or credentials, 

who learned in unconventional ways and shared selflessly 

their knowledge and experiences with me. I am fortunate to 

have worked over the years with supportive colleagues and supervisors, who make the sometimes precarious balancing act 

between home and work much easier. The support and flexibility of my husband and my family has enabled me to have a 

fulfilling work life that benefits from the perspective that only 

spouses and children can offer.

Indu S. Ambudkar, Ph.D. Chief, Secretory Physiology Section and Chief, 

Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch, 

Division of Intramural Research 

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry) 

Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India, 1980

M.Sc.: (Biochemistry) 

Lucknow University, 

Lucknow, India, 1975

B.Sc.: (Biology) Isabella 

Thoburn College, Lucknow, 

India, 1973

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Molecular composition, 

function, regulation, and assembly of Ca2+ entry channels 

in epithelial cells; role of calcium signaling in salivary gland 

function and disease

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I moved to the United States as a postdoctoral fellow after obtaining my Ph.D. in India. Until that point, although I was a 

good student and enjoyed working in the laboratory, I was not 

very serious about pursuing a career in science. In fact, I came 

to the United States because my husband had a position and 

wanted to move to this country. However, once I got here, I 

became aware of the vast opportunities that were available to 

me and realized the only burden on me was to learn as much as 

I could and work hard. I continued to work on Ca2+ signaling, 

which was also the topic of my Ph.D. thesis, learning different 

aspects and systems within this field and also adapting newer 

technologies as they evolved. So, I guess for me 1) realization 

that I actually enjoyed research, and 2) acceptance of the fact 

that ultimately what I do will determine my “success,” or lack 

of it, was the turning point in my career as a scientist.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I enjoy teaching and interacting with young scientists. My basic 

approach is to treat my fellows and students as colleagues. I 

remind myself, and them, that the reason they are in my laboratory is so that they can further their careers as scientists. 

My responsibility is to provide an environment that encourages them to think and be creative and help them ask the right 

questions and focus on experiments that will lead to answers. 

Their responsibility is to learn and work toward their goal. I 

have found that motivation and focus leads to good work and 

happy colleagues in the laboratory. 

I never, ever contemplated on the issue of balancing family life 

and career. My husband and I always assumed that I would do 

both and neither of us felt that they were mutually exclusive. 

I have a son who is 23; he graduated from college and has a 

career. Things did get quite tough every now and then, especially earlier on, with scheduling time, day care, fevers, earaches, etc. At work, I learned to be focused and goal-oriented, 

finishing tasks I had planned for each day. My husband, who 

is very supportive of my work, contributed equally to our son’s 

care and household chores. We organized and planned things 

in advance and got them done. I think my son has grown up to 

be a happy, well-adjusted young man and our scientific careers 

have not suffered. My advice to young women scientists, if you 

really want a career, be positive about it and focus on what you 

can do to make it work. 

INSIGHTS

An important aspect of being a successful scientist is networking, i.e., getting to know not only your peers, but also 

the leading scientists in your field. A lot of this “socializing” 

happens at meetings and conferences. In the absence of a 

“mentor” to introduce me to everyone, I was left with the 

option of doing this by myself. This can be intimidating for 

any young person, but especially so for a women who grew 

up outside the United States. I realized in the beginning that 

1) there were extremely few women in my field of work, and 

2) the “guys” did a lot of socializing during which they discussed science and other important happenings in the field. 

Initially, I stayed away from this because I was intimidated by 

them. Also, the few times when I tried to talk to them, I felt 

they were rather reserved with me. Due to my cultural background, people had a tendency to assume that I would be very 

conservative and they were not quite sure how to interact with 

me. So, you see they were a bit nervous, too. Anyway, I soon 

realized that it was necessary for me to overcome my hesitancy and get to know the people in my field and let them get to 

know me. So, that’s what I did. Perseverance, an open mind, 

and a sense of humor finally paid off. Now they consider me 

one of the “guys.” I guess I should take that as a compliment! 

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Lynne M. Angerer, Ph.D. Senior Scientist, Developmental Mechanisms Unit,

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellow: 

(Chemistry) 

California Institute of 

Technology, 1973–1977

Ph.D.: (Biology) The Johns 

Hopkins University,1973

M.Sc.: (Zoology and 

Entomology) 

The Ohio State University, 

1967

B.Sc.: (Zoology) The Ohio 

State University, 1966

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Mechanisms of cell fate specification in early development; 

gene regulatory networks controlling specification of neural 

precursors

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Five people, all men, made entirely different, yet profound 

contributions to my success as a scientist. These were 1) my 

father, who told me that I could reach any goal with enough 

effort, 2) a college professor, who taught me how experimentation solved problems in biology, 3) my husband, who encouraged me not only to go to graduate school but to face all the 

challenges of a career in science, 4) my graduate advisor, who 

showed by his actions how not to interact with others in science 

and forced me to stand up for myself, and 5) my postdoctoral 

advisor, who taught me how to think quantitatively and dissect 

a problem cleanly into its essential elements.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

During the past 30 years, Bob Angerer and I have trained 12 

Ph.D. students and 9 postdocs. I have also served on the thesis 

advisory committees of many other students and organized 

journal clubs where I trained people in effective presentation 

methods. Because my positions have allowed me to devote all 

my time to research, I discussed science and career planning 

with all these people on a frequent basis. I was able to balance 

the demands of my career with raising two children because my 

husband was actively involved with both endeavors.

INSIGHTS

Perhaps my most useful scientific achievement was the work 

I did to develop in situ hybridization methods for detecting 

mRNAs in cells and tissues in the early 1980s. I was the first to 

show that labeled RNAs, rather than DNAs, were sufficiently 

sensitive to detect even rare mRNAs. This led to my leading workshops and writing review articles and serving on an 

editorial board dealing with in situ hybridization methods. It 

is gratifying that the riboprobe method developed by me and 

others in our lab are still universally used for this important 

technique. More recently, I supervised a lab group that made 

important discoveries on patterning mechanisms in sea urchin 

embryos by discovering mutual antagonism between SoxB factors and canonical Wnt signaling, identifying a mechanism 

that coordinates cell fate specification along different developmenetal axes, finding new signals required for endoderm 

specification and developing the first microarrays in the sea 

urchin for global analysis of gene regulatory relationships.

Pamela Margaret McInnes, D.D.S. Director, Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION

M.Sc.: (Dentistry) 

University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 

South Africa, 1980

D.D.S.: University of 

Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1977 

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

I am actively involved with 

the NIH extramural research 

community in the mission of 

reducing the morbidity and 

mortality attributable to infectious diseases. I have a particular 

interest in vaccine development and clinical evaluation, as well 

as the prevention of oral and craniofacial diseases. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As an 18-year-old dental student, I conducted my first research project on dental caries in South African mineworkers under the kind and generous tutelage of Professor Hugo 

Retief. That first research experience changed my life and 

moved me toward a career that included both clinical dental 

practice, research and teaching. I often look back and think 

how lucky I was to have wandered into the MRC Research Unit 

at the University of the Witwatersrand and naively ask, “What 

is research about?” 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

In dental school in South Africa, I was one of three female 

dental students. Later, I was on faculty at Louisiana State 

University (LSU) School of Dentistry where there were only 

four women permanent faculty members at the time. Female 

mentors per se were certainly not plentiful in my early career. 

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Instead I was mentored by several wonderful male clinicians 

and scientists and I think that helped me enormously. I strove 

to do what they did in terms of productivity and contributions. 

Admittedly this was stressful at times, but I never considered 

doing it any other way. When I joined the NIH extramural program in 1989, I had the extraordinary good fortune of working 

with Dr. Carole Heilman in NIAID. In the work environment 

she created, I was able to balance family and professional responsibilities, working very hard, but also having fun and 

keeping my family well-nourished, educated, clean, and happy! 

INSIGHTS

A watershed event in my career was being accepted into the 

NIH Grants Associates Program in 1989. I spent a year learning about the Federal biomedical research enterprise, rotating through a variety of program, review, policy, and budget 

assignments. Needless to say, I loved the whole NIH experience! I joined NIAID in 1990 and was privileged to work in the 

extramural program managing an infectious diseases research 

program for the next 16 years. There, I was afforded extraordinary opportunities to learn infectious diseases, vaccine development, and clinical evaluation, and along with many other 

scientists and administrators, I share pride in the development 

and licensure of several pediatric vaccines. In 2006, I returned 

to my “dental beginnings” and now direct an extramural research program in NIDCR. In my group, I try to provide the 

same environment I was privileged to experience under Carole 

Heilman, and to foster scientists from varied backgrounds to be 

successful both professionally and personally. 

Pamela Gehron Robey, Ph.D. Chief, Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch,

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Cell Biology) 

Catholic University 

of America, Washington, 

DC, 1979

M.S.: (Biochemistry) 

Catholic University 

of America, Washington, 

DC, 1977

B.A.: (Biology) Susquehanna University, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Stem cell biology, skeletal biology, skeletal diseases, tissue 

engineering

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Most likely, moving to NIDCR in 1982 was the pivotal event 

in my career. I was given the opportunity to establish my own 

program in bone cell biology. At the time, I did not know much 

about bone, and followed my intuitions and relied on my 

graduate and postdoctoral training to establish a method for 

culturing normal, nontransformed osteogenic cells that faithfully recapitulate stages of maturation that are assessable in 

vitro. This provided the necessary tool to my collaborators to 

isolate clones and genes for all of the major structural proteins 

in bone. In addition, I had the opportunity to recruit Alexander 

J. Friedenstein, the father of “mesenchymal” stem cell biology for a sabbatical. He opened my eyes to the field of stem cell 

biology—the focus of my current studies—and the role of stem 

cells on health and disease, and their utility in regenerative 

medicine. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I was very fortunate to have two great mentors. George R. 

Martin taught me how to question and think, how to conduct 

rigorous research, and how to project myself as a scientist. John 

D. Termine impressed upon me the importance of family, and 

trusted me to accomplish my goals by working from home or 

during off hours when necessary. A key part of his mentoring was in helping me to recognize that it is not possible to be 

everything to everyone all the time, and that setting priorities 

both at home and at work is essential. He created a family atmosphere in the laboratory that really brought out the best in 

people. All of these elements are things that I strive to maintain 

in my laboratory and branch, and I believe that these things 

have contributed significantly to my branch’s success over the 

years. 

INSIGHTS

The methods that I have developed over the years for not only 

establishing osteogenic cells and populations containing stem 

cells, but also for in vivo transplantation, are now used worldwide, and have become the gold standard by which to assess 

osteogenic processes and multipotency of populations containing stem cells. Based on my expertise in these areas, I have 

often been invited to contribute chapters to textbooks, and to 

give oral presentations to groups with a broad array of scientific backgrounds, and to legislators and the lay public. What 

I learned early on, in fact from my children and in talking to 

their schoolmates, is the need to speak in simple terms. I am a 

firm believer that nothing that we do as scientists is so complicated that it cannot be well explained in language that is understandable by all. In fact, I believe that communication is one of 

our major responsibilities, not only to fellow scientists, but also 

to the public. The ability to communicate is something that has 

contributed significantly to success in my career. 

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Sharon Marie Knudson Wahl, Ph.D. Chief, Cellular Immunology Section and 

Chief, Oral Infection and Immunity Branch, 

Division of Intramural Research 

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Immunology) 

University of Washington 

School of Medicine

B.S.: (Biology) Pacific 

Lutheran University

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Basic mechanisms by which 

the host mobilizes and modulates cellular inflammatory 

reactions in defense against 

foreign antigens and infectious pathogens, innovative 

ways to define how endogenous mediators that are critical in 

host defense may become disregulated to promote disease, and 

development of strategies for modulating chronic pathogenic 

inflammatory diseases. In a bench-to-bedside approach, inroads have been made into malignant, infectious, and autoimmune diseases.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As the first in my family to attend college, I was fascinated by 

science classes, and labs were so much fun that I kept signing up for more. One of my biology teachers turned me onto 

scientific exploration, and with the realization that a woman 

with a B.S. in biology had few career options, he encouraged 

me to continue my education. While my intention was to finish 

an M.S., and I had lined up an instructor position, a classmate 

convinced me to take Ph.D. qualifying exams, reasoning that 

if I failed, I had lost nothing (except my self-respect) and if I 

passed, I could continue toward my Ph.D. In retrospect, that 

was a defining moment, and after completing my Ph.D., a brief 

postdoc while waiting for my then to-be-husband to finish his 

Ph.D. initiated my interest in inflammation. After he secured a 

postdoc at NIH, we pulled a U-haul across country to Maryland, 

where we had little money and I had no position until a fellowship opened up with Dr. J. Oppenheim. Following our 2-year 

fellowships, we began interviewing for junior faculty positions 

at medical schools. Unexpectedly, my Lab Chief asked me to 

stay, not something we had considered, as it seemed inconceivable to get paid for doing research full-time. However, as I 

progressed from being a fellow to staff scientist, then tenured 

microbiologist, section chief, and branch chief, I realized that 

it was possible to get paid for doing what you love!

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Career highlights include the satisfaction in knowing that I 

have had some small impact on my students’ and fellows’ professional and personal development. There is incredible satisfaction in observing students become driven by the excitement 

of their experiments, recognize that completion of one experiment is not an end unto itself, and appreciate the goal of new 

therapeutic insights. One especially rewarding experience was 

the surprise celebration of an unnamed birthday, in the planning stages for more than a year unbeknownst to me, in which 

my former fellows gathered from all over the world for a weekend of science and celebration.

Although having children was never in question, when to have 

a baby was the more difficult decision, and following our opportunity to stay at NIH, my husband and I decided to start a 

family. Although reliable day care was difficult in those days, 

we did our best to develop our own approaches to combining 

roles of scientist and parent. Since my husband and I did not 

travel together without our children, we took them to meetings 

around the world and those experiences inspired a life-long 

appreciation for travel and other cultures. As teenagers, both 

worked in my lab and are my published co-authors, instilling 

a shared love of science, although neither wanted science careers. However, much to our delight, both our son and daughter 

are recent medical school graduates, and we have been incredibly blessed and enriched by our children.

INSIGHTS

Growing up on a small farm in the Pacific Northwest, where 

my strict disciplinarian father taught me the meaning of hard 

work, I never could have imagined, let alone planned, the paths 

through which my life has taken me. Looking back, I think one 

of the most important aspects of my career has been the receptiveness to take advantage of unplanned opportunities that 

appeared in front of me. For example, I would not have gone 

to graduate school without the prodding of one of my biology 

professors, nor continued onto get my Ph.D. without armtwisting by a graduate school colleague. When ready to leave 

NIH, an unexpected option to stay appeared, and later, when I 

again knew I was ready for change, the opportunity to be Section Chief was offered, and then, the Branch Chief. Change is 

important in our careers to prevent complacency and to enable 

advancement, but change may appear in unexpected ways, and 

we need to be open to it.

Looking backward, my career has evolved in such a way as to 

provide professional fulfillment combined with successful parenting, in which I take great pride. The commitment is enormous, compromise is essential, and the inherent difficulties in 

combining the two roles are clearly not for the faint-hearted. 

It would be dishonest to say it was always easy, but that is not to 

say that it was not worth every sacrifice and concession.

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Jane C. Atkinson, D.D.S.

Program Director, Clinical Trials Program, Center for 

Clinical Research, Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION

Certificate: (Oral Medicine/Clinical Research) 

National Institute of Dental Research, 1988

Residency: (General Practice) University of Maryland 

Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, 1981–1982

D.D.S.: University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1981

B.S.: (Medical Technology) University of Kansas, 1975

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Clinical trials, Sjögren’s syndrome, oral graft-versus-host 

disease

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My experience as an Oral Medicine/Clinical Research staff 

fellow in the Intramural Program of the National Institute of 

Dental and Craniofacial Research was the most pivotal event 

in my research career. It exposed me to multidisciplinary, 

clinical research and gave me an appreciation for translational, bench to bedside clinical investigations. During my 

training and later in my career in the intramural program 

at NIH, I had collaborative research projects with experts in 

rheumatology, infectious diseases, cancer research, and imaging. There are very few places in the world that can provide 

this type of experience to a clinical investigator, especially 

one with a dental degree. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

After 22 years in research, I appreciate how much I owe my 

previous mentors, especially Bruce J. Baum. I only hope I 

can provide similar guidance to young investigators in oral 

health research. One piece of advice I have for any new researcher is to consider their career with a long view and not to 

let their career compromise their family time. When I started my training at NIH, my son was 2 years old, my daughter 

was 4 months old, and my husband traveled extensively as a 

journalist. I limited my professional travel and postdoctoral 

education when our children were young, choosing research 

projects that fit my children’s daycare schedule and calculating data at home. However, I do not feel these time constraints compromised my career. Now my children are in 

graduate school, and I have another 10 years to work in a field 

that still challenges me. 

Sangeeta Bhargava, Ph.D.

Program Director, Immunology and Immunotherapy 

Program, Integrative Biology and Infectious Diseases 

Branch, Division of Extramural Research (Former); 

Assistant Director, Division of Receipt and Referral, 

Center for Scientific Review

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Mucosal Immunology) University 

of Pennsylvania, 1994–1999 

Ph.D.: (Reproductive Biology) 

AIIMS, New Delhi, India, 1994

M.Sc.: (Life Sciences) 

Jawahar Lal Nehru University, 

New Delhi, India, 1989

B.Sc.: (Zoology) Delhi University, 

Delhi, India, 1987

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Mucosal immunology; immunology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I was raised in a family with a father who was a cardiologist and 

a stay-at-home mother. My mother wanted me to be a school 

teacher so that I would have a half-day job and the rest of the 

day would be devoted to my family, whereas my father wanted 

me to be a medical doctor. Both my parents assumed that I 

would follow one of their footsteps. Neither imagined exactly 

how I would carve my own niche and be the first one to obtain 

a Ph.D. and be a scientist in my family. 

My parents always stressed the importance of education. I was 

determined to prove to myself and my parents that I could have 

a profession that excited me rather than doing what I was told to 

do. I pursued my dream and surprised my parents by informing 

them that I did not want to do medicine. I joined the top science college in India for zoology, which turned out not to excite 

me at all. I gave myself another chance and went through a national entrance exam for my master’s degree. In my master’s 

program, I was fortunate enough to find a teacher who turned 

me to the field of immunology and I never let it go. I realized 

while studying immunology that I needed to understand how 

metabolic pathways influence the immune system. I did my 

Ph.D. in reproductive biology in the field of steroid biochemistry. What really fascinated me while doing my Ph.D. was the 

freedom my advisor gave me to think about what excited me the 

most at that time, so much that he let me choose my own Ph.D. 

topic and pursue research in it. 

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I was fortunate to do my postdoctoral work in mucosal immunology in the laboratory of John Cebra at University of Pennsylvania. His laboratory in many respects was a scientific paradise 

where one had the freedom to ask questions and pursue them. 

It was in his laboratory that I designed an oral vaccine for neonates, which can bypass suckled neutralizing antibody that 

inhibit active immunization and also found that this vaccine 

can be cross protective for other mucosal sites in neonates. I 

was able to show the cross priming mechanisms that are associated with viral infection at various mucosal sites. I realized 

as a postdoctoral fellow that I wanted to pursue the applied and 

translational aspect of mucosal immunology and thus to my 

postdoctoral mentor’s surprise, I went into the private sector. 

I worked on many kinds of vaccines as a lab scientist in the private sector, but I missed the challenge of moving a scientific 

field in a particular direction and interacting with people. 

I joined NIDCR at the end of 2003 as Program Director of the 

Immunology and Immunotherapy Program. My work suits me 

perfectly because I am always learning new things. I enjoy this 

job for the variety and the challenges it entails.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Both my husband and I are scientists and we have two children 

(ages 11 and 6). It is demanding to balance family with professional responsibility and I have a lot of support and help 

from my husband, which has been instrumental in balancing 

family and career. When I am not at work, I spend time with 

my family. The key in my opinion for successfully combining a 

career and family life is compartmentalizing the two. I try not to 

bring my work home and so my energy is concentrated with the 

family. I am active with my children in the schools’ activities, 

Parent–Teacher Association (PTA), and their extracurricular 

activities.

From my experience so far, I would give the same advice to any 

young person as I give to my kids: to be open-minded and to 

learn as many things as possible before you decide what you 

want to do. More importantly, don’t let anyone push you into 

a field that you don’t like, as you have to find your own path. 

I believe that if one has a strong intellectual background, one 

can do anything. 

Kathy Lynn Hayes, D.M.D.

Acting Director, Office of Science Policy and Analysis,

Office of the Director

EDUCATION

Residency: (Dental Public Health), 

NIDCR, 2003

M.P.H.: (Public Health 

Administration) 

The Johns Hopkins University, 

1999

Residency: (Advanced General 

Practice) 

University of North Carolina, 1991

D.M.D.: University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, 1986

B. S.: (Biology) University of Kentucky College of Arts and 

Sciences, 1982

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Dental public health, including epidemiologic research, health 

services research, disparities research 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The opportunity to participate in and present results of ongoing research was offered as an elective course in the dental 

curriculum at my alma mater. The experience helped foster an 

understanding and abiding respect for the diligence required 

of scientific investigators of all disciplines. The ability to work 

in varied assignments across multiple health agencies as a 

member of the U.S. Public Health Service has had a significant 

beneficial effect in that it provided an opportunity to develop 

a broad understanding of the inter-related missions of the 

agencies and their combined effect on health policy, including health-related basic, translational, and clinical research. 

Finally, postdoctoral training here at the NIH in 2002/2003 

was an incredibly enriching experience that opened up a world 

of opportunities that might not have been otherwise available. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Some of the best mentors were those who offered a supportive 

environment where one not only received an opportunity to 

take on new responsibilities, but also felt comfortable enough 

to take some chances and make some mistakes. It seems clear 

that we must consciously expand our mentoring efforts to encourage young women’s interest in science at much earlier 

ages. By the time they are thinking about college, the die is cast, 

and it may be too late. 

Maintaining a well-rounded personality and lifestyle to meet 

professional, family, and personal needs is a challenge for everyone. I feel especially blessed to have a spouse who is a full 

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partner in all aspects of family and professional life. Things 

may be a bit easier for us than they were for our mothers and 

grandmothers, in that parenting and household duties often 

are more equitably shared today than in their generations. 

Eleni Kousvelari, D.D.S., D.Sc.

Associate Director for Biotechnology and Innovation, 

Office of Extramural Research (Former)

EDUCATION

D.Sc.: (Oral Biology) 

Boston University, School of 

Graduate Dentistry, 1977

M.Sc./ C.A.G.S.P.: (Prosthodontic) Boston University School of 

Graduate Dentistry, 1976

D.D.S.: Athens University, 

Medical and Dental School, 

Athens, Greece, 1968

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Biotechnology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The event that had a tremendous impact on my career as a scientist was my decision to join the extramural programs at the 

NIDCR. This career move allowed me to bridge my expertise 

in biological and material science. I was fortunate to join the 

NIDCR at a pivotal time when the NIH was establishing programs in bioengineering, nanotechnology, and biocomputing. 

The knowledge and expertise acquired through my studies and 

work in dentistry, material sciences, and biochemistry has 

been a great asset in building multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary programs in biotechnology for the NIDCR and for actively 

participating in similar activities across the NIH. The tremendous support from the NIDCR leadership allowed me to create 

state-of-the art programs including 1) saliva-based diagnostic 

technologies, 2) nanotechnology, and 3) biomimetics. Salivabased technologies, once developed, will replace current disease detection methodologies with miniaturized, automated, 

inexpensive, and efficient technologies that can yield results in 

as little as 10 minutes, while nanotechnology and biomimetics 

will enable the design and development of materials, devices, 

and drugs that are compatible with the biological environment 

and at the same time are tailored to combat specific disease in 

specific tissues and organs.

I would also like to mention the extraordinary relationships/

networks I have developed with exceptional colleagues because of my membership in trans-NIH/Roadmap initiatives, 

e.g., nanotechnology, nanomedicine, and committees, e.g., 

Bioengineering Consortium (BECON), Biomedical Information Science and Technology Initiative (BISTI), the NIH Nano 

Task Force and in multi-Agency Committees such as the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I would have never been able to develop and implement the 

many different programs in biotechnology without the advice, 

encouragement, and support of the NIDCR Directors, Drs. 

Harold Slavkin, and Lawrence Tabak. Their extraordinary 

vision for the future of biotechnology and its promises has been 

and continues to be an inspiration for me.

I have also received extremely useful mentoring from many extraordinary scientists in the extramural community and those 

at the NIH whom I have met throughout my career in extramural programs. Two of my colleagues in particular, Drs. Jeff 

Schloss (NHGRI) and Catherine Lewis (NIGMS), have been absolutely incredible in sharing with me their vision, experience 

and knowledge in different scientific and administrative areas. 

These relationships have been some of my most productive and 

collegial ever!

I would like to think that as a mentor I have contributed to the 

development of the careers of individuals who have worked 

with me as well as of those whom I have mentored in applying 

for and obtaining NIH grant support. I am particularly happy 

for the new investigators I have advised who are now advanced 

to tenured faculty members in their respective academic institution, are among the leaders in biotechnology, have received 

NIH MERIT Awards, and have become superb teachers and 

mentors to a new generation of scientists. 

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Ruth Emilie Nowjack-Raymer, Ph.D.

Director, Health Disparities Research Program, Center 

for Clinical Research, Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph. D.: (Epidemiology) University 

of London, University College 

London Medical School, 2000

Clinical Research Fellowship: 

(Behavioral and Social Sciences, 

Randomized Clinical Trials) 

University of Washington, 1997

Internship (Global Public Health): 

World Health Organization, 

Geneva, Switzerland, 1984

M.P.H.: University of Michigan, 1984

B.S.: (Dental Hygiene, Health Promotion, Education) 

Ohio State University, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Elimination of the disproportionate burden of oral diseases 

and conditions suffered by vulnerable populations, including racial/ethnic minorities, urban and rural-dwelling poor, 

those with developmental and acquired disabilities, and elders; 

cross-cutting research approaches including epidemiology, 

social and behavioral interventions, clinical trials, communitybased studies

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Having seen the sequelae of social disadvantage, I have always 

had a passion to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable 

populations—this passion keeps me mission-focused. Rather 

than a pivotal event, it’s the diversity of my career trajectory 

that has contributed most to my ability to direct a wide range of 

research approaches in varied settings. The puzzle pieces of my 

career as a clinician, dental public health program administrator for a large State, World Health Organization collaborator, 

officer of domestic and international professional organizations, clinical trialist, and epidemiologist now fit together 

beautifully to inform my role as Director of the Health Disparities Research Program. The common denominators that have 

made this possible are educational opportunities and strong 

mentors. Federal, State, institutional, and organization-based 

educational grants have been essential; and mentors—both 

men and women—have encouraged me to take risks and have 

advocated for novel opportunities.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Sixteen years ago, I was in Singapore working on a Global Program on AIDS project and was 7 months pregnant with my 

second child. While there, I saw an NIH official who noted that 

I was “in a happy family way,” but he expressed regret that I’d 

“obviously chosen to be a mother rather than a scientist.” Fortunately, my mother and other women had demonstrated that 

having a vibrant career and family were not mutually exclusive. 

Conducting and monitoring studies and programs have always 

meant considerable travel. While challenging, it was possible to 

meet both professional responsibilities and those of a nursing 

mother, a mother of teenagers, and even as a mother seconded 

to another country for 2 years. Social support, in my case from a 

terrific husband, was and remains essential. Excellent environmental supports such as e-mail, teleconferencing, teleworking, 

and managers who are supportive have enhanced this capacity. 

Deborah D. Philp, Ph.D.

Director, Intramural Office of Education and Research 

Training, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Cell, Molecular 

and Developmental Biology) 

The City College and The 

Graduate School and University 

Center of the City University of 

New York (CUNY), 2000

M.Phil.: (Cell, Molecular, and 

Developmental Biology) 

The City College and The 

Graduate School and University 

Center, CUNY, 1999

B.S.: (Biology) The City College of New York, CUNY, 1989

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

My areas of research interest are wound healing, hair growth, 

and angiogenesis.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Aside from my ever-supportive parents and family, there are 

several people and events that have played an instrumental role 

in the success of my career. The key pivotal event that opened 

my eyes to a career in research occurred during my senior year 

at the City College of New York, CUNY. I became a part-time 

laboratory technician in the newly formed immunology laboratory of Dr. Jerry C. Guyden. Prior to working with Dr. Guyden, 

I thought that a career in medicine was my only option. In less 

than 1 year, I realized that my true passion was in biomedical research. Dr. Guyden encouraged me to pursue my master’s and Ph.D. degrees with full financial support from the 

Division of Minority Opportunities in Research at NIGMS. 

Dr. Hynda Kleinman, my postdoctoral PI at NIDCR, was also 

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very important in my career pursuit. She helped fine-tune my 

scientific skills and build a network for future positions.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is something that is very dear to me. My mentors 

have played an essential role in the pursuit of my career. My 

parents have been excellent. They taught my siblings and me 

that knowledge was a very powerful tool and that sharing it with 

others would help them become empowered. My Ph.D. advisor 

showed me the importance of being a mentor to students and 

taught me how to be a mentor by his actions. My postdoctoral 

PI was also an instrumental mentor for me as a woman in science. She showed me the importance of networking and being 

open to opportunities. She also taught me the importance of 

collaborating and sharing with others. Both my Ph.D. advisor 

and postdoctoral PI showed me that a healthy balance between 

family life and professional responsibilities does exist. With 

a strong support network at home and good communication, 

anything is possible.

Lillian Shum, Ph.D.

Director, Mineralized Tissue and Salivary Gland 

Physiology Program and Chief, Integrative Biology 

and Infectious Diseases Branch, Division of 

Extramural Research 

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Training: 

(Growth and Development) 

University of California 

San Francisco, 1991–1995

Postdoctoral Training: 

(Craniofacial Molecular Biology) 

University of Southern California, 

1989–1991

Ph.D.: (Anatomy, Cell, and 

Developmental Biology) 

University of North Carolina 

at Chapel Hill, 1989

B.Sc.: (Biology and Biochemistry) 

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1984

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Skeletal and dental biology and pathology; salivary gland 

biology and pathology; genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, 

and pharmacogenomics; tissue repair and regeneration

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Just 1 month into my postdoctoral training, my advisor called 

an urgent lab meeting. A newly published paper contained 

information to reveal the identity of an elusive family of proteins. He declared that we would enter the race. We worked, 

succeeded in less than 2 years, and published in Science. I was 

enlightened that success mandates the mentality of “us” rather 

than “me.” The guiding principal is that our collective success 

is my success. This single project taught me to value the power 

of team science, to share a common goal, to plan and coordinate, to appreciate complementary expertise, to be independent yet interdependent, to be responsible and accountable, 

to be diligent, to strive for excellence, to share the credit, and 

to rise up to the occasion. I practice what I learned from this 

experience in my responsibilities to accelerate the progress of 

science for the benefit of public health.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Being mentored is a lifetime experience and mentoring others 

is a lifetime commitment. The relationship between a mentor 

and mentee is one of trust, respect, responsibility, and nurture, sharing successes and failures. One should seek multiple 

mentors in different aspects of learning and at different stages 

of one’s life.

My family as well as my career are top priorities in my life, and 

these have reciprocal relationships. My family supports my 

pursuit of a professional career and my accomplishments bring 

joy and pride to my family. Growing up in Hong Kong, a society 

epitomizing East meets West, I observed contrasting cultures 

in which one values the homemaker and the other esteems the 

breadwinner. Pursuing both is the art of recognizing both roles 

consistently as “providers.” It works most of the time for me 

but not always, and I am trying my best.

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Marian F. Young, Ph.D.

Chief, Molecular Biology of Bones and Teeth Section, 

Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch,

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

Lab of Developmental Biology 

and Anomalies, National Institute 

of Dental Research, 1981–1984

Ph.D.: (Developmental Biology) 

University of Connecticut, 1981

B.A.: (Biology) State University 

of New York at Oneonta, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Molecular biology of skeletal tissues, including bones, teeth, 

cartilage, and tendon

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My success was largely dependent on a series of supportive 

teachers and mentors. This mentoring started in the State 

University of NY with my biology and biochemistry professors, who encouraged me down a path to graduate school at the 

University of Connecticut. My mentor at U Conn taught me the 

“basics” of biomedical research and the importance of blending basic science with disease applications. Additional mentors 

during my postdoc at the NIDCR taught me different aspects 

about research, including management, an important feature 

that helped prepare me to run my own research program. Each 

one of these important mentors encouraged me to challenge 

myself toward higher degrees or in some way helped me get 

into positions that advanced my career. Some mentors were 

developed from the larger scientific community developed at 

scientific meetings where my work was presented and where 

newer contacts/networks additionally helped me with mentoring my own staff.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Several aspects were crucial to balancing family with professional responsibilities. I’ve given lectures on this topic at 

career development symposiums at professional meetings 

and I jokingly state that there are three important aspects of 

managing career and family. They are to have a good 1) spouse, 

2) boss, 3) and colleagues. All three must be supportive in the 

advancement of your career. I’ve been extremely fortunate to 

have this in place throughout my career here at the NIH. They 

all “three” were flexible, supportive, and encouraged trying 

new challenges. They helped in times of need either by sharing their own experiences and provided advice or even chipped 

in their own time to help out. 

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National 

Institute of 

Diabetes and 

Digestive 

and Kidney 

Diseases

Carolyn Ward Miles, Ph.D. Director, Clinical Obesity and Nutrition Program, 

Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Human Nutrition 

and Foods) Virginia 

Polytechnic Institute and 

State University, 1977

M.S.: (Human Nutrition 

and Foods) Virginia 

Polytechnic Institute and 

State University, 1971

B.S.: (Human Nutrition 

and Foods) Virginia 

Polytechnic Institute and 

State University, 1969

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Nutrition, obesity, and bariatric surgery

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Moving to the Washington, DC, area was a pivotal event in my 

career. With this move, opportunities opened up for me to 

teach nutrition and to work in a variety of areas in the Federal 

Government. I was able to do hands-on research in the area of 

energy expenditure and through this experience I became very 

interested in the obesity problem in this country. Working at 

the Food and Drug Administration in regulation of nutritionrelated products and in the areas of food labeling and health 

claims provided me with opportunities to learn about the development of government policies. Also, my years at the NIH 

have given me an opportunity to learn about what research is 

being done in the areas of nutrition and obesity and the opportunity to work with clinical studies that are looking for solutions 

to the obesity problem. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have had the good fortune to have a number of good mentors 

starting with my major professor in graduate school. I have also 

enjoyed good mentoring experiences with many coworkers at 

my different places of employment during my career.

Balancing family and professional responsibilities has been 

easier for me than for many women because I have a very supportive husband who is very interested in seeing that I succeed 

in whatever I want to do.

INSIGHTS

I have had a varied career in academic institutions and government agencies. After graduate school, I because an Instructor 

in Pediatrics at the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and the Nutrition Consultant to the 

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Virginia State Inborn Errors of Metabolism Program. After 

moving to the Washington, DC, area, I taught undergraduate 

and graduate courses in nutrition at the University of Maryland. 

Most of my professional career has been as an employee of 

various government agencies. As a principal investigator at the 

Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Agriculture, I conducted research in the field of energy 

intake and expenditure. I gained experience with government 

regulatory policies while working in the Center for Food Safety 

and Applied Nutrition of the Food and Drug Administration. 

In this position, I was involved in writing regulations for infant 

formulas and dietary supplements and was also involved with 

development of food labeling and health claims regulations. I 

started working at the National Institutes of Health as a Scientific Review Administrator in the Review Branch of the National 

Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases before 

becoming a Program Director in the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition.

Marva Monique Moxey-Mims, M.D. Director, Pediatric Nephrology & Renal Centers 

Programs and Director, Applied Kidney 

Small Business Innovation Research Program, 

Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases

EDUCATION

M.D.: Howard 

University, 1983

B.Sc.: (Biology) 

McGill University, 1979

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Causes and treatment of 

chronic kidney diseases in 

children, pediatric transplantation, hypertension

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I think that my decision to become a pediatric nephrologist was 

pivotal. It was not my original plan, but as an intern, I found 

the nephrology patients to be the most fascinating. Additionally, the nephrology attendings were the most inspirational 

teachers. They obviously loved what they were doing and felt 

that they could make a significant difference in their patients’ 

lives. I would come away from rounds with them feeling that 

I wanted to do the same. This is what continues to drive me 

now—a desire to have a positive impact on the lives of children 

with kidney disease, even though now it won’t necessarily be by 

direct hands-on contact.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

During my first academic appointment at State University 

of New York (SUNY) Buffalo, I was mentored by Dr. Bernice 

Noble, a wonderful pathologist/microbiologist. During my 

time working in her laboratory, she emphasized that with 

the appropriate support systems and realistic expectations, a 

woman could be both a mother and professional. She must determine what compromises she can live with and which things 

are simply nonnegotiable. It took a while for me to make peace 

with this reality, but it is what eventually led to my decision to 

leave my job as a pediatric nephrologist at Children’s Hospital. My position at the NIH allows me to balance my family and 

professional responsibilities in a way that I find personally acceptable. I have an impact on the broader scientific community 

by developing research initiatives; I can see patients and still 

be at home with my family in the evenings and on weekends.

INSIGHTS

I obtained my undergraduate degree in biology from McGill 

University in Montreal, then with a desire to attend a historically black university, obtained my M.D. from Howard University in Washington, DC. I did both my general pediatric training 

and clinical pediatric nephrology training at Children’s Hospital, Washington, DC, followed by a research fellowship at 

NIAID. I then took a position at SUNY Buffalo and Children’s 

Hospital of Buffalo as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and 

staff pediatric nephrologist. I then returned to Children’s Hospital of Washington and The George Washington University 

School of Medicine, where I was a staff pediatric nephrologist, 

eventually promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics and 

medical director of the kidney transplant program. This was 

followed by 2 years at the FDA in the Center for Devices and 

Radiological Health (my first step toward better balancing 

family and career). That then led to my current position at the 

NIH.

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Constance Tom Noguchi, Ph.D. Research Physicist and Chief, Molecular Cell Biology 

Section, Molecular Medicine Branch, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Physics) George 

Washington University, 1975 

A.B.: (Mathematics and 

Physics) University of California, Berkeley, 1970

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

My research program focuses on the molecular and cell 

biology of cytokine stimulation to promote progenitor 

cell survival, proliferation, 

and differentiation. Specific 

applications relate to erythroid differentiation and strategies to 

treat sickle cell anemia, and to the protective effects of erythropoietin in ischemia/trauma in nonhematopoietic tissue such as 

brain, heart, and muscle.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Opportunity Knocks: While a physics graduate student, I met 

Alan Schechter, an NIDDK intramural scientist at a holiday 

party. With his encouragement, I obtained an NIGMS postdoctoral fellowship to work at the NIH. 

Basic Training: When other NIDDK PIs proposed a conceptual 

model for sickle hemoglobin polymerization, my experience 

in numerical analysis from theoretical physics allowed me to 

adapt their approach to explain our measurements of hemoglobin polymerization in intact red cells from sickle cell patients. 

Follow the Data: While working on erythropoietin as a therapeutic strategy for sickle cell anemia, I discovered the embryonic brain expressed a high level of the receptor for this 

cytokine that is primarily required for red blood cell production. At NIDDK, I was able to further characterize the receptor 

in nonblood cells, which led to a broader understanding of 

erythropoietin as a protective agent in endothelium, brain, 

muscle, and other tissues.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Research is a social endeavor and a mentor can be invaluable 

in guiding you through some of the hurdles that you will encounter along the way. Mentoring can come from numerous 

individuals, not only your supervisor. Take the opportunity at 

meetings and seminars to expand your network. 

There is never a convenient time to have a family. Once the decision to have children is made, the support from your spouse, 

your supervisor, and fellow colleagues is invaluable. Child 

care is the most difficult problem to solve as a working parent. 

You must feel secure in your situation so that you can focus on 

your research when you are at work. Although research is not a 

9-to-5 activity, make the time to enjoy the family and to have 

meals together. If necessary, return to the lab after dinner or 

after the children have gone to bed.

INSIGHTS

Take the opportunity to mentor and teach at all levels. As research scientists, we have the opportunity to share the excitement of new discovery, to explain the purpose of scientific 

research, and to communicate the significance of our discoveries. As mentors and teachers, we promote and develop the next 

generation of investigators, we increase understanding and 

appreciation for research, and we pay back to the community 

for their continuing support. As a community service, offer to 

speak in schools or judge science fairs. In general, volunteering increases your exposure and can lead to unexpected opportunities. While president of the local childcare organization, 

another parent asked me to become a role model for a book 

series on scientists. I now have a biography written for elementary school-aged children and have been contacted by students 

around the country who have done reports based on the book.

Wei Yang, Ph.D. Chief, Structure and Mechanism Section, 

Laboratory of Molecular Biology, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry & 

Biophysics) Columbia 

University, 1991

M.Ph.: (Biochemistry) 

Columbia University, 1988

M.A.: (Biochemistry) 

Columbia University, 1986

B.A.: (Biochemistry) 

SUNY at Stony Brook, 1985

Undergraduate: (Biochemistry) Fudan University, 

China, 1980–1983

RESEARCH INTERESTS

We study structure and mechanism of DNA repair, recombination and replication, and implications for cancer and developmental biology.

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PIVOTAL EVENTS

The decision to join NIH was a pivotal point for my success. 

The intramural research funding and supportive colleagues, 

who provide a vibrant and nurturing research environment at 

NIDDK and the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in particular, 

have made my research career pleasurable, successful, and 

rewarding.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Throughout my training and independent research career, I 

have been very fortunate to be surrounded by encouraging and 

nurturing mentors and colleagues, who have never regarded me 

differently because I am a woman and have always been proud 

of what I do. The reduced pressure on time management as an 

intramural research scientist allows me to think more, work at 

bench, and have a relatively easy balance of family and professional responsibilities.

INSIGHTS

Being in a nurturing and first-class scientific environment is 

the key to my own success in science. As a graduate student at 

Columbia University, I determined the first protein structure 

using a selenomethionine-substituted protein and the novel 

Multiwavelength Anomalous Dispersion (MAD) method, developed by my thesis advisor, Professor Wayne Hendrickson. 

