Awardees & Updates – 2022

RECIPIENT: Kylee Martens, MD. Fellow, hematology/oncology, Oregon Health & Science University. MD from Emory University Medical School

RESEARCH: Effects of intravenous iron replacement on platelet reactivity and clinical outcomes in premenopausal women with heavy menstrual bleeding

SUMMARY: Iron deficiency (anemia) and heavy menstrual bleeding are related and prevalent in pre-menopausal women. Preliminary data suggests this can be a self-perpetuating cycle in which low iron dampens platelet response and function, fueling a continued cycle of heavy menstrual bleeding. This study will identify the mechanisms linking heavy bleeding with iron deficiency in order to develop therapeutic strategies to prevent and manage these prevalent health conditions. Kylee plans to pursue a career in academic medicine and has been recognized for her research and mentorship. Her supervisor wrote: “Dr. Martens is in the top 1% of all junior researchers I’ve mentored…her talent, intellect, and determination” will lead to her successful leadership and contributions to women’s health.

RECIPIENT: Samantha Ottiger, PhD student, immunology & microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine

RESEARCH: Identifying mechanisms mediating vaginal microbiome colonization resistance to uropathogens

SUMMARY: Urinary tract infections (UTI) disproportionately affect women; are among the most common bacterial infections; and are one of the top causes of antibiotic prescriptions. Although the role of vaginal microbiota, particularly the absence of lactobacillus species, has been associated with increased UTIs, little work has been done to cultivate human vaginal microbiome as a potential treatment and prevention source. Samantha is a first-generation college graduate and is interested in a career in research and training in reproductive immunology. Her supervisor wrote “Sami has a genuine passion for immunology and women’s health and is a dedicated scholar” “a phenomenal role model” and “a remarkable scientist.”

RECIPIENT: Andrea Jones, PhD student, bioengineering, University of Michigan

RESEARCH: Single-cell Atlas of the Human Ovary

SUMMARY: This study seeks to design in vitro ovarian follicle culture systems to give better medical insight into early follicle development for research on ovarian disorders and ways to protect fertility among female cancer patients for whom treatment leads to ovarian damage and infertility. Andrea writes that she was driven to pursue engineering and women’s health when her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is also motivated by becoming a mother herself and the lasting impacts of cancer treatment on females. Her career focus is to integrate tissue engineering and bioinformatics with women’s health challenges. Her supervisor wrote that Andrea is “the top student” among those she has worked with and that she is confident in Andrea’s future contributions due to her “deep and sincere commitment to research… exceptional scientific intellect and outstanding communication skills.“

RECIPIENT: Jee Hyung Sohn, PhD, research fellow, cancer biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. PhD in metabolism

RESEARCH: Novel Small Molecules Targeting ME1 for Therapy of Breast Cancer

SUMMARY: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. Drugs for hormone therapy have been widely used however resistance and side effects often occur. Breast cancer can involve mitrochondrial DNA mutations and high expression of ME1 protein. This study proposes a strategy to discover novel small molecule ME1 inhibitors which have far reaching implications for new cancer therapies. Jee Hyung is from South Korea and successfully published several papers during the course of her PhD and post-doc training. She plans to pursue a career in metabolism and cancer research. Her supervisor wrote that “[this project spearheaded by Dr. Sohn] is innovative” and that she is “a tremendous new asset to the field of women’s cancer research.”

RECIPIENT: Maeva Chauvin, PhD, post-doc, Mass General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. PhD in cancer research

RESEARCH: Therapeutic targeting of the AMH/AMHR2 axis in the ovarian tumor microenvironment

SUMMARY: Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality in women because it is often detected late and has a high incidence of chemo-resistance. This research seeks to understand anti-mullerian hormone’s role in cancer cell proliferation in order to determine if targeting this pathway can lead to new treatments for ovarian cancer. This study will also test new drugs targeting this previously unrecognized hormone and its role in tumor growth. Maeva wrote that she is focused on applied studies to find new therapies for ovarian cancer and is motivated by her personal experience with cancer’s impact and the influential women she has met in her training. Her supervisor wrote that Maeva is among “the top 1% of previous fellows” and “is incredibly talented, hardworking, and highly motivated to make an impact for women with ovarian cancer.”

TITLE: Underrepresented in Medicine Visiting Scholars Pilot Program of Mass General Hospital Endocrine Department

SUMMARY: The second year of this pilot program at Mass General Hospital/Harvard Medical School is intended to attract future physician-scientists from underrepresented backgrounds to a career in endocrinology and neuroendocrinology. There is a growing national shortage of clinical endocrinologists while the need is increasing due to the prevalence of diabetes and obesity. In addition, there is a lack of physicians and researchers from underrepresented backgrounds in this field (based on race and ethnicity, disability and/or disadvantaged backgrounds).