Dr. Hendrickson showed me the joy of research and the way 

to success by devotion to excellence. As a postdoctoral fellow 

at Yale University, I determined the crystal structure of a DNA 

recombinase complexed with a 34 bp DNA substrate, which was 

the longest DNA crystallized at the time. There I was inspired 

by my advisor, Professor Thomas Steitz, who exemplifies how 

to ask relevant questions in science and how to design experiments to most effectively get an answer. At the Laboratory of 

Molecular Biology (LMB), NIDDK, I am blessed to have enormously supportive senior colleagues, Drs. David Davies, Gary 

Felsenfeld, Martin Gellert, and Kiyoshi Mizuuchi. The environment of LMB is open, stimulating, rigorous, and caring. In 

this environment, I have been able to have an impact on our 

understanding of DNA mismatch repair and translesion DNA 

synthesis. 

I highly recommend young women scientists to find places that 

receive them with open arms. Outside of my immediate working environment and among people who don’t know me well, I 

often find that I have to be outspoken and firm. Our society has 

given women equal opportunities, but old habits of patronizing women are slow to disappear. Outstanding mentors and the 

excellent environment at NIH have given me the courage and 

support to speak up and stand by my views, which in the long 

run will allow us all to be scientists and not ‘women’ scientists.

Carole A. Bewley, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator and Chief, Natural Products 

Chemistry Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Cancer Research Institute 

Postdoctoral Fellow: (Protein 

NMR and Structural Biology) 

Laboratory of Chemical Physics, 

NIDDK, 1996–1999

Ph.D.: (Oceanography and 

Natural Products Chemistry) 

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, 

San Diego, 1995

B.S.: (Chemistry) San Diego State University, 1985

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Natural products chemistry, protein–carbohydrate interactions, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, HIV, tuberculosis

PIVOTAL EVENTS

It is probably fair to say that my path to NIH is not well-traveled. A fascination with marine organisms and organic chemistry, and hundreds of hours spent underwater led me to the 

graduate program at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 

There, an appreciation of the diversity of chemical structures and biological activities of natural products produced by 

marine organisms led to the obvious—a desire to determine the 

structural basis for their mechanism(s) of action. Selecting the 

best possible mentors and institutes for carrying out research 

in these areas (SIO and NIH, respectively) contributed greatly 

to my growth and success as a scientist.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Undoubtedly, one of the most gratifying aspects of directing a 

research program at the NIH is the opportunity for one-on-one 

interactions with and mentoring of the talented high school, 

undergraduate, and graduate students training at NIH, and 

the dedicated postdoctoral fellows who deserve the credit for 

making each project come alive. Striking a balance between 

family, research, and all that each entails, is challenging. But 

the rewards taken and lessons learned from each, combined 

with the talented members of my research group, make this 

possible and pleasurable.

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Orna Cohen-Fix, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator and Chief, Cell Cycle Regulation and 

Nuclear Structure Section, Laboratory of Molecular 

and Cellular Biology, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellow: The 

Carnegie Institution of Washington, Baltimore, 1994–1998

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry) 

The Weizmann Institute of 

Science, Israel, 1994

B.Sc.: (Biology) Tel-Aviv 

University, Israel, 1986

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Cell cycle regulation: The mechanisms that govern timely chromosome segregation, regulation of chromosome movement 

during mitosis, pathways involved in the response to intracellular damage. Nuclear architecture: The connection between 

nuclear structure and nuclear function, proteins and processes 

involved in maintaining nuclear shape and organization, the 

functional significance of different subnuclear compartments/

territories. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The things that had the most profound affect on my success 

as a scientist were not events, but rather people. As a woman, 

the uncertainty involved in deciding to become a scientist was 

twofold: Am I good enough to lead a group of young scientists 

toward new and exciting discoveries, and can I do so without 

giving up my desire to have a family? Throughout the years, I’ve 

received tremendous support from my mentors, colleagues, 

and husband. My mentors encouraged me to follow my passion, 

my colleagues shared with me their thoughts and experiences, 

and my husband shared full responsibility (and sometimes 

more) in raising our kids. Moreover, the environment at NIH 

inspired me to embark on a new research direction, allowing 

me to take risks and explore uncharted territories. As it turns 

out, to create a scientist also takes a village.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing family and career is challenging; one is constantly 

faced with the dilemma that neither is receiving the attention 

they deserve. But having done it, I can say that I wouldn’t have 

it any other way. Having a family makes me a better scientist: 

it puts things in perspective and it makes me a more balanced 

person. Likewise, being a scientist makes me a better parent: 

much of what we teach our kids is by example, and my kids see 

that pursuing one’s passion is a sure recipe for happiness and 

a sense of fulfillment. My teenage daughter is set on becoming a scientist; surely I must be doing something right. I always 

felt that I could be just as successful as my male counterparts, 

and having done so while raising a family makes it all the more 

rewarding. I undoubtedly sleep less than they do, but I’ll catch 

up when I retire. 

Ann Dean, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator and Chief, 

Gene Regulation and Development Section, 

Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry) George 

Washington University, 1981

B.A.: (Chemistry) Bucknell 

University, 1966

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My interests are in fundamental 

aspects of gene activation by distant enhancers, which underlie the 

control of numerous gene families 

with important roles in mammalian development. The areas of interest covered by research 

in my laboratory include human globin gene regulation and 

therapeutic possibilities to address genetic diseases such as 

sickle cell disease and -thalassemia, control of gene expression by enhancers and chromatin insulators, and epigenetics 

of gene regulation.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My undergraduate education was begun in a period when it 

was still unusual for women to enter professional ranks and in 

many cases they were discouraged from doing so. Indeed, my 

undergraduate chemistry advisor suggested that if I intended 

to marry, I should not apply to graduate school. I feel very 

fortunate to have had professional mentors at the NIH such 

as Dr. Christian Anfinsen, winner of the 1972 Nobel Prize in 

Chemistry, who first encouraged me to enter graduate school 

and Dr. Robert Simpson, who unceasingly and strongly supported the launching of my independent research career. I 

have particularly prized the continuity of NIH support in my 

research efforts.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have mentored almost 30 students and postdoctoral fellows 

who are all engaged in professional studies or have obtained 

academic or research appointments. I have found it tremendously rewarding to follow the paths of these individuals, both 

the students, almost all of whom have gone onto medical school 

or to the pursuit of a Ph.D., and the young scientists building 

research careers. 

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My husband and I have four children. During the time when 

the children were young, I maintained a relatively small lab 

group in order to maximize the time and involvement I was 

able to devote to both my children and trainees. I have found 

that there has been a strong synergy to these endeavors and I 

feel that raising children has made me a better mentor, while 

mentoring young scientists has made me a better parent.

Carol Renfrew Haft, Ph.D.

Senior Advisor for Cell Biology and Associate Director 

for Grants Administration, Division of Diabetes, 

Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

Diabetes Branch, NIDDK, 

1991–1996

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry and 

Cellular and Molecular Biology), 

The Johns Hopkins University, 

School of Medicine, 1991

B.S.: (Chemistry), 

University of Delaware, 1984

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Obesity and diabetes with a particular emphasis on fat cell and 

pancreatic beta cell biology, protein trafficking, protein misfolding and misprocessing, and science administration

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As an undergraduate, Dr. John Burmeister, chairman of the 

Chemistry department, regularly encouraged me to talk to 

faculty with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and 

to consider doing some research in my spare time. Eventually, 

curiosity got the best of me, and the more I learned about bench 

research, the more interested I became in giving it a try. During 

my junior and senior years of college, I learned firsthand about 

academic laboratory research and liked it, but unfortunately, I 

had never seen firsthand any women lecturers, lab technicians, 

graduate students or postdocs in the Chemistry department, 

and this was concerning. Then during my senior year, I got 

approval to take a graduate-level biochemistry course, and to 

my great surprise and delight, many of the lectures were taught 

by a woman, Dr. Roberta Coleman. She was engaging, knowledgeable, and accomplished. She was a wonderful role model, 

approachable and personable, and also married with two children. The next year I applied to graduate school.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Throughout my career, I have actively been involved in different kinds of mentoring: advising high school, college, and 

medical students in various research activities; giving career 

day talks in local middle schools; serving as a facilitator at 

lunches for women in cell biology; and in my present job, assisting young scientists obtain NIH research support. I would 

encourage all to consider mentoring as an important way to 

improve our ability to recruit and maintain a varied pool of individuals in the biomedical research workforce. In addition to 

scientific mentoring, it is important to discuss strategies for 

dealing with stress and balancing professional and personal 

responsibilities. Being a mother of two, and having type 1 diabetes since childhood, I have learned that having ambitious but 

realistic goals, a well-constructed plan to achieve the goals, and 

strong partnerships with family members, coworkers, and various health professionals can go a long way to achieving peace 

at home and success at work. 

Maren R. Laughlin, Ph.D.

Senior Advisor for Integrative Metabolism, Division of 

Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Physical Chemistry) 

Yale University, 1988

A.B.: (Chemistry) 

Oberlin College, 1982

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The study of intermediary metabolism as it relates to diabetes and 

obesity and the application of imaging technologies to research and 

medicine in diabetes and obesity

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Science can be faddish, and current trends include the general 

notions of Integrative or ‘Team’ science and ‘Systems Biology’—

but these overused terms have personal resonance for me. My 

scientific training took place in highly integrative environments where projects routinely required experts, ranging from 

clinicians and basic biologists through quantum physicists, 

mathematicians and electronics engineers. This tremendously 

stimulating environment forced me to think about problems 

from multiple points of view. My most interesting work in the 

extramural NIH has been where cross-fertilization from one 

field to another was required, usually in the form of innovative technology developed for and applied to novel biological 

questions. This requires new shared language and leads to new, 

interesting ideas, and is part of an exciting trend toward bigger 

picture thinking in biology and medicine. 

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

It was difficult as a woman in science to learn to think through 

problems independently and trust my own opinions. This ability developed first through a series of painful shocks and eventually through professional successes. This process cannot be 

replaced by mentoring, but certainly a culture where mentoring 

is globally valued can improve the chances of success, especially 

for women. A major part of my job in extramural NIDDK is to 

advise applicants regarding the grant process and the specific area of science. Over time, I’ve learned far more than I’ve 

transmitted, and it has given me the chance to interact with 

many outstanding, fascinating people. Mentoring is needed 

for staff career development here at the NIH as well—it is not 

an easy place to negotiate. 

Like many of us, my scientist husband and I have sacrificed 

both being near family and job opportunities in order to be 

together. The NIH and Washington, DC, has provided a rich, 

stimulating environment to work and live happily within the 

constraints of a two-scientific-career family.

Barbara Linder, M.D., Ph.D.

Senior Advisor for Childhood Diabetes Research, 

Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and 

Metabolic Diseases

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Pediatric Endocrinology) NIH, 1986–1989

Residency: (Pediatrics) Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 

1982–1985

M.D., Ph.D.: (Physiology) Columbia University College of 

Physicians and Surgeons, 1982

B.S.: (Biology) Cornell University, 1975

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Pediatric endocrinology, with a special emphasis on diabetes

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I was fortunate to have a great mentor during a summer research experience while I was in college. I wasn’t exactly sure 

what I wanted to do with my life. This individual steered me 

to applying to M.D./Ph.D. programs, which enabled me to 

combine my interest in medicine with my desire to conduct 

research. I didn’t even know such programs existed! Although 

my training was long and sometime schizophrenic (alternating between purely clinical work and basic science in the lab), 

eventually I was able to find an area—pediatric endocrinology—that captured my imagination as a clinician and a scientist. 

Although I have now left laboratory science behind, those experiences have enabled me to bring scientific rigor to the conduct 

of clinical research, a passion that I try to impart to pediatric 

fellows whom I mentor.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing family and a demanding job is difficult. There is 

always more work to do than can be squeezed into a work day, 

and sometimes the stress of the day comes home. I have been 

very fortunate at the NIH to work in an environment where 

family is valued. I think this is critical because many working 

mothers feel guilty about taking time off for family and tend 

to “overcompensate” for doing so. A great mentor will make 

it clear that it is not only acceptable, but it is important to take 

time off to see the school play or tend to a sick child, and that 

you are not valued less because you do so. I also feel that working in an environment where parents (working moms AND 

dads) can share stories about their children helps increase 

productivity, because it creates a shared bond that promotes 

cooperation and collegiality. 

Catherine McKeon, Ph.D.

Senior Advisor for Genetic Research, Division of 

Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Human Genetics) 

Medical College of Virginia, 1980

B.A.: (Cell and Molecular Biology) 

State University of New York 

at Buffalo, 1975

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Human genetics, genetic diseases

PIVOTAL EVENTS

While I was always interested in 

science, I wanted to do research that improved human health. 

In graduate school, I began a project where I was studying patients with a rare genetic disease. In studying these children, 

it became clear from my research that two children had a different but related genetic disease that could benefit from large 

doses of a particular vitamin. This discovery improved the 

symptoms for these two patients. From that time on, I have 

been involved in research on genetic diseases or overseeing 

grant programs in genetic diseases that can improve diagnosis 

and treatment for patients with these conditions.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I think one of the most challenging aspects of a career is balancing family life and professional responsibilities. I have two 

children and I used to dread the memo that would come from 

the school that said something like, “Your child has been 

chosen to receive an award tomorrow and we know you will be 

there to support your child.” While I did miss some of these 

impromptu award ceremonies, I was able to make most of 

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them. Since many of my responsibilities require reading and 

writing, they can be conducted at home or after hours. Communication is now done mainly through e-mail and many 

meetings can be joined by phone. The NIH provides laptops, 

blackberries, and computer support, which supports working 

from remote locations. 

Catherine M. Meyers, M.D.

Senior Scientific Officer and Director, Inflammatory 

Renal Diseases Program, Division of Kidney, Urologic, 

and Hematologic Diseases

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Nephrology) 

University of Pennsylvania, 1991

M.D.: University of Illinois, 1984 

A.B.: (Chemistry) University 

of Chicago, 1980 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Renal inflammation and progression of kidney disease, kidney 

transplantation, diabetic nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, hemodialysis access

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Mentoring has an enormous impact on one’s success. Although 

early life events initiated a keen interest in studying the sciences and finally medicine, mentors I have had along the way 

provided crucial guidance for important professional decisions 

and milestones. Training at an outstanding institution with a 

strong history of biomedical research was a major decision that 

facilitated my commitment to a career in science. This environment provided experienced mentors, requisite facilities for 

research, and a diverse community of researchers with whom 

to collaborate. In my early career, some mentors and successful collaborators were also women scientists—a trend that has 

continued throughout my career. Lessons learned at the early 

stages were essential for moving beyond the training phase and 

pursuing my own scientific interests, as well as appreciating 

the need for providing similar insights to younger scientists. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

From early years of training in medicine, I was fortunate to 

have had several mentors who were nephrologists. Their palpable enthusiasm for their work provided a solid foundation for 

my future interests in nephrology, and ultimately in basic research. Perhaps the most useful advice given to me was to focus 

on pursuing my own goals and interests in research, rather 

than simply pursuing professional opportunities.

Balancing a family life with professional responsibilities presents obvious challenges to women scientists. Time is a limited 

resource and demands of rich professional and personal lives 

are considerable. Harmonizing the two requires more than 

just organization and inspiration. Fortunately, new concepts 

of family life are emerging in the 21st century. A supportive 

and involved spouse has been essential for helping me balance 

these two responsibilities. 

Rebekah Sarah Rasooly, Ph.D.

Deputy Director, Division of Kidney, Urologic, and 

Hematologic Diseases

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Genetics) 

Michigan State University, 1989

A.B.: (Biology) 

Harvard University, 1982

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genetics, genomics, genetic 

disease, model organism research, 

meiosis, ethical use of biospecimens

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a high school junior and senior, I worked in the lab of a distinguished female microbiologist. Terry Krulwich trained one 

or two Westinghouse Science Talent Search contestants each 

year for many years, and I was privileged to be one of her protégées. Terry was a great mentor, committed to excellent science, 

but also to training of students at all levels and to her young 

family. Watching her run a large lab, handle administrative responsibilities, analyze data, write papers and get grants erased 

any doubts in my mind about a career in science.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

It is very difficult to balance any serious career with family 

obligations. It is especially difficult when the career is academic laboratory research, which can consume every waking 

hour with new experiments, new literature to read, new grant 

applications to write, and various teaching and administrative responsibilities. Nevertheless, I loved running a research 

lab in the 1990s, and teaching my kids and my students about 

the excitement of discovery. More recently, I have found that 

moving to NIH to oversee large research programs is an even 

better way to enjoy scientific discovery; my job demands that I 

keep up with a broad range of research projects and follow the 

progress of many of the scientists contributing to the field. As 

my children get older, they also appreciate the significance of 

my work, which has a national (international?) impact.

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Barbara Rehermann, M.D.

Chief, Immunology Section, Liver Diseases Branch, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION 

Clinical Fellow and Principal 

Investigator: (Gastroenterology) Medizinische Hochschule 

Hannover, Germany, 1995–1998

Postdoctoral Fellow (Immunology): The Scripps Research 

Institute, La Jolla, CA, 1993–1995

Residency: (Gastroenterology) Medizinische Hochschule 

Hannover, Germany, 1992–1993

Internship: University Clinic Essen, Essen, Germany, 

1991–1992

M.D.: Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany, 1991

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Basic and translational immunology; virus/host interaction; 

mechanisms of viral and autoimmune liver diseases

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I consider a key factor the early exposure to analytical thought 

processes with both a classical humanities (Latin) and science 

education (biology, chemistry, and physics) during preparatory school. I entered medical school with the aims to learn 

how to treat patients as a physician and to understand the 

molecular and immunologic basis of diseases as a researcher. 

This was also reflected in both clinical and research postdoctoral fellowships.

A second key factor was the opportunity to work for and learn 

from outstanding experts who introduced me to the world of 

research and to explore uncharted territory: Drs. Marta Szamel, 

Klaus Resch, and Michael Manns, Medizinische Hochschule 

Hannover; Dr. Francis Chisari, The Scripps Research Institute; 

and Drs. Jake Liang and Jay Hoofnagle, NIDDK.

A third factor was the opportunity to experience research in international settings. After completing a 2-year research thesis 

during medical school, I received a scholarship for advanced 

research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. After 

a clinical internship and residency in Hannover, Germany, 

I then moved across the Atlantic a second time to pursue a 

postdoctoral research fellowship at The Scripps Institute and 

finally, to my current position at NIH.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring extends beyond supervisor/staff relationships. 

Often, a mentor can be found outside one’s own division or 

department, yet still closely involved in guidance, asking 

questions, inviting self-reflection, and sharing experiences. 

At NIH, I served as mentor to several NIH postdoctoral fellows 

outside my own Institute. Within NIDDK, I helped institute a 

mentoring program for tenure-track investigators and organized career development meetings for international postdoctoral fellows. Mentoring is rewarding not only for the mentee, 

but also for the mentor—I enjoy keeping in contact with and 

following the careers of investigators who trained in my laboratory and are now located at research institutions in the United 

States, Europe, Asia, and South America.

The statement “Balancing family with professional responsibilities” suggests that both sides must match like two weights 

placed on a scale. This can be misleading, because the actual 

proportions may change during life. At the same time, one 

should not be one-dimensional: work, family, and the development and maintenance of other interests such as arts, sports, 

etc. are all essential to realize one’s full potential.

Susan Z. Yanovski, M.D.

Co-Director, Office of Obesity Research, 

Office of the Director

EDUCATION

M.D.: University of Pennsylvania, 

1985

B.S.W.: Widener University, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Prevention and treatment of 

obesity and the study of binge 

eating disorder

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I was able to develop my own protocols and serve as Principal Investigator on several clinical 

research projects while still a fellow in intramural NIH. I can’t 

think of any other research institution where someone at my 

early career stage would have been given that opportunity.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and supervisors who have 

understood the importance of balancing work and family life, 

and whose flexibility has enabled me to be successful in both 

“careers.”

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NIDA

National 

Institute 

on Drug Abuse 

Nora Volkow, M.D. Director, NIDA; Chief, Laboratory of Neuroimaging, 

Division of Intramural Clinical Biological Research, 

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

EDUCATION

Residency: (Psychiatry) New 

York University, 1980–1984

M.D.: National University of 

Mexico, Mexico City, 1980

B.A.: (Biomedical Science) 

Modern American School, 

Mexico City, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am interested in understanding how the human 

brain works. I am particularly 

interested in investigating the processes that drive our motivations on day-to-day activities as well as the processes that allow 

us to exert control over our emotions and desires and how these 

get disrupted by the repeated use of drugs and how they lead to 

addiction. I am also interested in how these two circuits (motivation and inhibitory control) participate in obesity and in 

Attention-deficit hyperactivity diseaser (ADHD) and how they 

change as we age. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My maternal grandfather committed suicide when I was 8 years 

old.However, it was not until many years later that my mother 

revealed to me that he suffered from alcoholism and in desperation had killed himself. My mother had kept this a secret 

for fear I would be ashamed of him. But of course I was not; 

it just made me keenly aware of the loneliness and isolation 

of a person with addiction, and of the suffering their families 

experience. I knew then that I wanted to commit my career to 

bringing treatment to individuals affected by addiction just as 

one brings treatment to any of the other medical diseases. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My work is an integral part of my life and I am fortunate to 

have a husband who is as passionate about his work as I am 

about mine. This has allowed me to focus my energies into my 

professional life. Mentoring promising young scientists has 

been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. Among 

the many women whose training I have guided who have gone 

onto achieve notable success in their scientific careers are Rita 

Goldstein, Nelly Klein, and Congwu Du.

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INSIGHTS

Before assuming the role of Director of the National Institute 

on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Ispent most ofmy professional career 

at the Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in Upton, New York, where I held several leadership 

positions, including Director of Nuclear Medicine, Chairman 

of the Medical Department, and Associate Director for Life Sciences. In addition,I was a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Associate Dean of the Medical School at the State 

University of New York-Stony Brook. I have published more 

than 400 peer-reviewed articles, over 65 book chapters, and 

edited 3 books on the use of neuroimaging in studying mental 

and addictive disorders. I was selected for membership in the 

Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences 

(2000) and have been honored with numerous awards for scientific leadership, including the Kuhl-Lassen Award from the 

Society of Nuclear Medicine, (1999); the Joel Elkes International Award for Clinical Research from the American College 

of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) (1999); the Paul Aebersold Award from the Society of Nuclear Medicine (2003); the 

Thomas William Salmon Award from the New York Academy 

of Medicine, (2004); the Simon Bolivar Award, American Psychiatric Association, (2005); the Public Service Award from 

the Society for Prevention Research (2005); the American 

Academy of Addiction Psychiatry’s Founder’s Award (2005); 

the American Psychological Association’s Presidential Citation (2005); and the Star of Science Award from the Children’s 

Brain Research Foundation (2006). I was recently named one 

of 20 people to watch by Newsweek magazine in its “Who’s Next 

in 2007,” selected among the 100 the most influential people 

in the world by TIME (2007) and named “Innovator of the Year” 

by U.S. News & World Report in 2000.

Marilyn A. Huestis, Ph.D. Chief, Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section, 

Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Research 

Branch, Intramural Research Program

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Toxicology) University of Maryland, 1992 

M.S.: (Clinical Chemistry) 

University of New Mexico, 

1979

A.B.: (Biochemistry and 

Physiology) Mount Holyoke 

College, 1970

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research program seeks 

to discover mechanisms of 

action of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists, effects of 

in utero drug exposure, and the neurobiology and pharmacokinetics of MDMA (Ecstasy). My section also supports 

medication development projects, including the use of buprenorphine and methadone in opioid dependence in pregnant and lactating women. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I have worked in interesting positions in analytical, emergency 

and forensic toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring, and clinical chemistry from the time of my undergraduate degree. As a 

military wife, moving every 2 years, opportunities for graduate 

education were restricted, and employment options diverse. I 

took advantage of each circumstance to gain knowledge and experience in biomedical applications, instrumentation, method 

development and validation, laboratory management, and most 

importantly, developed a passion for understanding how toxicology can contribute to resolving one of the major problems 

in our country, drug abuse. I enjoyed and took full advantage of 

the chance to network with professionals around the country 

and to actively participate in national professional organizations that enriched my education and skills. I directed 1 of the 

first 10 laboratories, out of over 200 applicants, to be certified 

to conduct federally mandated drug testing. At the first opportunity, I began my doctoral research into the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids in humans, 

at a time when my children were finishing high school and 

starting college. The challenges, excitement, joy, and frustration of clinical research ensured that I would not return to the 

corporate world, but attempt to forge a research career at the 

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Based on my analytical skills, 

I was selected to work at NIDA while I pursued my doctorate, 

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and learn the new skills of study design, and correlation of the 

onset, peak, and duration of cognitive, physiological, subjective, and biochemical effects with drug and metabolite concentrations. I was fortunate to have a Scientific Director who valued 

hard work, productivity, and ideas, and I entered the tenuretrack program and became Acting Chief and later Chief, of the 

Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have held leadership positions in multiple laboratories 

hiring, training, and mentoring many young women in a field 

with few female scientists. I also balanced career and parenthood raising a young son and daughter during my master’s 

and doctoral degrees. Perhaps the most satisfying and enjoyable aspects of my career has been mentoring women in the 

United States and developing countries. I am an adjunct associate professor of toxicology at the University of Maryland and 

have had the pleasure of directing the doctoral research of nine 

graduate students (six women). Balancing work and home responsibilities has always been a challenge, especially handling 

the self-imposed guilt feelings about work when you are with 

your children, and about your children when you are at work. A 

positive aspect of having a career outside the home is that your 

children see your passion for your work, see the effort that you 

invest, and learn what hard work and dedication can achieve. 

I feel that finding the right balance between your research and 

your family is one of the most difficult aspects of my career.

INSIGHTS

I have more than 140 peer-reviewed manuscripts, book 

chapters, and monographs and over 220 abstracts presented 

at national and international meetings. In 2007, I received 

the Irving Sunshine Award for excellence in clinical toxicology from the International Association of Therapeutic Drug 

Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology. I was awarded the American Academy of Forensic Sciences’ Rolla N. Harger Award for 

lifetime contributions in forensic toxicology in 2005, and the 

Irving Sunshine Award for “Outstanding Research in Forensic 

Toxicology” in 1992. I am past president of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists, past Chair of the Toxicology Section of the 

American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and the first woman 

president of the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists in its 44-year history. I serve on the U.S. Anti-Doping 

Agency’s Research Advisory Panel, was recently selected for 

the World Anti-doping Agency’s Prohibited List Committee, 

and provide consultation for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and Departments of Defense, Transportation, and 

Health and Human Services. I received tenure in 2005, illustrating that there is no one correct path or age or sex for success 

at NIH; opportunities exist for all who are willing to dedicate 

themselves to their work and who don’t give up their dreams.

Amy Hauck Newman, Ph.D. Chief, Medicinal Chemistry Section, 

Medications Discovery Research Branch, 

Intramural Research Program

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Medicinal 

Chemistry) Medical College 

of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1985 

B.S.: (Chemistry) Mary 

Washington College, 1980

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Design and synthesis of 

novel compounds to elucidate 

neurochemical mechanisms 

underlying the reinforcing 

effects of drugs of abuse; 

characterizing drug-receptor interactions at the molecular 

level and relating these to behavior; current targets are dopamine and serotonin transporters, D2-receptor family, with a 

focus on D3, mGluR5 receptors

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The most pivotal event in my early research career was when 

I was leaving my postdoctoral fellowship to become a principal investigator at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research 

(WRAIR). Before leaving, I discussed with my postdoc advisor 

a project idea that stemmed from a discovery I had made in his 

lab. He strongly discouraged me from pursuing that project and 

insisted that I establish my own distinctive program, not an extension of his. Although at that moment, I felt much like a baby 

bird being catapulted from the nest, it forced me to design a 

unique research project that did not overlap with anything I had 

done before and turned out to be quite interesting. A few years 

after I had established my own lab at WRAIR, I was recruited 

to come to NIDA to build a medicinal chemistry program, a 

second milestone in my career as a scientist.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

When I was being recruited by NIDA in 1990, I was 7 months 

pregnant with my first child. I explained that I was committed to having a successful and integrative research program 

in medicinal chemistry, but that this would necessarily have 

to coincide with my family responsibilities and would require 

flexibility. My soon-to-be lab chief, Dr. Jon Katz said, “o.k.” 

and he has been true to his word ever since. Over the next 3 

years, I had two more children, was grandfathered into the new 

NIH tenure track, and published the first of many papers (with 

Jon) describing our novel dopamine uptake inhibitors that 

were not cocaine-like in animal models, which was essential 

heresy of the time. There were no female role models at NIDA, 

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few women in Principal Investigator (PI) positions, and none 

who had the time to take notice of an underling. But I had the 

support of those who worked with me and was ultimately able to 

build a multicollaborative and exciting research program that 

continues to challenge me to balance both worlds.

INSIGHTS

One of the most exciting aspects of my career at the NIH has 

been to be able to “grow” my program in so many directions, 

essentially “on a dime” and watch drug design on paper progress through a tricky chemical synthesis to a final new compound that has pharmacological properties like no other. Every 

step along the way, we derive insight, and every piece of biological data is then used to design that next chemical modification. Molecular biology technology has provided a particularly 

exciting partner for us as we can now work with the chemistry 

of both our small molecules and the target protein, to pinpoint 

those drug-receptor interactions and translate that resulting 

dynamic connection into hypotheses about how our compounds affect behavior. In this regard, mentoring is an easy and 

natural projection of my own enthusiasm and love of science 

that instills in my group the passion to work through that tough 

synthetic scheme or that complicated set of spectra to ultimately characterize that next critical piece to the puzzle. Moreover, 

I believe that one of my “keys to success” is my desire to work 

with other neuroscientists to ensure that we are making important molecular tools and that they are being used in the most 

effective way to answer biological questions. I now collaborate 

with more than 25 scientists around the world who evaluate our 

novel compounds in multiple in vitro and in vivo models of 

drug abuse and other neuropsychiatric disorders. In essence, 

my work-life and family-life often parallel, with many tenets 

I teach my children finding applicability in scientific success. 

With regard to being a woman scientist, I have certainly experienced my own set of barriers and made choices that have 

provided their own set of challenges. We all have our stories. 

The goal that I have always set for myself is to achieve a balance with family time, focused work in the lab, attentiveness 

to the people around me, and maintaining the thrill that keeps 

me going on all fronts. Having a sense of humor helps too! My 

husband is also an NIH scientist and thus we can provide valued 

support to one another. I believe as a wife and mother, my enthusiasm for what I hope to achieve career-wise is not only infectious to my children, but has provided them with a model 

that, although imperfect in many ways, is achievable. I believe 

that the members of my lab and my colleagues also appreciate this model, although I’m sure my lifestyle has scared away 

a few. The fact is that every woman who has worked in my lab, 

either as a postdoc, postbac, or summer student has remained 

in science or medicine. Many are married. Some have children 

of their own. Even my own eldest daughter, who is attending 

Penn in the fall, has every intention of pursuing a challenging 

career—in science? Who knows?

Toni Shippenberg, Ph.D. Chief, Integrative Neuroscience Section, Behavioral 

Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology) 

Baylor College of 

Medicine, 1985

B.S.: (Neuroscience) 

Colgate University, 1979

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research program uses 

cellular, neurochemical, 

and behavioral approaches to 

identify alterations in brain 

function that contribute to 

the pathophysiology 

of addiction in order to identify effective therapeutics for the 

treatment of addiction and novel targets for the treatment of 

persistent pain resulting from inflammation and nerve injury. 

Our studies have shown that tonically active and functionally 

opposing opioid systems regulate a circuit in the brain upon 

which natural rewards and drugs of abuse act to motivate behavior. Working with other laboratories, we have identified the 

neural substrates upon which cocaine and other drugs of abuse 

act to disrupt the regulatory activity of this circuit. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As an undergraduate, I became fascinated by the discovery of 

naturally occurring opioids in the brain. Five years later, Ph.D. 

in hand, I applied for a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Albert Herz, a pioneer in opioid research, at the 

Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry in Martinsried, Germany. 

My postdoctoral research experience was unique. Fellows were 

expected to work 7 days a week and female scientists were a 

rarity. With no time to take a formal language course, German 

was learned after leaving the lab and heading to the nearest beer 

garden for a later dinner and scientific discussions. My mentor, 

however, gave fellows the rare freedom to follow their scientific 

hunches wherever they might lead. This freedom enabled me to 

build an independent research group examining how dysregulation of endogenous opioid systems contributes to drug and 

alcohol addiction, an interest that continues to this day. After 

a 3-year postdoc and the birth of my daughter, I was appointed 

Chief of the Drug Abuse Unit at another Max-Planck Institute. 

There, I learned how to build a laboratory from scratch, write 

grants, and navigate a system in which foreigners and female 

scientists were few. Three years later, after having finally 

learned German, and having suffered and recovered from a 

broken neck, I was recruited to the NIDA Intramural Research 

Program (IRP) to lead a research program on opiate addiction. 

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

An important aspect of my career has been the ability to mentor 

other scientists. My postdoctoral mentor gave me the freedom 

to pursue my love of science. My laboratory is guided by this 

same principle. I believe that such freedom is essential for 

scientific growth of both the student and mentor. In addition 

to supervising doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows, I 

am a mentor for the NINDS Specialized Research Initiative in 

Neuroscience (SNRP), a program that supports neuroscience 

research at underprivileged medical institutions. As a mentor 

and scientific advisory board member, I work with scientists at 

various stages of their careers; providing guidance in developing an independent research program. 

Pursuing a career in science has not been easy. As a woman, 

the need to balance family and career is always present. Importantly, however, the juggling makes one more attuned to 

the difficulties facing younger scientists. As a single mother, 

who battled cancer and survived a broken neck, achieving the 

balance between career, family, and health has often been difficult. The joy and satisfaction that I have experienced as a scientist and mother are unsurpassed. I am paid to solve puzzles 

of my choosing. My daughter is entering college and even after 

having had to listen to too many of my talks, she is considering 

a career in medicine.

INSIGHTS

A career in science can be challenging. It is not without frustrations and long hours. When I entered science, it was still 

a predominantly male profession. I remember sitting at scientific sessions and counting the few number of females in a 

room. Although the glass ceiling still does exist, we have made 

many strides. In 1996, I was the first woman to be awarded 

the young investigator prize by the College on Problems of 

Drug Dependence. Since that time, several women scientists 

have received the award. Recently two women scientists were 

recognized by the Society of Neuroscience and the American 

College of Neuropsychopharmacology for their contributions 

to the addiction field. Previous awardees had all been men. 

Although the number of women scientists is increasing, it is 

essential that we gain positions where we can affect scientific 

policy and help others build successful careers. I have chosen 

to do this by serving as an editor of several journals, participating in scientific advisory boards, and serving on various study 

sections both in the United States and abroad. Although these 

activities have added to my workload, they have improved my 

science, introduced me to colleagues who have become lifelong 

friends, and allowed me to develop scientific collaborations 

that would not otherwise have been possible.

Amina Sarah Woods, Ph.D. Tenure-Track Investigator, Cellular Neurophysiology 

Section, Cellular Neurobiology Research Branch, 

Intramural Research Program

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology) 

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 

1992

M.S.: (Pathology) 

University of Maryland 

Medical School, 1975

B.S.: (Chemistry) 

Loyola College, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Application of bioinformatics, modeling and mass spectrometry to study structure and 

elucidate the mechanisms of dynorphin-mediated NMDA 

neurotoxicity and receptor heteromerization

PIVOTAL EVENTS

After obtaining an M.S. in pathology in 1975 and taking a break 

to raise a family, I joined the clinical pharmacology laboratory 

at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where I 

set up biochemical assays to evaluate new therapeutic compounds. My interest in structural biology started in 1986 when 

I spent time in Dr. Gertrude Elion’s laboratory working on Acyclovir and AZT, the first antiviral drugs designed with structure 

in mind. She explained that to design successful therapeutic 

agents, one should first study their targets’ structure, as function is determined by structure and conformation. Two years 

later, at the age of 45, I went back to graduate school, where 

I characterized viral proteins and when conventional methods fell short, learned mass spectrometry (MS) to solve the 

problem at hand and study biomolecular interactions. After 

graduating in 1992, I joined the Oncology Department at Johns 

Hopkins. During my fellowship, I tackled MHC class I peptides 

purification and sequencing. Isolation of CD1d1ligand led me 

to identify the first lipid MHC ligand, which reinforced my 

belief in the structural importance of all biomolecules.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

As a Ph.D. graduate student and during my fellowship, most of 

my classmates, but particularly young women, came to me for 

advice and support, and told me that my going back to school 

after raising a family reinforced their belief that women could 

have both a good family life and a successful career. I believe 

that in addition to perseverance, my success in science was 

due to the support of my family, especially my husband who 

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always encouraged me to choose the path that satisfied my intellectual curiosity, regardless of the financial burden, and my 

colleagues, particularly women who encouraged me to persevere, regardless of my age. I have tried to give back what I have 

received by always being available to help all students and colleagues in mapping a path to scientific success, and trying to 

convince young women that they have a future in science, and 

that taking a break after college does not necessarily prevent 

one from going back to graduate school. I always feel a thrill 

when I participate in scientific meetings to see that I am not 

anymore one of the few, but rather one of the many women 

present.

INSIGHTS

In the past two decades, I have published over 100 papers (citation index 3900), mostly pertaining to structural work; obtained a patent for a peptide drug; was appointed to the editorial 

board of the Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry; 

and was elected to the post of Secretary of the American Society 

for Mass Spectrometry. 

I obtained my M.S. in 1975, and returned to graduate school 

in 1988, at the time I was 45 years old. I have done my best and 

most creative work in my late 50s and early 60s. I was 64 on 

July 22, 2007, still looking forward to developing new concepts and never felt younger.

Lula Andrea Beatty, Ph.D.

Director, Special Populations Office, 

Office of the Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Developmental Psychology) Howard University, 1989 

A.B.: (Psychology) Lincoln 

University, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am interested in research that 

focuses on strength and resiliency, 

to understand how people and 

groups are able to function and 

sometimes thrive in stressful, 

less-than-optimal conditions. I am also interested in intervention and translational research that focuses on structural 

factors that can reduce addiction-related health problems and 

other drug-related outcomes in racial/ethnic minority populations, e.g., HIV/AIDS, criminal justice involvement.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Attending Lincoln University was the most critical event in 

my professional and personal development. I entered at a 

time of exciting change in the country and at the university. 

Lincoln, a historically Black college in Pennsylvania, had 

been all male. I was recruited as part of an effort to increase 

representation of women and Southern students. I went not 

knowing that very few women attended, that the male-tofemale ratio was about 7 to 1. I entered the newly created 13 

Colleges program, a program to establish “a new curriculum” 

for college studies. There was pressure to achieve as women 

and Southerners. Everything was demanding—the coursework, faculty, fellow classmates. I learned to cope with change 

and resistance to change, to embrace diversity, and to think 

and question. I was given many, varied opportunities that included working as a teaching assistant, and doing a residential 

clinical practicum in a mental hospital as a “January Project.” 

I was encouraged to pursue a graduate degree and to try to 

make a difference.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

In the early years of my career, I sometimes had to make 

choices between what was good for my academic/professional 

career and what was good for my child and family, e.g., extended travel, availability on demand. I almost always chose my 

family. This slowed my early professional growth a bit. Some of 

my earlier advisors/mentors were not sensitive to the concerns 

of women and believed that one had to adjust to the model in 

place. Changing the model didn’t seem to be an option, especially if you were a woman of color. Some of these inherent 

biases are still in place. We must make sure that people mentoring women are aware of some of the limitations they face, 

especially in academia, and we must develop program, institutional, and personal strategies to ensure that women succeed 

without having to make unnecessary sacrifices. 

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Christine M. Colvis, Ph.D.

Director, Program Integration, Office of the Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry and 

Molecular Biology) Oregon Health 

Sciences University, 1998 

A.B.: (Biochemistry) Illinois 

Benedictine College, 1990

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Although the diseases I have studied 

have varied, my research interest 

has consistently been in biochemistry and protein chemistry. 

I continue to be fascinated with nature’s molecular machines, 

including how they are created, regulated, and find the appropriate location in a cell or organism for their activity. Biology 

continues to surprise and impress me at every turn. My broad 

scientific interest is well-suited to my work as a program director, a position that affords me the opportunity to catalyze 

research in exciting new areas and follow ongoing research in 

some more established areas.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

After receiving my Ph.D., I came to the NIH to postdoc at the 

National Eye Institute, where I trained for 3 years under Dr. 

Donita Garland. With outstanding support and mentorship 

from Dr. Garland, I was able to quickly gain recognition in 

the field of proteomics as well as cataract research and was 

promoted to research fellow. I also became the basic science 

co-chair of the NIH Fellows Committee. In 2001, I joined 

NIDA as a program director and with strong support from the 

Institute, was able to establish two neuroproteomics research 

centers. In 2008, I assumed the role of NIDA’s Director of 

Program Integration.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Throughout my own training and career, I have worked with 

students and postbaccalaureate women, presenting them with 

challenging, but achievable goals while helping them identify a 

career that best suited them. I have also participated in science 

and career fairs for all ages, from grade school to postdoctoral 

trainees. While working in vision research, through outreach 

programs, I would teach children in local grade schools about 

vision and the anatomy of the eye. I have received numerous 

awards, including Director’s Awards from two NIH Institutes as 

well as two NIH Director’s Awards. I attribute my success to my 

family, teachers, mentors, and superiors who have encouraged 

and supported me and continue to do so today.

Lucinda L. (Cindy) Miner, Ph.D.

Deputy Director, Office of Science Policy and 

Communications, Office of the Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Psychology) 

University of Colorado, 1986

M.A.: (Psychology) 

University of Colorado, 1983

B.A.: (Psychology) 

University of Colorado, 1980

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Behavioral, molecular genetics 

and behavior analysis

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I completed my degree in psychology with an emphasis in behavior genetics at the University of Colorado. Following that, I 

finished two postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Minnesota and the University of Pittsburgh to become grounded 

in protein analysis and molecular neurobiology. While this 

transdisciplinary training laid the groundwork for research I 

conducted for NIDA’s intramural program, it also prepared me 

for my current position guiding NIDA’s outreach and communications efforts.

Prior to joining the Office of Science Policy and Communications (OSPC), I worked as a research scientist in NIDA’s Intramural Research Program in Baltimore, Maryland. There, I 

helped to establish the Molecular Genetics Section and served 

as its first Acting Branch Chief. During that time, I was able to 

fully integrate my two primary scientific interests: molecular 

genetics and behavior analysis. Having a broad scientific base 

and an ability to clearly communicate complex information to 

diverse audiences have helped me to achieve my current position at the NIH, working at the forefront of addiction science.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As the Deputy Director of OSPC, my main responsibility is to 

oversee the coordination of NIDA’s legislative, constituent, 

research training, science education, and press outreach activities, as well as the Institute’s research planning and evaluation efforts. In this role, I have many opportunities to mentor 

the largely female staff who comprise NIDA’s research communications team, and to influence the many audiences they 

reach—students, teachers, health professionals, the lay public, 

and more—with NIDA’s important public health messages on 

drug abuse and addiction.

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Marisela Morales, Ph.D.

Tenure-Track Investigator, Cellular Neurophysiology 

Section, Cellular Neurobiology Research Branch, 

Intramural Research Program

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Cell Biology) Universidad 

de Guanajuato, Mexico, 1985

M.S.: (Cell Biology) Universidad 

de Guanajuato, Mexico, 1982

B.S.: (Biochemistry and Microbiology) Instituto Politecnico 

Nacional, Mexico, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Molecular and cellular pathways 

that mediate physiological and behavioral responses to drugs 

of abuse

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My interest in neuroscience began as a postdoctoral fellow at 

The Scripps Research Institute in the laboratory of Dr. Floyd 

Bloom. During my training, I discovered specific patterns of 

cell expression of genes encoding serotonin receptors. This 

work led to my current research investigations at NIDA on 

the molecular and cellular pathways that mediate physiological and behavioral responses to drugs of abuse. In these studies, we use a wide range of tools from the fields of molecular 

and cellular biology to identify neuronal networks implicated 

in these responses. Results from clinical studies and experimental animals provide evidence indicating that behaviors associated with intake of drugs of abuse are affected by stress. 

For example, we recently discovered that neurons producing 

the stress-mediated molecule corticotropin-releasing factor 

make synaptic contacts with dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area; these dopaminergic neurons are known to 

play an important role in motivation and reward. Our identification of a novel interaction between the stress system and 

reward system provides a new and exciting direction for future 

studies of how drugs of abuse modify this interaction and affect 

brain functions and, ultimately, human behavior.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As a mentor, I encourage promising young scientists to 

remain focused, informed, and persistent in achieving their 

long-term goals, while providing them with key information and guidance on scientific methodology, knowledge, 

and culture. I have successfully nurtured the development of 

a number of promising students, postdoctoral fellows, and 

technicians during my scientific career. These activities have 

afforded me great personal satisfaction in helping others 

achieve their scientific career goals.

My successes in research derive from an abiding passion for 

science and dedication to the profession. They would not have 

been possible without the encouragement and support of my 

wonderful colleagues at NIDA and elsewhere who have generously provided me over the years with valuable advice, reagents, 

and assistance. This support has been instrumental in developing a research program at NIDA that is at the forefront of 

my field. 

At times it can be challenging juggling the joint responsibilities of being a scientist, wife and mother. Fortunately I have 

a scientist–husband and teenaged son who often assume key 

domestic duties while providing unwavering moral support. 

Therefore in my case, efforts to balance professional and personal responsibilities rely deeply on the understanding and 

support of my family. 

Lisa Onken, Ph.D.

Chief, Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Branch 

and Associate Director for Treatment, Division of 

Clinical Neuroscience and Behavioral Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Clinical Psychology) 

Northwestern University, 1981 

B.S.: (Psychology) Tufts University, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My main research interest is on 

developing treatments for people 

who are experiencing psychiatric 

and drug use disorders. I am particularly interested in the relationship between behavioral interventions, behavioral change, 

and biology, and in understanding how to promote positive 

behavioral changes. The relationship between sleep, circadian 

rhythms, and behavior is also of interest, particularly as it relates to drug abuse and mental health treatment. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a clinical psychologist, I have worked with many skilled, dedicated psychotherapists who helped their patients learn how to 

thrive. But I have also witnessed times when patients were not 

as well-served. Seeing the plight of some patients—especially 

while knowing how powerful and positive psychotherapy could 

be for others—played a pivotal role in my life. As a therapist, I 

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knew that top-notch treatment could make all the difference in 

a person’s life, but it wasn’t always provided. As a researcher, 

I believed that to maximize the likelihood that people receive 

top-notch treatment, the treatment must be defined, scientifically studied, and proven to work. At NIH it has been possible to 

create a program of research that supports the development and 

testing of effective treatments for people in need, with the ultimate goal of providing all patients with outstanding treatment.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have had the privilege of working with and mentoring many 

young women with careers in clinical science who have made 

great contributions to public health. As a health scientist administrator, but also as the mother of two young women, I am 

especially concerned with supporting the career development 

of promising young women. 

Balancing a career in science with a family is extremely difficult, but it can be done—especially if one has a supportive 

work environment, and a supportive spouse. I urge women to 

consider where, when, and how to place limits on themselves. 

More specifically, I believe that placing limits on what one aims 

to accomplish on any given day is a necessity, or there will be 

no balance. However, placing limits on one’s vision of what one 

can accomplish in a lifelong career in clinical science would be 

a disservice not only to oneself, but to the public’s health. 

I’d like to thank my parents for not placing limits on what their 

daughters could achieve, my spouse for supporting me every 

step of the way, and my children for helping me keep a balance 

by showing me what really matters.

Kenzie L. Preston, Ph.D.

Chief, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 

Research Branch, Intramural Research Program

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology) University 

of Illinois at Chicago, 1982

B.S.: (Pharmacy) University of 

Illinois at Chicago, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Investigating combined pharmacological and behavioral 

treatments for polydrug abusers 

(especially cocaine and heroin 

abusers), identifying individual 

characteristics and environmental factors that influence 

drug taking and response to treatment, and investigating the 

causes and prevention of relapse

PIVOTAL EVENTS

A pivotal decision that shaped my career and success as a scientist was my choice of pharmacy for my undergraduate training. 

Pharmacy school gave me a sound foundation in the sciences 

as well as clinical experiences that paved the way for a career 

in clinical research. It didn’t hurt that it paid well as part-time 

employment during graduate school. A second pivotal event 

was my decision to switch from laboratory-based studies to applied clinical research. Taking the chance to try a new research 

direction stretched my abilities and gave me a fresh start in the 

middle of my career. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The major positive influence on my career was that of my mentors, who taught me good science and supported my career 

development while also serving as good models for my own 

future role as a mentor. One of the most satisfying aspects of 

my experiences as a scientist is seeing undergraduate students 

accepted into graduate school and fellows develop into fullfledged members of the scientific community. My mentors 

also modeled the importance of having a full life outside of the 

laboratory and balancing family and professional responsibilities. I hope that through my own career, I can do the same for 

other women.

Joni L. Rutter, Ph.D.

Associate Director for Population and Applied 

Genetics, Division of Basic Neuroscience and 

Behavioral Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology and 

Toxicology) Dartmouth Medical 

School, 1999

B.S.: (Biology, minor in 

Chemistry) Eastern Nazarene 

College, 1991

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am now actively involved in oversight and continued development 

of human genetics and genomics 

research at NIDA where I am responsible for providing leadership in planning, developing, directing, and evaluating NIDA’s 

programs related to human genetics research. I am particularly 

interested in human genetics as it relates to other areas of science, such as pharmacogenetics, epigenetics, and bioinformatics. I am also interested in how our genes interact with how we 

develop and how we respond to the environment.

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PIVOTAL EVENTS

Throughout my career, I have received several awards, including a Fellowship Achievement Award (NCI) and a Janssen Research Foundation Young Investigator Award, and some of my 

accomplishments include coidentifying and cloning the Neurofibromatosis Type-2 gene, patenting my graduate work on 

the matrix-metalloproteinase-1 gene, and coediting a book entitled, “The Cell Biology of Addiction.” I can recall three times 

where I felt like there was an “Ahha!” moment; they were important because of the long-lasting rewarding effects they had 

on me, and they continue to drive my love for science in search 

of the next moment. Importantly, there have been a series of 

key opportunities, and the pivotal events for me have been in 

recognizing those opportunities and running with them. For 

example, picking my mentor/advisor in graduate school was 

critical. She had the most indelible influence on my scientific 

career. I still hear her voice when I write and when I interpret 

results. I am also proud to serve with one of a few female NIH 

Institute Directors, who leads by example and expects nothing 

less than your best.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I came from a rural town in Kansas with a mother who fearlessly paved her own way and a father who encouraged me to aim 

high. However, it was my father’s business partner, a strong, 

successful, brilliant woman who inspired me the most. She 

instilled in me the understanding and belief that a woman’s 

passion can and should be followed as well as the knowledge 

and confidence that I could be anything I wanted to be. I am 

thankful for scientists, such as Rosalind Franklin, who eased 

my path in the world of women in science. Although, the gender 

gap in science still exists, it is narrowing. As years pass, I recognize that I am increasingly surrounded by female colleagues. 

Mentoring is important to me not only because of what it has 

meant to my own career, but because it also provides an opportunity for me to facilitate professional and personal growth as 

others have guided me. I encourage my students and colleagues 

to keep an open mind about where a path may lead.

Balancing family and career is a daily challenge. The fulcrum 

for me is a partner who loves me, shares my vision, supports 

my ambition, and keeps me grounded. Because of this, I have 

the fulfillment of following my passion and I am honored to be 

recognized as a woman in science at NIH. 

Betty (Chung-Yui) Tai, Ph.D.

Director, Center for Clinical Trials Network

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Physiology/Pharmacology) 

George Washington University 

Medical School, 1982

M.S.: (Genetics) University of 

Massachusetts, 1970

B.S.: (Zoology) National Taiwan 

University, 1967

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I acquired my training and experience in research at leading laboratories at Yale University, 

George Washington University, and intramural NIH in the 

substantive areas of cell biology (microscopy, autoradiography), cell physiology, cellular endocrinology, and membrane 

transport of electrolytes and weak electrolytes across epithelia 

and blood–brain barriers. My research on the kinetic approach 

of weak electrolytes transport guided my interests toward the 

application of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to 

translational research from animal to man. My current research interests relate to the broad topic of “translational 

research”—mostly from clinical research to clinical care with 

a specific focus on the exploration of innovative clinical trial 

methods that can enhance the relevance of research results to 

clinical care. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The most pivotal decision that has led my career path has been 

the desire to stay in the Washington, DC, area with my family. 

This decision provided me the opportunity to explore the 

wealth of scientific career opportunities in the Federal Government that go beyond hands-on laboratory or clinical research. 

Through these opportunities, I have learned and appreciated 

the significant role of being a Federal health science administrator: just as a group of accomplished musicians can be transformed into a great orchestra by a skilled conductor, a team of 

talented scientists can also be coordinated to generate significant contributions to impact public health by a program director with vision. Also pivotal to my career are the many great 

mentors I have had. These mentors have provided me with the 

necessary guidance and encouragement throughout my professional life to develop my own skills and, more importantly, to 

be a mentor to others.

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I am married to a biomedical researcher and have two grown 

children. Admittedly, the biggest challenge for me has been 

maintaining the priorities and balance between my family and 

professional responsibilities. For this, I acknowledge my family: 

the understanding and willingness of my husband to share 

family responsibilities has enabled me to focus on my professional pursuits. The willingness of my children to learn about 

my work and to appreciate the importance of and the pride that 

I take in my work have also enhanced the satisfaction and happiness I have gained through my professional pursuits. 

Susan R. B. Weiss, Ph.D.

Chief, Science Policy Branch, Office of Science Policy 

and Communications, Office of the Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Psychology) 

University of Maryland, 1982

M.S.: (Psychology) 

University of Maryland, 1978

B.A.: (Psychology) State University 

of New York at Stony Brook, 1975

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My varied research interests include addiction and other mental 

health disorders. As chief of the Science Policy Branch for the 

National Institute on Drug Abuse, I help infuse the latest science advances and health information into strategic planning, 

public education, and other outreach efforts aimed at stopping 

drug abuse and addiction—an urgent public health problem. 

The scientific research underlying these efforts focuses on how 

drugs of abuse interact with other influences–environmental, 

genetic, and neurochemical, to name but three—to alter the 

brain and behavior, and make some individuals more vulnerable than others to drugs’ harmful effects. There is still so much 

to learn about these topics, making the neurobiology of drug 

abuse a fascinating scientific frontier where important discoveries are being made every day. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My mentor and collaborator at NIMH, Dr. Robert Post, played 

a pivotal role in my development as a scientist and an individual. After receiving my doctorate in biopsychology, I took a 

position in Dr. Post’s laboratory, which was dedicated to understanding and treating bipolar disorder. I originally had considered this job as perhaps a transitional one, and that I might later 

go to medical school. However, the excitement of working at the 

forefront of this important area and the thrill that accompanies 

scientific discovery were so compelling that I remained in the 

Biological Psychiatry Branch for 18 years. Dr. Post created an 

environment that welcomed questions and fostered curiosity 

and creativity. Moreover, this was truly a translational research 

environment, in which basic and clinical science continually informed each other and guided the research program. Through 

this collaboration, I was able to expand and develop my research 

interests, and interact with other clinician scientists throughout 

the world. Most importantly, however, I had the opportunity to 

work closely with and learn from a superb and uniquely innovative scientist and clinician, who showed me a new paradigm 

defining the qualities most important for success.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

During my time at NIMH, I have mentored over 40 students 

and postdoctoral fellows, most of whom have gone onto successful careers in research and/or medicine. In my current 

position at NIDA, I supervise a dozen staff members working on various aspects of drug abuse and addiction, such as 

conducting outreach and education programs for elementary 

school students, overseeing the training of young scientists 

and new grantees, and preparing scientific and policy communications for members of Congress and the public. In all 

these roles, I provide mentoring and direction to help staff 

attain the knowledge and self-sufficiency to effectively fulfill 

NIDA’s important mission.

I am fortunate in having a spouse who is also a scientist and who 

can share my intellectual and personal interests, who supports 

me in both, and who understands the demands of this career. 

My family life is a source of great happiness, and my professional life is deeply gratifying. This I have no doubt is possible 

only because of the extraordinary people in both.

Cora Lee Wetherington, Ph.D.

Women and Sex/Gender Research Coordinator, 

Office of the Director; Program Officer, Behavioral 

and Cognitive Science Research Branch, Division of 

Basic Neuroscience and Behavioral Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Experimental Psychology) University of North Carolina, 

Greensboro, 1976

M.A.: (Experimental 

Psychology) University of North 

Carolina, Greensboro, 1972

B.A.: (Psychology) University of 

North Carolina, Greensboro, 1969

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RESEARCH INTERESTS

I have two positions at NIDA. As NIDA’s Women & Sex/Gender 

Research Coordinator, I engage in activities aimed at promoting, infusing, and integrating the study of women and 

sex-gender differences into all areas of drug abuse research. 

As a program officer in NIDA’s Behavioral Sciences Research 

Branch within the Division of Basic Neuroscience and Behavioral Research, I develop and oversee a program of extramural 

research focusing on a variety of animal and human laboratory 

topics, including vulnerability to drug abuse, the behavioral effects of exposure to drugs across lifespan development, and, of 

course, sex-gender differences and issues unique to females.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As I read Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven a 

few years ago, it evoked for me, and probably most readers, 

thoughts about how our everyday interactions with people can 

be pivotal in changing the course of our life, and that oftentimes we realize it only in retrospect. That has been the case for 

me both educationally and professionally. I think, for example, about my kind high school guidance counselor who took it 

upon herself to make sure I applied for scholarships and other 

funding, without which I probably would not have gone to college. And the psychology college professors whose influence 

shifted my interests from clinical psychology to experimental 

psychology. And the graduate school professors who provided 

me with a naturalistic conception of behavior and who taught 

me about the nature of scientific inquiry. And the graduate 

school mentor who helped me to obtain an academic position 

straight out of graduate school. And the NIH representative at 

a grantsmanship workshop who gave me crucial advice and encouragement that, as a young assistant professor, resulted in 

my receiving an NIH-funded grant. These are just a few of the 

individuals who were pivotal early in my career and to whom I 

am grateful. The list continues and continues.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Throughout my career, first as a university professor and then 

here at NIDA, I have received immense satisfaction from mentoring young investigators, perhaps in part because of the importance such mentorship has played in my own career. I am 

grateful to teachers, colleagues, family, friends and others—

both men and women, scientists and nonscientists—who 

have inspired, encouraged and challenged me in my scientific 

development. I find that trying to return that mentorship to 

others is very satisfying. 

Balancing family and professional responsibilities is often 

challenging, but helps to make life exciting, and I am grateful to my husband who is a professor/scientist and to our two 

college-student children for their support.

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National 

Institute of 

Environmental 

Health Sciences 

Donna Day Baird, Ph.D. Senior Investigator and Head, Women’s Health Group, 

Epidemiology Branch, Environmental Diseases & 

Medicine Program, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

M.P.H.: (Epidemiology) 

University of North 

Carolina, 1984

Ph.D.: (Evolutionary 

Ecology) University 

of Minnesota, 1980 

B.A.: (Biology) 

Macalester College, 

St. Paul, Minnesota, 1968

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Reproductive epidemiology, 

uterine fibroids, fertility, epidemiologic methods

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I became an epidemiologist through a circuitous path: biology 

undergraduate, Ph.D. in evolutionary ecology, and then the 

epidemiology training in an M.P.H. program. The biological, 

evolutionary base is critical in my work. Then, of course, there 

are the mentors and colleagues. Dr. Herman Tyroler’s course 

in cardiovascular epidemiology helped me integrate biological mechanisms with conceptual models of epidemiologic 

risk, something I try to do both in study design and analysis. 

My long-term collaboration with Dr. Clarice Weinberg and Dr. 

Allen Wilcox continues to stimulate new ideas and push me to 

clearer thinking. Dr. Darlene Dixon started me studying uterine fibroids, which is now one of my major interests.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I adopted a 10-week old as a single mom in 1986, so much of 

my career at NIH has required balancing those responsibilities 

with professional responsibilities. I feel that each got shortchanged at times in the past, and still do. It is challenging with 

no perfect path. I’m just glad to be balancing imperfectly.

INSIGHTS

Finding reproductive epidemiology was my biggest career 

milestone. As a biology graduate in 1968 who did not want 

to be a doctor, I had limited career options. It was still a very 

male-dominated world. Despite getting the highest Graduate 

Record Examinations (GRE) scores in the department that 

year, my advisor suggested junior college teaching. It was over 

a decade later that I discovered epidemiology. I was offered an 

NIH traineeship, but not in the field I wanted, reproductive 

epidemiology. I decided not to take it, but to go unfunded to 

the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina 

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(UNC) where I could work part-time with Allen Wilcox at 

NIEHS. This marked the first career-assertiveness move of my 

life, and did it ever pay off. I got terrific training at UNC and was 

offered a job as a reproductive epidemiologist at NIEHS where I 

study fertility, early pregnancy, and uterine fibroids. My challenge has been to keep the clarity about doing what I love. The 

stress of tenure review paled when I focused on having research 

that excited me. I still need to say, “No” more, but mostly the 

aspects I need in my work are there: 1) public health significance, 2) fascinating biology, 3) challenging methodology, and 

4) colleagues I respect and enjoy. 

Marilyn Diaz, Ph.D. Tenure-Track Investigator, Somatic Hypermutation 

Group, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, 

Environmental Biology Program, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Evolution & Population Genetics) University of 

South Carolina, 1995

M.S.: (Genetics & Developmental Biology) West 

Virginia University, 1988

B.S.: (Biology) University 

of Miami 1986 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Immunoglobulin hypermutation, memory B cell 

responses, autoimmunity

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I consider the mentoring throughout my career, even as an 

undergraduate, to be the single most important factor that influenced my development as a scientist. Having trained in one 

field (evolutionary biology) and then switched to a completely 

different one (immunology) also had a tremendous impact 

on my career because it helped shape my interdisciplinary 

approach to scientific research.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As I mentioned above, the mentoring that I have received 

throughout my career has been pivotal to my success. By witnessing and participating in their enthusiasm for science, my 

mentors often reminded me of my passion for science and 

research, even in times when things were not going well in 

the laboratory. 

INSIGHTS

As a graduate student in ecology and evolution, my advisor, 

from the very start, encouraged me to think and act independently in my scientific pursuits. As a result, I directed a large, 

multiyear population genetic analysis of fish populations 

throughout the United States. This meant that I had to help coordinate various groups such as technicians from my laboratories, scientists from State agencies, and even local fishermen 

for the collection of samples and analysis of landlocked and 

anadromous fish populations. At first, some of these individuals were skeptical of a young woman directing local fisherman 

to collect samples, for instance, and this was difficult. However, 

in time I gained their respect by staying focused, professional, 

and knowledgeable. At the end, I not only learned how to study 

the genetics of a natural population, but more importantly, I 

learned how to coordinate a large effort involving many individuals and multiple agencies, each with different personalities, preconceived notions, etc. 

When I graduated, I wanted to explore biomedical research, 

and was able to bridge my background in evolution with immunology by examining adaptive immune responses in 

cartilaginous fish and its relevance to the evolution of the 

adaptive immune system. This enabled me to utilize my 

background in evolutionary biology in shaping my thinking 

and hypothesis generation in biomedical research, an approach that I still maintain to this day. The combination of 

mentors who encouraged and respected my development 

as an independent scientist and fostered my enthusiasm 

for scientific research, along with multidisciplinary training that has shaped my approach to hypothesis generation, 

have been the best contributors to my career as a scientist.

Gaylia Jean Harry, Ph.D. Head, Neurotoxicology Group, Laboratory of 

Neurobiology, Environmental Biology Program, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Psychopharmacology/Experimental 

Psychology) Virginia Commonwealth University, 1981

M.S.: (Psychology/

Experimental/Physiological 

Psychology) Virginia Commonwealth University, 1977

B.S.: (Psychology) 

Virginia Commonwealth 

University, 1974

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RESEARCH INTERESTS

Interactions between cells within the nervous system that 

contribute to damage and repair processes including inflammatory-mediated responses in the brain and the additional 

influence of peripheral immune cells; the contribution of 

neuroinflammation and microglia response in injury and 

injury-induced neurogenesis as examined within the context 

of development and aging, and the impact of environmental 

exposure and age

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The pivotal events that have had the most effect on my scientific career are related to the choice of advisors, colleagues, 

and projects. Identifying those that would challenge, promote independence, facilitate success, minimize failure, and 

throughout extend a level of respect has served me well and 

has had the greatest effect on my success as a scientist and 

personal development. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

During my scientific career, critical mentoring has not been 

readily offered from scientists; however, such mentoring has 

been successfully elicited. This has been mostly in the form of 

science mentoring and from male scientists. Mentoring within 

personal career development has been elicited from both males 

and females in professions outside of bench science and has 

provided a breadth and additional depth of advice. Increased 

involvement in professional activities has allowed for contact 

with established women scientists; presenting opportunities 

for mentoring-type activities, suggesting a greater availability of women scientists to serve in a mentor role and an understanding of the need for mentoring at multiple levels. The 

most influential mentors were personally identified and their 

role continues over an extended period of time throughout a 

career. For me, successful balancing of family with professional 

responsibilities has been dependent upon the partner and the 

strength of the family relationships.

INSIGHTS

It is important to remember that, regardless of expectations, no 

one has your interest at heart, other than yourself. Your priorities are just that, yours, and not necessarily those of another. 

Thus, in all cases where a decision or opportunity occurs that 

may have an effect on you and your career, you must obtain all 

information possible and not rely on the good will and support 

of others. 

Dale P. Sandler, Ph.D. Chief, Epidemiology Branch, Environmental Diseases 

& Medicine Program, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Epidemiology) 

The Johns Hopkins 

University, 1979

M.P.H.: (Chronic 

Disease Epidemiology) 

Yale University, 1975

B.A.: (Mathematics 

and Philosophy) 

Boston University, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interests include risk factors for chronic kidney disease, leukemia, lung 

cancer, breast cancer, women’s health, and health effects of 

radon and agricultural exposures. I partnered with the National 

Cancer Institute and the Environmental Protection Agency to 

develop the Agricultural Health Study, a prospective study of 

the health of licensed pesticide applicators and their families, 

now in its 11th year and am the Principal Investigator of The 

Sister Study, which is designed to identify environmental and 

genetic causes of breast cancer and other diseases in women. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Epidemiology requires practical skills as well as subject matter 

expertise. I was fortunate to do my dissertation under two 

outstanding epidemiologists with field experience—Dr. Genevieve Matanoski and Dr. George Comstock. I obtained a grant 

to study health consequences of nasopharyngeal radiation that 

allowed me to hire and supervise a small staff that knew more 

than I did about data collection and learn firsthand how to carry 

out a field study. My first job, at the NIEHS, was in a fledgling 

program. Along with two other new hires and a colleague with 

a 2-year head start, we were charged with building a program. 

It was slow going, but I successfully built the resources needed 

to sustain an epidemiology program. Being an editor at two top 

epidemiology journals (American Journal of Epidemiology and 

Epidemiology) exposed me to research and methods outside my 

immediate area and also helped to attract outstanding younger 

researchers to our program. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

While I received good advice as a student, I can’t say that I had 

a mentor in the way that new investigators currently conceive 

of mentoring. I did have some role models in professors I especially admired. Our little group of four beginners at NIEHS 

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mentored each other and made our own opportunities. I benefited greatly from the collegial and noncompetitive atmosphere 

in our group. NIH was not very friendly to women or to mothers when I started, but there was enough flexibility during the 

work week to make it possible to balance the needs of home 

and work. It was especially helpful to have a husband, also a 

professional, who did his share taking care of the children (2 

boys, now 21 and 26) and home. I also learned early on that it is 

important to focus on what really matters. 

INSIGHTS

Epidemiology is a field that attracts a lot of women. But, at least 

when I started, the NIH was not a place with women in leadership positions. While there were some instances when I felt 

that I wasn’t treated fairly, I was fortunate to have the support 

of my peers. I also was fortunate to find really smart colleagues 

and collaborators. Working with biostatisticians who were at 

the cutting edge of epidemiologic methods enabled me to carry 

out research using innovative study designs, and being located 

in what was largely a laboratory-based environment encouraged me to think more about plausible biological mechanisms 

for observations at the population level.

My most rewarding experience to date has been enrolling 

women from across the United States and Puerto Rico for 

The Sister Study. The study involves women at higher risk for 

breast cancer because of their family history. At enrollment, 

participants contribute data and biological and environmental 

samples and agree to be studied over the next 10 or so years. 

They are excited to be part of this national study as a way to 

honor their sisters who had breast cancer and to be part of an 

effort that might someday lead to preventing breast cancer in 

future generations of women. This is the first time that, no 

matter where I go, I meet someone who has heard about the 

study, knows someone in it, or has joined. I am used to studying 

groups of patients and controls known to me only by ID numbers. Through this study I’ve gotten to meet individual participants who contact me. I know I can’t guarantee finding genetic 

or environmental factors that contribute to breast cancer, but 

seeing how much participants have invested in being part of the 

study, I would hate to let them down. 

Clarice R. Weinberg, Ph.D. Chief, Biostatistics Branch, Environmental Diseases & 

Medicine Program, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biomathematics) 

University of Washington, 

Seattle, 1980

M.A.: (Mathematics) 

Brandeis University, 1974

B.S.: (Mathematics) 

Simmons College, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Methods in epidemiology, 

particularly reproductive 

epidemiology; statistical 

methods in genetics, particularly related to using nuclear families to study gene-by-environment interactions in causing diseases with onset early in life, such as childhood cancers; mental 

illness; and birth defects

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Coincidentally, my personal struggle with infertility ran parallel to my professional involvement with a remarkable study, the 

Early Pregnancy Study, reinforcing my interest in models for 

human fertility. This personal problem also effectively delayed 

child-bearing long enough for me to become deeply invested 

in my professional life before major distractions intervened. I 

have also been extremely fortunate to find myself at NIH in the 

company of dedicated, smart, and creative reproductive epidemiologists, particularly Donna Baird and Allen Wilcox. The 

whole has been much more than the sum of the parts. I am also 

grateful to NIH for supporting my professional development 

over all these years.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Having only one child, and having the help of an extremely supportive scientist–husband, who is also informally my mentor, 

have been a huge help for me. Looking back, I do regret not 

spending more time with my daughter during her preschool 

years, however. 

INSIGHTS

My main advice is to find a setting where you can develop your 

interests and then find an area that really turns you on. Forget 

about marketing yourself and instead find a way to enjoy yourself. If you can leave work at 5:00 and actually leave it behind, 

then you are not fully engaged. You have to love your work 

enough to sometimes let yourself be possessed by it—not always 

but sometimes. 

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But it isn’t all fun. I am a naturally shy person and the one 

aspect of my professional life that I have always dreaded and 

despised is public speaking. Nevertheless, I make myself do it, 

and I don’t regret that. It stretches my mind and connects me 

with people, expanding my vision of how the work I am doing 

fits, with implications beyond what I knew. 

Becoming a branch chief has been a different kind of stretching 

for me, and it has been extremely gratifying to help in nurturing the development of junior colleagues.

Katarzyna Bebenek, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist, DNA Replication Fidelity Group, 

Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Environmental 

Biology Program, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Genetics) Institute of 

Biochemistry Biophysics, Polish 

Academy of Sciences, 1986

M.S.: (Microbiology) Warsaw 

University, Warsaw, Poland, 1978 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am interested in the cellular 

processes of DNA replication and 

repair that maintain the integrity 

of the genome, and how their 

perturbation results in mutations and disease. The key players 

in these processes are DNA polymerases. The focus of my work 

is on the mechanisms of DNA polymerases that determine the 

fidelity of DNA synthesis.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Pivotal events in my scientific career include good and bad 

ones. Good ones stimulated my intellectual curiosity, bad ones 

warned me about the pitfalls of pseudoscience. Whereas my 

undergraduate work was satisfying and filled with excitement, 

my first job was a disaster. However, it was an important step 

for me where I learned that there is no real scientific progress 

without openness, honest discussion, serious critique of results, and collaboration. As my career progressed, my appreciation of the value of networking with scientists in and outside 

my field increased. I needed those interactions to continue my 

scientific work in a meaningful way. 

There was no single event that I could pinpoint and label as a 

major turning point that shaped my career. I cannot recall all 

the meetings, workshops, retreats, conversations, and arguments, but they all were pivotal for my scientific development. 

I consider all of them equally important and cannot single out 

just a few of them.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing family and professional life is a tricky task and no 

amount of mentoring will help solve the dilemma that all of us 

have faced at some point or another, “Should I run another experiment late into the night or help my kids make the Halloween costumes?” Those questions are terrifying if faced alone, 

but I was fortunate to have the support of my family, network of 

friends, understanding supervisors, and coworkers. An environment of family-friendly regulations was also helpful. 

Learning through example has always been praised. During 

his formative years, my son spent quite a lot of afternoons and 

weekends in my lab and I am sure that by being involved in 

what I do, he has learned a great deal about the joys and frustrations of being a scientist, work ethics, and that there are jobs 

that last well beyond 9 to 5 and are fun. 

Today I don’t have any regrets, but I sometimes wonder if 

my career would turn out differently if I didn’t have to do all 

this balancing. 

Leesa J. Deterding, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist, Mass Spectrometry Group, Laboratory 

of Structural Biology, Environmental Biology Program, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Chemistry) North 

Carolina State University, 2000

M.S.: (Chemistry) University 

of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1987

B.A.: (Chemistry and Math) 

Hastings College, Hastings, 

NE, 1984

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interest has focused 

on the development and application of mass spectrometric 

techniques to structural problems in biology. Currently, these 

applications are focused on the tertiary structural characterization of the antigens associated with the autoimmune disease, 

Sjögren’s syndrome. Additional biological questions of interest 

include the application of mass spectrometry based determination of modified and/or post-translationally modified proteins, 

the interactions of proteins with other biomolecules, and the 

identification of protein complexes via immunoprecipitates. 

A major component of my research effort also includes the 

innovative development of mass spectrometry approaches in 

protein structural techniques, peptide mapping methodologies, affinity techniques, and separation methodologies.

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PIVOTAL EVENTS

After receiving a Master of Science degree in chemistry, I accepted a research position at NIEHS. It soon became evident 

that, in order to achieve my career aspirations in science, it 

would be essential to earn a Ph.D. Consequently, I made the 

decision to re-enter graduate school. The rewarding and interesting journey of graduate classes while working full-time 

eventually led to a Ph.D. in chemistry. This accomplishment 

would have been extremely difficult without the support of 

family and colleagues. Even though many of life’s triumphs 

may not come easy, with hard work and determination, one 

can overcome obstacles and achieve the goal. The decision 

to re-enter graduate school to obtain my Ph.D. was a pivotal 

event that has allowed me the opportunity to attain higher 

career goals. There are many opportunities for exciting and 

dynamic careers in science, and I would encourage anyone to 

pursue those opportunities.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The balance between family and profession was acquired from 

experiences from both childhood and scientific mentors. My 

parents instilled the importance and priority of family while 

inspiring a sense of independence and perpetual establishment 

of high goals. My allegiance and enthusiasm for science comes 

from many interactions with various scientists throughout my 

career. The dedication of many of these individuals has been 

an inspiration for how I approach my own work and research. 

I am fortunate that I truly love and have a genuine passion for 

what I do professionally. Although the balance between family 

and professional life can be challenging, there are times when 

each has its own priority. Life balance is an ongoing process; it 

will throw you curve balls from time to time. The key to growth 

and personal fulfillment is to remember it is a process rather 

than an event.

June K. Dunnick, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist, Toxicology Branch, National Toxicology 

Program, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Medical Sciences) 

Cornell University Medical School

M.B.A.: Kenan-Flagler 

Business School, University of 

North Carolina, Chapel Hill

B.S.: (Biological Sciences) 

Cornell University 

Diplomate: American Board 

of Toxicology

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I promote, design, and administer research programs to understand how environmental exposures affect our health. My 

research is focused on identifying and evaluating the beneficial and harmful effects of environmental chemicals, drugs, 

metals, and other chemicals of concern so that strategies can 

be developed to prevent exposures to harmful agents or to develop treatment strategies, particularly for cancer, reproductive disease, and infectious diseases. This involves the design, 

analysis, and interpretation of experimental studies to identify 

biological effects, and extrapolation of results to man through 

the use of metabolism/pharmacokinetic studies and mechanistic studies. My responsibilities include serving as senior scientist for toxicologic and carcinogenesis studies and identifying 

new initiatives for the development of a better understanding 

of environmental disease through the integration, extrapolation, and analysis of data from a broad range of experimental 

studies. I serve as a focus, representative, and spokesperson for 

the Institute to report the findings from toxicology and carcinogenesis research studies.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Science is discovering and learning about life processes. Career 

success depends on the ability to adapt to change. Today’s scientist must be able to function independently as well as on a 

team. Pivotal events in my career include serving as the NIAID 

antiviral and hepatitis program officer where our team developed new antiviral drugs and began the hepatitis vaccine development program in collaboration with industry, academia, and 

government scientists. At NIEHS, I evaluate the carcinogenic 

potential of environmental exposures (e.g., nickels and phenolphthalein) and work with government regulatory agencies 

to develop disease prevention strategies. My work on the study 

of the cardiotoxic potential of environmental exposures has led 

to the development of models to understand cardiac disease 

mechanisms. I established the NIEHS Genetic Alterations in 

Cancer knowledge system to promote recombining of information for new discovery (https://dir-apps.niehs.nih.gov/gac/).

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Life skills necessary for a successful science career are the 

same sets of skills needed for a successful family life, including working as a team, and creating a win/win situation for each 

member of the team. Providing areas for growth and recognition for all family members are the same goals as for a science 

team. In bringing up my children, I sought to make their lives 

interesting and rewarding. While at work, I would leave craft or 

science projects that would allow for creative input. Innovation 

and imagination helps to instill a joy for learning and sense of 

accomplishment and satisfaction. Thus, even though one might 

not be at home, your children will still have a connection to you 

by the tasks and projects you have left for them. Communication, caring, and respect for the individual are key life skills at 

home and at work.

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Dori Rabin Germolec, Ph.D.

Immunology Discipline Leader, Toxicology Branch, 

National Toxicology Program, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Toxicology) North 

Carolina State University, 1995

M.A.: (Physical Anthropology) 

Duke University, 1983

B.A.: (Physical Anthropology) 

Duke University, 1979

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interests include investigating the interaction between 

environmental, industrial, and pharmacologic agents and the 

immune system; and defining the cellular and molecular role 

of cytokines in toxicity in a variety of organ systems including 

the skin, lung, and liver. My laboratory studies are focused on 

establishing the relationship between alterations in levels of 

growth promoting cytokines and arsenic-induced carcinogenicity and dermatotoxicity.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

One of my first undergraduate professors went out of his way 

to make learning fun and interesting, and I have never forgotten his irreverent examples and open teaching style. I have 

been extremely fortunate to have outstanding collaborators 

and mentors throughout my graduate and intramural research 

career and each has shared wisdom and insight that I often call 

upon as I address specific scientific and management issues.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I think the key to balancing work and family for all of the scientific community is networking. Sharing the successes and 

not-so-successful ventures of women and men with similar 

interests and issues provides both perspective and guidance. 

The establishment of the Women’s Scientists Association at 

the NIEHS has provided an excellent forum for these types of 

activities. It is unfortunate that the NIH is not as supportive 

as it should be to women in science trying to balance career 

and family. The lack of maternity leave for women at the NIH 

is inexcusable and likely impacts recruitment and retention of 

investigators early in their career. That said, I personally have 

been very fortunate to have mentors who realize the importance 

of being available for family time.

Joyce Allen Goldstein, Ph.D.

Head, Human Metabolism Group, Laboratory of 

Pharmacology, Environmental Toxicology Program, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellow: 

(Pharmacology) Emory University 

Medical School, 1967–1968

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology and 

Biochemistry) University of 

Texas Southwestern Medical 

School, 1968

B.S.: (Biology) Southwest 

Missouri State College, 1962

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am interested in the human CYP2C enzymes that metabolize 

drugs, particularly the CYP2C subfamily, several members of 

which were first discovered and cloned in our laboratory. We 

have worked on genetic polymorphisms and how they can adversely affect metabolism of clinical drugs producing toxicity 

in susceptible populations. More recent work is centering on 

the transcriptional regulation of CYP2C enzymes by nuclear 

receptors, crosstalk between various receptors, and how these 

enzymes are regulated.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Switching my research from rodent to human drug metabolizing enzymes in the early 1990s was challenging but rewarding. 

I was under immense pressure at NIH to work on something 

related to human risk. I picked a risky project—the discovery 

of the enzyme that accounted for genetic variability in the susceptibility to certain drugs, and then identifying the polymorphisms in this enzyme, CYP2C19, which were responsible for 

this variability. I focused all of the limited resources I had into 

this one project. Cloning and discovering the human enzyme, 

CYP2C19, and finding the mutations in CYP2C19 and CYP2C9, 

which were responsible for the poor metabolism of certain 

drugs in many individuals was due to both my hard work and 

that of two successful postdoctorates, Marjorie Romkes and 

Sonia DeMorais. I think working hard, focusing one’s work on 

the one or few important project(s), and being willing to take 

a risk are keys to success. Many people are not willing to focus 

on a single project. Another key to success is the luck to have 

the right talented postdoctorates or students and being able to 

recognize the right talent for a project.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I am married but do not have children. I am afraid my choice is 

not one many women would want to make nor one I would choose 

for someone else. I have always wanted to be a success as a 

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ance a career and family than when I was young, but there 

will always be difficulties since women usually have the 

primary role of caregiver. One must have the drive and 

ambition to choose which things in life are most important to you. My husband has been supportive, particularly 

when health issues arose more recently for me. I have also 

had fortunate collaborations from scientists I consider 

friends who were generous when I needed scientific expertise and help. The only real mentoring I can remember is 

when I was an undergraduate, my first year in biology. The Head 

of the Department, Dr. Robert Stevenson, convinced me that 

there was a future for me as an independent Research Scientist. 

When I said my parents had no money for graduate school, he 

encouraged me to apply for scholarships. On the other hand, I 

believe I did often find a scientific colleague to bounce my important big decisions off. It is often necessary to seek out your 

own mentor—someone whose decisions you respect. Even if I 

did not take the advice given, having someone listen to me and 

give me their opinion helped me see what I really wanted to do.

Traci M.T. Hall, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator, Macromolecular Structure Group, 

Laboratory of Structural Biology, Environmental Biology 

Program, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Biophysics and Biophysical 

Chemistry) The Johns Hopkins 

University School of Medicine, 

1994–1998

Fellowship: American 

Association for the Advancement 

of Science (AAAS), Science, 

Engineering, and Diplomacy 

Fellow, U.S. Agency for International Development, 1992–1994

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology and 

Molecular Sciences) The Johns Hopkins University School 

of Medicine, 1992

B.S.: (Biochemistry) University of California, 

Los Angeles, 1986

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Structural and biochemical studies of proteins involved in 

post-transcriptional gene regulation; understanding how proteins specifically recognize RNA targets

PIVOTAL EVENTS

After graduate school, I worked as an American Association 

for the Advancement of Science Diplomacy Fellow, working at 

the U.S. Agency for International Development. This experience inspired me with the kinds of projects that could be done 

through investigator-initiated programs. I also learned the 

value of management skills through an outstanding mentor.

I went onto complete a postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine where I learned to use x-ray crystallography to study the structure and function of proteins. This 

experience was instrumental in shaping the way I conduct science in many ways. I worked as part of a team of collaborators 

that was highly interactive and rigorous in investigation. My 

postdoc mentor was very supportive and helped me to have 

many opportunities to communicate my research results, and 

the department as a whole provided an intellectually stimulating environment that encouraged a broad knowledge of structural biology.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentors have been important in my career development, but it 

is important to remember that one needs to initiate these relationships by interacting with strong role models and asking for 

advice when approaching new situations. No one will be more 

interested in your future achievement than yourself.

I have a relatively unique experience with balancing family and 

work because my Ph.D. scientist–husband stayed home with 

our children for 8 years after starting my lab. Now that he has a 

new job, I am learning the importance of making choices that 

maintain a balance consistent with the priorities I have established. When I was a postdoc and whining about being unable 

to go on a data collection trip because I was pregnant, a woman 

faculty member remarked that it was only the first time I would 

give up something for my child and I should get used to it.

Freya Kamel, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist, Chronic Disease Epidemiology Group, 

Epidemiology Branch, Environmental Diseases & 

Medicine Program, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

M.P.H.: (Epidemiology) 

University of North Carolina at 

Chapel Hill, 1991

Postdoctoral Fellow: 

(Neuroendocrinology) 

Rockefeller University, 1978–1981

Ph.D.: (Biological Sciences) 

SUNY-Binghamton, 1978

B.A.: (Mathematics) Brandeis 

University, 1969 

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NIEHS

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Neurodegenerative disease, environmental influences on neurologic dysfunction, biomarkers of early disease, and disease 

progression 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

No one event stands out; rather, the total experience has been 

important. I have loved science since I was a child, in school 

and out. My first job in a lab after college was a delight, more 

fun than work. Through graduate school, postdoc, and beyond, 

I have been constantly stimulated by new ideas and the thrill 

of seeing data fall into place to confirm a theory. Even routine 

work, first in a lab and then analyzing data as an epidemiologist, has been fun. Mentors, colleagues, and students have been 

a source of inspiration throughout my career, particularly those 

whose loyalty to knowledge trumped their biases. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is critical to success for all scientists but perhaps 

especially for women. Most of my mentors have been men, 

and, although they were supportive and inspiring, it would 

have been beneficial to have a woman in that role—unfortunately, in those years there were few women sufficiently 

senior to serve as mentors. Sadly, this is still the case. Balancing family and profession is immensely challenging for 

women, and these days for men as well, and women may be 

more adept at guiding young scientists through the difficulties 

involved. It’s a Catch 22: there will be more successful women 

scientists only when there are more successful women scientists available to mentor them. 

Stephanie J. London, M.D., Dr.P.H.

Senior Investigator and Head, Genetics, Environment 

& Respiratory Disease Group, Epidemiology Branch, 

Environmental Diseases & Medicine Program, Division 

of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Dr.P.H.: (Epidemiology) Harvard 

School of Public Health, 1989

M.P.H: Harvard School 

of Public Health, 1983

M.D.: Harvard Medical 

School, 1983

B.A.: (History and Science) 

Harvard College, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genetic and environmental factors, and their interactions, in 

relation to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PIVOTAL EVENTS

There are so many interpersonal interactions and events that 

influenced me along the way, it is hard to say.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I received little formal mentoring on how to balance family 

and professional responsibilities. However, I was fortunate 

to participate in a medical women’s faculty organization at the 

University of Southern California School of Medicine. I had 

the opportunity to get advice from women who had recently 

had children and those whose children were grown. All of this 

was invaluable. The group had funds to send junior faculty to a 

meeting called something like Professional Development for 

Junior Faculty Women that was sponsored by a national organization. There were numerous workshops, some with advanced 

reading on negotiation strategies, which were extremely useful. 

One piece of advice that I remember from a session was “never 

serve on a committee where you are the only woman.” Whenever I have ignored this rule, I have regretted it. 

Lisa G. Rider, M.D.

Deputy Chief, Environmental Autoimmunity Group, 

Clinical Research Program, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

M.D.: Duke University 

School of Medicine, 1987 

A.B.: (Chemistry with 

Biochemical Specialization) 

Duke University, 1983 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genetic and environmental risk 

factors for juvenile myositis and 

other pediatric rheumatic diseases; 

autoantibody subgroups and prognostic factors for juvenile myositis; outcomes and assessment 

in myositis; therapeutic and preventive trials for myositis

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Access to excellent educational and training opportunities 

throughout my career has been pivotal in my success as a 

scientist. My early research experiences included a full year 

in medical school in a basic immunology lab, which resulted 

in my coming to the NIH for a basic immunology fellowship 

following residency training. The bench-to-bedside model 

at the NIH enabled me to attend patient rounds and diseaseoriented lectures, and to recognize that my questions were 

more patient-focused. Following my first postdoctoral fellowship, I was able to switch into clinical research in a second 

fellowship. It was through seeing interesting patients at these 

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patient conferences that I became interested in myositis. Paul 

Plotz, one of my mentors, keeps this motto on his laboratory 

door: “Chance favors the prepared mind.” I like to remember 

this every day—to seek outstanding education and training, to 

pursue my questions to their fullest, and to be prepared for 

new research directions. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Throughout my education, I have been fortunate to find excellent mentors. My female mentors not only inspired a high level 

of academic accomplishment, but also spoke in some detail 

about balancing career and family life and provided specific 

helpful suggestions from their own lives. Hooking up with supportive mentors has been critical. 

I have also been extremely fortunate with my current mentor, 

Frederick Miller, with whom I have worked for more than 14 

years. He has fostered my career development from a postdoctoral fellow through becoming a staff scientist and the 

group’s deputy chief. In this staff scientist role, I have been 

more able to balance the demands of a research career and 

family life. I often have flexibility in my office schedule, to 

be able to get my son off to school in the morning and to be 

home in the early evening to facilitate homework and being a 

mother. In the late evening, or during baseball practices, I am 

generally back working on the computer or reading journals. 

It takes a constant dedication and focus on both jobs to be 

accomplished in both.

Christina T. Teng, Ph.D.

Head, Gene Regulation Group, Laboratory of 

Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, 

Environmental Diseases & Medicine Program, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Research Associate: (Molecular 

Biology) Brookhaven National 

Laboratory, Stony Brook, NY, 

1971–1973

Postdoctoral Training: (Molecular 

Biology) Rockefeller University, 

New York, NY, 1969–1971 

Ph.D.: (Molecular Biology) 

University of Texas at Austin, 1969 

B.S.: (Biology) Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan, 1963

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Molecular mechanisms of gene regulation including the molecular basis of estrogen action in the regulation of lactoferrin 

gene expression; estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRa) - 

biological role(s) and regulation of expression by PGC-1alpha, 

estrogen and environmental estrogens; lactoferrin and ERRa

in cancer cells

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a child, I used to spend hours observing the activities of my 

pets, which included fish and mice. My father would spend 

time with me answering any questions I had about their behavior. He was the one who told me about the discovery of the 

DNA double helix by Watson and Crick while I was in grade 

school. His nurturing of my interest made it natural for me to 

focus on biology while in college. My Ph.D. thesis advisor, Dr. 

David Block at the University of Austin, Texas, was the first to 

introduce me to the exciting field of molecular biology and my 

postdoctoral mentor at the Rockefeller University, Dr. Vincent 

Allfrey, taught me to be an independent thinker. These key 

people both developed and trained me in a traditional manner, 

which has served me well throughout my career as an independent researcher and leader in my field. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The development of independent thought and self-confidence 

is what I strive to develop in my postdoctoral fellows. I ensure 

that they learn how to conduct solid experiments and to constantly ask the question, “Why?” The greatest reward is when 

they become confident to move forward in their career. 

Creating harmony between a demanding career and a happy 

family is not always easy. However, with proper time management, a degree of efficiency, and most importantly family 

support, this can be achieved. Part of this is to allow me the 

freedom to achieve both personal and professional goals. The 

support I receive even enables me to pursue my hobbies such 

as piano, which I love. My husband has been a true partner 

both career wise in science and in family life; my two daughters 

learned early on to develop independence and to be responsible for themselves and each other. 

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NIGMS

National 

Institute of 

General 

Medical 

Sciences

Judith H. Greenberg, Ph.D. Director, Division of Genetics and 

Developmental Biology

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Developmental 

Biology) Bryn Mawr 

College, 1972

M.A.: (Biology) 

Boston University, 1970

B.A.: (Biology) University 

of Pittsburgh, 1967

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genetics, developmental 

biology, bioethical issues 

in genetics

PIVOTAL EVENTS

First, of course, was my decision to pursue a Ph.D., which I 

made while doing an honors undergraduate research project. 

I had always assumed I would go to medical school and practice medicine, but this experience “turned me on” to research. 

The most important decision in my career was to leave the lab 

and begin life as a health scientist administrator (HSA). This 

has proven to be very rewarding and has enabled me to have 

an influence on the direction of research and the development 

of policies while maintaining a close connection to scientific 

progress.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I was fortunate to be hired by Dr. Ruth Kirschstein, then Director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. She 

mentored me (and a large number of other young HSAs—both 

male and female) and served as a wonderful role model. 

With respect to balancing family with professional responsibilities—my daughter was born when I had just begun as a 

postdoc and then staff fellow in the National Institute of Dental 

Research. After a short maternity leave, the lab allowed me to 

work shorter than normal hours (7:30 to 2:30, I think) for a 

while. Thanks to their flexibility, I never felt that I was neglecting my family or my research.

As time went on, and I took on the role of supervisor, I’ve 

tried to give my staff similar kinds of flexibility to deal with 

family issues.

INSIGHTS

Within about 7 years of joining NIGMS, I became the Director of 

the Division of Genetics and Developmental Biology (originally 

called the Genetics Program Branch), one of the three scientific 

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divisions of NIGMS. While I have been in that position for 

nearly 20 years, my job continues to change as a result of many 

special assignments that I’ve had over the years. These range 

from serving as the executive secretary of the Panel to Assess 

the NIH Investment in Research on Gene Therapy to serving on 

the Executive Committee of the Federal Demonstration Partnership, establishing the initial Human Embryonic Stem Cell 

Registry, convening meetings on bioethical issues in genetic 

studies on tissue samples, and directing the NIH Director’s 

Pioneer Award program and establishing and directing the 

NIH Director’s New Innovator Award program. A highlight 

of my career was serving as the Acting Director of NIGMS 

for 1 1/2 years.

I’ve always considered NIGMS to be very welcoming and nurturing to women, and I can honestly say that in all my years 

here, I never felt that being a woman in any way hindered my 

advancement or opportunities. Similarly, in my activities that 

took me into the broader NIH community, I’ve always felt that 

gender was not an issue. However, I do appreciate that in the 

academic community, this is not necessarily the case, and I’ve 

worked proactively to ensure that women were invited to meetings or serve on committees that I organize. I also tried (but 

failed) last year to persuade NIH to include consideration of 

gender equity in its requirement for instruction in responsible 

conduct of research for training grants.

Ann A. Hagan, Ph.D. Associate Director for Extramural Activities; 

Director, Division of Extramural Activities

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Physiology) 

University of IllinoisUrbana-Champaign, 1976

M.S.: (Biology Education) 

University of IllinoisUrbana-Champaign, 1972

B.S.: (Biology Education) 

University of IllinoisUrbana-Champaign, 1970

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Physiology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My parents always supported my efforts and reinforced the 

notion that I could achieve my goals. This was in contrast to 

being told that I was being considered for my first, real, postgraduate academic position because the department needed a 

woman—not because I was the best qualified candidate. I have 

always striven to give my best effort to my job, regardless of 

whether it was temporary or permanent, because I owed it to 

myself and to those who hired me to do so. My path to my present position has been a combination of hard work and continued performance, which my supervisors have recognized. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As a new recruit to extramural NCI, I was most fortunate to 

have a Section Chief and Branch Chief who believed strongly in 

mentoring new staff. They were most supportive, always available for questions and explanations, noted that everyone makes 

mistakes, and reassured me that mistakes could be corrected. 

They also made allowances for family needs and emergencies. 

On the home front, the balance between family and work is 

not easy, and it requires understanding, communication, and 

empathy on all sides. Priorities must be clear, responsibilities shared, and compromises negotiated fairly. Support from 

your spouse is essential. It is important that no one—child or 

parent—feels ignored or undervalued. Remember to nurture all 

aspects of your personality—professional, spouse, parent—but 

know that you do not need to be “superwoman” in everything 

to be successful.

INSIGHTS

My experiences at NIH over a 20-year plus span have been 

very positive. In the various extramural positions I have held, 

I have been encouraged to expand my capabilities and supported by colleagues and supervisors to move onto additional 

challenges. When I consider what I have accomplished, I feel 

a sense of pride to have contributed to the NIH mission at 

different levels. 

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NIGMS

Catherine Lewis, Ph.D. Director, Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics 

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biochemistry) 

Princeton University, 1983

B.A.: (Psychology) 

Barnard College, 1970

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Chromosome structure, 

single molecule biophysics, 

nanotechnology, cellular 

imaging

PIVOTAL EVENTS

There have been a number of 

pivotal events along my path that had an impact on my decision 

to pursue science as a career and on my success as a scientist 

and administrator. Each of these, although they now appear 

well separated in time and context, had the effect of giving me 

more confidence in myself and in the choices I was making. 

Specific examples include as a psychology major in college, 

discovering that I could succeed in difficult chemistry courses 

that I feared if I took the time to study the material; discovering 

that I enjoyed thinking deeply about chemistry; finding stimulating colleagues and mentors in graduate school and beyond 

who wanted to work with me or talk to me about science, in 

effect, to be taken seriously as a scientist; once outside the lab 

in the NIH extramural community, finding new challenges and 

projects to work on to stimulate emerging fields; as a manager, 

Branch Chief, and then Division Director, learning how to 

oversee larger arrays of programs, consider the broader view 

of how science is done and funded, how to shape the policies 

that guide it, how to manage people, how to negotiate, and how 

to organize my own very busy life. Above all, I think the most 

valuable lesson I have learned from my own experiences is the 

idea of thoroughness—whether it is studying and thinking hard 

to understand a difficult scientific concept, preparing for a talk, 

or carefully reading the documents before a meeting. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing family with professional responsibilities is one of the 

most difficult challenges for women in science, but I do believe 

it is possible and worthwhile. I would not have been nearly as 

happy if I had sacrificed my career for my family or given up 

my chance to have a family for my career. Balancing these two 

aspects of one’s life is a skill that one learns as one goes along 

and it changes as your family grows older. It is greatly facilitated by an understanding and helpful husband (or partner) 

and serious household/childcare help. A great payoff of trying 

to balance family with professional responsibilities is that your 

children and husband benefit greatly from your experiences in 

managing your career; being a good manager has helped me in 

organizing my household and children’s activities. In addition, 

I have discovered that my family is proud and interested in my 

career and happy that I offer something different to them and 

to the community than most other mothers and wives. Over the 

years, I have learned that the frustrations of the day in the lab 

or office fade away quickly as soon as I come home to my family 

who have totally different expectations, demands, and issues 

to share with me. It has kept me sane. In the end, the balancing 

act that you maintain keeps you balanced as well. 

In terms of mentoring, I believe that one’s own experience 

with one’s career provides a solid foundation for understanding of how to mentor and supervise others. In addition, raising 

a family provides additional information about how different 

work styles develop within a family, the origin of intellectual 

interests and academic skills, and the formation of social attitudes and self perception. 

INSIGHTS

A major milestone for me was at the beginning of my career, 

long before I entered graduate school. I graduated from Barnard College with a degree in psychology, but had no interest 

in going to graduate school in psychology. I found a good job at 

Rockefeller University as a research assistant in a physiological 

psychology lab, but realized after a few months that I wanted to 

do more with myself. Based on my embryonic interest in biology and chemistry, I started to take every chemistry, math, 

and physics course I could find in the evenings after work. To 

make a long story short, I effectively repeated college, but this 

time with a degree in chemistry. It took 7 years of working and 

studying part-time to finish all the coursework I needed. I was 

more motivated than I ever had been in high school or college 

because I truly loved chemistry and I could see how dull work 

would be without the intellectual freedom I wanted to have. I 

had no trouble getting into excellent Ph.D. programs in chemistry. This experience not only set my career on the right track, 

but it demonstrated to me that with perseverance and hard 

work, I could shape my own future. It was a very good lesson in 

taking responsibility and making things happen. 

These are a few principles that I go back to over and over again 

as I have moved through different career stages:

Do what you love scientifically, otherwise it isn’t worth it. Be 

sure that you know what you are talking about before you speak. 

Work very hard to achieve your goals—don’t make excuses for 

yourself. Write clearly; speak clearly. Learn how to give a really 

good, stimulating talk. Learn to negotiate and to listen carefully. Do away with arrogance and anger; you do not always have 

to be right. Look for opportunities; be creative about finding 

new challenges. Be a good colleague and supportive of your 

work environment, whatever it is.

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Helen R. Sunshine, Ph.D. Chief, Office of Scientific Review

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Bioinorganic 

Chemistry) Columbia 

University, 1975

B.Sc.: (Inorganic Chemistry) Oxford University, 1968 

A.B.: (Chemistry) 

Barnard College, 1966 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Biophysical chemistry, 

biochemistry, bioinorganic 

chemistry

PIVOTAL EVENTS

There was no single pivotal event. My interest was sparked 

by a high school chemistry teacher and I had other wonderful 

teachers, advisors, and most importantly supportive mentors 

along the way. I was fortunate to work in superb research environments, which fostered creativity and productivity, and was 

fortuitously in the right place at the right time (the NIH) when I 

decided to move from research to science administration. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My first child was born when I was a second-year Ph.D. student 

and my second just as I was finishing up. I found that a pretty 

easy time to have children. It was easy to find babysitters in 

a university setting, and with my husband also a student, our 

schedules were fairly flexible. I had understanding and supportive predoctoral and postdoctoral mentors (both male) 

who made it possible for me to be productive while attending 

to family responsibilities as needed. 

INSIGHTS

For me, it was very important to be doing something that 

brought a great deal of satisfaction and that I felt I could do 

very well. My initial positions after graduate school involved 

college teaching, and I concluded quickly that I was not very 

good at it and therefore did not enjoy teaching. As a result, an 

academic position was of less interest to me than a full-time 

research position. In terms of research, there could not have 

been a better place for me to be than the NIH intramural program; it was an exciting intellectual and scientific environment 

and allowed me to move from more purely chemical research 

to more biological research. If I could have stayed there in a 

permanent research position, I certainly would have (and at the 

time I was disappointed that I could not). But I found myself 

turning down other offers of research and academic positions, 

and once I learned about the extramural program (from the 

mother of a classmate in my daughter’s day care), I determined 

that that was where I wanted to be. I felt that science administration would make the best use of my scientific knowledge 

and organizational skills and pursued positions until the right 

one came along. It was the right choice for me, and I have had 

a wonderful career. 

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NIMH

National 

Institute 

of Mental 

Health

Jacqueline N. Crawley, Ph.D. Chief, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, 

Division of Intramural Research Programs

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Neuropsychopharmacology) Yale University School 

of Medicine, 1976–1979

Ph.D.: (Zoology) University 

of Maryland, 1976

B.A.: (Biology) University 

of Pennsylvania, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Biological mechanisms 

underlying the behavioral 

symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s 

disease, anxiety, autism, depression, obesity, and schizophrenia. Current research in our laboratory focuses on modeling the symptoms of autism in mutant mouse models, to test 

hypotheses about genes causing autism spectrum disorders.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Great discoveries begin with great ideas. New concepts are 

greeted with a predictable sequence: “That’s impossible” 

(meaning you are way ahead of the curve); followed by “Everyone already knows that” (meaning your findings are now 

well-established). Pivotal events in my career centered on 

initiating novel research directions that extramural colleagues 

and review boards considered too risky. In the early 1980s, 

our behavioral strategies contributed to the search for endogenous ligands of the newly discovered benzodiazepine receptor, 

with a great mentor and collaborator, Steve Paul. Discoveries 

of neurotransmitter coexistences in the late 1980s and 1990s 

led to our studies of neuromodulatory roles of the coexisting 

peptide cholecystokinin on dopaminergic functions, and the 

neuropeptide galanin in learning and memory processes. Our 

newest challenge is to design mouse behavioral tasks with analogies to the symptoms of autism, to test hypotheses about gene 

mutations causing autism. In each case, success was decidedly 

unassured. Pivotal moments included conversations with very 

smart, insightful, senior colleagues who understood both the 

scientific question and the risk, and advised me to go for it.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Women scientists of my generation faced two major hurdles 

that are now partly resolved. Childcare facilities on the NIH 

campus and at many universities offer reasonable solutions to 

the fundamental conflict between being a successful researcher 

and a committed mother. Larger numbers of women colleagues 

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and mentors have lessened the aloneness of women neuroscientists. The biggest challenge for today’s young neuroscientists 

may be obtaining that first all-important independent faculty 

position. Sometimes women candidates interview less strongly, 

or are rated less highly, because their speaking style seems unfamiliar to the senior male faculty members of the department. 

Often there is a conflict between husband and wife about whose 

career has priority in making a geographical move, which 

limits the options of the woman scientist to respond to advertisements or accept an offer. I am cautiously optimistic that it 

will be easier for the next generation, both women and men, 

to obtain good research positions, as baby boomers retire and 

there are more university and company openings to be filled.

INSIGHTS

Running experiments may be a solitary endeavor, but succeeding as a researcher involves collaboration and leadership. Don’t 

be shy. Initiate collaborations. Ask your department chair and 

senior mentors to recommend you for awards. Go to conferences, present posters, give talks, volunteer for prominent 

responsibilities in your department, serve on organizing committees for meetings, agree to review manuscripts and grant 

proposals. Experiences of all sorts add exponentially. Reviewing manuscripts and grant proposals teaches us how to write 

our own papers and grants. Giving talks in small settings leads 

to invitations to give major lectures in prestigious venues. As 

examples, volunteering to chair the organizing committee of 

the Summer Neuropeptide Conference for 7 years, I built professional relationships with a large number of neuropeptide 

researchers that led to productive collaborations, and was later 

offered the editorship of the journal, Neuropeptides. Serving as 

Acting Deputy Scientific Director of the NIMH Intramural Program for a year, I gained insights into how decisions are made 

in a large, hierarchical organization. Saying yes to an invitation 

from Wiley publishers, I wrote a book, “What’s Wrong With My 

Mouse? Behavioral Phenotyping of Transgenic and Knockout 

Mice,” now widely used, which increased the number of highquality applicants for postdoctoral positions in our lab. 

Research scientists must function on a long reinforcement 

schedule, punctuated by many punished trials. Experiments 

disprove your hypothesis, grants are triaged, manuscripts are 

rejected. Stay positive. Your next great discovery is just ahead. 

The NIH Intramural Program is a tremendous research environment because multitudes of good ideas are constantly circulating to inspire your next project. In my experience, the key 

to maximizing your scientific career is simply to deal with the 

obstacles and keep on doing your very best work. 

Kathleen Ries Merikangas, Ph.D. Chief, Genetic Epidemiology Research Branch, 

Division of Intramural Research Programs; 

Associate Director for Epidemiology Policy

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Genetic Epidemiology) 

Yale University School of 

Medicine, 1984–1986

Ph.D.: (Chronic Disease 

Epidemiology) University 

of Pittsburgh, School of 

Public Health, 1981

M.S.: (Counseling 

Psychology) University of Pittsburgh, 1974

B.A.: (Psychology and Music) University of Notre Dame, 1973

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genetic epidemiology of mental disorders, population-based 

studies of mental and physical disorders, comorbidity of 

migraine and cardiovascular and affective disorders

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Many influential events that facilitated my career growth involved taking advantage of opportunities that emerged at transition points in my education. Advice by the chairman of the 

department where I was doing a clinical internship turned out 

to be a pivotal event in my career. When I followed up on his 

advice to take a course in psychiatric epidemiology, the professor asked me if I would be interested in applying for a Ph.D. 

through her recently funded NIMH doctoral training program. 

I didn’t know anything about epidemiology at the time, but this 

field subsequently became the central theme of my training and 

research. I was inspired by the systematic approach of epidemiology to seek the causes of diseases, to link information from 

diverse disciplines in identifying disease risk factors, and to 

translate this knowledge into treatment and prevention.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My primary mentors for doctoral and postdoctoral training 

were excellent teachers and role models, who also provided 

advice in balancing career and family demands. This challenge is not limited to the early childbearing years, but rather 

continues to be a lifelong issue as we continue to balance our 

roles as parents, spouses/partners, and often as caretakers 

of our aging parents. A successful balance between our work 

and personal relationships can only be accomplished with our 

family’s understanding that career demands may sometimes 

supersede those of our responsibilities at home. A work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate the needs 

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NIMH

of our outside lives is also important. Because much of our work 

can be conducted off-site, however, those of us with careers 

in science are fortunate to have a greater ability to balance our 

research and family life than our counterparts in the business, 

education, and even clinical world.

INSIGHTS

The availability of support for education, training, and career 

development strongly facilitated my career. The funding not 

only covered formal coursework and research, but also provided 

a forum for me to develop collaborations with scientific colleagues and mentors outside of my own academic setting. Sequential research scientist awards were critical to my acquiring 

knowledge in other disciplines and establishing interdisciplinary collaborations that strongly influenced my research. For 

example, receipt of an NIH-funded research scientist development award allowed me to pursue advanced training in genetics 

and other relevant areas at a time when few other people in the 

country had formal training in both epidemiology and genetics. The recent merger of the tools of these fields has generated major advances in our understanding of how genes and 

environmental factors work together to cause human diseases. 

Judy Rapoport, M.D. Chief, Child Psychiatry Branch, 

Division of Intramural Research Programs

EDUCATION

M.D.: Harvard Medical 

School, 1959

B.A.: (Experimental 

Psychology, Biology, and 

English) Swarthmore 

College, 1955

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Biology and treatment 

of severe childhood-onset 

psychiatric disorders

PIVOTAL EVENTS

To begin with, my parents had high ambitions for their two 

daughters, and never showed any indication that they wished 

they had had sons! I went to coed schools with clearly equal expectations for men and women. Swarthmore College, a Quaker 

school, was coeducational when founded in 1860, because it 

felt women should have working careers, and be able to raise a 

family. They (i.e., the Society of Friends) encouraged delaying 

child rearing in order to achieve this. 

I had many mentors who were either great teachers (such as 

Dr. Hewnry Gleitman from the psychology and Dr. Meinkoth 

from the biology departments) and quite a few others during 

training. Particularly helpful were Borje Cronholm, Head of 

Psychiatry Department at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and other role models such as Dr. Michel Rutter at the 

Maudsley Hospital and Dr. Leon Eisenberg at Harvard, both 

outstanding clinical researchers.

In retrospect, some of the most important career-forming 

events were unexpected. When my plans did not work out for 

choice of city (e.g., to stay at Harvard, or get further clinical 

training in the DC area), the substitute choices (such as a year 

working at St. Elizabeth’s hospital, or a Fellowship in Sweden) 

turned out to provide better experiences for furthering a research career than my initial plans would have given me. My 

choice of an experimental psychology major in undergraduate 

years anticipated a growing evidence-based bias in my clinical 

research field.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Because of several geographic moves, I never had any one particular mentor but incorporated the influence from several 

college and residency contacts. This may have helped foster 

independence and I certainly never had to deal with differentiating myself from a particular mentor. When I received my first 

RO1 grant from NIMH, I made many helpful contacts in the 

Extramural Branch (then called Psychopharmacology Branch), 

which had regular workshops for grantees that led to important 

career networking.

Personally, my commitment to a lifelong research career with 

all the overtime and travel that accompanies it was enabled by 

my husband who supported my choice fully. He shared visits to 

schools and pediatricians, staggered travel schedules, etc. But 

even this would not have been sufficient if we had not had a very 

mature and loving woman who was our housekeeper for many 

years (I still mentally thank Mrs. Johnson—long deceased—for 

her substitute mothering to us all!).

INSIGHTS

My scientific accomplishments in psychopharmacology include 

showing that the response to stimulants in hyperactive children is nonparadoxical and cannot be used to diagnose brain 

damage (Rapoport et al. Science, 1980). In a series of studies, 

we showed the efficacy of serotonin-inhibiting drugs in treatment of childhood-onset obsessive–compulsive disorder and 

showed brain abnormalities in the basal ganglia–frontal cortex 

(a circuit involved in planning complex behaviors). The branch 

has also showed that hyperactive children have a characteristic 

pattern of delayed cortical brain maturation.

My advice for a career in science is be flexible. Some of my best 

opportunities were not the ones I planned. There are many 

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ways to get good training, and many places to do this. Don’t be 

discouraged if your first choice doesn’t work out.

Susan Anderson Swedo, M.D. Chief, Pediatrics & Developmental Neuropsychiatry 

Branch, Division of Intramural Research Programs

EDUCATION

Residency: (Pediatrics) 

Children’s Memorial 

Hospital Northwestern 

University, 1981–1983

Internship: (Pediatrics) 

Children’s Memorial 

Hospital Northwestern 

University, 1980–1981

M.D.: Southern Illinois 

University School of 

Medicine, 1980

B.A.: (Biology/Premedicine) Augustana College, Rock Island, 

Illinois, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Childhood psychiatric disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette syndrome and related conditions, and 

neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum 

disorders

PIVOTAL EVENTS

After I completed my pediatrics training, I worked at Evanston 

Hospital as Director of Adolescent Medicine. In that position, 

I was responsible for all adolescent hospital admissions and 

noted that teens were being admitted multiple times for suicide attempts. We undertook a study to examine why teens were 

being readmitted following such a serious event and discovered 

that the adolescents hadn’t received any post-discharge care, 

despite verbal instructions to obtain a followup appointment. 

Armed with these data, we implemented a new policy requiring 

that teens who had attempted suicide could not be discharged 

until they had a specific appointment with a therapist. One year 

after the policy was instituted, we re-examined the issue and 

discovered that our recidivism rate had fallen from 60 percent 

to zero. This experience convinced me of the value of empirical 

data and the importance of addressing clinical problems with 

systematic research.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

In my experience, clinical research (particularly at the NIH) 

provides the flexibility required to balance professional and 

personal responsibilities. As a pediatrician, I had become accustomed to being on-call 24/7 for the patients in my private 

practice and frequently had to sacrifice “home time” for office 

hours. When I undertook a research fellowship in Dr. Judy 

Rapoport’s Child Psychiatry Branch, I was able to negotiate 

more reasonable hours and a flexi-schedule that allowed me 

to volunteer in my daughters’ classrooms and attend day-time 

events, such as preschool graduation. Dr. Rapoport also allowed me to telecommute following the birth of my 2nd and 

3rd daughters, so that I could extend my maternity leave (while 

analyzing data and preparing manuscripts!) These privileges 

came with the responsibility of a strong work ethic, dedication 

to the research projects, and documented productivity, but 

were well worth the effort. 

Having benefited from the mentorship of Dr. Rapoport, Dr. 

Daniel Offer (in Chicago), and other senior scientists, I came 

to appreciate the value of continued mentorship and value 

the opportunities that I have to mentor not only students and 

postdoctoral fellows, but also tenure-track investigators and 

recently tenured scientists. The mentorship of these emerging 

scientists is particularly important, as their ultimate success 

depends as much upon the ability to negotiate the system as it 

does on the quality of their research. 

INSIGHTS

Research methods have changed greatly during the past two decades and fortunately so has the status of women scientists. Dr. 

Michael Gottesman and Dr. Joan Schwartz deserve a great deal 

of credit for ensuring that NIH has gender equity, as they’ve 

worked tirelessly to provide women with pay equity and equality of resource allocations. In the early 1990s, women scientists in several institutes were making only 50–60 percent as 

much as their male counterparts and had significantly smaller 

laboratory resources; those inequities have been eliminated 

and women scientists are now paid the same as their male colleagues and provided with adequate research support. Similar 

progress has been made in giving women scientists a “voice” 

by including them on key committees and as named lecturers. 

These changes have resulted not only in improvements in the 

quality of life for women scientists, but in the overall quality of 

research conducted at the NIH. 

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NIMH

Leslie G. Ungerleider, Ph.D. Chief, Laboratory of Brain and Cognition, 

Division of Intramural Research Programs

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Neuropsychology) NIMH, 

1975–1978

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Psychology) Stanford 

University, 1972–1975

Ph.D.: (Experimental 

Psychology) New York 

University, 1970

B.A.: (Psychology ) State 

University of New York at 

Binghamton, 1966

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The long-term goal of our lab is to understand the neural 

mechanisms underlying high-level cognitive processes, including perception, attention, emotion, and learning and 

memory, especially in the visual modality. Our work in macaque monkeys includes 1) anatomical tracing techniques; 2) 

physiological recordings of neural activity in awake, behaving 

animals; and 3) behavioral assessment of selective brain lesions. As much as possible, parallel functional brain imaging 

studies are conducted in healthy human subjects, in order to 

link the human findings to the underlying neurobiology established in monkeys.

EVENTS

In 1974, I met Mortimer Mishkin at the annual meeting of the 

Society for Neuroscience. I presented results on the visual 

impairments produced by brain lesions in monkeys that were 

discrepant with his findings in comparable studies. He invited 

me to join his lab at NIMH to try to unravel the discrepancy. I 

applied for and was awarded an NRSA, and joined the Mishkin 

lab the following year. I have been at NIH ever since, generously supported and thriving in this wonderful research environment. In 1995, a new lab, the Laboratory of Brain and 

Cognition, was created under my leadership.

MENTORING & FAMILY BALANCE

I take mentoring very seriously and spend considerable time 

with my postdoctoral fellows in fostering their careers. I am 

very pleased to have been awarded the NIMH Outstanding 

Mentoring Award in 2003 and the NIH Award for Mentoring 

in 2004. In addition, I received the Women in Neuroscience Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001; several women 

who had formerly been postdocs in my lab nominated me 

for this honor.

In terms of balancing family with professional responsibilities, 

I had the very good fortune of having a husband, also a scientist, 

share in the responsibilities of raising our son. It would have 

been very difficult otherwise to put in the number of hours it 

takes to be a successful scientist. 

INSIGHTS

I began my career at NIMH in 1975 as a Postdoctoral Fellow 

and I have remained at NIMH ever since, transitioning from 

Postdoctoral Fellow to Staff Scientist, then to Tenured Investigator, to Section Chief, and finally in 1995 to Lab Chief. This 

year (2008), I was named an NIH Distinguished Investigator. 

I owe a great deal to Mortimer Mishkin, whose lab I joined as a 

postdoc. He generously supported my work and encouraged my 

independence. In terms of mentoring, I have tried to emulate 

his example. I think the extent to which a mentor can foster the 

career of junior colleagues is underappreciated. 

For me, NIH has been a superb research environment. It has 

given me the freedom to take risks and test new ideas, no 

matter how improbable. As a result, I have been able to build 

a body of work in cognitive neuroscience that includes neurophysiological, neuroanatomical, and lesion studies in monkeys 

as well as brain imaging studies in humans. In 2000, I was 

elected to the National Academy of Sciences and to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and in 2001 I was elected to 

the Institute of Medicine.

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Karen Faith Berman, M.D.

Chief, Section on Integrative Neuroimaging,

Genes, Cognition, and Psychosis Program, 

Division of Intramural Research Programs

EDUCATION

Residency/Fellowship: 

(Nuclear Medicine) NIH Warren 

G. Magnusen Clinical Center, 

1988–1990

Clinical Fellowship: National 

Institute of Mental Health, 

1980–1988

Residency: (Psychiatry) 

National Institute of Mental 

Health, 1980–1981 

Residency: (Psychiatry) University of California at San Diego, 

1978–1980

Internship: (Psychiatry, Neurology, Internal Medicine) 

Washington University School of Medicine, 1977–1978

M.D.: St. Louis University Medical School, 1977

B.S.: (Biology) University of Rochester, 1973

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research focuses on the use of multimodal neuroimaging 

to investigate neural mechanisms—genetic, neurochemical, 

and others—relevant to neuropsychiatric conditions, such 

as schizophrenia, as well as to other conditions with genetic 

sources of cognitive and behavioral dysfunction, such as Williams syndrome. We also study other conditions impacting cognition such as normal aging and the effects of gonadal steroid 

hormones on brain function. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I am not certain that I can identify a single turning point or 

even a few pivotal events, but it is my early experience as a physician that encouraged my already nascent fascination with the 

brain and drove my desire to be involved in research that had as 

its goal the amelioration of patients’ suffering. The realization 

that what I could do to help my patients with serious mental 

illnesses such as schizophrenia was limited is what motivated 

me to come to the NIMH as a fellow and to continue this work.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I consider mentoring one of the most important responsibilities we in science and medicine undertake. It is through new, 

innovative colleagues that future advances will come to pass. 

Sharing my excitement at watching the living, working human 

brain in action as well as the wonder of seeing insights from 

neuroscience merged with those from human genetics is truly 

a pleasure and a privilege.

With regard to balancing family and work, I must say that 

having a supportive husband, who is extremely involved in our 

home life, has been extraordinarily helpful. The fact that he is 

also a scientist at the NIH also helps because we fully understand the special demands of each others’ jobs. 

Linda S. Brady, Ph.D.

Director, Division of Neuroscience and Basic 

Behavioral Science; Co-Principal Leader, NIH 

Roadmap Molecular Libraries Program

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: (Behavioral Pharmacology) Uniformed 

Services University of the Health 

Sciences, 1981–1983 

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology) 

Emory University School 

of Medicine, 1981

B.S.: (Biology) Eckerd College, 

St. Petersburg, FL, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Neuropharmacology, CNS drug discovery, molecular and cellular neuroscience, neuroimaging, animal models, biomarker 

discovery and qualification, psychiatric disorders

EVENTS

In 1995, I had the opportunity to transition from a position as a 

laboratory scientist in the NIMH intramural research program 

to the extramural program at NIMH. I assumed leadership of 

the Neuropharmacology and Drug Discovery Program in the 

Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Science at NIMH. 

I discovered that the position of program official or director 

for extramural research supported by NIH is both scientifically stimulating and challenging. I excelled in this position, 

assuming increasing roles and responsibilities. I now serve as 

the director of the extramural division in which I began my extramural research career and have assumed NIH-wide responsibilities with the NIH Roadmap for Biomedical Research and 

the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) 

Biomarkers Consortium.

MENTORING & FAMILY BALANCE

I have had the great opportunity of mentoring and working 

with a number of outstanding predoctoral and postdoctoral 

students, Howard Hughes Medical Institute–NIH Research 

Scholars Program medical students, and visiting research sci163
NIMH

entists during my research career. In addition, I have recruited 

and mentored many scientists who now hold positions as extramural research science administrators at NIMH and other 

NIH institutes. It has been a rewarding experience for me to 

see these young scientists transition into significant leadership 

roles in biomedical research or administration in government, 

academia, and the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry.

Della Hann, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Science Policy, Planning, and 

Communications, Office of the Director

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: (Emotion 

Processes Interest Area) John 

D. and Catherine T. MacArthur 

Foundation, Network on Early 

Childhood Transitions, 1989–1991

Ph.D.: (Experimental Psychology) 

University of Tennessee, 1986

B.A.: (Psychology) Catawba 

College, Salisbury, NC, 1981

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research focuses on many aspects of mental health research 

including pathophysiology and etiology, diagnosis, intervention development and testing, real-world testing of interventions, service delivery, and burden of illness. Of particular 

interest are issues involved in developmental psychopathology 

for mental illnesses. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

In reflecting on this question, I would say that three sets of experiences were pivotal in shaping my professional career. First, 

I was fortunate to have strong mentorship during my college 

years. My major professor was able to build and guide my intellectual curiosity by teaching me the fundamental principles of 

scientific research and writing. Secondly, I had the very good 

fortune of obtaining a postdoctoral fellowship that not only 

honed my research abilities, but also provided and encouraged multidisciplinary thinking and fostered my communication skills. And third, were my early experiences here at NIMH 

as a program officer, where thinking on a broader level and 

developing initiatives that could have significant impact on a 

whole area of science, further increased my intellectual curiosity and expanded my ability to make a scientific and public 

health impact.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Being the recipient of good mentoring was absolutely critical 

to my career development. As such, I take the role of mentoring very seriously and have tried to carry forward these skills 

and values to a number of students, fellows, and colleagues. 

Each person has unique skills and experiences and finding 

ways to help them develop and advance is a very rewarding 

experience. One of the issues frequently raised in this context 

is balance—how does one balance competing work demands, 

family and personal demands? These choices and priorities 

can be challenging and often need adjustment over time. That 

said, key to my sense of balance is having a wonderfully and 

mutually supportive relationship with my husband. We both 

realize and appreciate the work ethic in each other and mutually thrive on the other’s achievements. Maintaining this 

mutually supportive relationship is the focal point for balance 

in my life and career.

Ellen Leibenluft, M.D.

Chief, Section on Bipolar Spectrum Disorders, 

Emotion and Development Branch, 

Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, 

Division of Intramural Research Programs

EDUCATION

Residency: Georgetown 

University School of Medicine, 

Department of Psychiatry, 

1979–1982

Internship: Herrick Memorial 

Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Berkeley, CA, 1978–1979

M.D.: Stanford University 

School of Medicine, 1978

B.A.: (Psychology) Yale University, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Brain mechanisms mediating bipolar disorder, and extreme 

irritability, in children and adolescents

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Approximately 10 years ago, a restructuring occurred at the intramural NIMH. This restructuring resulted in both an influx 

of new investigators and an emphasis on collaborative research 

across labs and branches. The new, more collaborative atmosphere provided me with opportunities to learn new skills, so 

that I could ensure that my science was truly cutting-edge. In 

addition, since I enjoy working as a member of a team, and am 

able to capitalize on the opportunities that a collaborative atmosphere provides, I became much more productive, and work 

was much more fun. 

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I think that a research career does pose more challenges 

for women than men, although I also like to think that this 

is changing over time. It is helpful to have both role models 

(people you can emulate in terms of how they balance career 

and work; these may be more likely to be women) and mentors (people who provide resources, expertise, supervision, 

etc.; these can be men or women but must be sensitive to the 

challenges faced by women scientists). With respect to balancing home and work, if you have a significant other, it is crucial 

that he or she values your work and is proud of it, rather than 

harboring resentment. 

Molly Oliveri, Ph.D.

Director, Division of Developmental 

Translational Research 

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Psychology) The Johns 

Hopkins University, 1975

A.B.: (Psychology) Trinity College, 

Washington, DC, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Cognitive, emotional, and 

neurobehavioral development: 

Application to understanding, 

preventing, and treating child and 

adolescent mental disorders

PIVOTAL EVENTS

A pivotal event shaping my career was joining the NIMH extramural research program. Prior to that, I had spent the 12 

years since receiving my doctorate doing grant-supported research in an academic (medical school) setting. Coming into 

a scientific-administrative position at NIMH was a decided 

change: From a fairly single-minded research focus and fairly 

predictable days, to a multifaceted, multitiered organization 

with multiple claims on my time, and usually quite unpredictable days! Having previously enjoyed my calm and routine, I 

was surprised that I adapted as quickly as I did. I found that I 

had skills of which I hadn’t been aware, and I came to enjoy the 

breadth and variety of the science that I dealt with and oversaw. The gratifications of extramural work are different, i.e., 

contributing to science and the public good by fostering the 

work of OTHER scientists (not ourselves), but they are no less 

meaningful.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have had a number of mentors over my career, some official and others more informal. Each had particular wisdom to 

impart—some scientific and others administrative, some by 

words and others by example. One thing I have come to believe 

is that we can learn something valuable from almost anyone, 

if we keep our eyes and minds open, with the caveat that what 

we learn may not be what each of them intends to teach! I did 

not have mentors regarding balancing family and professional 

life—I had to make that up as I went along as a mother of two 

and also unmarried since my sons’ early childhood. My best 

advice on this subject is that achieving the “balance” is crucial. 

One thing that helped me balance was arranging for care that 

would allow me to be in the office full-time, rather than trying 

to work from home. This helped me focus on work during 

working hours so that I could focus on my kids at other times. 

However one decides to manage this balance, it is well worth 

the effort. 

Jane Ann Steinberg, Ph.D.

Director, Division of Extramural Activities

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Studies: 

(Evaluation) Ohio State University, Nisonger Center, 1979–1980

Ph.D.: (Psychology) 

Syracuse University, 1979

M.A.: (Psychology) 

Syracuse University, 1978

B.S.: (Psychology) 

Tulane University, 1975 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Mental illness prevention and treatment

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My interest in science was developed by gifted teachers and 

sustained by NIMH’s research to understand, prevent, and 

treat mental illnesses. This may sound as if I had one smooth 

career plan, but actually there was no plan. In fulfilling a requirement as an English major, chance (and a late start time) 

led me to Dr. Gordon Gallup’s psychology class and lab. The 

science fascinated me, and I realized that conducting careful 

experiments to understand behavior would be a great career 

choice. As a scientist, it was essential to have a solid grounding 

in measurement, design, and statistics to work across the many 

areas in mental health research. Over my NIMH career, it has 

been a privilege to work with the Nation’s finest researchers in 

fostering cutting-edge research in genetics, cognition, clinical 

diagnosis, and treatment.

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Being mentored was a significant part of graduate training, but 

it was not a common practice when I entered the workforce. 

Clearly certain senior colleagues worked differently and better 

than others, but figuring out how to pick up their skills was not 

so easy! Today’s more formalized mentoring and training opportunities make it much easier to ask and learn. As a mentor, 

it is rewarding to help newcomers think through options and 

set a course for themselves. I also find that serving as a mentor 

gives me a fuller understanding of what new staff in my shop 

will want and need to develop professionally. 

Having a professional life made me a better parent, but highquality, affordable day care made my professional life possible. 

Esther May Sternberg, M.D.

Chief, Section on Neuroendocrine Immunology and 

Behavior and Director, Integrative Neural Immune 

Program, Division of Intramural Research Programs; 

Co-Chair, Intramural Program on Research on 

Women’s Health, NIH

EDUCATION

Clinical and Research Fellowship: 

(Rheumatology) Royal Victoria 

Hospital, McGill University, 

Montreal, Canada, 1979–1980

Clinical Fellowship: (Rheumatology) Royal Victoria Hospital, 

McGill University, 1978–1979

Residency: (Medicine) 

Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill 

University, 1977–1978

Internship: (Straight Medicine) 

Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, 1974–1975

M.D.C.M.: McGill University, 1974 

B.Sc.: McGill University, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Neuroendocrine immunology; central nervous system– 

immune system interactions (science of mind-body connection); hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (brain’s hormonal 

stress response) and susceptibility to autoimmune/inflammatory and infectious diseases; interactions of bacterial toxins with 

glucocorticoid receptors and other nuclear hormone receptors 

(biodefense); stress and immune biomarkers in sweat in ambulatory human subjects, including women with depression.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I saw a patient in my last year of clinical rheumatology fellowship training (1979) who changed my career path. He had developed an inflammatory scarring autoimmune disease while 

being treated for epilepsy with a drug that changed brain serotonin. This case convinced me that the brain and the immune 

system were connected. Although this notion was not accepted 

by the medical community at that time, my mentors at McGill 

University—the Chief of Rheumatology, the Chair of Medicine 

and a colleague in biochemistry—all had faith in me and gave 

me the resources and the training to study this case. This led 

to my first paper being published as a lead article in the New 

England Journal of Medicine in 1980. My subsequent research 

has always been driven by an effort to understand the brainimmune connection. That first case turned out to be the first 

case of a syndrome that swept the country in 1989 related to 

impure L-tryptophan. As a result, I led the NIH team together 

with FDA and CDC scientists to identify the etiology and pathogenesis of that syndrome. Most recently I have found that bacterial toxins like anthrax lethal toxin repress the glucocorticoid 

and other nuclear hormone receptors and this may contribute 

to their toxicity. In every case, I was motivated by the public 

health and have always felt that it is my responsibility as an NIH 

intramural scientist to turn my research skills to address issues 

of immediate public health concern.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

In my own life, I have been fortunate to have had several outstanding mentors, starting with my father who was a physician 

and scientist, an aunt who is a professor of physiology, and 

others throughout my high school, college, medical school, 

and postdoctoral training. At each stage, my mentors did not 

push me into science or medicine, but showed me the way and 

opened up opportunities for me. I have therefore always tried 

to do the same for the young people whom I mentor. While I 

do not consciously make an effort to select young women as 

trainees, women have always been a majority of the trainees 

in my lab.

I have a daughter who is now 26 years old and independent in 

her own career and family. When she was young, it was difficult 

to balance career and family, but I never had any doubts that 

her health and well-being came first. This attitude gave me an 

important sense of perspective regarding my work, and allowed 

me to take creative risks that I might not otherwise have taken. 

While at work I worked very hard, often taking no breaks even 

for lunch so that I could get home in time for dinner. After her 

bedtime, I worked at home late into the night. I limited my 

work-related travel to one meeting per year, and when she was 

old enough, would take her with me to meetings. I drove carpool every morning throughout her school years, which gave us 

special bonding time together. As much as possible I also had 

live-in students’ help. The most important advice I can give to 

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young women trying to juggle career and family is to get lots 

of support from family and friends, home or daycare providers, and have as much flexibility as possible in your career. An 

academic-style career where you have the flexibility to work 

from home is very helpful with young children.

Ellen Stover, Ph.D.

Director, Division of AIDS and Health 

and Behavior Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Psychology) Catholic 

University, Washington, DC, 

1978

B.A.: (Psychology) University 

of Wisconsin, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Primary and secondary prevention 

of HIV/AIDS, domestically and 

internationally; neuropsychiatric 

aspects of HIV/AIDS; reducing 

the effects of cognitive deficits in people with schizophrenia 

through the development of novel compounds; development 

of behavioral approaches to reduce risky behaviors, stigma, 

comorbidity in people with mental illnesses; and to increase 

adherence to both HIV and psychotropic medications 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

There are several pivotal events that occurred in my life. The 

first was the death of my brother, Randy, as a result of a drunk 

driver when I was 19 years old. As the oldest child of four, I felt 

that I needed to do something meaningful. I have been working 

since I was 17 and in the early 1980s the AIDS epidemic hit the 

United States. I was called upon to spearhead the NIMH effort 

in 1983 and have continued to do so. I have typically held more 

than one job most of my career and spent 4 years working fulltime and going to graduate school full-time. The most recent 

event that has had a great impact on my life and my career 

was the murder in 2006 of a close colleague, Wayne Fenton. 

I stepped in and ran his division and my own for 10 months.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have been fortunate to have my family nearby. They and 

housekeepers helped me raise three children, one of whom 

is named for my brother. One way I balanced my responsibilities was to keep my travel, even overseas, very brief. 

I also live very close to my office so that I could go home 

at lunchtime when my children were very young and feed 

them or drive a carpool to nursery school. I have also had 

supervisors who were very flexible long before some of the 

new programs were available. I have trained and mentored 

many staff in my 36 years of government service. Many 

are in visible positions within NIH, Substance Abuse and 

Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Health 

Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), CDC, and 

in private foundations.

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NINDS

National 

Institute 

of Neurological 

Disorders 

and Stroke

Story Landis, Ph.D. Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biology)

Harvard University, 1973

M.S.: (Biology)

Harvard University, 1970

B.S.: (Biology) 

Wellesley College, 1967

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Throughout her research 

career, Story Landis has 

made many fundamental 

contributions to the 

understanding of developmental interactions required for 

synapse formation and plasticity of signaling mechanisms 

in the nervous system. Her notable achievements are in both 

scientific discovery and the creation and revitalization of 

scientific programs. She has always loved working in the 

laboratory and finding the unexpected, but has also served in 

a number of important administrative positions in academia, 

scientific societies, and the NIH. Each of these opportunities have allowed her to make substantial contributions to the 

advancement of science. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

“My most formative experience was performing my undergraduate research project. My advisor had a very clear notion 

as to what the outcome of the experiment should be. She was 

wrong however, as the results were completely different than 

what she had expected, but were consistent with work in other 

systems. The ability to ask a question and find an answer that 

was completely unexpected was transforming.”

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

“One of my proudest achievements is my 37 years of marriage 

to a very supportive husband and raising an independent and 

successful son.”

INSIGHTS

A native of New England, Landis received her undergraduate 

degree in biology from Wellesley College in 1967. When she 

applied for graduate school, someone on the admissions committee asked if she were accepted, would she finish her Ph.D.? 

At the time, she didn’t recognize the question as reflective of 

expectations that women in science might not be successful. 

She was accepted to the graduate school at Harvard University, 

where she conducted research on cerebellar development in 

mice to earn her master’s degree (1970) and Ph.D. (1973). After 

postdoctoral work at Harvard University studying transmitter 

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plasticity in sympathetic neurons, she served on the faculty of 

the Harvard Medical School Department of Neurobiology. 

In 1985, she joined the faculty of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, where she held 

many academic positions, including Associate Professor of 

Pharmacology, Professor and Director of the Center on Neurosciences, and Chairman of the Department of Neurosciences, 

a department she was instrumental in establishing. Under her 

leadership, Case Western’s neuroscience department achieved 

worldwide acclaim and a reputation for excellence. 

Landis joined the NINDS in 1995 as Scientific Director and 

worked with then-Institute Director Zach W. Hall, Ph.D., to 

coordinate and re-engineer the Institute’s intramural research 

programs. Between 1999 and 2000, under the leadership of 

NINDS Director Gerald D. Fischbach, M.D., she led the movement, together with NIMH Scientific Director Robert Desimone, Ph.D., to bring some sense of unity and common purpose 

to 200 laboratories from 11 different NIH Institutes. In September 2003, she was selected as director of NINDS. In 2007, 

Landis was named Chair of the NIH Stem Cell Task Force. She 

has garnered many honors and awards and is an elected fellow 

of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Association 

for the Advancement of Science, and the American Neurological Association. In 2002, she was named the President-Elect of 

the Society for Neuroscience.

Emmeline Edwards, Ph.D. Deputy Director, Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION 

Postdoctoral Training: 

(Behavioral Pharmacology 

and Neuroscience) SUNY, 

Stony Brook, 1983–1985

Ph.D.: (Neurochemistry) 

Fordham University 

of Arts and Sciences, 1983

M.S.: (Biochemistry) 

Fordham University 

of Arts and Sciences, 1978

B.A.: (Chemistry)

College of New Rochelle, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Behavioral and cognitive neuroscience

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I currently serve as Deputy Director for the Division of 

Extramural Research (DER) at NINDS. In that capacity, 

I contribute to the advancement of the basic and clinical brain 

and behavioral sciences throughout NINDS and NIH and provide administrative oversight to DER. I promote the use of 

portfolio analyses for the scientific programs of NINDS and 

ensure NINDS’ participation in NIH Roadmap and Blueprint 

activities. I also maintain programmatic involvement in the 

areas of behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. 

Both my academic and research program at the University of 

Maryland in the areas of neuroscience, pharmacology/molecular genetics and positions as Program Director of Behavioral 

Neuroscience at the National Science Foundation and NINDS, 

have given me a well-rounded perspective on a broad range of 

scientific disciplines and have provided a solid foundation for 

my current role as the Deputy Director for the NINDS Extramural Research Program. These experiences have provided 

excellent preparation for joining the NINDS Institute Director 

and senior staffs in assuming responsibility for the planning, 

administration, and evaluation of the research programs supported by the Institute. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have been actively involved in neuroscience education and 

outreach for the past 25 years. Most recently, these efforts 

have been coupled with my involvement in the Federal Government, first at the National Science Foundation and in my 

present capacity at the NIH. I have participated for many years 

in the NIH-funded Minority High School Research Apprentice Program where I served as research mentor to a number 

of minority students. Many of these students have participated 

in various research projects in my laboratory and have been 

included on publications of abstracts and peer-reviewed articles. While at NIH, I have continued my involvement with the 

Meyerhoff Scholarship Program of the University of Maryland 

at Baltimore County (UMBC), a program that is nationally recognized for graduating some of the brightest and most talented 

minority students in the sciences. I have mentored a number of 

Meyerhoff fellows and served as research mentor, friend, and 

resource for these burgeoning young scientists. In the past 3 

years, I have worked closely with the NINDS Program Directors 

and Program Analysts to foster the establishment and development of Analyst Mentoring Program for Extramural Research 

Excellence (AMPERE), a mentoring program for the analysts at 

NINDS as well as skill training in scientific and management 

strategies.

INSIGHTS

I have played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of NINDS scientific initiatives on cognitive dysfunction in neurological disorders and cognitive 

rehabilitation strategies. Under my leadership, NINDS has 

awarded a contract to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)/Memory and Aging Center (N01-NS-6-2366) 

to develop and validate a battery of domain-specific tasks for 

Executive Function (EF). This contract is of considerable value 

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to many of NINDS current and future research programs in 

neurological disorders where dysfunction in cognitive processes are integral components of functional outcomes and 

quality of life for affected patients. At the completion of this 

5-year contract, the NINDS EXAMINER (Executive Abilities: 

Methods and Instruments for Neurobehavioral Evaluation and 

Research) will be available in the public domain and will be 

used in NINDS-sponsored clinical trials and clinical research 

where EF is used as a primary or secondary outcome. 

With these recent experiences and with former involvement 

in academic and research endeavors, I have demonstrated 

that leadership and drive to excellence have been an integral 

part of her success. Consistent and effective participation in 

trans-NIH committees and professional organizations, targeted outreach, and professional development have provided 

the networking opportunities that are so important in a woman 

scientist’s career. 

Mary Kay Floeter, M.D., Ph.D. Acting Clinical Director; Chief Electromyography 

Section, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Senior Staff Fellow: 

(Neural Control) NINDS, 

1990–1993

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Physiology) University of 

California-San Francisco, 

1989–1990

Residency: (Neurology) 

University of CaliforniaSan Francisco, 1986–1989

Internship: (Medicine) 

Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, 1985–1986

M.D.: Washington University School of Medicine, 

St. Louis, 1985

Ph.D.: (Neurosciences) Washington University 

School of Medicine, St. Louis, 1985

Graduate studies: (Biology) University of Illinois, 1979

B.S.: (Psychology) University of Illinois, Urbana, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Neurological disorders that cause impaired voluntary movement and physiology of spinal circuits that control movement. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I have been very lucky that teachers gave me opportunities to 

work in their labs and to follow ideas of my own. The first was 

one of my college professors, Bill Greenough. After his enthusiastic lecture describing a new scientific discovery—plasticity of ocular dominance columns—he mentioned that he had 

openings for two students to work in his lab. Being interested, 

but quite naïve, I volunteered, bringing him a popular magazine article about brain plasticity in rats reared in complex 

environments: I thought he might be interested in the topic. 

It turned out to be his own area of research but the article described the work of a competitor! Nevertheless, he took me on, 

and helped me formulate a study on cerebellar plasticity that 

developed into an undergraduate thesis project. This started my career as a scientist, and numerous others have since 

helped me along the way. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

In my experience, no single person can provide mentoring in 

all aspects of a scientific career. From the handful of scientists 

who mentored me, some provided examples of how a scientist 

works, others showed how to look beyond the experimental 

data to the bigger picture, and others gave practical advice for 

job preparation and opportunities to enter into the community of scientists. For the students and fellows who have worked 

with me at NINDS, I encourage high aspirations, and celebrate 

their successes as my own. 

INSIGHTS

In college, I worked in the laboratory of Bill Greenough at the 

University of Illinois. He was a generous mentor, who encouraged his students to help each other as well as to do their own 

experiments. Helping others was a quick way to learn about 

many different experiments. I helped graduate students to run 

rats with split-brains through mazes, raise rat pups in total 

darkness, and sliced and stained brains for my own study measuring how early rearing affected nerve cell branching. These 

kinds of experiments, done by many scientists in the 1970s, 

were instrumental in showing that experience could change 

the connections in the brain. I became interested in the possibility of applying brain plasticity to people, and soon realized 

that I would need to obtain training in medicine. This led me 

to Washington University in St. Louis, where I was accepted 

into an M.D. and Ph.D. program. This was a 6-year program in 

which periods of medical school were interleaved with laboratory rotations. I did my thesis work with Ted Jones, a gruff but 

visionary anatomist. We used transplantation of slivers of fetal 

rat brain to test whether the ability of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex to connect up properly with distant regions during 

development was encoded in the nerve cells or their path—of 

course, it was a bit of both! After completing the thesis and 

medical school, I married and moved west to do residency 

training in neurology at UCSF. From seeing patients with involuntary movements that resembled fragments of coordinated 

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movements, I became intrigued with the idea of using spinal 

neuronal circuits that can produce simple movements to help 

patients with brain diseases that cause loss of movement. That 

was why I came to NIH, to the National Institute of Neurological 

Disorders and Stroke, one of the few places in the country dedicated to finding new ways to treat patients using discoveries 

made in the basic science laboratories. The work is starting to 

come around almost in a full circle, as we learn that even simple 

spinal circuits can be modified by experience and training. I’m 

still traveling this road, and hope to attain a few milestones as I 

go. In the meantime, the work is fun, the journey is gratifying, 

and I would encourage young students to travel a similar path.

Audrey S. Penn, M.D. Senior Advisor to the Director

EDUCATION

M.D.: Columbia University’s 

College of Physicians and 

Surgeons, 1960

B.A.: (Chemistry) 

Swarthmore College, 1956

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Neuroimmunology; 

neuromuscular diseases

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Important aspects of my 

development as a scientist 

were opportunities to link the science to the diseases, collaborations with excellent basic scientists, and working in a 

supportive environment.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring requires interest in promoting the capacity and the 

careers of young physicians and scientists. I come from a family 

of teachers, many of whom were mentors. I have had the opportunity to mentor medical students and residents.

INSIGHTS

Major milestones in my career include becoming a tenured 

professor of neurology and a Director of the American Board 

of Psychiatry and Neurology, which were evidence that I was a 

sound and knowledgeable neurologist–clinician. Another important event in my career was the chance to serve the field of 

neurology as the President of the American Neurological Association, which recognized my previous work for the organization and indicated the trust of my colleagues. Finally, I was 

proud to be named the Deputy Director of the NINDS with two 

periods as Acting Director.

Judith Richmond Walters, Ph.D. Chief, Neurophysiological Pharmacology Section, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology) 

Yale University School 

of Medicine, 1972

B.A.: (Biochemistry) Mount 

Holyoke College, 1966

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Basal ganglia function, 

dopamine, multisecond 

oscillations, thalamocortical circuits, 

Parkinson’s disease, 

movement disorders, Tourette Syndrome, 

attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I was the one my father took fishing, even though I had an older 

brother and sister. Somehow the message was—I was competent. It didn’t matter that I was a girl.

When I started graduate school at Yale in 1967, I learned that 

only one woman had ever graduated from my department. 

However, there too, I found acceptance, encouragement, and 

fascinating questions to explore. I got to fish for dopamine 

neurons, and was in the right place at the right time to be the 

first to record the activity of these neurons in a living rat brain. 

These were pivotal and inspiring events that got me hooked on 

a life of scientific inquiry into how the brain works. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

After my first son was born, I returned to work in 2 weeks 

because I had said I would, but I was amazed at how hard it 

was to leave him. With my second son, I thought about working part-time, but realized I wouldn’t really be able to leave 

work early. By the third son, I was ok with handing him to the 

babysitter and spending time in the lab. It took me a while to 

get comfortable with the dual roles. Today my sons say they are 

proud to have a scientist mother and I watch with great satisfaction as they follow their own passions in science, journalism, 

and music. 

I feel very fortunate to have been able to continue doing research while enjoying mothering. The balancing act is certainly 

challenging! Now I cheer on the talented women who come 

through my lab as they cope with all the options available to 

them today.

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INSIGHTS

NIH provides a wonderful opportunity for women to focus their 

efforts on research in an environment where basic and clinical 

investigators can collaborate to solve medical problems. When 

I first came to work in the NINDS I had the good fortune to join 

the Experimental Therapeutics Branch, run by Dr. Thomas 

Chase. This Branch was organized around the “bench to bedside” concept. My group’s niche has been to use neurophysiological techniques applied to rodent models to investigate how 

the brain changes when dopamine neurons die in Parkinson’s 

disease and how these changes may be alleviated with therapeutic interventions. We have had the satisfaction of making 

progress in understanding how the dopaminergic system modulates information flow in basal ganglia networks, and how to 

compensate for alterations in brain function induced by the 

loss of dopamine. It is hard to beat a career that combines the 

thrill of scientific discovery with the satisfaction of trying to 

reduce the burden of disorders like Parkinson’s disease. 

Susan Wray, Ph.D. Chief, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology 

Section, Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Neurobiology 

and Anatomy) 

University of Rochester 

School of Medicine and 

Dentistry, 1984 

M.S.: (Anatomy) 

University of Rochester 

School of Medicine 

and Dentistry, 1982

B.A.: (Biology and 

Psychology) Middlebury 

College, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Our research is focused on understanding the development 

of the Gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH1) neuroendocrine system. This system controls reproductive function in all vertebrates. Disruption of development 

or regulation of the GnRH-1 system results in reproductive 

dysfunction. Our research programs examine 1) the GnRH-1 

progenitor and factors that influence establishment of this cell 

phenotype (neuronal differentiation), 2) molecules that direct 

GnRH-1 cells to their final destination (neuronal migration), 

and 3) mechanisms that initiate the GnRH-1 secretory profile 

(synchronized neuronal activity).

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Throughout my career, I maintained an active role in teaching, 

either through involvement in courses (neurobiology, Marine 

Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole), dissertation committees, 

or training of students (high school to postgraduate). Teaching profoundly molded my openness to new ideas as well as 

my ability to communicate and listen—all of which are important attributes for doing outstanding science. As a postdoctoral fellow, my research took a dramatic turn when I asked a 

simple question—when was the system that I was interested in 

established? I discovered that these neurons developed outside the central nervous system and thereafter migrated into 

the forebrain to form an adult-like distribution at birth. This 

was a novel observation and explained a human disorder. Since 

my initial description, work in this area has expanded to many 

laboratories. For myself, my research interests now span across 

two interconnected fields, developmental neurobiology and 

systems neurobiology. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is one of the true benefits of being a scientist. Seeing 

others develop into young scientists is an important aspect of 

my career and one I truly enjoy. From many of these interactions, friendships develop that are important scientifically but 

also personally. Because of my career choices I had a child late 

in life. Balancing family and professional responsibilities is 

simply not easy, no matter when one makes this choice. Having 

both in my life now is wonderful and stressful, but made me 

more aware of life choices of others.

INSIGHTS

One chooses a scientific career for personal reasons. It is a 

unique career that one can get great satisfaction from. I still 

am eager to get to the lab and discuss new experiments. However, early in my career, I quickly found that the number of 

women in science decreased as a function of career level. This 

exposed me to the female factor for committee work, which 

although now decreased, still exists. A strong consideration 

for a career in science is that one can (though it is not an 

easy task) achieve a balance between family and profession 

at many different levels and the choice can change as one’s 

life changes. However, it is still clear that women should be 

encouraged to go beyond the postdoctoral level and continue 

in some aspect of scientific research.

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Debra J. Babcock, M.D., Ph.D.

Medical Officer and Program Director, 

Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience Cluster, 

Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION 

Fellowship: (Movement disorders) Washington University 

at St. Louis, 1999–2000

Fellowship: (Basic neuroscience) University of Chicago, 

1996–1997

Residency: (Neurology) University of Chicago, 1993–1996

Internship: (Internal Medicine) Loyola University, 1992–1993

M.D.: University of Illinois at Chicago, 1992

Ph.D.: (Psychology) Rush University, 1990

B.A.: (Behavioral Sciences) University of Chicago, 1981

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Cognitive processing, movement disorders

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My most pivotal event occurred early on in high school. Having 

been raised in a blue-collar, lower income family, I had no intention of going to college. No one in my family had ever gone 

and there was no incentive for me to do so. At the age of 17, 

I had a part-time job, a fiancée, and no vision for the future. 

What I did have was a caring and dedicated guidance counselor, who looked at my grades and SAT scores and told me that I 

MUST go to college. As a lark, I filled out one college application to a very competitive school and said I would go IF I got a 

full scholarship. Shockingly, I got in and was hooked after 3 

months. Now, a Ph.D., M.D., and fellowships later, I wonder at 

my incredible luck, shudder at what might have been, and bless 

that guidance counselor regularly. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As a Program Director, one of my primary jobs is to advise 

grant applicants on how to obtain funding. This includes notifying investigators of funding opportunities, answering application questions, helping applicants interpret and respond 

to summary statements, and helping grantees trouble-shoot 

problems once they do get funded. In this capacity, I have the 

opportunity to be a mentor every single day. It is particularly 

rewarding to assist students with their initial funding needs, 

and sometimes all the way to their first R01. Memories of my 

own utter confusion and struggles with the grant process make 

this an especially satisfying part of my job.

I don’t have children, which makes the balancing of family and 

professional responsibilities much easier. But most of us have 

very full lives outside of the office as well as in, and I find that 

little things like eating lunch at my desk can sometimes make 

a big difference.

Robin Andrea Conwit, M.D.

Program Director, Clinical Trials Cluster, 

Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION 

Fellowship: (Electromyography) 

NIH, 1989–1991

Residency: (Neurology) 

George Washington University, 

1986–1989

M.D.: University of Buffalo, 1985

B.A.: (Biology) 

Colgate University, 1981

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Interventional trials involving emergency neurology to neuromuscular diseases

PIVOTAL EVENTS

A 31-year-old mother of two young children who presented to 

clinic with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), quickly evolved 

from leading an active athletic and intellectual life to becoming wheelchair-bound in 3 months, and dying 6 months later 

left a strong impression on me. I am currently the program director for 6 ALS clinical trials, the Emergency Network, and 

for 25+ other clinical trials, primarily Phase III trials. At the 

extramural division at NINDS, I quickly learned a great deal 

about clinical trials when a unique opportunity was presented 

by a potential trial to study a biological compound in ALS. I 

found out how to set up a study quickly using a biological compound with multilevel involvement, starting with an organizing 

meeting at NINDS to bring together the investigators, working closely with NINDS communications, consulting three involved pharmaceutical companies, and patient support groups. 

After a followup meeting, we were ready to proceed with a trial 

protocol and manual of operations. As a result of these collaborations, we discussed the future of prioritization in ALS clinical 

trials and cohosted a collaborative meeting with ALS Association (ALSA) in order to discuss rational choice of therapeutics 

using the Committee to Identify Neuroprotective Agents for 

Parkinson’s (CINAPS) model, now published in Neurology. This 

project matured into a formal pharmacologic review of potential agents, two international presentations and a manuscript. 

In developing an emergency clinical trials network, I first 

organized an emergency clinical trials workshop with leaders 

in emergency medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, and neurointensive care to highlight exceptional ideas for potential 

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trials and to look at the economies of scale. This large effort is 

supported by NINDS, in conjunction with Health & Human Services, Department of Defense, COUNTERACT, and Biomedical 

Advanced Research & Development Authority agencies. These 

collaborations have been pivotal for the success in establishing 

the first Emergency Network in Neurology.

I am interested in developing further experience and leadership skills in neurology and would like to pursue more advanced courses in the Johns Hopkins program in public health 

and further leadership training. I also have numerous activities 

related to teaching and clinical neurology. As a neurology board 

examiner, I maintain clinical neurology skills and also am currently lecturing in the neurophysiology series at Georgetown 

and hold a faculty appointment as Associate Professor of Neurology at Georgetown. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring has provided a wonderful opportunity to work with 

many young and mid-career neurologists and clinical trialists.

It has been a privilege to interact with over 20 developing clinician scientists and over 100 medical students and fellows at 

NIH and Johns Hopkins.

Young women in particular often ask me how I manage to accomplish my goals while raising young children. My most 

recent thoughts are that the prioritization and flexibility necessary in parenting are skills that translate well at work. Furthermore, developing listening and interpersonal skills with 

teachers, coaches, and other mentors for my children have only 

helped me work well with clinical and basic scientists alike. In 

summary, balancing my family and professional responsibilities has been synergistic.

Diane DiEuliis, Ph.D.

Program Director, Neurodegeneration Cluster, 

Division of Extramural Research (Former)

EDUCATION

Certificate in Legislative Studies: 

Government Affairs Institute, 

Georgetown, 2005

Ph.D.: (Biology) University of 

Delaware, Newark, 1994

B.A.: (Biology) University of 

Delaware, Newark, 1988

RESEARCH INTERESTS

As a program director, I manage a grant portfolio on Parkinson’s disease (PD) research; the science is focused on genetic and cell biological studies, as well as protein misfolding, 

aggregation, and clearance in a variety of other neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, I manage translational, clinical, 

and fellowship studies.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The discovery of the first gene linked to Parkinson’s disease 

dramatically changed the scientific landscape of research on 

a disease long thought to be caused by environmental exposures. The gene, synuclein, was discovered shortly before I 

became a program director at NINDS. A big challenge following this finding was to understand the cell biological pathways 

that contributed to the pathophysiology of the disease, based 

on the underlying genetic mutations. Such an understanding 

could lead to therapeutic interventions and potential treatments. I developed a program focused on stimulating this area 

of research, and the portfolio now includes a wide variety of 

cellular studies, not only on synuclein, but on the many additional proteins found to be genetically mutated in familial 

Parkinson’s. These studies helped pave the way for the many 

translational studies that are now ongoing in the PD research 

field, and enabled me to help form a therapeutics program for 

PD that includes animal testing of potential therapies, and pilot 

studies of potential therapeutics in patients that may be suitable for large-scale clinical trials.

During my tenure as Program Director for the Parkinson’s 

portfolio, I helped develop several planning agendas for 

guiding research on PD. These plans also helped to stimulate research in the field, and helped broaden the interest in 

patient-oriented studies, including research on their primary 

quality of life concerns. I initiated a trans-agency Parkinson’s 

coordinating committee, which enables all the NIH Institutes, 

the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), and the VA, to share 

the content of their PD portfolios, ensure that there is not 

overlap, and collaborate on important cross-agency initiatives 

where most appropriate.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Since I’ve been a program director, I’ve had the benefit of 

mentoring two excellent program analysts. Program analysts 

at NINDS are responsible for coding and analyzing the research 

grant portfolios, helping with administrative management of 

grants, and coordinating many of the conferences and meetings sponsored by NINDS. Both individuals that I mentored in 

this area have moved onto higher positions after doing programs in the Parkinson’s portfolio; while it is sad when they 

leave, it is a pleasure to watch them grow and develop their interests into new and more challenging arenas.

Balancing a personal life is always hard because the demands 

of science are frequently time-consuming. However, I find that 

working in the field of neurodegenerative disease is seen by my 

close family and friends as an extremely important endeavor. 

They are very accepting and supportive of the work I do because 

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there are few individuals who are untouched by these diseases 

in their own lives, and many have had personal experience with 

a family member who may be suffering.

Katrina Gwinn, M.D.

Program Director, Neurogenetics Cluster, 

Division of Extramural Research (Former)

EDUCATION 

Fellow: (Parkinson’s Disease and 

Movement Disorders, Neurology 

Department) Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, 1995–1996

Resident: (Department of Neurology) University of Michigan 

Hospitals, Ann Arbor, 1992–1995 

Intern: (Internal Medicine) 

Vanderbilt University Medical 

Center, 1991–1992

M.D.: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 1991 

B.A.: (Psychobiology) Wellesley College, 1982 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interest include genetics of neurological disorders 

including Parkinson’s, stroke, epilepsy, and motor neuron disease. I am also interested in the ethics of genetic research in 

complex diseases.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Out of many, one particularly valuable experience influencing me was working for Nobel Laureate Phil Sharp (MIT), who 

discovered RNA splicing. This experience taught me that science is a field of thought, not merely technique. It allowed me 

to consider crossing the translational divide before it was described as such. This experience was helpful in allowing me to 

think about what questions to ask in my career in Parkinson’s 

genetics, where I used laboratory and clinical science to inform 

each other. My clinical and pathological characterization of 

mendelian kindreds with Parkinson’s disease (Neurology, 2000; 

Acta Neuropathologica, 2000; Lancet, 1999) led to laboratorybased gene discovery (Hum Molec Gen, 1999; Science, 2003). 

Subsequently, genotype-phenotype studies of ethnic differences were possible (Neurology, 2000; Arch Neurology, 2001). 

This knowledge was returned to the clinic by my team (a CLIA 

genetic test for those at risk; Clinical Genetics, 2004; Mov Disord, 

2005). 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring and teaching are fundamental to my career. I have 

mentored many successful individuals including Judy Chen 

(LEAP awardee, health disparities), John Goudreau (NINDS 

grantee), Jennifer DeWolfe (Epileptologist, Alabama) Shamaila 

Waseem (Pediatric Neurology, Florida), and Gerry Evidente 

(Mayo Clinic) to name a few. My dedication to teaching continues in ongoing faculty service including Cold Spring Harbor 

Laboratory’s Neurodegeneration course, NIH’s “Demystifying 

Medicine,” and as director for the American Academy of Neurology Course, “Career Development Grants,” among others. 

A particularly influential personal issue is that of my father’s 

Parkinson’s disease. He developed this disease after I was well 

on my way into that field professionally. Dealing with this not 

as a doctor, or researcher, but as a daughter, has lent humility 

and urgency to the work that I do.

On a final note, I find that assuring balance between personal and professional life is essential to maintain creativity 

in the workplace. 

Ramona R. Hicks, Ph.D.

Program Director, Repair and Plasticity Cluster, 

Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Neuroscience) 

University of Connecticut 

Health Sciences Center, 1993

M.A.: (Physical Therapy) Stanford 

University, Stanford, 1976

B.S.: (Biology) University 

of California, Santa Cruz, 1973

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Traumatic brain injury, cerebral 

palsy, neural plasticity and recovery, global health and underserved populations

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Early in my career as a physical therapist, I was told “not to fix 

if it ain’t broke” and this statement made me realize that I was 

interested in making things better. Research is fundamental to 

making improvements in health care, and this early experience 

working with patients in hospitals inspired me to become an 

independent research neuroscientist. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is a lifelong process and critical to success. I have 

learned valuable information from people more senior than 

myself, as well as from my students. Although formal mentoring programs can be useful, I found informal networking and 

collaborations to be more valuable. 

The competing demands of family and professional responsibilities are a major, if not the major roadblock for women 

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in science. In my view, all of the easy fixes to this problem 

should be implemented, but in addition, we must strive to 

change the entire scientific research culture in order to overcome this hurdle. 

Deborah Hirtz, M.D.

Scientific Team Leader, Office of Clinical Research, 

Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION 

Residency: (Child and Adult 

Neurology) Children’s National 

Medical Center and George

Washington University Hospital, 

1976–1979

Residency: (Pediatrics) Children’s 

National Medical Center, 

Washington DC, 1973–1976

M.D.: Hahnemann Medical 

College, 1973

B.A.: (Biology) University of Chicago, 1969

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Clinical trials and studies in pediatric neurology, especially 

cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, stroke, neonatal neuroprotection, and head trauma.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The NINDS Collaborative Perinatal Project (NCPP) was a landmark study that enrolled over 50,000 pregnant women and followed their offspring until age 7. The primary purpose was to 

examine the causes and risk factors for childhood epilepsy and 

cerebral palsy. When I first came to work at the NINDS, I was 

involved in the analysis of some of the data from this unique 

study, which taught me the value of questioning assumptions 

about causation and prognosis. For example, this study showed 

that cerebral palsy was for the most part not a result of asphyxia 

at birth, and febrile seizures in children, though common, were 

generally benign and in many cases did not require treatment. 

I learned that well-planned and -executed studies may provide 

surprising and crucial information by which to guide good clinical practice in treatment or prevention of serious diseases and 

conditions, and that NINDS could provide a leadership role in 

helping to see that such studies come to fruition.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

When I first came to work at the NINDS, I had the benefit of 

being mentored so was able to plan and evaluate what could 

become appropriate and useful clinical studies. In the extramural program at the NINDS, there are abundant opportunities to mentor investigators with regard to specific projects who 

are either at very junior levels or at midlevel in career development, but just beginning to undertake major clinical trials and 

studies. Opportunities also come though training programs and 

staff efforts targeted at individuals as well as groups, and many 

relationships, once established, continue as careers develop. 

With regard to the special needs of women balancing career and 

family responsibilities, the NIH has always been a supportive 

environment, which has allowed me to successfully combine a 

career in clinical research, an opportunity to continue to practice my specialty on a limited basis, and to raise three children. 

There will always be some areas of compromise and each individual needs to seek a comfortable balance, but the obstacles 

are not great and the rewards well worth the effort.

Naomi Kleitman, Ph.D.

Program Director, Repair and Plasticity Cluster, 

Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Neural & Behavioral 

Biology) University of Illinois, 

Urbana-Champaign, 1985

M.A.: (Psychology) University of 

Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1980

B.S.: (Zoology) University 

of California, Davis, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Spinal cord injury and peripheral 

nerve (injury and repair), axonal regeneration and glial cell 

biology, translation of basic science findings to clinical trials

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I was fortunate to have mentors, both male and female, who 

taught by example and offered me opportunities and encouragement to expand my scientific interests. My high school 

biology teacher gave me encouragement and an opportunity 

to work at a National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

(NASA) laboratory on an individual study project. My postdoctoral mentors, Drs. Richard and Mary Bunge, both respected 

the strengths I brought to their laboratories and taught me 

new techniques and approaches. The Miami Project to Cure 

Paralysis not only grounded me in spinal cord injury (SCI) research, it brought me into contact with many individuals who 

had sustained this injury and their loved ones. The need for 

communication with this community, and within the scientific 

communities involved in SCI research became a new focus. I 

took on roles as spokesperson for over a dozen research laboratories and organizer within the SCI research community, which 

further expanded my horizons. 

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NINDS

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My mentors, both formal and informal, have provided me 

with abundant examples of different scientific approaches and 

personal styles. Twice, I have worked in laboratories directed 

by married couples, and seen how this can either strengthen 

or disrupt the lab environment. Overall, mutual respect of 

team members as individuals seems most productive. In turn, 

I have tried to be open to the individual needs and preferences 

of those who have looked to me for mentorship. I have been 

a mentor for colleagues, students, administrative staff, and 

through the Society for Neuroscience mentoring program. 

At NINDS, I have trained my cluster colleagues, coordinated 

a training course for new staff, and received a MERIT Award 

for mentoring. Mentoring works best when new challenges 

are undertaken in an environment that encourages one to ask 

questions and seek feedback. This takes time and effort but is 

usually quite rewarding. 

Christy Ludlow, Ph.D.

Chief, Laryngeal and Speech Section, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Speech-pathology 

and Psycholinguistics) 

New York University, 1973

Certificate of Clinical 

Competence: (Speech 

Language Pathology) 

New York University Institute 

of Rehabilitation Medicine, 1969

M.Sc.: (Speech-pathology and 

Audiology) McGill University, 

Montreal, Canada, 1967

B.Sc.: (Physiological Psychology) McGill University, 1965

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Speech, voice, and swallowing disorders

PIVOTAL EVENTS

When I first came to the NIH, I had the unique experience of 

working in the NINDS Extramural Program with the purpose 

of initiating research in speech and language disorders, an 

emerging discipline at that time. This experience provided me 

with a broad overview of where the opportunities lay for initiating significant advances in these fields, which I was able 

to put into practice when I moved to the Intramural Program 

several years later. Since that time, I have been able to interface my areas of interest, speech, voice, and swallowing, with 

integrative systems neuroscience to identify the causes of idiopathic voice disorders and to lead the way in developing new 

approaches for improved swallowing in patients at risk of aspiration pneumonia subsequent to neurological disease. Now 

we can modulate central neural control by applying motor augmentation and sensory stimulation using novel devices applied 

to the swallowing system post stroke.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is a partnership with a senior scientist accepting responsibility for guiding a junior scientist on the path to 

success that meets their particular lifestyle. This cooperative 

venture usually lasts a decade until new investigators achieve 

tenure and have a flourishing laboratory of their own. Every 

relationship is different, but requires an honest exchange to 

find the best experiences and placements in academia or industry that suit a particular individual’s scientific potential. For 

women scientists, the road to finding the best match to navigating a comfortable balance between family responsibilities 

and professional achievement can have a wide variety of solutions depending upon an individual’s goals at each stage in his 

or her career. With more choices and greater flexibility, both 

male and female scientists can now negotiate arrangements to 

meet their professional and personal demands at each stage in 

their career. This is important to increasing the role of women 

in science.

Linda Porter, Ph.D.

Program Director, Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience 

Cluster, Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Neurophysiology of SensoryMotor Systems) Rockefeller 

University, 1987

Ph.D.: (Neuroanatomy) 

Boston University School of 

Medicine, 1985

B.Sc.: (Physical Therapy) 

McGill University, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I have directed an NIH-funded research program aimed at 

elucidating mechanisms of sensory-motor integration at the 

cortical level. I have also studied the effects of various neuromodulators on developing cortical neurons and their neuroprotective influence over neurons in the mature cortex. As a 

Program Director at NINDS, I am responsible for administrative and research issues related to peripheral and central 

mechanisms that mediate pain, central processing of pain 

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NINDS

perception, disease-related pain disorders, and pain management. As the program director for the pain portfolio, I frequently interact with patient advocate groups, clinicians, and other 

parties interested in pain management and pain research.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Joining the NIH as a program director in 2003 represented 

a significant and very exciting turn in my career path. The 

many years that I spent in academia before coming to NIH 

were focused on specific research questions. The laboratory 

work was interesting and the mentoring opportunities were 

extremely rewarding. As teaching and administrative duties 

became more encompassing however, the time for science 

became more elusive. The position at NIH brought me back 

full-time to science. My responsibilities at NINDS required 

management of a scientific portfolio in an area that was new 

to me. The unfamiliar territory of pain research presented a 

challenging task of acquiring scientific knowledge and becoming acquainted with the players in the research arena. It also 

created an incredible opportunity to observe the broad picture 

of an emerging wealth of clinical and basic science and to play 

a role in optimizing the direction of research. The portfolio in 

pain research is unique in that it spans the interests of nearly 

every Institute at NIH. This situation creates the need for Institute representatives to work cooperatively to share resources 

and develop multidisciplinary strategies to ensure that the NIH 

research portfolio on pain best serves the community. Dr. Zerhouni’s directive to revitalize the NIH Pain Consortium in 2003 

coincided with my joining NINDS and offered me the opportunity to coordinate the NINDS efforts to support pain research 

with those of the NIH community at large. It has been an exciting journey. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The most challenging aspect of my career was establishing and 

maintaining a balance between family life and professional responsibilities. My early years in a tenure-track position with 

its responsibilities of establishing a laboratory, obtaining NIH 

funding, and developing a set of lectures coincided with raising two infants. These were busy times that required personal 

sacrifices and careful arrangement of time, one commitment at 

a time. Maintaining personal time was important and for me, 

came in the form of commuting to work by bicycle. The balance 

was perturbed by the serious illness of one of my children, but 

with strong and enduring support from family and colleagues, 

a new equilibrium evolved. A year-long sabbatical in Switzerland, where the pace of daily life is temperate, and laboratory 

time is protected, helped in revisiting and prioritizing life’s 

goals and values. 

The rewards of an academic career are as varied and numerous 

as the challenges. Serving as a mentor to students and fellows 

at all stages of their careers was the most fulfilling aspect of my 

scientific career. The graduation of my first doctoral student 

remains a favorite memory. 

Katherine W. Roche, Ph.D.

Chief, Receptor Biology Unit, 

Division of Intramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Neuroscience) The 

Johns Hopkins University, 1995

B.S.: (Psychology) 

Duke University, 1987

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Glutamate receptor trafficking, 

regulation of excitatory synapses, 

synaptic plasticity, and learning 

and memory

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As an undergraduate, I was interested in biology and specifically in the brain. Although I enjoyed my courses, I was not particularly stimulated by the lab portions of my classes and did 

not consider a career in basic science appealing. However, the 

pivotal event in my early training was my opportunity to do my 

senior honors thesis research at the Environmental Protection 

Agency at Research Triangle Park, NC. I found it very exciting 

to design experiments and test my ideas in the laboratory. It 

had a lasting impact and played a role in me ultimately going to 

graduate school in neuroscience. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Pursuing a career in research is challenging, especially in addition to raising three children. However, having both a career 

and a family is extremely rewarding. To be successful, I have to 

carefully prioritize my goals and make the most of my time at 

work and at home. Therefore, I find it important to work efficiently whether conducting experiments, writing manuscripts, 

or preparing for seminars.

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National 

Institute 

of Nursing 

Research 

Patricia A. Grady, Ph.D., R.N. Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Physiology) 

University of Maryland 

School of Medicine, 1977

M.S.: (Nursing) 

University of Maryland 

School of Nursing, 1968

B.S.: (Nursing) 

Georgetown University 

School of Nursing, 1967

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Stroke, hypertension, cerebrovascular permeability, vascular stress, and cerebral edema

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Science has always been of special interest to me. As I continued my education, I realized what an opportunity there was in 

nursing research, and how important this field is to our Nation’s health care. That feeling has grown over the years, first as 

an independent researcher, then when I came to NIH as a Program Director and became the Deputy Director of the National 

Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and now as 

Director of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). 

It is my goal for NINR to advance nursing research and support investigators whose findings will directly benefit patients 

and their families. Research is the best way to create better patient care. For a nurse scientist, research ties you to something 

bigger and provides an evidence base for others to build upon. 

Research is as an investment in the future.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is vital in nursing research. All that I have achieved 

in this field was made possible by the support and guidance I 

received from faculty at both Georgetown University and the 

University of Maryland. Working with more experienced investigators early in my research career, I observed how they balanced their personal responsibilities with their professional 

interests. We must always strive to maintain this balance, to 

develop both our own personal strengths and the strengths of 

our profession. 

When respected scientists become mentors, they ensure 

that students and developing investigators have the training, 

resources, guidance, and motivation needed to become the 

scientists of tomorrow. In turn, these new researchers often 

serve as faculty, enabling more individuals to pursue their 

career goals and helping to eliminate the nursing shortage our 

Nation is experiencing.

NINR

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NINR

INSIGHTS

Those who came before me in nursing research, and the new 

generation of nurse researchers whom I have seen develop 

over the past 10 years, have shown that there is no limit to 

what a woman can accomplish in this field. I have been fortunate enough to conduct critical research in fields that are 

clinically important. I have been honored with such awards 

as the Georgetown University School of Nursing’s Centennial Achievement Medal, the National Institutes of Health 

MERIT Award, and the Public Health Service Superior Service 

Award, for my leadership. I have been elected to the American 

Stroke Association, the American Academy of Nursing, and the 

Institute of Medicine. However, as the Director of NINR, I have 

been most proud to guide our Institute in supporting successful researchers who will carry out our mission and further the 

health of all populations. 

Mary E. Kerr, Ph.D., R.N. Deputy Director, NINR

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Nursing) Frances 

Payne Bolton School of 

Nursing at Case Western 

Reserve University, 1991

M.N.Ed.: (Medical-Surgical 

Nursing) University of 

Pittsburgh, 1981 

B.S.N.: Slippery Rock 

University, Slippery Rock, 

PA, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Cerebral perfusion and ischemia, traumatic brain injury, and 

subarachnoid hemorrhage

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Moving from the academic setting, where I spent the majority 

of my career, to the Deputy Director position at the National 

Institute of Nursing Research was a fascinating change. As a 

professor, I devoted my energy to teaching the next generation of clinical investigators. As a scientist, I focused on finding ways to improve cerebral perfusion of critically ill patients 

with a neurological injury or illness. My position at NINR has 

expanded my view in that I further appreciate the diversity and 

creativity behind research that is conducted across all conditions of health and illness and throughout the lifespan. NINR 

supports the research training and research projects that provide the evidence base for clinical practice. Seeing the benefit 

of research to the health of the public on a national scale has 

been personally rewarding and enlightening. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

At the University of Pittsburgh, I held the positions of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Health System 

Endowed Chair in Nursing Science, Director of the Center for 

Nursing Research, and Associate Director of the Clinical Core 

of the Brain Trauma Research Center. In these roles, I conducted clinical research, mentored junior investigators, sponsored research activities and advised, taught, and supervised 

the research of doctoral students and faculty. Over the years, 

I learned that success as a scientist involves producing good 

science as well as mentoring the next generation of scientists. 

This means one takes the time to develop young investigators 

through teaching, providing opportunities for them to take 

part in significant studies, and mentoring them in their new 

role. By helping young investigators ask important questions 

and acquire the skills necessary to conduct clinical research, 

science advances.

INSIGHTS

I am optimistic that I have helped to advance science in an 

important area of health care focused on cerebral ischemia in 

acute neurological conditions such as subarachnoid hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury. I was fortunate to be involved 

in an academic health center conducting research and teaching 

at the University of Pittsburgh. I hope that I have supported and 

mentored young scientists who will be at the forefront of future 

discoveries in clinical research. In my current role as Deputy 

Director at NINR, I now have the opportunity to contribute to 

this growth at a national level, and I am proud to be a part of it.

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NLM

National Library 

of Medicine

Johanna McEntyre, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist and Chief, Public Services Section, 

Information Engineering Branch, National Center 

for Biotechnology Information

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biological Sciences) 

Manchester Metropolitan 

University, Manchester, UK, 1993

B.Sc.: (Biological Sciences) 

Manchester Metropolitan 

University, Manchester, UK, 1987

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Bioinformatics, 

information retrieval

PIVOTAL EVENTS

After finishing my Ph.D., I decided that life as an experimentalist was not for me and moved into scientific publishing. In 

this position, I was lucky enough to be exposed broadly to the 

forefront of molecular biology research, and in particular I 

became fascinated by the emerging areas of bioinformatics and 

online publishing, which were made accessible to people like 

me through the Internet. It was amazing that I could take a gene 

sequence, run a BLAST search to find similar sequences, and 

then read PubMed abstracts describing the biology of the results, all from the comfort of my own desk. The idea that online 

bioinformatics resources could enable scientific discovery was 

powerful enough to me that when I got the opportunity to work 

at the National Center for Biotechnology Information, I jumped 

at the chance. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I think people choose their mentors, rather than their mentors choosing them. Having more women in leadership roles 

within bioinformatics will provide more opportunities for 

women to become mentors themselves. Two important qualities I gleaned from my mentors were to have confidence in my 

ideas and to instill in me the rigor to execute the better among 

them. I hope I have passed these qualities onto those I have 

mentored myself.

One of the nicer things about bioinformatics regarding the 

work-family balance is that a lot of the work is portable, which 

brings an element of flexibility that might not be possible in 

other positions.

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NLM

Ilene Karsch Mizrachi, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist and Coordinator, GenBank and Chief, 

Primary Data Archives Section, Information Engineering 

Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Biochemistry), NCI, 1992–1995

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Molecular Genetics) NICHD, 

1991–1992

Ph.D.: (Microbiology and 

Immunology) Albert Einstein 

College of Medicine, 1991

M.S.: (Microbiology and 

Immunology) Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1986

B.S.: (Biology, minor in Chemistry) State University of New 

York at Albany, 1984

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am responsible for the coordination of the building and 

maintenance of the GenBank Nucleotide Sequence Database. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I have always loved biology and computers, the technological 

advances made, and the challenges presented during the Genomics era. I had realized during my postdoctoral fellowship 

that bench science was not the proper career path for me. At 

that time, however, I did not know what else to do. I spent a few 

months working at a small biotech company and was extremely 

unhappy. I started to look for alternative career paths and found 

a position that seemed well-suited to me and my interests. In 

1996, I accepted a position as a GenBank Indexer, where I processed incoming sequence submissions to the database. It was 

very exciting for me to be a part of this most important project. 

I was awed by this opportunity. I was able to continue to do what 

I loved without ever having to pick up a pipette again. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing family and career can be challenging but extremely 

rewarding. The career path that I chose has enabled me to succeed at both. As a laboratory scientist, experimental demands 

often required me to spend evenings and weekends away from 

my family. As a scientist at National Center for Biotechnology 

Information (NCBI), where tasks do not have the same time 

constraints as working with living cells, I can devote quality 

time to my work during the work day, while having evenings 

and weekends to devote to my family. I have encouraged scientists with young families to choose a path such as mine to 

benefit from the flexibility offered by a “nontraditional” scientific career.

Teresa M. Przytycka, Ph.D.

Investigator, Computational Biology Branch, 

National Center for Biotechnology Information

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Biophysics) The Johns Hopkins 

University Medical Institutes, 

1997–2000

Ph.D.: (Computer Science) 

University of British Columbia, 

1990

M.S.: (Computer Science) 

Warsaw University, Poland, 1982

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Computational biology, systems biology, molecular evolution

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a high school student, I had little doubt that my destiny was 

to become a mathematician. Indeed, my first research papers 

concerned theory of algorithms and graph theory. Well into 

my math-oriented career, I was invited to be a member of 

the Institute of Discrete Mathematics and Computer Science 

(DIMACS) during the special year on Parallel Computation. I 

was sitting in my DIMACS office, deep in thought, organizing 

some computations in a tree-like structure, when a guy stuck 

his head into the door: “What are you working on?” I replied 

briefly, “On trees.” He asked, “Ever heard of evolutionary 

trees?” He clearly had no intention of leaving my office. I had 

heard of evolutionary trees, but it never crossed my mind that 

I would have anything to do with them. That day we had a long 

discussion and I made my first step from the comfort of welldefined math to the uncertainty of biology.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Our two boys were born when I was still a graduate student and 

considered myself invincible. For many years, it was difficult 

for my husband and me to find a position in one place and we 

managed to be together every second year at best. During this 

time, I got enormous help and support from my Ph.D. supervisor, postdoctoral mentors, family, and friends. Even when we 

eventually settled in one place, the organization of our home 

remained chaotic and, once again, our friends were there for 

us when we needed help. Both of us continued to be passionate 

about our research and, as the boys grew older, they started to 

appreciate and share this passion.

Recently, a graduate student I was supervising gave birth to a 

baby girl. I hope that I have given her the same encouragement 

and support I have been fortunate to receive. 

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NLM

Tatiana Tatusova, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist and Unit Chief, Reference Collection 

Section, Information Engineering Branch, National 

Center for Biotechnology Information

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Physics and Mathematics) 

Moscow State University, Moscow, 

Russia, 1988

M.P.S.: (Physics) Moscow State 

University, Moscow, Russia, 1982

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Bioinformatics, genomics

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I was very lucky to have great mentors in my professional career. My Ph.D. advisor, Dr. Liberman, always encouraged me in my research at graduate school. 

I had the great pleasure and honor to work with Drs. Ostell and 

Lipman at NCBI. They have inspired and supported me in all 

my scientific projects during the past 15 years at NIH.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing family with professional responsibilities is not easy. 

A lot of times I felt guilty for not spending enough time with 

my kids because I had to devote my time to work, but I always 

tried to explain to my children what I did at work and why it was 

important. I believe that created a role model for their future. 

I have two sons who both graduated as biology majors and are 

now in medical school.

Deborah A. Zarin, M.D.

Senior Scientist and Director, ClinicalTrials.gov, Lister 

Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) Bradley Hospital, 

Brown University, 1985–1987 

Residency: (Psychiatry) McLean 

Hospital, Belmont, MA, 1983–1985

Fellowship: (Clinical Decision 

Making) New England Medical 

Center, 1982–1983

Internship: (Pediatrics) 

Massachusetts General Hospital, 1981–1982 

M.D.: Harvard Medical School, 1981

B.A.: (Human Biology) Stanford University, 1977 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Optimizing the use of data from clinical trials to inform medical and policy decisions

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I have been fortunate to develop long-term mentoring relationships with a number of people who have helped to nurture 

my interests in both clinical and policy issues. My interest 

in health policy began in college, and lasted through medical 

school and residency training. Eventually, I focused on the use 

of clinical trials to inform medical and policy decisions, both 

within my chosen specialty (psychiatry and child psychiatry) 

and within medicine as a whole. In addition to clinical work, 

my previous jobs included developing and implementing an 

evidence-based practice guideline development program 

for the American Psychiatric Association, and directing a 

program for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 

(AHRQ) that involved conducting comprehensive evaluations 

of medical devices for possible coverage under Medicare. Based 

on these experiences, I understand the scientific and ethical 

importance of having a comprehensive and scientifically valid 

registry of clinical trials, and was thrilled to have the opportunity to help make that happen. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have been inspired by several key mentors, each of whom 

has served as a role model for different aspects of my career. 

Balancing family and career has not been that difficult for me 

because it was always clear to me that once I had children, they 

came first. This was particularly important because I was a 

single mother of two daughters for most of their school years. 

The most important piece of advice I could give to any young 

parent would be to make sure that you take a job that has sufficient leave time to allow you to meet unexpected needs (e.g., 

sick days, school events) without causing stress, and also provides for sufficient family vacation times. In my mind, several 

weeks of work-free vacation (even if you stay home) is essential 

for everybody’s mental health.

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CIT

Center for 

Information 

Technology

Susan Chacko, Ph.D. Computational Biologist, Scientific Computing Branch, 

Division of Computer System Services

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Protein Crystallography) 

NIDDK, NIH, 1992–1996

Ph.D.: (Biophysics) 

University of Illinois, 1991

M.S.: (Physics) Indian 

Institue of Technology, 

Kharagpur, India, 1985

B.S.: (Physics) Indian 

Institue of Technology, 

Kharagpur, India, 1983

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Our group, which consists of a mix of scientists and system 

administrators, runs scientific supercomputers for the NIH 

intramural community. As a scientist, I develop, maintain, 

modify, install, and investigate scientific software that is relevant to the NIH community, and consult with intramural 

scientists about projects that require supercomputing-scale 

resources. 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a graduate student, I was drawn toward protein crystallography, a field that involved wetlab benchwork as well as 

computer programming. I was lucky enough to find a wonderful graduate advisor who encouraged his students to explore 

nonstandard scientific avenues. I really enjoyed my graduate 

work and was able to develop my computing and programming skills. During my postdoctoral career at NIH, I used the 

NIH computing resources extensively, and I was delighted 

when the opportunity arose to work in this group. After 10 

years here, there’s still a thrill about working at NIH, dealing with smart and interesting scientists, and of course the 

wonderful seminar series.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As the mother of two children, I have become an expert at functioning on insufficient sleep! It’s a delicate balance at times, 

but I love what I do and it’s all worth it. 

INSIGHTS

There are many, many nontraditional niches in science that are 

exciting, intellectually satisfying, and that may fit your interests and personality better than the traditional academic path. 

I only wish I had time to explore them all! 

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CIT

Dale Graham, Ph.D. Technical Manager NIH Intramural Database, 

Custom Applications Branch, Division of Enterprise 

and Custom Applications

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Molecular Biology) 

California Institute of 

Technology, 1970–1973

Ph.D.: (Molecular Biology) 

University of TennesseeOak Ridge Graduate School 

of Biomedical Sciences, 

1970

B.S.: (Microbiology) University of Tennessee, 1966

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I previously studied molecular biology but now focus on computational biology and database programming.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My Aha! moments came when I first observed bacteria under a 

microsope, the first time I isolated DNA from lamba bacteriophage, then understanding what we could do from a molecular 

biological approach (I sometimes even dreamed of annealing 

DNA strands). Also starting in graduate school, I had a strong 

fascination with harnessing computational tools to work for 

biological research. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I was fortunate to have excellent mentoring both in graduate school from Dr. Dorothy Skinner, my Ph.D. advisor, and 

others on the Oak Ridge faculty, and in my postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Roy Britten. My parents were always positive 

about my abilities and extremely supportive of my wishes, even 

at the cost of suppressing their own opinions (I only found out 

later that my father had hoped I would go into medicine).

As much as possible, I have compartmentalized work and my 

personal life, ensuring that one did not subsume the other. I 

feel this has led to a richer life experience, as both work and 

personal experience support each other. I also think that some 

of my personal interests (ranging from dog obedience showing, 

rodeo photography, and breeding llamas) although not congruent with my research/work, have positively impacted it. 

INSIGHTS

The major milestones of my career include the opportunity to 

be one of the first students in the Oak Ridge Graduate School 

with its intensive faculty/student ratio, a chance that led me to 

be able to meet with Dr. Roy Britten, my future postdoctoral 

mentor, and the opportunity afforded to me to come to the NIH 

by Dr. Gilbert Smith (NCI). At NIH, important moments were 

the offer to come into computing full-time under the aegis 

of Dr. Rodbard and Brian McLaughlin at the then Division of 

Computer Research and Technology (DCRT) (now CIT) and 

Mr. Russo’s request that I undertake to the Office of Intramural 

Research’s project to oversee data produced by the Intramural 

Research Program.

I feel that I have been very fortunate throughout my career, as 

I have not experienced some of the barriers that many women 

in research careers have faced. I have enjoyed new challenges 

and opportunities as they arose, allowing me to grow into new 

dimensions in my bench-science career (from zoology to microbiology to invertebrate molecular biology to developmental and evolutionary biology to mouse mammary gland virus 

research and then to insulin-like-growth factor I research). 

There was always an underlying theme of/interest in computational research, from graduate school onward, culminating 

with my move into full-time computational work. I have found 

that the successes (but frequent frustrations) of bench research 

better prepared me for the successes and frequent frustrations 

of computer programming. 

185
CIT

Jean Mao, Ph.D. Staff Scientist, Scientific Computing Branch, 

Division of Computer System Services

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Cancer research) Wistar 

Cancer Institute, 1998

Ph.D.: (Molecular 

Endocrinology) University 

of Delaware, 1997

M.S.: (Animal Reproduction) National University 

of Taiwan, 1994

B.S.: (Animal Science) 

National University 

of Taiwan, 1992 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Computational biology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

During my postdoctoral fellowship, I found that I was not happy 

working in the lab anymore due to the long, demanding hours 

without holidays, and low salary. I decided to take extra time 

after work to learn computer science. It turned out that there 

was demand for people with my skills to analyze biological data 

from high throughput computer analysis. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Being a full-time Federal employee and a mother of two daughters greatly increases my self-esteem and self-confidence, 

which is the key to my happiness and success. The professional learning and training process also greatly improves my 

productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness in my work. Alternating between the two roles not only enhances my time management ability, but also resets my mind to be more successful in 

both roles.

INSIGHTS

After getting a doctoral degree in molecular biology, I realized 

I didn’t have enough time to be with my family due to the high 

demand of lab work. I decided to incorporate computer science into my biology knowledge and changed my career path to 

computational biology. Now, not only do I have a regular work 

schedule that allows me to enjoy enough time with my family, 

but also I feel very good about myself and am financially independent. I am glad I made the hard decision to change career 

paths. The main goal is to be happy!

Barbara Lynn Young, Ph.D. Physical Scientist, Bioinformatics and Molecular Analysis 

Section, Computational Bioscience and Engineering 

Laboratory, Division of Computational Bioscience

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Physics) 

Purdue University, 1988

M.S.: (Physics) 

Purdue University, 1985

B.S.: (Physics) Centenary College of Louisiana, 

Shreveport, LA, 1982

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Bioinformatics and 

ontology engineering

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I have always been very excited about the advent of many biotechnologies. I remember two seminars, in particular, in which 

new technologies were presented, and the results simply took 

my breath away. One was about whole chromosome painting, 

and the other, about two-color microarrays. The potential for 

many of these technologies to be used in diagnosing disease 

inspired me to work on projects that may one day drastically 

reduce the time required for patients to receive a diagnosis for 

a serious disease.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

When I enjoy the projects on which I am working, I find a 

natural flow between personal and professional life. Unsolved 

problems can be placed in the back of the mind while away 

from the lab, and other parts of the mind can be exercised at 

that time. Often, when the well-rested mind views the problems anew, solutions present themselves. 

INSIGHTS

What I appreciate most about being a scientist is the environment in which we work. We have an opportunity to make a contribution to improving human health. We interact with highly 

intelligent colleagues on a daily basis and are frequently exposed to ideas on the leading edge of research. 

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Center for 

Scientific 

Review

Cheryl Kitt, Ph.D. Deputy Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biopsychology) 

University of Maryland, 

College Park, 1981

B.A.: (Psychology) 

Adelphi University, 

Garden City, NY, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Comparative neuroanatomy, Parkinson’s disease, 

neurotransmitters and 

Alzheimer’s disease, pain 

research

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I grew up knowing I was an important member of a team. 

My father ran a service business dealing with auto glass and 

car locks, and my whole family helped him do the work and 

manage the business: my grandmother, mother, sisters, and 

brother. When I became a scientist, I gravitated to science that 

involved tremendous teams of collaborators with different 

areas of expertise, and I pursued basic research that held the 

promise of one day serving patients in great need, particularly 

Alzheimer’s patients. I soon formed my own teams and found 

it very rewarding to mentor and train new scientists, many of 

whom went onto be very successful researchers and department chairs.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

When I was a freshman in college, I had a professor who allowed 

me to work with complete freedom in her lab. It was exciting to 

work with grad students, and I published my first paper in my 

sophomore year. She was a wonderful professor. Even today, 

when I help others advance in their careers, I feel the same 

excitement that I felt as her student. Back then, people in science were men, but I didn’t think of myself as a trail blazer. We 

were all just on the same team. Being a woman mattered more 

later in my career when I had two small children. I had become 

so busy I didn’t see them enough. I eventually realized life was 

short and I needed to focus more on what was precious. I looked 

around for something different and I discovered NIH offered 

many great opportunities to create a new, more satisfying life. 

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INSIGHTS

In my second year as a postdoctoral student, I led research that 

identified the role of a neurotransmitter in the pathology of 

Alzheimer’s disease. My results were published in Science. It 

was exciting to be developing techniques to solve a big medical 

mystery and to work with front-line physicians and the patients 

who stand the most to benefit from the research. Joining the 

extramural staff at NIH and later becoming the Deputy Director of the NIH Center for Scientific Review gave me many new 

opportunities to advance science and serve others. Despite 

large responsibilities, I have not forgotten what is important 

for the future. Other women can make discoveries and make a 

difference in people’s lives. So I continue to do mentoring and 

outreach. I’m still thrilled when high school girls come up to 

me to find out how to have a career in science, too. 

Suzanne Eileen Fisher, Ph.D. Director, Division of Receipt and Referral

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Cell Biology) 

University of Illinois at 

Champaign-Urbana, 1978

B.S.: (Zoology) Michigan 

State University, 1972

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Gene duplication and 

regulation, developmental 

biology, evolution, cancer 

initiation and progression

PIVOTAL EVENTS

A major influence on my development as an extramural scientist administrator was the opportunity to work closely with 

two women who had dedicated so much of their careers to the 

peer review process—Dr. Catherine Henley in the National Eye 

Institute and Dr. Rosemary Morris in the Center for Scientific Review. Both were of the era when women felt they had to 

choose between a career and marriage/family and thus never 

married. Both were extraordinarily intelligent, great sources of 

knowledge about science and the extramural process, and had 

a fierce work ethic. Both were also enormously supportive of 

me in my efforts to establish a career and a family life. Though 

Catherine and Rosemary are now deceased, I regularly recall 

the lessons I learned from these two remarkable women. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My husband and I have been married for 35 years. We have one 

son; having one child was a conscious decision—we were concerned about our ability to juggle the many responsibilities as 

well as the financial considerations. We are enormously proud 

of him and realize that he has had to cope with the benefits and 

the burdens of his only-child and only-grandchild status. I 

always made a conscious effort to state that both his parents 

worked full-time. Most of our friends were in a similar situation and we learned so much from each other on how to cope 

at each stage—whether it was making your own baby food or 

driver’s education. As I look forward to grandchildren, I will 

try to think of ways that I can help the next generation fulfill 

their career aspirations and enjoy a family. 

INSIGHTS

Since leaving graduate school, my entire career has been at NIH 

as a postdoc and staff fellow in two intramural laboratories and 

then in the extramural process, first review and then referral. 

Though I have had only one employer, there has been great 

variety in what I have done and many changes over the years. 

In addition to my direct work responsibilities, I have had the 

opportunity to be involved in other interests, including libraries and history. NIH has allowed me to grow in knowledge and 

responsibility with many outstanding women scientists as role 

models and friends. I made the choice to come to NIH for a 

number of reasons, not the least to be in the same location as 

my spouse. It turned out to be a very fortuitous one. 

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Anita Miller Sostek, Ph.D. Director, Division of Clinical and 

Population-Based Studies

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Developmental 

Psychology) State University 

of New York at Buffalo, 1975

B.A.: (English) New York 

University, 1967

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Developmental psychology, 

infant development, 

biobehavioral risk

PIVOTAL EVENTS

After obtaining a Ph.D. in 

developmental psychology and working within a medical setting on infant sleep, I came to the Department of Pediatrics, 

Division of Newborn Medicine at Georgetown University and 

conducted research on developmental outcomes of infants 

born at risk because of prematurity, complications of birth, 

or congenital neurodevelopmental disorders. Working within 

neonatology for 13 years, I was privileged to be mentored by 

male and female Chiefs who set the stage for a family-oriented 

workplace that provided support for the challenges of child and 

parent care. I have carried that experience with me to the NIH. 

My work with families gave me an appreciation for the complexity of challenges they face when dealing with disabilities 

and disadvantages, be they medical, developmental, financial, 

or social. I came to realize the unique place of various disciplines in defining and addressing these challenges.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have mentored a large number of Scientific Review Officers, 

originally as a colleague, and then as Integrated Review Group 

Chief and Division Director. I also directed the CSR Review 

Internship program from 2001 until 2007. The program originally focused on intramural scientists, but then expanded 

nationwide to provide training in administration and increase the base of scientists eligible for Scientific Review Officer (SRO) positions. Before it ended, the program served 44 

scientists including 28 women. In terms of staff members in 

general, I also feel that it is critical to relate to them on a personal level, focusing on families and health, particularly when 

they are experiencing difficult situations. Personally, I have two 

daughters whom I raised much of the time on my own while 

working in academia and at the NIH. Now in their twenties, 

they are doing well professionally, one as a journalist and one 

in information technology.

INSIGHTS

My milestones include reaching the rank of associate professor as a behavioral Ph.D. in a medical school, working in an 

area that had great meaning for me, and advancing our understanding of the developing brain by studying perturbations 

that occurred prenatally and shortly after birth. In addition, 

we used an early form of brain imaging to research the extent 

of intraventricular hemorrhage that is generally associated with 

prematurity. When I came to the NIH in 1987 to work in peer 

review, I was extremely fortunate to assume responsibility for 

a study section directly relevant to the topics I had studied. My 

children were in grade school at the time. While it is often difficult to balance priorities, it is as critical to do so as a woman 

in science as well as other professions. I like to think that a passion for what you are doing in the personal and professional 

spheres helps see you through.

Eileen W. Bradley, D.Sc.

Chief, Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging 

and Bioengineering Integrated Review Group, 

Division of Clinical and Population-Based Studies

EDUCATION

D.Sc.: (Physiology/Radiobiology) 

Harvard University, 1971

M.S.: (Radiological Health) 

Harvard University, 1968

B.A.: (Biology) Anna Maria 

College, Paxton, MA, 1966

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Radiation effects on normal 

tissues; radiation oncology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Pivotal events in my career include being awarded NIH predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships as well as an RO1 grant as 

a principal investigator. Other important aspects of my career 

have been excellent mentoring and the opportunities to work in 

a clinical research environment as well as at the NIH.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is one of my favorite opportunities. In academia, I 

mentored doctoral students, postdocs, and residents. At NIH, I 

have the opportunity to mentor new Scientific Review Officers.

Family and professional responsibilities constitute a roller 

coaster ride. My three children are the most important part 

of my life. They have grown up to be intelligent, responsible, 

giving adults. There were times I felt like I was not doing a good 

job with either, but I’m very glad I did both.

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Noni Husain Byrnes, Ph.D.

Chief, Cell Biology Integrated Review Group, 

Division of Biologic Basis of Disease

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Analytical Chemistry)

Emory University, 1994

B.S.: (Chemistry) Allegheny 

College, 1989

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Analytical chemistry, fluorescence 

spectroscopy, chemical separations, technology development

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I can think of three events in different settings (graduate 

school, industry, government). In graduate school, my advisor allowed me to pursue a side project on my own as long 

as I agreed to do an oral presentation at a national meeting. 

In industry, I was supposed to help my manager with a project but realized very soon that he had stopped showing up for 

clinical project team meetings, forcing me to assume responsibility as our section’s representative. In government, my 

supervisor delegated to me a presentation that he was asked 

to give to the advisory council. In each case, someone in a 

position of power chose to take a chance on me, a chance 

that they didn’t have to take at a time when I was not sure if 

I was ready for it. Those opportunities had a critical impact on 

my self-confidence and success.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have been blessed with wonderful mentors throughout my 

career so far. I administered CSR’s Review Internship Program for 2 years and had the chance to work with many talented 

young scientists transitioning into extramural science administration. I have two young daughters and a husband with an 

academic appointment. We made a commitment early on to 

do everything possible to ensure that one of us is home after 

school. Each Sunday, we “work the home calendar” according 

to our work schedules the following week. I also made a commitment at work to never miss any deadlines or meetings due 

to my fluctuating schedule, and to always be accessible to my 

direct reports. Juggling the demands of work and family can 

become hectic at times, but it is worth it for the well-being of 

my children. Having a supportive spouse at home and a supportive supervisor at work is a tremendous plus.

Cathleen Cooper, Ph.D.

Scientific Review Officer, Transplantation Tolerance 

and Tumor Immunology Study Section, Immunology 

Integrated Review Group, Division of Biologic Basis of 

Disease; Referral Officer, Division of Receipt and Referral

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Pathology) University 

of Southern California, 1989

B.A.: (Bacteriology) University 

of California Los Angeles, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Microbiology, immunology, 

transplantation, transcriptional 

regulation of gene expression, 

cancer biology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

After college, I worked for a few years as a technician in a laboratory that pioneered immunohistochemical staining of tissue 

sections for identification and typing of poorly differentiated 

cancers. At first, I simply did the lab work and gave the slides 

to my boss, an M.D./Ph.D. pathologist, to read. After a while, 

I started reading the slides myself and writing up draft versions of the reports—just to see if I could do it—and submitted 

them to my boss along with the slides. In many cases, he only 

tweaked my report drafts a bit before sending them out, which 

gave me the confidence and the final push I needed to continue 

my studies—in pathology, of course!

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I’ve had both strong and weak, even destructive, mentors at 

different points in my career. While the poor mentoring taught 

me good lessons about how to become self-sufficient and to believe in myself, it also taught me how much more any person can 

achieve when they have the right kind of support on their side. 

It always has been very easy to lose myself in my work at the expense of my personal life, and this was one of the main reasons 

I left academia to take my current position at CSR as a Scientific 

Review Officer. However, 3 years after coming to CSR, I took 

on the additional responsibility of Referral Officer, then last 

year I was elected Chair of the CSR SRO Council, so achieving 

balance between my professional and person lives remains an 

ongoing struggle.

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Cheryl M. Corsaro, Ph.D.

Scientific Review Officer, Genetics of Health 

and Disease Study Section, Genes, Genomes, 

and Genetics Integrated Review Group, 

Division of Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Human Genetics) The 

Johns Hopkins University, 1975

B.S.: (Biology) St. Mary’s College, 

Notre Dame, IN, 1969

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Human genetics, molecular genetics, genomics; ethical, legal, social 

implications of human genetics

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I was fortunate to have an inspiring genetics professor in college who motivated me to change my major from math to biology and to go to graduate school in genetics. I joined the Ph.D. 

Program in Human Genetics at Johns Hopkins University, 

which was an excellent experience, largely due to faculty who 

were very supportive of graduate students. After working as a 

postdoctoral fellow for a number of years, I decided to make the 

switch from experimental research to science administration. 

Again, I was fortunate to find an outstanding training venue, 

the Grants Associates Program at the NIH. This was a 1-year 

management internship program for research scientists who 

were changing to science administration. It was an excellent 

way to learn about the NIH Extramural Program and to make 

many contacts throughout the NIH. I continue to draw upon 

these experiences and connections over 20 years later. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have been lucky to have had supportive mentors at several 

stages of my career—during college, graduate school, posdoctoral training, the NIH Grants Associates Program, and as an 

employee in the NIH Extramural Program. These mentors 

played a very strong role in the development of my career and 

were critical to its development. The challenge of balancing 

family with professional responsibilities is a constant work in 

progress. I have found that during intense periods of work that 

required long hours, it was important to always take Saturday 

off to refresh. It also helps to remind myself that I am a person 

first and a scientist second. 

Sherry L. Dupere, Ph.D.

Chief, Biology of Development and Aging 

Integrated Review Group, Division of Molecular 

and Cellular Mechanisms

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Microbiology & Immunology) Ohio State University, 1980

M.S.: (Biology) University 

of Cincinnati, 1974

B.S.: (Biology) University 

of Cincinnati, 1970

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Developmental biology; biology 

of aging (molecular to whole 

organism-based studies of biological changes over time); stem 

cells and regenerative medicine; global health; bioethics

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I am fortunate to have seen my early passion for nature develop 

into a scientific career broad enough to weather the vicissitudes 

of funding and employment for many years. Undergraduate 

training in biology led me to plan graduate studies in tropical disease microbiology, but the untimely death of my advisor 

obliged me to redirect my master’s thesis research to a different laboratory studying microbial hydrocarbon degradation. 

Another pivotal event was redirecting my training to again 

include more human health relevance through doctorate-level 

research in cellular and molecular studies of cancer and aging. 

Postdoctoral and independent research followed in this vein 

with emphasis on chromatin neoantigens, growth factors, and 

proto- and onco-genesis in cancer and embryonic development. This led ultimately to a position in NIH Extramural Research Administration. In retrospect, I would offer this advice 

to any new scientist: “Be persistent, be resourceful, and embrace change as an opportunity for growth.” 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

“Mentoring” is a term I rarely heard before coming to NIH, 

although it certainly has served me throughout my career. My 

undergraduate advisor, a woman scientist and excellent role 

model, taught me that “gender is incidental to capability.” 

Typically, subsequent mentors have provided both positive 

and negative influences, but mostly positive. In recent years, 

I became a “mentor” myself to two talented CSR interns, both 

of whom have since been hired in NIH Extramural Research 

Administration. As Integrated Review Group (IRG) Chief, 

I occasionally advise staff about career options, and always 

strive to foster their professional growth. 

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Balancing family and professional responsibilities may have 

been easier for me, for I am unmarried and have no children. 

However, I have long nurtured a love of travel and support for 

wildlife preservation, and with continued good health I hope 

to travel more extensively and continue extracurricular efforts 

toward the protection of endangered species.

Joy Corey Gibson, D.Sc.

Chief, Cardiovascular Sciences Integrated Review 

Group and Hematology Integrated Review Group, 

Division of Physiology and Pathology

EDUCATION

D.Sc.: (Nutrition) Harvard 

University School of Public 

Health, 1974

M.Sc.: (Nutrition) Harvard 

University School of Public 

Health, 1972

A.B.: (Physiology) Mount Holyoke 

College, 1970

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in general

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My success as a scientist has largely been due to being in the 

right place at the right time and taking advantage of the circumstance. After my postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University, 

I married a corporate tax lawyer and spent the next 30 years 

of my life moving from one position to another, adapting my 

career to geographical moves that were integral to his career 

track. As luck would have it, each place we settled, from Sydney, 

Australia; to New York City; Coral Gables, Florida; Summit, 

New Jersey; and Washington, DC, proved to be an opportunity for me and provided me with a foundation that facilitated 

each subsequent career move. I took advantage of each position, gaining experience and approaching each as if it were a 

permanent commitment. As a result, I was able to gain experience and publications and develop long-term friendships and 

professional relationships, all of which have served me well 

throughout my career. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

It has been very rewarding to have brought up two children 

while maintaining an unbroken professional career. I spent 

3–4 years in each of three different academic institutions 

childless, but when I joined the pharmaceutical industry and 

remained at one job for 14 years, child raising became an important adjunct to my professional life. Raising children kept 

my life in perspective and, with the help of my colleagues and 

at-home child care, I never felt that I was sacrificing either 

responsibility. Both of my children are now focused on professional careers and it has never occurred to my daughter to 

view marriage and a family as an alternative to a career. I would 

counsel any young woman contemplating combining a career 

and a family that the two are complementary and can enrich 

and renew one’s perspective on life. 

Sooja K. Kim, Ph.D.

Chief, Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, and 

Reproductive Sciences Integrated Review Group, 

Division of Biologic Basis of Disease

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Nutritional Science and 

Biochemistry) Texas Woman’s 

University, Denton, TX, 1975

B.S.: (Human Ecology) Humboldt 

State University, Arcata, CA, 1967

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My main areas of interest are nutrition and metabolism. In addition, 

as Chief of the Endocrinology, 

Metabolism, Nutrition, and 

Reproductive Sciences (EMNR) IRG and SRO, I am continually 

reviewing and keeping abreast of the most recent cutting-edge 

scientific areas in endocrinology, metabolism, nutrition, and 

reproductive sciences, including the burgeoning research area 

of diabetes and obesity.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Many mentors have helped my personal and career development. One in particular was Dr. Doris Williams, who tirelessly 

helped junior faculty to grasp the “nuts and bolts” of academic 

work and rapidly gain understanding of institutional procedures and cultural expectations at a middle-size university in 

Ohio. Dr. Calvin Long at Medical College of Ohio focused on my 

real research work while he encouraged me to question and be 

persistent to overcome any consequential obstacles to achieve 

only the best outcomes of the research. Both mentors challenged me in cross race/gender aspects despite the institutional culture of inhibiting attention to Asian-American females.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have been involved with the following activities: 1) As a 

member of Research Subcommittee and Seminar Series 

Committee under the Office of Research on Women’s Health 

(ORWH), I help identify and recommend priority areas of research for women’s health; 2) As a member of the Advisory 

Committee to the organization, Korean-American Women in 

Science and Engineering (KWISE), I have been advising activities for the members, including networking opportunities, 

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community service projects, job opportunities, and internal 

communication network (KWISE Web page, newsletters, 

e-mails, etc.). In addition, I have been co-chairing “Women 

in Science and Engineering Forum” during the United StatesKorea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship to address “Facing Challenges” and “Navigating 

Professional Career Advancement” for the past 2 years; and 

3) I am frequently asked by women scientists to talk about 

grantsmanship and NIH peer review information. 

For professional women, staying fit is essential for balancing 

family with professional responsibilities. I try to maintain good 

health practices with regular physical activity.

Christine Melchior, Ph.D.

Chief, Integrative, Functional, and Cognitive 

Neuroscience Integrated Review Group, 

Division of Physiology and Pathology 

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Psychobiology) 

Purdue University, 1977

M.S.: (Psychology) 

University of Bridgeport, 1973

B.S.: (Psychology) 

Duke University, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Neuroscience, biomedical basis 

of alcoholism

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Maintaining a joy in discovery and figuring out how things 

work has certainly been a critical factor for me in starting and 

continuing a career in science, but doors have opened to different directions in science from networking and building on 

experiences. I have enjoyed serving my scientific community 

by actively participating in relevant scientific societies and sitting on various study sections to review grants. As a Chair of a 

VA grant review panel, I enjoyed helping put together the puzzle 

of matching grants to the expertise of the panel members, so I 

was very interested when a colleague at NIH called and asked if 

I would apply for a position as a Scientific Review Administrator. Working in this capacity proved rewarding and led to other 

career advancements.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Given the many hours spent at work, I consider the people with 

whom I work to be my alternate family, so I have enjoyed providing guidance to my students and staff members. I have benefited directly from formal mentoring situations, but another 

important source of guidance for me has been observing others 

and thinking about how they handle different situations. 

Anna L. Riley, Ph.D.

Scientific Review Officer, Psychosocial Development, 

Risk, and Prevention Study Section; Risk, Prevention, and 

Health Behavior Neuroscience Integrated Review Group, 

Division of Clinical and Population-Based Studies

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Gerontology) University of 

Michigan, 2003

Ph.D.: (Sociology/Social 

Psychology) Washington State 

University, 1994

M.A.: (Sociology) Southern 

University, Baton Rouge, LA, 1986

B.A.: (Sociology) Paine College, 

Augusta, GA, 1984

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Social and personality psychology, aging and health, risk and 

prevention, and health disparities

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The pivotal event in my scientific career is the 3 years I served 

as a National Institute on Aging postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. This experience determined the focus of my scientific career on the 

interaction of social and personality psychology with physical 

and mental health across the lifespan. During this period, I 

participated in key components of the research process, including grant-writing, which helped prepare me to administer the grant review process as a Scientific Review Officer. 

I also taught the methodology of studying aging populations 

and trained interviewers for the National Survey of American 

Life—a national longitudinal study assessing the prevalence of 

mental disorders in Blacks/African Americans. Overall, these 

experiences determined the focus of my professional life and 

demonstrated the critical role that Federal postdoctoral opportunities can play in training scientists for public service.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have received exceptional mentoring. I began my career at 

NIH in the internship program at CSR. Thus, I have been provided with great guidance and support from colleagues. Balancing family and professional life is always a challenge. My 

husband and I work hard to balance our careers, our church activities, and our family responsibilities. We do this by focusing 

on the importance of giving our best in each environment and 

by trying to nurture others as they work to achieve their goals. 

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FIC

Fogarty 

International 

Center

Karen Joanne Hofman, M.D. Director, Division of International Science Policy, 

Planning, and Evaluation

EDUCATION 

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Pediatric Disabilities) 

Johns Hopkins Hospital, 

1988 

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Pediatric Genetics) Johns 

Hopkins Hospital, 1985

M.B.BCh: 

University of Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 

South Africa, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Global public health with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa, biomedical ethics, human resources for global health research, 

implementation and dissemination science, childhood 

disabilities 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Fifteen years after moving to the United States, my family and I 

spent a sabbatical in Cape Town. This experience proved to be a 

pivotal event in my career. My mentor, the first female Dean at 

a medical school in South Africa, asked me to collaborate with 

one of her faculty. While working on local provincial guidelines 

to screen for childhood disabilities, I realized that my research 

skills could be used in the policy arena. I also began to perceive myself as a member of the African science diaspora. On 

returning to the United States, I decided to change my focus 

to global public health, a field where I thought I could have a 

greater impact. This shift presented some challenges, but 

after a couple of years at the headquarters of the Pan American 

Health Organization in Washington, DC, the prospect arose to 

transition into science administration and science policy for 

global health at NIH. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing work and family life has presented many challenges 

that have changed over time: first in my capacity as one partner in a two-career couple and also in my role as mother of two 

young adult sons. Several factors have been crucial to managing 

this balance. One is an encouraging spouse who was willing to 

share responsibilities. The second is a succession of flexible 

and supportive mentors. For several years when my children 

were young, the Chair of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins graciously 

agreed to my request for a 4-day week. This allowed me some 

flexibility. While I don’t think it compromised my productivity, 

it did increase my efficiency! 

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I am passionate about mentoring—this began at Johns Hopkins with medical students, pediatric house staff, and genetics 

fellows and continued at NIH where I have mentored several 

interns and staff to pursue global health and related careers. 

INSIGHTS

For the past 10 years, I have been on staff of the Fogarty International Center. My office is responsible for helping to set 

the agenda and determining research gaps and training needs 

in global health. We help to guide the NIH response with respect to international research strategy and evaluate ongoing Fogarty programs. On reflecting on my career trajectory, 

I received strong encouragement at my girls-only public high 

school in Johannesburg to pursue science and medicine as a 

career. My entry to the University of Witwatersrand School of 

Medicine took place during the Apartheid-era in the 1970s in 

South Africa. While my class of 200 students, most of whom 

entered directly out of high school, was 40 percent female, the 

racial diversity was minimal and did not reflect the population. Also notable was the separation of medical students by 

race; amongst us were a few Black students whose rotations 

were confined to Black-only facilities. This early experience of 

working in a racially divided and socioeconomically inequitable 

healthcare delivery system left a lasting impression on me. It 

has been the key motivating force for my work in global health. 

My exposure to health research began as a medical student and 

continued during my internship and residency. In particular, 

the Clinical Pediatric Research Unit at The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto provided me a unique opportunity 

to learn research skills as a budding pediatrician. In the early 

1980s, a time when the repressive apartheid regime seemed 

firmly entrenched, I left South Africe for the United States. 

During my postdoctoral years, my career evolved in the direction of childhood disabilities and genetics. Most importantly, 

these two closely related disciplines provided a view of research 

though a lens of public health. During my tenure on the faculty at Johns Hopkins, I established the first Down Syndrome 

clinic and was exposed to and participated in a broad spectrum 

of research from the laboratory to the bedside. Daily exposure 

to an NIH-funded pediatric clinical research unit was critical. Over time, I became increasingly attracted to research on 

ethical, legal, and social issues that impact on health policy and 

medical education. With a growing family and after 12 years of a 

daily commute from Baltimore to Washington for my husband, 

we decided to move to the DC area. Soon after this, our family 

spent a sabbatical in Cape Town, South Africa. Working at NIH 

has afforded me a great opportunity to develop an understanding of one of the preeminent research funding agencies in the 

world. I believe that health science is inherently an international enterprise. For this reason, I am fortunate to serve on the 

staff of the Fogarty Center, where the mission meshes so seamlessly with my own goal of promoting the developing country 

research expertise to enhance global health.

Marya Levintova, Ph.D. International Health Program Officer, 

Division of International Relations

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Clinical Psychology) 

California School of 

Professional Psychology/

Alliant University, 2000

M.A.: (Clinical Psychology) 

California School of 

Professional Psychology/

Alliant University, 1997

B.A.: (Psychology) 

University of Redlands, 

1995

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Noncommunicable disease prevention and control, health 

policy and legislation implementation and monitoring, social 

and behavioral interventions

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a former Olympic swimmer, being diligent in achieving my 

goals has been in my blood since early childhood. As a young 

adult deciding on a career, the only difficulty was determining 

what exact career goal I was trying to reach. As I am in the early 

stages of my career, I cannot definitely state that the path I have 

chosen thus far will be the path I will stay on for the rest of my 

career. Nonetheless, I believe that the most important event in 

my life that led me to strive toward success was immigration to 

the United States from the former Soviet Union at the age of 16, 

when I had to suddenly prove that I was a somebody.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I believe that mentoring is a very important component of 

one’s success, but in reality, good mentors are incredibly 

difficult to find. 

I believe there are some positive changes for women who are 

trying to balance family and work responsibilities. I have found 

that an understanding relationship with the director is essential, as it aids in determining the level of latitude one may have 

to complete their professional responsibilities, while at the 

same time being able to tend to the needs of their family. 

INSIGHTS

I feel that I have been fairly fortunate in my career progression. 

Partly, I believe it is because of my life experiences. In addition, the people I studied with have been instrumental in my 

career progression and decisions. I would not say that reaching 

the various career milestones thus far has been easy; quite the 

opposite, it has been a rocky road and at times, it did not feel 

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that I moving forward. Ultimately, I believe that success comes 

from inside the individual, but because it is so fragile, it needs 

the support of mentors who need to provide the fertile ground 

for one’s growth.

Linda Elaine Kupfer, Ph.D. Deputy Director, Division of International 

Science Policy, Planning, and Evaluation

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology) 

Columbia University, 1984

A.B.: (Psychology) 

Cornell University, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS

International science policy, 

evaluation, pharmacology, 

biotechnology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My enthusiasm for science has been a constant in my career. 

Upon receiving my Ph.D. from Columbia University, I was 

awarded an AAAS Fellowship in Scientific Diplomacy. This opportunity afforded me a position at the State Department where 

I coordinated and negotiated bilateral science and technology 

agreements with China, Japan, and countries in Southeast 

Asia. While the process of getting my Ph.D. in pharmacology 

confirmed my interest in science, my experience at the State 

Department introduced me to the field of science policy, particularly the international aspects and I really loved it! 

My next few jobs were in international science policy at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). While 

there, an opportunity opened for me to use my pharmacology 

background and I became a program officer for marine biotechnology in the National Sea Grant College Program Office. 

Because of congressional interests, my colleagues and I developed an evaluation framework for scientific programs at Sea 

Grant, allowing me to get back to science policy. I brought the 

evaluation framework to the policy and evaluation office at the 

Fogarty International Center, NIH, where I now work. 

I couldn’t have planned or predicted any of the many opportunities I’ve had in my career, but it’s been a really interesting 

and productive journey with science at the center.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I worked full-time for 3 years at the Department of State until 

I had my son. When he was born, I took 3 months off and then 

requested to come back to the State Department part-time. 

This was in 1987, and there were not many (or perhaps any) 

part-time positions at the Department of State. I therefore 

resigned from State and decided to take 2 years off and be a 

full-time mom. I joined a PACE (Parent After Childhood 

Education) groups and my son and I had many fun bonding 

hours together and with other mothers and their children. 

I loved being a full-time mom, but it was very hard! I was ready 

to go back to work part-time when my son was 2 years old. Coincidentally, a colleague I had worked with while at State offered me a job, 2 days a week, 10 minutes from my house. I took 

the job and was still able to take my son to mommy and me programs but was back in the adult science working world, which 

was a lot of fun. It was a great arrangement. As my son spent 

more hours in organized programs, I increased the time I gave 

to work. When he went to school full-time, I began working 4 

days a week and continued with that schedule until 5 years ago 

when I came to the NIH. This is my first full-time job! Working 4 days a week was the best. I found I was able to go on class 

trips, do errands, and other work to free up weekends to spend 

with the family. For me, part-time work was worth the sacrifice 

in pay and promotion given the benefits to my quality of life 

with my family.

Cécile G. Viboud, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist/Epidemiologist, Division of International 

Epidemiology and Population Studies

EDUCATION 

Ph.D.: (Epidemiology and 

Public Health) University of 

Paris, France, School of Public 

Health, 2003

M.P.H.: (Biomathematics) 

University of Paris, France, 

School of Public Health, 1999

Engineering Degree: 

(Biological Sciences) 

National Institutes for Applied 

Sciences, Lyon, France, 1998

M.S.: (Mathematics) 

University Claude Bernard, Lyon, France, 1997

B.S.: (Mathematics and Biology) 

University of Lyon, France, 1997 and 1998

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Mathematical and statistical modeling of infectious diseases, 

spatial and temporal patterns, influenza epidemics and pandemics, respiratory and enteric viruses

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EVENTS

As a young graduate student at the University of Paris, France, 

I was fortunate to work in a research division where a lot was 

going on, and where I could try very diverse projects. I was able 

to work on studies across the board of statistics, modeling, 

clinical epidemiology, and chronic and infectious diseases. 

This made me realize that I was passionate about infectious diseases, influenza in particular, for which population dynamics 

are still poorly understood. I have been working on influenza 

research ever since starting my graduate work, and continued 

in this line of research after my move to Fogarty, NIH, in 2003. 

While at Fogarty, I had the opportunity to work with many 

people from different horizons and nationalities, and analyze 

epidemiologic data from many different countries. Acquiring 

a global perspective of influenza epidemiology patterns was 

essential to my success as a scientist, while at the same time, 

it was a truly enriching experience to work in international 

health.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

As an NIH scientist, I believe that my specific research area is 

important for the advancement of public health and science 

in general; however, the most important part of my work is 

mentoring. Over the past few years, I have mentored junior 

scientists and less junior foreign scientists, and found it most 

rewarding, perhaps because mentoring is a more tangible and 

less abstract product than a scientific communication. Most 

importantly, I had outstanding mentors as a graduate and postdoc student, interestingly each with very different skills, and 

this was key in teaching me how to mentor people. 

Family life does not always seem compatible with a demanding 

career as a scientist, and it seems that there is never enough 

time for work and family. However, I strongly believe that 

having a rich family life can make me a better scientist, and 

vice versa.

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National 

Center for 

Complementary 

and Alternative 

Medicine

Josephine P. Briggs, M.D. Director

EDUCATION

Research Fellowship: 

(Physiology) Yale School 

of Medicine, 1976–1979

Fellow: (Clinical Nephrology) Mount Sinai School 

of Medicine, 1973–1975

Residency: (Internal 

Medicine and Nephrology) 

Mount Sinai School 

of Medicine, 1970–1973

M.D.: Harvard Medical 

School, 1970

A.B.: (Biology) Harvard-Radcliffe College, 1966

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My main research interests are diabetic kidney disease, the 

renin-angiotensin system, circadian regulation of blood pressure, and effect of antioxidants in kidney disease. In addition, I am interested in the mind-body connection, the use of 

complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for symptom 

management, and the application of new research methods and 

techniques that focus on biocomplexity to CAM research.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

At Harvard I investigated different majors, but biology drew 

me—my father was a scientist, I enjoyed science, but the balance was tipped by wonderful biology professors, such as Dr. 

Matthew Meselson. Another difficult decision was whether 

to pursue a medical degree versus a Ph.D. in science; my final 

decision to go into medicine was guided by a desire to interact 

with people. Once in medical school, I considered pediatrics, 

but chose nephrology because of excellent mentors, such as Dr. 

Peter Coggins at Massachusetts General, and my appreciation 

for nephrology’s quantitative nature. Following my residency, 

I pursued research training, a decision that led to my meeting 

my husband and then basic research in Germany. My moves to 

the University of Michigan and then to NIH/NIDDK brought 

together my clinical and research experience. While at NIDDK, 

I met Dr. Stephen Straus, who led NCCAM, and together we 

worked on the Science of the Placebo conference in 2000, 

which introduced me to NCCAM.

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Throughout my career, professors and mentors have played a 

key role in my decisionmaking. In return, I have mentored/

trained many young scientists who are now spread across the 

country doing wonderful research. I have also worked to recruit 

talented people to NIH and build strong research groups. I am 

proud of relationships I have built and consider it an important 

part of my career. I also recognize that one cannot underestimate the value of a supportive spouse or partner in making 

decisions about work and family while maintaining a research 

career. I was fortunate to have had my children while I was 

working in basic research, which, in some ways, offered more 

flexibility, and while at the University of Michigan I benefited 

from the proximity of home to work, which aided the ability to 

balance work and family life. 

INSIGHTS

I was extraordinarily lucky in my career to have had the opportunity to not only work with patients, but also train in research and have that duality of experience. In fact, I now advise 

young scientists who want to have this duality to pursue the 

M.D./Ph.D., route, which really was less common when I was 

training in medicine and research. Having this mix of basic and 

clinical experience enabled me to take the unique career path 

that I have had—moving back and forth between the clinic and 

the laboratory. This experience was really my foundation for 

my understanding of translational research, which I see as the 

essential approach to the future of medical research—creating 

teams of researchers that draw upon the expertise of clinicians 

in the field and researchers at the bench.

As a woman in research, I have sometimes felt outside of the 

establishment. In 1970, when I graduated from medical school, 

it was a different era for women in science. There were only 

12 women, I think, in my graduating class, so there was not a 

large network of other women scientists. Now there is a much 

larger network of women researchers. We need to embrace 

the opportunities that that network provides for support 

and collaboration. Here at NIH, for example, I have had the 

advantage of being connected with many women in research 

and other fields.

Laura Lee Johnson, Ph.D. Statistician, Office of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Biostatistics) 

University of Washington, 

2002

M.S.: (Biostatistics) 

University of Washington, 

2000

B.A.: (Mathematics) 

University of Virginia, 1997

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Methodology for semiparametric joint modeling

 of longitudinal and survival data (e.g., looking at the quality of 

life at the end of life), biomarker and person-reported outcome 

data, dosing studies, and studies with multiple interventions 

and outcomes

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I would not have known my field existed except for the offhand 

remarks of several people. My high school chemistry teacher 

told me, if I wanted to be a math teacher (I liked math, so it 

made sense) I should major in math, not education. My dad 

later said if I was good in math, why stop at a B.A.? Why not get a 

Ph.D.? My undergraduate statistics professor convinced me to 

work part-time as a data manager for a clinical trial. Later, the 

Principal Investigator of that study, a nurse, told me my work 

was vital to changing how care was being delivered to the underserved population we were studying. I suddenly realized that 

my math background was good for something beyond simply 

teaching calculus; I could help people in other ways. I resubmitted Ph.D. applications for biostatistics. I was hooked.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

For a woman, in particular, the outside pressure to have children is sizeable. It is important to decide what you want and 

occasionally revisit that with your family and yourself. I have 

many mentors in government, research organizations, academic positions, young and old; talking to them when trying 

to decide next steps has been extremely helpful. Most told me 

tenure-track and having children did not mix. Their advice 

was, “Do something else, make your name there, have your 

family, then go into academics.” I have seen some people try 

to do everything exceedingly well all at once and pull it off. But 

very few people. Regardless of your path, caring for older relatives, even handling a household of two adults, can be rough. I 

can have everything I want, but not be all at once. I like my job, 

but I do realize I have to sleep at night.

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INSIGHTS

Milestones for me are not the awards, fellowships, or positions, 

but the thank yous and the fortuitous events. In the introductory biostatistics class that I teach, I tell my students to learn 

basic algebra, and not just to pass the course. Too many people 

are afraid of math, and this skill is tremendously empowering. 

Several former students (all adults, most with doctoral degrees) 

have written to thank me for that advice. NIH grantees I work 

with thank me and my office for helping their projects succeed. The fact that busy investigators take that time, reminds 

me that the hard lines we take matter and are useful. When 

middle school students I talk to understand how to look at information critically and they thank me for advising them (they 

did all the work!), I swoon. My work helps others achieve their 

milestones. 

Two short fortuitous events boosted my career. As a graduate 

student, I was speaking at an international conference immediately prior to a star in the field. When the session fell 20 

minutes behind schedule, the majority of the attendees—most 

of whom had come to hear the forthcoming “star”—also heard 

my presentation, while trying to figure out who I was. When the 

star attraction gave her talk, she made reference to my presentation. (Speaking of thank-yous: Thank you, Diane; thank you, 

Paula, for rehearsing me; thank you, Donald and Carol, for the 

added support.) I still work with people I met through that talk.

When I first came to NCI, my mentor noticed I had a teaching award and asked me to take over some lectures for him in a 

small course. That “small course” is televised to 14–17 domestic 

and international sites each year! My branch full of nonstatisticians and my mentor listened to each lecture, gave comments, 

and proofed my final exam. All the practice and input paid off 

when my teaching reviews came back. (Thank you, Paul, Craig, 

and CPSB.) 

My coworkers have been wonderful teachers about science and 

life in every place I have worked. (Thank you, UVa, UW, VAPSHCS HSR&D, and NCCAM.) I never thought I would marry, 

but I found a partner who helps me be a good scientist. That 

coupling is not an accomplishment itself, but staying together 

is, and his unwavering support has helped me push forward 

when exhausted. He might be my biggest cheerleader. 

And speaking of cheerleading...cheerleading is important. 

Taking the time to help people out by promoting their work 

when you believe in it or to volunteer in schools so students 

know your job exists can be done by anyone at any point in 

their education and career. The accomplishment from helping others will magnify and multiply your career achievements.

Barbara Sorkin, Ph.D. Extramural Scientist Administrator, 

Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Developmental 

Molecular Biology) The 

Rockefeller University, 1985

M.S.: (Molecular Biophysics 

and Biochemistry) 

Yale University, 1978

B.S.: (Molecular Biophysics 

and Biochemistry) 

Yale University, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Cell biology, developmental 

biology, cell-cell adhesion and regulation of cell/tissue differentiation and cell proliferation, cancer biology, neurobiology, 

biology and neurobiology of aging, complementary/alternative 

and traditional medical approaches

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Mentors throughout my life have encouraged me toward science: from my father, a violinist with a deep love of science, to 

high school and college teachers who encouraged me to learn 

about scientific research, whether by pointing me toward Columbia University’s wonderful Science Honors Program for 

high school students or by inviting me to do research in their 

labs.

During my first year of graduate school, my research taught me 

not to rely on dogma. I was analyzing the carbohydrate portion 

of a chicken cell adhesion protein and kept finding that the 

ratios between amounts of different sugars were inconsistent 

with any known vertebrate proteins. I learned that unusual 

results require unusually clean data from several different 

experimental approaches, but that with good data, even the 

newest grad student can change dogma and, most importantly, 

that the fact that an observation hasn’t been reported before 

doesn’t mean it’s wrong. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Having chosen early on not to have children, I find it critical to 

interact whenever possible with young scientists and science 

students; the interaction not only recharges my own enthusiasm and keeps me up to date, but also allows me to try to pass 

along the mentoring I was fortunate to receive, as I’m sure my 

mentors would have wished me to do. 

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Recently, as my parents have aged, I’ve had to learn the highefficiency art of combining professional life with more demanding family responsibilities.

INSIGHTS

Sometime during my graduate school career, my (male) 

mentor, in the course of a “whither your research career” conversation, told me that as a woman in a largely male profession 

I would always need to prove myself to a greater extent than 

the men to achieve the same level of success. Fortunately for 

me, he was unbiased enough to understand that was an issue I 

would face once I moved beyond his sphere of influence. Unfortunately, while I think the situation has improved over the 

decades since then, the data say that the playing field still isn’t 

level. 

Most women have stories about male colleagues who clearly 

thought we’d gotten our academic or other positions as token 

women (or worse), rather than through having proved ourselves worthy of our appointments. My favorite of those experiences was with one such colleague who, one day in the lab, 

apparently unable to find a male to consult with, asked me what 

I made of his puzzling, hot-off-the-press data. I looked at it, 

had that flash of insight, turned his film upside down, and said 

“I think it’s exactly what you expected.” He never treated me 

like a dumb brunette again. I hope he generalized the lesson 

to other women!

Julia T. Arnold, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist and Lead Investigator, Endocrine 

Section, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, 

Division of Intramural Research 

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Experimental Therapeutics) 

The Johns Hopkins University 

School of Medicine, 1999–2001

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Cancer and Cell Biology) National 

Cancer Institute, 1998–1999

Ph.D.: (Experimental Pathology) 

School of Medicine, University of 

North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1998

B. S.: (Human Biology and Population Dynamics) University 

of Wisconsin, Green Bay, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Our research investigates the complex interaction of endocrine-immune-paracrine factors involved in the regulation of 

prostate epithelial function by associated normal or reactive 

stroma and extracellular matrix, and consequently how that 

functioning is altered in neoplasia. The prevalent over-thecounter use of DHEA, an adrenal steroid, is a current research 

target as it may contribute to progression of prostate lesions by 

being preferentially metabolized to androgens in the presence 

of inflammatory cytokines contributed by the reactive stroma.

We additionally focus on mechanisms of botanical-based supplements that may modulate the interactions of DHEA-treated 

prostate stromal and epithelial cells.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My science career developed somewhat backward. My undergraduate studies were in ecology and environmental science, 

but I never had the opportunity to be exposed to basic research. 

After working for 10 years in a contract research laboratory, 

gaining experience in carcinogenesis and eventually directing 

the lab, I realized the limit of opportunity for scientists without 

a Ph.D. So I went back to graduate school in my late 30s. Even 

though I was the oldest graduate student in my class, I wanted 

to work toward doing something I was really excited about. I 

now look forward to many challenging years of coordinating 

investigations toward teasing apart cellular complexities. My 

background in ecology provided a perspective toward developing a paradigm of research in complementary and alternative 

medicine that adopts an integrative approach to restoring an 

ecological balance in the physiology for better health. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The energy and creativity of the next-generation scientists 

whom I mentor is very exciting. We are here to encourage and 

promote our students as scientific knowledge unfolds at an exponential pace. We will never understand it ALL. As we piece 

together our separate investigations, we gather increased appreciation of the complexity of the human physiology and 

disease processes. I find it is important to not let scientific arrogance take over one’s character. Arrogance can be a cover for 

ignorance. It is perfectly fine to say, “I do not know the answer 

to that question, but let’s go look it up!” Balance between home, 

family, and work can be very difficult, but worth it. There is no 

perfect time to start a family as a women scientist. You just do it. 

Ask for advice and find support from fellow women scientists. 

And most importantly, take care of yourself. 

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Dale Lousie Birkle, Ph.D.

Scientific Review Officer, Office of Scientific Review, 

Division of Extramural Activities

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Ophthalmology) Louisiana 

State University Medical 

Center, 1982–1986

Ph.D.: (Pharmacology) 

Virginia Commonwealth 

University, Medical College 

of Virginia, 1982

B.A.: (General Sciences) 

Bridgewater College, 

Bridgewater, Virginia, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Complementary and alternative medicine, mind-body medicine, neuroscience, interaction of stress responses and psychiatric conditions, effects of adverse early life experiences on 

brain development

PIVOTAL EVENTS

A pivotal event in my career development occurred some time 

during graduate school when I realized that the most important 

quality of a scientist was the ability to stick with it, perseverance. Learning that a lot of the daily experience of a working 

scientist is negative (experiments that don’t work, papers that 

get rejected, grants that go unfunded), but that one discovery, 

or seeing the light go on in the eyes of one student, makes up 

for all of that.

I think the most valuable skill I have as a scientist is knowing 

how to write, a skill that was fostered by a love of reading, an 

early infatuation with journalism, creative writing classes, and 

keeping a journal.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring at its best is very personal, but formal mentoring 

programs have their place, too. Just being visible as a successful female scientist is mentoring in the sense of providing role 

models. A mentor has to be a very giving person; many people 

are not up to the task.

Balancing work and family requires organization, many lists 

and reminders, a family that is willing to help out, and no hesitation about asking for help. 

Sheila Ann Caldwell, Ph.D.

Program Officer, Office of Special Populations, 

Division of Extramural Research

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Molecular and 

Cellular Oncology) George 

Washington University, 2001

M.Phil.: (Molecular and 

Cellular Oncology) George 

Washington University, 2000

(Biology Concentration) 

Northeastern University, 

1992–1994

B.A.: (International Relations with a concentration in 

Economics) Boston University, 1989

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Women’s health, health disparities, and minority training 

programs

PIVOTAL EVENTS

No singular pivotal event in my background has directly influenced my success as a scientist. Rather, the major influences 

in my success have been the “messages” I received throughout 

my childhood.

I was told by my parents that there was nothing I could not 

accomplish through dedication and hard work. My parents 

believed that determination (sometimes referred to as stubbornness), perseverance, and passion were key elements in 

building character. They told me to always do what I believed 

to be right, to treat people with respect and to help others—especially those who cannot help themselves.

After taking a slight detour into a more political pathway, and 

with encouragement from several science professors, I pursued 

a career in science. I applied to graduate school and received 

my master’s and Ph.D. from George Washington University 

in molecular and cellular oncology. My thesis research was on 

neuroblastomas and medulloblastomas, two pediatric cancers. 

The word pediatrics and its cognates mean “healer of children.” 

Pursuing research in pediatrics was my way of helping a subset 

of people who were reliant on others and could not generally 

help themselves. 

After doing a postdoctoral training fellowship at NCI, I welcomed the opportunity to explore a career outside of bench 

science. Up until this point, I had been surrounded by male 

role models. The lack of women in senior scientific positions 

was discouraging. This is why coming to NCCAM’s extramural 

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program has been such an illuminating and worthwhile experience. I have been extremely fortunate to be exposed to very 

astute, knowledgeable, and wise NCCAM mentors, namely Drs. 

Margaret Chesney and Ruth Kirschstein. These women have 

truly encouraged my learning and growth. I have felt truly supported as a women scientist at NCCAM, where a clear message 

has resonated that women can be strong, taken seriously, and 

hold positions of leadership in science. This support has encouraged me to pursue my career goals in extramural, namely 

working in the areas of women’s health, health disparities, and 

minority training.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Work and family are both central to my way of life. Finding 

a balance between the two is an issue of importance to many 

women, men, and employers and can be a great source of 

stress. My experience with successfully balancing work and 

family life has never been more apparent than during my time 

at NCCAM.

A healthy family and a successful career in science are two 

very important goals but can often compete with each other. 

Dr. Margaret Chesney, NCCAM Deputy Director, has been 

extremely supportive in understanding the responsibilities of 

raising a family while forging a successful career in extramural science. She has allowed changes in work schedule, such 

as teleworking to allow some flexibility to work from home, 

when necessary. Dr. Ruth Kirschstein, NCCAM Acting Director, has been a significant mentor by inspiring and supporting me in both the areas of family and work. Being a wonderful 

role model herself, Dr. Kirschstein understands the delicate 

balancing act and is a strong proponent for women in science.

I firmly believe that the scientific community must foster more 

understanding and support of women in science and their 

desire to have both a family and a career. This philosophy is 

strongly supported and embraced at NCCAM. There are many 

examples of professional women at NCCAM who do this balancing act successfully every day. As I pursue my career and 

achievements in science, my hope is that I can serve as an inspiration and mentor to upcoming women in science. 

Laurie Friedman Donze, Ph.D.

Scientific Review Officer, Office of Scientific Review, 

Division of Extramural Activities

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Psychology) Michigan 

State University, 1996

Predoctoral Research Fellowship: 

(Psychology) State University of 

New York at Buffalo, 1995–1996

Predoctoral Internship: 

(Psychology), Veterans Affairs 

Health Care System, Palo Alto, 

CA, 1994–1995

M.A.: (Psychology) Michigan State University, 1991

B.A.: (Psychology) University of California, Berkeley, 1986

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Obesity and eating disorders (etiology, treatment, and 

prevention); prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes, 

cardiovascular disease, cancer, and substance abuse; neurobiology of eating behavior; diet and physical activity behavior change; community-based interventions and alternative 

treatments for obesity; mind-body treatments of physical and 

psychological conditions

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The pivotal events that have probably most contributed to my 

success as a scientist are the many professional rejections I 

experienced (and my response to them), starting with not 

being admitted to graduate school the year following college. I 

applied again the next year and was then accepted to Michigan 

State’s graduate program in clinical psychology. While still on 

my internship, I applied to countless postdoctoral research 

positions across the country, including a position at the Johns 

Hopkins Weight Management Center. I was not offered that 

position, but instead I took a research fellowship in pediatric obesity at the University at Buffalo. After two (challenging) years in Buffalo, I was finally offered a faculty position at 

Johns Hopkins with their Weight Management Center! I often 

wished that I could have just skipped those 2 years in Buffalo, 

but actually, they were a necessary part of my personal and 

professional development. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

People often marvel at how I balance working full-time with 

being the mother of two young children and wife to a busy 

husband. For me, my desire to have a family has always gone 

hand-in-hand with my desire for a career. As a child, I wanted 

a career so I could “support my family.” While in graduate 

school, I did not think much about starting a family until after 

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I defended my dissertation. The very day after my defense, my 

desire to have a baby kicked in! I got married 4 years later, and 

5 years after earning my Ph.D., my son was born! The combination of my work, my children, and my relationship fulfills 

and energizes me in a way that allows me to manage it all... For 

example, my 6-year-old son wants to be a scientist and often 

asks if I ever wanted to be a “real” scientist!! 

Jeanette M. Hosseini, Ph.D.

Scientific Review Officer, Office of Scientific Review, 

Division of Extramural Activities

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Physiology) Uniformed 

Services University of the Health 

Sciences, 1996

B.S.: (Medical Technology) Wright 

State University, 1973

RESEARCH INTERESTS

General physiology/clinical 

medicine, nutrition/mineral 

metabolism, bone, laboratory science, clinical trial design

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My technical research position in the NIH Clinical Center Clinical Pathology Department groomed me for a growing research 

interest in magnesium, nutrition, and general physiology, so 

much so that I decided to pursue a Ph.D. degree in physiology 

in the fall of 1990 at USUHS. Through this endeavor, I came to 

appreciate the role of Federal funding activities and the impact 

this can make upon science. Therefore, from that point forward, I have found much personal reward in my capacity as a 

scientific review official at the NIH, both at NCCAM and at the 

National Eye Institute.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing home and professional responsibilities was most 

challenging while I was pursuing my Ph.D. full-time and simultaneously working part-time at the NIH Clinical Center 

Clinical Pathology Department (CC CPD) in a research position. Additionally, I was trying to maintain infrastructure for 

my nuclear family (my husband, myself, and my daughter in 

middle school). My success was critically dependent upon 

weekend work hours at the CC CPD, my husband’s willingness 

to take on additional tasks, and my daughter’s ability to become 

more independent and self-sufficient. I feel very fortunate that 

all things came together in a positive way to provide the necessary support. I feel I have served as a role model for my daughter and I look forward to mentoring her further as she finishes 

up her M.D./Ph.D. this May and starts a family of her own, most 

likely while completing her residency program.

Martina Schmidt, Ph.D.

Scientific Review Officer, Office of Scientific Review, 

Division of Extramural Activities

EDUCATION

Internship: (Scientific Review 

Administration) Oncology IRG, 

CSR,NIH, 2004–2005

Research Fellowship: 

(Cellular Oncology) NCI, NIH, 

2001–2004

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Cellular Oncology) NCI, NIH, 

1997–2001

Ph.D.: (Microbiology) 

University of Würzburg, Germany, 1997

M.S.: (Biology) University of Würzburg, Germany, 1993

B.S.: (Biology) University of Würzburg, Germany, 1990 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Oncology, virology, immunology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Working as a bench scientist often required unconventional 

working hours and working environments. Leaving the laboratory in the evening did not mean that I stopped thinking 

about a research project. Often, I found a solution to a project while doing the laundry or washing the dishes. As science 

and research always seemed to linger somewhere in the back 

of my mind, early on I realized that it was important that if I 

started a new project or a new position, I would have to be certain that this was really what I was interested in, that this was 

really what I want to spend my time with. Keeping this in mind 

always seemed to help me get over obstacles and keep a positive 

attitude, even in situations that seemed difficult at the time.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is a great experience independently of who you 

mentor or at what level you mentor. It is immensely gratifying 

to see your knowledge being used, often being modified and 

applied to new scenarios. Additionally, I always thought that 

the feedback and the questions I received and the discussions 

I had were equally beneficial for myself and for the person I 

was mentoring.

I always found that a very honest and realistic assessment of my 

professional responsibilities as well as the needs of my family 

were essential to balance both responsibilities. Being well informed about the demands of a job was always helpful in deciding if a certain position was right for me (and my family). Some 

flexibility in my job and just being well-organized certainly 

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helped. Being prepared for unexpected circumstances, always 

having a fall-back plan in the back of my head, and always working ahead of deadlines if possible seem to be essential.

Marni N. Silverman, Ph.D.

NCCAM Director’s Postdoctoral Fellow (Former); 

Postdoctoral Fellow, Section on Neuroendocrine 

Immunology and Behavior, Integrative Neural Immune 

Program, Division of Intramural Research Programs, 

National Institute of Mental Health

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Neuroscience) 

Emory University, 2005

B.S.: (Psychobiology) 

Binghamton University 

(SUNY), 1995

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am interested in studying how 

dysfunction of neuroendocrine 

stress pathways (HPA axis) and 

the immune system contribute to 

the high comorbidity between depression and other chronic 

diseases, such as cardiovascular, metabolic, infectious and autoimmune disease. I am also interested in measuring neuroimmune biomarkers in various clinical populations practicing a 

mind-body intervention to help elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms of how CAM modalities potentially affect 

a multitude of health outcomes (psychological and physical 

well-being). Finally, I am interested in the role of glucocorticoid resistance in susceptibility to inflammatory disorders. 

Individual differences in glucocorticoid sensitivity may also 

shed light on reasons for individual variability in responsiveness to CAM therapies that modulate the perception of and the 

neuroendocrine response to stress.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My interest in science started at a young age, with my Dad being 

a high school science teacher in chemistry and physics, mentoring me on award-winning science fair projects, and encouraging me to tag along on class trips. As my science education 

continued, my interests became focused in biology, especially 

in the biology of behavior and the factors that make us the 

unique individuals we are. 

I believe that “health care” involves treating a person as a whole 

and not just a sum of their symptoms, whereby one’s mental 

well-being is crucially intertwined with their physical well-being. Therefore, I am excited to have been awarded the NCCAM 

Director’s Fellowship, which has given me the opportunity to 

apply our knowledge of the biological mechanisms underlying 

stress-related disorders toward the understanding of mindbody intervention efficacy in alleviating “dis-ease.”

Throughout my training, I have been privileged to receive excellent mentorship in which my ability to grow as an individual 

has been nourished. My Ph.D. advisor warned me early on that 

pursuing a research career is like a marriage: it requires relentless dedication and can sometimes be an emotional rollercoaster. I believe that my enthusiasm, perseverance, and 

attention to detail have helped guide me on the right track for a 

successful scientific career.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I have not yet had the opportunity to mentor a long-term student at NIH. However, being part of a multidisciplinary lab, 

composed of fellows with expertise in the fields of immunology, molecular biology, psychiatry, and myself in neuroscience, 

we all mentor each other, contributing to the interdisciplinary nature of our field of study, psychoneuroimmunology. As 

a graduate student, I had the honor to mentor an undergraduate student over the course of a year on his honors research 

project. This was an invaluable and rewarding experience as I 

was able to communicate my knowledge and skills and watch 

my student grow personally and professionally. He went onto 

pursue an M.D./Ph.D. As for balancing my personal and professional life, it can be challenging at times. I am lucky to have 

parents who support me in all my efforts and a fiancée who understands the time I need to devote to my career. It is important to remember that it is love that makes the world go around. 

Surround yourself with friends, family, and what you love to do 

and your happiness will spread to those around you.

Marguerite Alice Klein 

Health Science Administrator/Program Officer, 

Division of Extramural Research (Former); Health 

Science Administrator, Office of Dietary Supplements, 

Office of Disease Prevention, Office of the Director, NIH

EDUCATION

Graduate Courses: (Health 

Education and Statistics, Statistics, 

Epidemiology, Clinical Trials, and 

Technical Writing, Horticulture 

and Natural History) University of 

Maryland College Park, Foundation 

for Advanced Education in the 

Sciences, Inc. (FAES), Bethesda, 

MD, USDA Graduate School, 

Washington, DC, 1990–1997

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M.S.: (Nutrition) Tufts University, 1984

B.S.: (Nutrition) University of Rhode Island, 1981

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Efficacy and effectiveness of diet and dietary supplements in 

preventing and treating chronic illnesses, especially conditions 

influenced by behavior and environment

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My mother’s old china cabinet: To house my natural objects 

collections, thereby, beginning in elementary school my systematic scientific inquiry, development of observational and 

analytic skills, and providing a base for future study.

National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP): To manage 

components of NHLBI’s newly launched NCEP. My first professional experience in developing something from nothing 

taught me the thrill of the challenge, in addition to communication skills for a variety of professional and lay audiences and 

how much research is needed to affect practice guidelines. I 

wanted to do research.

Pathways, a study of obesity prevention in Native American children: To conceptualize, develop, and implement a multicenter, 

school-based clinical trial. This experience exposed me to the 

nonscientific elements of clinical studies, especially “standardized” behavioral interventions in multicultural populations. 

Product Quality Working Group: To conceptualize, develop, and 

implement NCCAM’s policy and guidance to investigators on 

the quality of biologically active agents and placebos used in 

CAM research.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

My mentoring occurs on and off the job. I speak to students, 

interns, and other academic groups as part of my NIH job experiences, but I prefer to spend my personal time with children. 

I am passionate about mentoring young people, for instance, 

helping out with scout badges and science fair projects to 

foster their interest in the health and environmental sciences. 

Strongly influenced in the 1960s and 1970s by the burgeoning 

environmental movement, I chose to not have children. Hence, 

my family responsibilities are fewer, but I substituted environmental and conservation activities, which have ultimately 

benefited my professional interests. Because I play hard and 

work hard, I chose to compartmentalize my activities so that I 

could focus and do each activity well. It turns out that my personal activities in the natural sciences have not been mutually 

exclusive and benefit my understanding of botanicals and their 

application to health.

Recently, as my parents have aged, I’ve had to learn the highefficiency art of combining professional life with more demanding family responsibilities.

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National 

Center on 

Minority Health 

and Health 

Disparities

Joyce A. Hunter, Ph.D. Deputy Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Physiology–Cardiovascular) Howard 

University, 1998

B.A.: (Biology) Dillard 

University, New Orleans, 

LA, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Hypertension and cardiac 

function, extramural policies 

and procedures (specifically 

those regulating human subjects’ involvement in clinical 

studies), and minority health and health disparities

PIVOTAL EVENTS

I grew up in a still-segregated south, which remained steadfast in its determination to withstand the inevitable downfall 

of years of racism with the arrival of the Civil Rights Era. My 

family drilled into my siblings and me the importance of education with the same fervor and conviction that we were taught 

about religion and civil rights. My early leanings were toward 

a career in civil rights and government, but there was always a 

pull toward science and the unknown. I did well in both, but 

must admit science took a bit more effort. I think the pivotal 

moment for me was the day I learned from Dr. Pendleton (the 

family doc) that high blood pressure was not an illness that 

you were supposed to have, that there were causes, causes that 

changed the normal way that the body worked. Yet everyone in 

my family seemed to have this mysterious high blood pressure. 

I had to learn more, so a major in biology was the only logical 

choice.

I was fortunate enough to attend one of the Historically Black 

Colleges and Universities (HBCU) with a racially mixed faculty 

that not only encouraged students to succeed, but expected it, 

and did not shy away from rimming your ears if they thought 

you were not doing your best. My introduction to research and 

the area of science for which I still feel quite passionate was 

through Dr. Joyce Verrett. Dr. Verrett was a mammalian physiologist, faculty mentor in the Porter Foundation Mammalian 

Physiological Consortium, and an NIH Minority Biomedical 

Support grantee (now known as MBRS). While working with 

Dr. Verrett, I was afforded the opportunity to gain research 

training at the Marine Biological Laboratory (Woods Hole, MA) 

and the Argonne National Laboratory (IL). For me, physiology 

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explained the normal functioning of organ systems and provided a “logical thought process” for when the normal functioning 

became pathological. I was hooked!

During my junior year of undergrad, Dr. Verrett took several 

of us to a symposium where Dr. Edward W. Hawthorne (cardiologist and hypertension researcher) was the keynote speaker. 

This was the first time that I had ever heard anyone speak with 

such intensity; an intensity that stirred excitement about the 

heart and about biological research as the key to solving the 

puzzles of hypertension. I knew what I had to do. I wanted to 

become a cardiovascular physiologist. It was logical. I began my 

graduate career under Dr. Hawthorne as a trainee on an NRSA 

Minority Institutional Research Training Grant.

One could easily say that I am a product of outstanding mentors, HBCUs, the American Physiological Society Porter Foundation, and NIH Training Opportunities.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Throughout my life and career, there have been individuals 

who have provided guidance, support, and encouragement to 

me. I came to the NIH extramural community quite early in my 

career. Quite frankly, had I known of all the fantastic research 

training and career development opportunities supported 

by the NIH and available to academic researchers, I probably 

would have remained in research longer. Nevertheless, I have 

had several positions in the extramural community in both 

program and review areas. I have learned much, received many 

awards and recognitions, and have had many wonderful mentors and colleagues along the way. NIH provided me with an 

inexhaustible array of opportunities to develop a professional 

career, and serve the larger extramural community. I have tried 

to share with students and young investigators how to use the 

research training and career development opportunities that 

NIH supports to explore and developed their own research careers. My current position is perhaps the icing on the cake in 

that I get to work with some of the brightest and best in an effort 

to eliminate health disparities, which includes hypertension.

INSIGHTS

If you look at every experience in life, whether good or bad, as 

an opportunity to learn, you will. The more you learn, the more 

you have to share. In fact, it is a responsibility, it’s logical.

Ileana Collado Herrell, Ph.D.

Director, Division of Scientific Strategic Planning 

and Policy Analysis

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Human Development) 

Institute of Child Study, 

University of Maryland, 1976

M.A.: (Psychology) 

University of Puerto Rico, 1971

B.A.: (Psychology) 

University of Puerto Rico, 1965

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Global health, drug abuse and prevention, women’s health, impact of health literacy and language 

proficiency in research and healthcare access, behavioral 

determinants of population health

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Being a research scientist and a Hispanic woman affords me a 

unique perspective on the insidious problem to which I have 

devoted my professional life, eliminating health disparities 

rampant in communities of color around the world. A native of 

Puerto Rico, I have seen the toll exacted by the disproportionately high incidence of disease, burden of illness, and mortality 

experienced by my fellow Puerto Ricans. Being a trained behavioral scientist enables me to help develop the interventions 

likely to be most successful.

During my career, I have become a recognized expert on developing health promotion and disease prevention policies and 

programs at the local, State, national, and international levels. 

I have served as a consultant to governments and nongovernmental agencies in more than 24 countries, and to the United 

Nations system, including the International Labour Office 

(ILO) and the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. While on detail to the WHO, I was executive secretary to 

the Global Task Force on Health Policy and Development and 

advisor to the Global Commission on Women's Health.

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I try to lead through example. As one of the first minority female SES member of the HHS, I have mentored many 

women, particularly women of color, who often struggle to establish their careers as public health professionals and scientists. Balancing career and family has been as rewarding as it 

has been challenging. There are similarities in my approach to 

my professional and family life that helped me to provide guidance and direction to my children. I believe that my work ethic 

sets an example for my children as to the importance of values 

and of contributing to the community. Despite being raised in a 

majority environment, my children were able to maintain their 

cultural heritage, and both are multilingual. They were taught 

early on that setting goals and priorities and learning how to 

resolve conflict are all important skills in one’s personal and 

professional life. The end result is that I have been blessed with 

two strong and independent children, who have achieved many 

successes and whom I feel are well-prepared to manage their 

professional and family lives. 

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National Center 

for Research 

Resources

Barbara M. Alving, M.D. Director

EDUCATION

Residency and Fellowship: 

(Hematology) 

Johns Hopkins Hospital, 

1973–1976 

M.D.: Georgetown 

University School of 

Medicine, 1972

B.Sc.: (Biology) 

Purdue University, 1967

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Inherited and acquired 

disorders of bleeding and clotting as well as new agents for 

treating thrombotic disorders

PIVOTAL EVENTS

In 1976, I joined the Public Health Service, working at the U.S. 

Food and Drug Administration on the NIH campus on studies of fibrinogen, while simultaneously becoming involved in 

applied research concerning blood products. The ability both 

to conduct research and take part in programs having national 

impact led to a 28-year career in the government, spanning 

three Federal organizations: the FDA, the Walter Reed Army 

Institute of Research, and the NIH. Each one has provided me 

with outstanding challenges and opportunities. 

My most recent challenge has been to develop, in the capacity as director of the National Center for Research Resources, 

the Clinical and Translational Science Awards. These awards, 

which will be established at 60 academic health centers by 

2012, aim to transform how clinical and translational research 

is conducted, ultimately enabling researchers to provide new 

treatments more expeditiously to patients.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Throughout my career, I have had numerous mentors. My 

initial 4 years at the FDA were greatly enriched by Dr. John 

Finlayson, a biochemist who was both an outstanding teacher 

and collaborator in the research that I undertook. He not only 

promoted my professional efforts, but he also set extremely 

high standards for scientific publication. During each phase 

of my career, I have had the good fortune of working with 

individuals who succeeded in the environments in which they 

were placed and served as outstanding role models. 

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My husband, Carl, a research physician, has been my most constant mentor and for this I am extremely fortunate. The balance of work and life, including parenting, has always been a 

challenge and will continue to be so. There are times when the 

family comes first and times when work must be a priority. I 

have no easy answers. I try not to spend valuable time doing 

tasks that can be effectively done by others and to concentrate 

on those tasks that specifically need my qualified attention. 

Consequently, some time is freed up for enjoyment of life, 

which in turn, increases my productivity.

INSIGHTS

My professional experiences have taught me to be willing to 

take risks in terms of new positions, new areas of research, new 

committees, and other new challenges. I have learned how important it is to be willing to explore the world around me, while 

maintaining a sense of humor, and that one does not have to be 

perfect to succeed. We all need to take time to enjoy friends and 

family; after all, they form the foundation of our lives.

Louise E. Ramm, Ph.D. Deputy Director

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Microbiology) 

University of Virginia, 1974

M.S.: (Microbiology) 

University of Virginia, 1971 

B.S.: (Biology) Marquette 

University, 1967 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Development of nonmammalian/mammalian models 

for biomedical research, 

membrane protein expression and function

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Twenty years ago, I had the opportunity to join the NIH. I was in 

an unusual situation as a brand new administrator, since I was 

given almost carte blanche in developing a new program based 

on a National Academy of Sciences report entitled, “Models for 

Biomedical Research: A New Perspective.” This was a challenge 

since my scientific expertise was in immunochemistry and microbiology. However, the experience of starting this program, 

initially focusing on marine/aquatic models for biomedical research, with an NIH consensus conference, an ad hoc marine 

models assessment conference, and several other meetings 

targeted at a scientific community that I hardly knew was exciting and tested me professionally in a very different way. I 

became quite knowledgeable about this broad area of science 

and very engaged with the scientists. I feel that I was able to 

play a pivotal role in enhancing the support for nonmammalian/freshwater species as research models as well as resources 

to the biomedical community. This position at the NIH clearly 

had a seminal effect on my success as a different type of scientist: one from the extramural administrator community. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I was very unfortunate as a graduate student and a postdoctoral 

fellow not to have good mentors. I relied heavily on the advice 

of other students and postdocs for problem solving and various issues, which did not lend itself to great insight! So, as my 

own career progressed, I made an active effort to formally and 

informally mentor others, and I have relished the time that I 

have spent with both new and seasoned extramural administrators, particularly women. Also, I have sought out individuals to 

mentor me and have been rewarded, albeit later than I wished, 

with superb mentors.

One of my biggest challenges has been to maintain an even 

disposition at work and at home with traveling a 100-mile 

roundtrip every day. Despite this hardship, balancing my 

work and family has been reasonably straightforward for me 

since I have my husband, Eric, who has championed my efforts both as a research administrator and a nationally ranked 

age group triathlete. 

INSIGHTS

Once you have defined yourself by the job you do, you run the 

risk of being very unhappy when your work changes dramatically, such as through a change from being an active research 

scientist to an administrator or through retirement. I have witnessed unsettled and even depressed individuals who could not 

cope with this type of sea change. It is important to use these 

situations as yet another challenge.

I believe that women, in general, are too hard on themselves. 

I have forced myself to step back and understand that life is 

too short, that many of the perceived problems and disappointments will pass, and that in the large scheme of things 

most adversities are fleeting moments that are really not that 

important. In fact, I think that one’s emotional style sets a 

tone for the workplace. A good leader who creates a positive 

atmosphere through her own emotional well-being and actions serves her employees well and creates an environment 

where everyone is valued.

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Sheryl Kay Brining, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Review, 

Office of Extramural Activities

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Neuroanatomy) University 

of Cincinnati, 1991

M.A.: (Biopsychology) University 

of Chicago, 1982

B.A.: (Psychology) Reed College, 

Portland, OR, 1976

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Neuroscience: basic research in 

Alzheimer’s disease, neuroanatomy, animal models of behavior, chemical senses; electron 

microscopy

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Two prior generations of women in my family modeled how 

to attain a satisfying, professional life. I am here because they 

came first and not just because of our biological connections, 

but because of what they achieved in their lifetimes without an 

advanced education or terminal degrees. I wanted to go on and 

do even more because of them. 

My studies on ethology and animal behavior led me to study 

the brain and eventually to basic research on Alzheimer’s disease. My career has spanned various research areas, which has 

served me well in my present position. In this science administration position, I oversee an office that is responsible for the 

review of any type of science imaginable and the infrastructure 

to support it.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Mentoring is a way of life and you need more than one person. 

My many mentors have had different strengths. They are 

people whose strengths are different from mine. I try to keep 

in mind that every person I meet has something to teach me. 

Sometimes the lessons taught were not the ones I may have 

wanted and may not have been from the folks I chose, but in 

always getting up and trying again, I have found that the experiences have served me well and, most importantly, have allowed me to “pay back” by helping others along the way. The 

best advice is to keep an open mind and learn the lessons when 

they are presented or the teacher finds a way of coming back 

until you do!

Work/Life Balance: have a partner who believes in you and is 

willing to pitch in with the cooking!

Elaine Smith Collier, M.D.

Assistant Director for Clinical Research, 

Division for Clinical Research Resources

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Endocrinology) University of Utah College of 

Medicine, 1978–1980

Internship: (Internal Medicine) University of Utah College 

of Medicine, 1975–1978

M.D.: University of Alabama in Birmingham, 1975

M.S.: (Physiology) School of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn 

University, 1972

B.A.: (Psychology, Chemistry) Auburn University, 1970

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Clinical research, clinical research informatics, human research protections, ethics of clinical research, immunology, 

autoimmunity, endocrinology

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My grandmother was widowed with two young children and 

another on the way as a new emigrant. She taught me that life 

is what you make of it and it was best to make it something 

you enjoy. Her independence, intelligence, work ethic, and 

love provided an enduring example. A turning point for me 

in my scientific life came when I made the move from the bench 

to the administration of science. This seemed a hard decision at 

the time, but allowed me to broaden my vision and encouraged 

me to immerse myself in new areas of science. The experience is 

still stimulating and has enabled me to make connections between various scientific fields that I could never have imagined. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Challenges that require acquisition of new knowledge and/or 

creative collaborations have led to interactions with individuals who have taught me much about science, leadership, fun, 

frustration, growth, satisfaction, and life itself. I have learned 

as much from the young as the mature. These “mentors” have 

come from both personal and professional challenges and the 

lessons have crossed the boundaries. Life is a tapestry of work, 

responsibility, play, love, learning, roles, and grief. I have given 

up on balance and embraced messy integration. 

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Franziska Grieder, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Director, Division of Comparative Medicine

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: (Microbiology and Immunology) 

University of North Carolina, 

Chapel Hill, 1990–1992

Ph.D.: (Pathobiological Sciences )

University of Wisconsin-Madison, 

1989

M.S.: (Pathobiological Sciences) 

University of Wisconsin-Madison, 

1987

Dr. Vet. Med.: (Virology ) University of Zurich, Switzerland, 

1987

D.V.M.: University of Zurich, Switzerland, 1984

Baccalaureate: Gymnasium Lindau, Germany, 1979

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Molecular genetics of viral pathogenesis, viral-induced neuroimmunology and neurodegeneration, emerging viral threats

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a high school—or in my case, gymnasium—student, I spent 

a day with our family dog in a veterinary hospital while the 

puppy underwent neutering. This experience changed my 

career path—I was determined to become a veterinarian. As a 

junior and senior veterinary student, I worked in the veterinary 

teaching clinic assisting the attending veterinarians. I loved the 

interactions with the pets and owners, the exam, and diagnostic 

approaches. Recognizing that I enjoyed the investigative part 

of medicine better than the treatment, I decided on the path 

in research. 

To fulfill this goal, I moved from Europe to the United States 

to pursue graduate research training and a career in academic 

biomedical research. Recognizing that veterinary medicine 

needs to be partnered with human medicine for a productive 

‘One-Medicine’ concept, I used my experience as a researcher 

at two medical schools prior to joining the NIH. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

During my tenure as a full-time academician, I greatly enjoyed 

teaching, both in the classroom (although, I can do without 

the question “will this be on the exam?”) and on a one-onone basis with students and postdocs alike. To me, teaching 

was never a burden, but always rewarding; to see students or 

postdocs advance to where they develop their own experiments 

and contribute information from the literature or seminars to 

support their conclusions is tremendously rewarding. 

Balancing family and career is very challenging, especially 

when situations change such as during a relocation or an 

illness. I have personally experienced my share of such enhanced challenges and have witnessed others go through 

rough times. Determination, courage, and a strong network 

of supporting family and friends are key factors in those settings. It is difficult to make it through misery—it is much 

harder to get through alone.

Shelia A. McClure, Ph.D.

Health Scientist Administrator and Director, 

Research Centers in Minority Institutions Program, 

Division of Research Infrastructure

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Cancer Research) The Upjohn 

Company, Kalamazoo, MI, 1987

Postdoctoral Fellowship: 

(Growth Factor Biology) 

University of California, 

Berkeley, 1985

Ph.D.: (Cell Biology) 

University of California, 

Berkeley, 1985

B.S.: (Biology) Savannah State University, 1978

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Tumor biology and cancer research

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Much of the success that I’ve achieved in my professional life 

is attributable to having great mentors that encouraged me to 

pursue a career that I was passionate about. My parents always 

stressed the importance of enrolling in courses that I found 

interesting and that challenged me academically. They were a 

continual source of support and encouragement, and their high 

expectations resulted in my having confidence in my abilities 

and high expectations of myself. In addition to my parents, the 

mentors most important to my becoming a scientist were my 

professors at Savannah State University. In addition to serving 

as excellent role models, Drs. Margaret Robinson and Frissell 

R. Hunter also fostered my participation in biomedical research. As an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to conduct 

research, give presentations at scientific meetings, and co-author scientific papers. These experiences were certainly pivotal 

events that led to my becoming a cell biologist.

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Choosing a work environment that supported my work/life balance needs has always been important. I began my professional 

career as an assistant professor in the Biology Department at 

Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. During this same time, I was 

also starting my family. Even though I was working extremely 

long hours and focusing on being promoted and tenured, my 

work environment was very supportive of my family obligations. For example, I was in an environment where other 

women scientists mentored me during this time when work/

life balance was so crucial. It also helped that my workplace 

had exceptional onsite child care with extended morning and 

evening hours. Without a doubt, these positive experiences allowed me to have a fulfilling professional and family life. My 

decision to leave my tenured faculty position and come to the 

NIH was strongly influenced by my division director at NCRR 

Dr. Sidney A. McNairy, Jr. He serves as a mentor, encourages 

mentoring as a core value in our division, and has an appreciation for the importance of work/life balance in fostering a 

productive workforce.

Gunta Iris Obrams, M.D., Ph.D.

Medical Officer (Research), 

Division for Clinical Research Resources

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Epidemiology) The Johns 

Hopkins University, 1988

M.P.H.: (Epidemiology) 

The Johns Hopkins University 

School of Public Health, 1982

Residency: (Preventive Medicine) 

The Johns Hopkins University 

School of Public Health, 

1981–1984

Residency: (Obstetrics & 

Gynecology) Eastern Virginia School of Medicine, 

Norfolk, VA, 1977–1978

M.D.: Albany Medical College, 1977

B.S.: (Biology) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 

Troy, NY, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Leadership and administration of transdisciplinary clinical 

research programs; clinical research program policy development, budget management, and program evaluation; epidemiologic methods in planning, conducting, and evaluating 

clinical research; chronic disease epidemiology, etiology, and 

prevention; compliance with regulations and legislative initiatives in clinical research and managed care; implementation of 

medical informatics and patient safety programs; compliance 

with data privacy and security regulations in clinical research 

and protection of research participants.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

After practicing clinical medicine for a number of years, I had 

to ask myself whether I wanted to continue to improve my 

clinical skills yet essentially do similar tasks and make similar 

decisions day after day until the end of my working career. The 

answer was clear—I was being called back to academic medicine and the lure of research, which held the promise of new 

avenues to explore.

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I was very fortunate in coming to NIH that there are fantastic 

mentors, both female and male, here who make extraordinary 

efforts to help shape the complex careers that NIH can offer.

Amy L. Swain, Ph.D.

Health Scientist Administrator, 

Division of Biomedical Technology

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Chemistry) University 

of South Carolina, 1988

B.S.: (Biology) Frostburg State 

College, Frostburg, MD, 1983

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Structural biology in the broadest 

sense, from atomic to cellular level 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

As a postdoctoral fellow in a protein crystallography laboratory 

at NCI, I solved the crystal structure of a large enzyme that had 

been unattainable by others. This achievement was only possible thanks to the supercomputing capacity that I had access 

to at NCI. It was an amazing feeling to realize that I was the 

first person ever to view this structure as I built the chain of 

the enzyme into the data represented on the colorful graphics 

screen. This enzyme, asparaginase, is used for the treatment of 

acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.

After gaining experience with enzyme-drug complexes through 

structural studies of the HIV protease at NCI, I took a position at a pharmaceutical company. I worked in drug discovery 

and development at Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. for 5 years as a 

crystallographer on a variety of projects in multidisciplinary 

research teams. The mutual respect and learning that comes 

NCRR

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NCRR

from working together with scientists from multiple disciplines toward a single goal was rewarding and challenging. 

In 1999, the opportunity to broaden my scientific perspective presented itself and I accepted the position at NCRR as a 

Health Scientist Administrator. Although I had enjoyed being a 

crystallographer, I was not fully satisfied working in the laboratory. This new position allowed me to expand my horizons and 

engage daily with the scientific community. Since coming to 

NCRR, my knowledge of structural biology has expanded from 

the atomic level using crystallography and synchrotron radiation techniques to the cellular level and microscopy technologies. I have enjoyed learning about cutting-edge biomedical 

technologies from the leaders in the field and have been able to 

apply my background knowledge to create further opportunities for essential developments in structural biology technologies. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I received critical mentoring as a postdoctoral fellow at NCI 

where I learned the very practical applications of crystallography from Dr. Alexander Wlodawer. He was a valuable counselor 

as I finished up my Ph.D. dissertation and he provided me with 

challenging opportunities in my postdoctoral position. In my 

current position as a Program Officer at NCRR, I am very fortunate to have an excellent mentor, Dr. Michael Marron. In addition to helping me to advance my career, Dr. Marron has been 

very sensitive to the demands of family life. He has allowed me 

a flexible schedule, including some telework to permit me to 

care for children and an aging parent even as I continue advancing in my professional career.

Dr. Louise Ramm has also been a valuable mentor to me in the 

areas of policy and administration. She has provided me the 

opportunity to grow into a position of responsibility for the 

small business grant program at NCRR in addition to representing NCRR in trans-NIH forums.

Now I have opportunities to be a mentor within NCRR, a responsibility I take seriously. I find myself learning as much or 

more from the people I mentor as they do from me.

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National 

Institutes of 

Health Clinical 

Center

Marion Danis, M.D. Chief, Ethics Consultation Service; Head, Section on 

Ethics and Health Policy, Department of Bioethics 

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Critical 

Care) University of North 

Carolina, Chapel Hill, 

1983–1985

NIEHS Research 

Fellowship: (Toxicology) University of North 

Carolina, Chapel Hill, 

1979–1982

Residency: (Internal 

Medicine) North Carolina 

Memorial Hospital, Chapel 

Hill, NC, 1976–1978

Internship: (Internal Medicine) North Carolina Memorial 

Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC, 1975–1976

M.D.: University of Chicago, 1975

B.A.: (Biology) University of Chicago, 1971

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Clinical ethics and ethics of rationing 

PIVOTAL EVENTS

At the end of my NIEHS fellowship training, I was asked to run 

the intensive care unit at the University of North Carolina. I 

had been advised by my division chiefs to focus on research 

questions that addressed the tough questions we face in clinical practice. I began to explore questions that lie at the heart 

of intensive care: How interested are critically ill patients in 

receiving intensive care? Does quality of life and life expectancy influence their interest in life-sustaining treatments? 

To our surprise, we found that people were extremely willing 

to receive intensive care even if they were likely to survive for 

as short a time as 1 month. This finding posed a monumental 

dilemma because accommodating this preference is an exorbitantly expensive proposition. These results provided the 

focus for the question I have been interested in for the rest of 

my career—how can we balance respect for patient preferences 

with the need to distribute limited healthcare resources fairly?

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MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Successfully pursuing career, marriage, and family has been a 

bit of a tight rope act. I find that I am happiest acknowledging 

that all these pursuits are important to me and that each pursuit must give way at times. Some of the insights that have been 

useful are that it is important to be flexible, and accept some 

serendipitous job opportunities even if they do not obviously 

take you on the path you had expected or planned. Use some of 

the strategies recommended for highly effective people—prioritize those activities that help you achieve your long-term 

goals rather than those activities that seem the most immediately pressing. Don’t become overly preoccupied about your 

personal success—if you are doing work that you believe matters and will make a difference in tackling pressing problems, 

others will recognize the value of your work and your success 

will follow.

INSIGHTS

Because of my research on patient and family preferences for 

intensive care, I was invited to chair the Ethics Committee of 

the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Other important opportunities included chairing the Ethics Committee at the University of North Carolina Hospitals and Clinics. My research on 

patient preferences at the end of life and my experience with 

ethics consultation, led to the invitation to join the Department 

of Bioethics at the NIH Clinical Center where I run the Clinical 

Center Ethics Consultation Service and the Section on Ethics 

and Health Policy. After coming to the NIH, I continued to explore strategies for balancing the competing concerns of respect for patient preferences and the need to distribute limited 

resources fairly. My current work is centered on strategies for 

public engagement in priority setting and rationing. A central 

part of this research has involved the design of decision tools 

to facilitate public deliberation about the design of affordable 

health insurance and other interventions to improve health. 

These decision tools are currently available and in use by several State governments. I am particularly interested in increasing access to care and improving the health of disadvantaged 

populations. One of the publications that best reflects the focus 

of my work is the book, “Ethical Dimensions of Health Policy,” 

which I edited in collaboration with Carolyn Clancy and Larry 

Churchill and published by the Oxford University Press. 

Christine Grady, Ph.D., R.N. Head, Section on Human Subjects Research, 

Department of Bioethics

EDUCATION

Ph.D.: (Philosophy) 

Georgetown University, 

1993

M.S.N.: (Community 

Health Nursing) 

Boston College, 1978

B.S.: (Nursing and Biology) 

Georgetown University, 

1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The ethics of research 

with human subjects, especially informed consent, 

recruitment and incentives, vulnerability, 

international research; clinical ethics

PIVOTAL EVENTS

Throughout my clinical career as a nurse, I was privileged to have 

many amazing practice opportunities in diverse settings. From 

academic medical centers, to an NIH-funded General Clinical 

Research Centers (GCRC), to small community hospitals, rural 

public health, Project Hope in Brazil, and then the NIH Clinical 

Center, I encountered the value of rigorous science, courageous 

patients and peers, and innumerable ethical challenges in practice and in research. After receiving my doctorate in philosophy, I was fortunate to be well-prepared and at the NIH when 

the extraordinary vision and leadership of both Dr. Gallin and 

Dr. Emanuel resulted in the creation of a vibrant Department of 

Bioethics. I attribute my success as a scientist at the NIH Clinical 

Center to a supportive and intellectually rigorous environment, 

exemplary leaders and colleagues, and hard work. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Like so many others, I strive to achieve a healthy balance between my personal life and my professional responsibilities. In 

my case and with the support of my supervisors, I was able to 

build some flexibility into my schedule and develop some strategies that served my commitments to quality science and my 

job responsibilities while allowing me to take advantage of precious opportunities to participate in the lives of my spouse and 

three wonderful daughters. For example, taking leave to attend 

a school play or a sports event sometimes required catching up 

on work at 4 am or midnight. Sometimes bringing the girls with 

me into the office on a weekend afternoon, or finding time for 

a conference call or reviewing a manuscript while on vacation 

at the beach, and similar compromises helped me to attend to 

both sides of my life.

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INSIGHTS

Encouragement from my family and enormous opportunities 

for education and experience all served to launch me on the 

career path that I have chosen. Interestingly, my career does 

not correspond to a long-held dream or a well-crafted plan. 

Rather, I dove into each job I have had with enthusiasm, followed leads, both intellectual and otherwise, and took advantage of challenges that presented themselves to me along the 

way. The result is a career with multiple branches. Many of 

the milestones and accomplishments that I have been able to 

achieve were possible because I was here at the NIH. The intellectual stimulation, leading-edge science, and superb colleagues have and continue to motivate me to work hard and try 

to make a difference.

Deborah P. Merke, M.D. Chief, Pediatric Services

EDUCATION

Fellowship: (Pediatric 

Endocrinology) National 

Institute of Child Health 

and Human Development, 

1994–1997

Residency: (Pediatrics) 

Children’s Hospital of 

Philadelphia, 1991–1994

M.D.: State University of 

New York at Buffalo, 1991

M.S.: (Biostatistics) 

Columbia University School of Public Health, 1986

B.S.: (Interdisciplinary Studies) University of Massachusetts, 

Amherst, 1982

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research focuses on the study of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a genetic disease that affects adrenal hormone 

synthesis. I strive to understand the impact of multiple hormonal imbalances on the growth and development of children 

and hormonal effects on the brain, and ultimately develop new 

treatment approaches. In my role as Chief of Pediatric Services 

at the NIH Clinical Center, I strive to bring exemplary pediatric 

care and consultation to Clinical Center patients.

PIVOTAL EVENTS

My background is a bit unusual in that prior to going to medical 

school, I obtained a master’s degree in biostatistics from Columbia University and worked in the Biostatistics Department 

of Memorial Sloan Kettering. My training in biostatistics taught 

me how to think like a “scientist.” Then in medical school, I 

was taught how to think like a “clinician.” During my last year 

of medical school at SUNY at Buffalo, I did an away elective 

at the NIH. As part of this elective, I spent 1 day a week at the 

Clinical Center, seeing pediatric patients with rare genetic 

syndromes and interacting with clinical investigators. For the 

first time, my training in scientific methodology and clinical 

medicine came together and I realized that my passion for both 

types of thinking could merge into an ideal career. My month 

as a medical student doing an elective at the NIH was a pivotal 

event in my decision to pursue a career in clinical research. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Balancing my personal life with my professional responsibilities and aspirations has always been my biggest challenge and, 

unfortunately, it remains a bigger challenge for women than 

for men in today’s society. I’ve been very lucky in that my superiors/mentors have had incredibly high standards, but have 

also been very supportive. Without on-the-job support, this 

balancing act would not have been possible. Having a family 

while having a successful career has been possible by remaining persistent, being organized, having flexible hours in the 

sense that I’ve always been willing to work late night hours to 

get things done, and admitting that sometimes I can’t do it all. 

I’ve found advice from other women professionals extremely 

useful in navigating childcare issues. I try to mentor women 

in-training by example, by being successful as a clinical investigator, pediatrician, wife, and mother. I also try to be a good 

role model for my two daughters by sharing positive work experiences.

INSIGHTS

Although my excellent training and mentors have influenced 

me greatly in my career, and collaborations with colleagues 

have been very fruitful, perhaps my greatest inspiration has 

come from my patients and the personal satisfaction I gain 

from helping others. I am continually impressed by the deep 

commitment patients and parents have toward participating 

in research and the desire they have to help others with the 

same disease. As a mother of healthy children, I am amazed 

by the strength of the parents of children with significant diseases, and how they and their children contribute to medical 

research. My most memorable accomplishments are my experiences with patients and their families. In my role overseeing 

pediatric care at the Clinical Center, I have had the unique opportunity to interact with patients with a wide range of diseases 

and clinical investigators from across multiple Institutes.

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Some of my most significant research contributions in the 

study of CAH have emerged from listening carefully to patients and their parents regarding signs and symptoms of their 

disease, and then balancing this with a scientific perspective. 

Being a mother has helped me respect mothers’ observations 

regarding their children’s condition and honed my listening 

skills. Ideas for many studies first began by listening to mothers describe unusual symptoms in their children.

My scientific accomplishments have resulted from the combination of being a good listener, taking advantage of opportunities as they arise, and remaining determined no matter what 

the obstacle. Producing good work has inevitably led to new 

career opportunities for me, including invited international 

talks, and exciting new collaborations with investigators both 

across NIH and at outside institutions.

Zenaide Quezado, M.D. Chief, Department of Anesthesia and Surgical Services

EDUCATION

Clinical Fellowship: (Burn 

Care) Shriners Hospital for 

Children, Shriners Burns 

Hospital-Boston, 1999

Clinical Fellowship: 

(Cardiac Anesthesia) 

Massachusetts General 

Hospital, Harvard Medical 

School, 1998–1999

Residency: (Anesthesia and 

Critical Care) Massachusetts 

General Hospital, Harvard 

Medical School, 1996–1999

Clinical Care Medicine Fellowship: (Sepsis and Septic Shock) 

Critical Care Medicine Department, NIH, 1990–1994

Residency: (Internal Medicine) Albert Einstein Medical 

Center, Temple University, 1987–1990

M.D.: Universidade Federal do Ceara Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil, 

1983

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in nociception, role of 

neuronal nitric oxide and TRPV1 in inflammatory response 

during sepsis

PIVOTAL EVENTS

The pivotal events were those that left me inspired to pursue 

knowledge, to be better, and to improve the life of others. Over 

the years, I have been inspired by my father with whom I competed to solve math problems, by my mother who, as a woman 

living in a place where women have less opportunities, has reminded me that I can and always must do better, by a teacher 

in medical school who taught me to ask why and how, by my 

first patient who died of sepsis during my ICU rotation, by the 

environment at the NIH when I first worked as a fellow where 

“why” and “how” are often the beginning of many sentences. 

Also pivotal to my success has been to often witness the pain 

and suffering of patients and their families. These events have 

inspired me to investigate the mechanisms of disease and to 

pursue its treatment. 

MENTORING & WORK/LIFE BALANCE

While I have often been inspired by great scientists and colleagues, I found that mentoring was one of the deficiencies in 

my experience. We must do better in mentoring women in science and in medicine. It is an issue deserving of great attention 

if we want more women to succeed and to add to the scientific 

environment in this country. 

Balancing personal life and professional responsibilities has 

been a challenge. Inevitably, as a woman pursuing an academic 

career, one might make choices that can jeopardize either personal life or professional path. The ideal is to have it all, which 

is not always possible. I have a sister, also in science who has 

been able to reconcile a very active family life with a successful 

career and still be lots of fun. She is unique.

INSIGHTS

While often I have been reminded that I am in a minority, that 

there are not many women in science who reach the upper tiers 

in academia, and that many challenges exist in its pursuit, the 

most important thing I have gotten from being a scientist is to 

have lived the process of pursuing knowledge and to have acquired the determination to answer a question. There is great 

reward in often being surprised by results of experiments, 

working with and being inspired by colleagues, in often being 

wrong and sometimes proven right. Having been a scientist 

has shaped the way I live, think, and relate to others. There is 

nothing more enjoyable than having discussions with your colleagues, looking at results of an experiment, witnessing a great 

experimental design come to completion, struggling with the 

statistician to decipher your results and tell your story. 

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I hope that some time soon, we will be able to drop the 

“woman” of “being a woman scientist” so that we can witness 

more significant contributions many of us can make to science. 

We have lots to offer and to contribute to the field; however, we 

have to work on shifting the paradigm to which we, as women, 

are expected to mold. Women in science do face a complex and 

multifaceted problem and those who have succeeded have the 

responsibility to address it. 

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Index
A

Amy Bany Adams, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Ivona Aksentijevich, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Marin P. Allen, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Barbara M. Alving, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi, ix, 210

Indu S. Ambudkar, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Sally Ann Amero, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Lynne M. Angerer, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Julia T. Arnold, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Jane C. Atkinson, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

B

Debra J. Babcock, M.D., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Christine Almy Bachrach, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Joan Ellen Bailey-Wilson, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Donna Day Baird, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Rachel Ballard-Barbash, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Lula Andrea Beatty, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Katarzyna Bebenek, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

S. Patricia Becerra, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Lisa Begg, Dr.P.H., R.N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Yasmine Belkaid, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Karen Faith Berman, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Carole A. Bewley, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Sangeeta Bhargava, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Diane E. Bild, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Dale Lousie Birkle, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

Rebecca Bortz Costello, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Eileen W. Bradley, D.Sc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Linda S. Brady, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Norka Ruiz Bravo, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi, ix, 12

Nancy D. Bridges, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Josephine P. Briggs, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi, ix, 198

Sheryl Kay Brining, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212

Louise A. Brinton, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Patricia Brown, V.M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Penny Wung Burgoon, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Beata Buzas, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Noni Husain Byrnes, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

C

Sheila Ann Caldwell, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

Victoria A. Cargill, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Deborah A. Carper, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Melody C. Carter, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Rachel R. Caspi, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Susan Chacko, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

Cheryl M. Corsaro, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Margaret A. Chesney, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Emily Y. Chew, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Michaele Chamblee Christian, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Janine Austin Clayton, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii, 24, 43

Orna Cohen-Fix, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Elaine Smith Collier, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212

Christine M. Colvis, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Robin Andrea Conwit, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Cathleen Cooper, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Judith A. Cooper, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x, 110

Mary Frances Cotch, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Jacqueline N. Crawley, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Kathleen A. Cronin, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Christine W. Czarniecki, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

D

Marion Danis, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216

Ann Dean, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Leesa J. Deterding, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Marilyn Diaz, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Diane DiEuliis, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

Amy M. Donahue, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Laurie Friedman Donze, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

Maria L. Dufau, M.D., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

June K. Dunnick, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Sherry L. Dupere, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Deborah Guadalupe Duran, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Chhanda Dutta, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

E

Brenda K. Edwards, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Emmeline Edwards, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

Josephine M. Egan, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Laura Elnitski, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Mary-Anne Enoch, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Michele Kim Evans, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

F

Lenka Fedorkova, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii, 18

Suzanne Eileen Fisher, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188

Mary Kay Floeter, M.D., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Rebecca A. Fuldner, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

G

Dorothy Berlin Gail, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

A. Isabel Garcia, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x, 112

Arlyn Garcia-Perez, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Dori Rabin Germolec, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Joy Corey Gibson, D.Sc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Maria Y. Giovanni, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Joyce Allen Goldstein, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Rashmi Gopal-Srivastava, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Susan Gottesman, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Christine Grady, Ph.D., R.N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

Patricia A. Grady, Ph.D., R.N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix, 179

Bettie J. Graham, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

INDEX

222
Dale Graham, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Judith H. Greenberg, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Franziska Grieder, D.V.M., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213

Katrina Gwinn, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

H

Carol Renfrew Haft, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Ann A. Hagan, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Traci M.T. Hall, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Della Hann, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Eleanor Z. Hanna, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Bonny Harbinger, Ph.D., J.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

J Taylor Harden, Ph.D., R.N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Gaylia Jean Harry, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Yolanda Mock Hawkins, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Kathy Lynn Hayes, D.M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Carole A. Heilman, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Ileana Collado Herrell, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

Ramona R. Hicks, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Deborah Hirtz, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176

Karen Joanne Hofman, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Hortencia M. Hornbeak, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Jeanette M. Hosseini, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204

Ann W. Hsing, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Lynn Diane Hudson, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Marilyn A. Huestis, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Marjan Huizing, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Chyren Hunter, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Joyce A. Hunter, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x, 207

J

Sharon Henrietta Jackson, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Elaine S. Jaffe, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Laura Lee Johnson, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Margaret (Peggy) I. Johnston, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

K

Freya Kamel, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Mary E. Kerr, Ph.D., R.N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x, 180

Hee-Yong Kim, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Sooja K. Kim, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Ruth L. Kirschstein, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Cheryl Kitt, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x, 187

Marguerite Alice Klein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

Naomi Kleitman, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176

Laura M. Koehly, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Elise C. Kohn, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Eleni Kousvelari, D.D.S, D.Sc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Donna Krasnewich, M.D., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Linda Elaine Kupfer, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Vesna Kutlesic, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Kyung J. Kwon-Chung, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

L

Story Landis, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi, ix, 168

Maren R. Laughlin, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Ellen Leibenluft, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Marya Levintova, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Catherine Lewis, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

Barbara Linder, M.D., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Cecilia Wen-Ya Lo, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Stephanie J. London, M.D., Dr.P.H. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Germaine M. Buck Louis, Ph.D., R.N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Christy Ludlow, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

M

Crystal L. Mackall, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Yvonne Thompson Maddox, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x, 98

Teri A. Manolio, M.D., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Jean Mao, Ph.D.......................................... 186

Cheryl L. Marks, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Alice M. Mascette, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Colleen M. McBride, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Shelia A. McClure, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213

Johanna McEntyre, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Joan A. McGowan, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Pamela Margaret McInnes, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Catherine McKeon, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Christine Melchior, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Kathleen Ries Merikangas, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Deborah P. Merke, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Catherine M. Meyers, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Carolyn Ward Miles, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Sherry L. Mills, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Lucinda L. (Cindy) Miner, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Helena O. Mishoe, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Ilene Karsch Mizrachi, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Lynne Meryl Mofenson, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Marisela Morales, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Marcelle Morrison-Bogorad, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Marva Monique Moxey-Mims, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

N

Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi, ix, 49

Amy Hauck Newman, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Lynnette K. Nieman, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Constance Tom Noguchi, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Ruth Emilie Nowjack-Raymer, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

O

Gunta Iris Obrams, M.D., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214

Susan E. Old, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Molly Oliveri, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

wo m e n i n s c i e n c e a t t h e n a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t e s o f h e a l t h

223
NIH

Lisa Onken, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Elaine A. Ostrander, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Camelia L. Owens, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Ida Stephens Owens, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Keiko Ozato, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

P

Amy Pate Patterson, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Gail D. Pearson, M.D., Sc.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Kim Pelis, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Audrey S. Penn, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Jane Louise Peterson, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Deborah D. Philp, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Mary Frances Picciano, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii, 11

Susan K. Pierce, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Vivian W. Pinn, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi, vii, viii, ix, 21

Susan Plaeger, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Jennifer Reineke Pohlhaus, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii, 24

Linda Porter, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii, 177

Patricia A. Powell, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Kenzie L. Preston, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Suzette A. Priola, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Teresa M. Przytycka, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Q

Zenaide Quezado, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Helen Rita Quill, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

R

Louise E. Ramm, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x, 211

Judy Rapoport, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

Rebekah Sarah Rasooly, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Maryann Redford, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Barbara Rehermann, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Elaine Frances Remmers, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Lisa G. Rider, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Anna L. Riley, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

R. Lucille Roberts, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Pamela Gehron Robey, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Katherine W. Roche, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178

Sally J. Rockey, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Susan C. Rossi, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Tracey A. Rouault, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Joni L. Rutter, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

S

Polly R. Sager, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Judith A. Salerno, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Yardena Samuels, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Dale P. Sandler, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

Martina Schmidt, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204

Joan P. Schwartz, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Pamela L. Schwartzberg, M.D., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Julia Angela Segre, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Susana A. Serrate-Sztein, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Belinda Seto, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x, 96

Toni Shippenberg, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Lillian Shum, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Susan Blakely Shurin, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Ellen Sidransky, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Nina Silverberg, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Marni N. Silverman, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

Denise G. Simons-Morton, M.D., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Dinah S. Singer, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Sonia I. Skarlatos, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Lana Skirboll, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii, vi, ix, 25

Janine Austin Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . see Janine Austin Clayton

Sarah Sohraby, M.D., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Patricia Munse Sokolove, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Barbara Sorkin, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Anita Miller Sostek, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Catherine Y. Spong, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Jane Ann Steinberg, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Esther May Sternberg, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

Gisela Storz, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Ellen Stover, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

Kanta Subbarao, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Helen R. Sunshine, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Amy L. Swain, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214

Susan Anderson Swedo, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

Eva Szabo, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

T

Betty (Chung-Yui) Tai, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Tatiana Tatusova, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Sheila E. Taube, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Christina T. Teng, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Margaret A. Tucker, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Santa J. Tumminia, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Madeline Turkeltaub, Ph.D., R.N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii, 94

224
wo m e n i n s c i e n c e a t t h e n a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t e s o f h e a l t h

NIH

U

Leslie G. Ungerleider, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

V

Tina Vanderveen, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Martha Vaughan, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Cécile G. Viboud, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Nora Volkow, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi, ix, 132

Barbara K. Vonderhaar, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

W

Sharon Marie Knudson Wahl, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Madeleine F. Wallace, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Judith Richmond Walters, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Clarice R. Weinberg, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Gail G. Weinmann, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Susan R. B. Weiss, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Cora Lee Wetherington, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii, 142

Elizabeth L. Wilder, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Marian Willinger, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Anne D. Willoughby, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Karen K. Winer, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Catherine A. Wolkow, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Lauren V. Wood, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Amina Sarah Woods, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Susan Wray, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

Y

Wei Yang, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Yingzi Yang, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Susan Z. Yanovski, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Elizabeth A. Yetley, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Barbara Lynn Young, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Marian F. Young, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Z

Deborah A. Zarin, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Kathryn Christine Zoon, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

225
DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION: NIH MEDICAL ARTS
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

Office of Research on Women's Health

6707 Democracy Blvd. Suite 400 

Bethesda, MD 20892-5484 

(301) 402-1770

http://orwh.od.nih.gov

NIH Publication No. 09-6462