Pioneering Research and Leadership
in Women’s Health at ORWH
By Dr. Janine A. Clayton
Innovating Women’s Health Through Leadership and Collaboration
ORWH recently hosted its 2024 annual meetings for Specialized Centers of Research Excellence (SCORE) on Sex Differences and Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH). These events showcased groundbreaking research, celebrated leadership in women’s health, and fostered connections between established and emerging researchers committed to advancing the field of women’s health research.
The SCORE 2024 Annual Meeting, held on September 30, featured a full day of presentations on sex differences in research in the health of women, covering topics such as dementia, brain–gut microbiome interactions, stress responses, and cardiovascular health. These presentations and ensuing discussions underscored how consideration of sex as a biological variable is important for research quality and rigor. Victor J. Dzau, M.D., President of the National Academy of Medicine, delivered the keynote address, “The National Academies and Women’s Health: Past, Present, and Opportunities for Progress,” during which he stressed the importance of pushing the boundaries of women’s health research to address both present and future challenges. Carolyn M. Mazure, Ph.D., Chair of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, followed with a capstone address, highlighting recent advances in interdisciplinary research and its transformative impact on the future of women’s health.
The BIRCWH 2024 Annual Meeting, held on October 1, brought together mentors, early career investigators, and leaders in the field for a day of engaging presentations. BIRCWH scholars presented innovative research on topics such as genome-wide associations, gene expression, military sexual trauma, and placental programming of infant health. These studies highlighted the growing understanding of how sex and gender influence health outcomes. The Ruth L. Kirschstein Memorial Keynote Lecture was delivered by Abbey Berenson, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the University of Texas Medical Branch Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health, who emphasized the pivotal role of mentorship and collaboration as driving innovation in women’s health research. Nina F. Schor, M.D., Ph.D., Deputy Director for Intramural Research at NIH, delivered the Legacy of Leadership Lecture, drawing from her distinguished career to provide insights on leadership in biomedical research and her vision for cultivating the next generation of leaders in science.
Expanding on these strategic meetings, ORWH partnered with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on a workshop titled “The Intersection of Regenerative Medicine and Women’s Health.” This event explored the latest advancements in regenerative therapies, such as the potential of endometrial stem cells in treating endometriosis and biomaterial-based approaches for tissue regeneration. ORWH Deputy Director Vivian Ota Wang, Ph.D., co-chaired the event and delivered a keynote address that highlighted the potential of these breakthroughs to reshape women’s health care. Her leadership ensured that the workshop bridged foundational research with clinical applications, furthering ORWH’s mission to address health care disparities and improve outcomes for women.
NIH’s 61st Advisory Committee on Research on Women’s Health (ACRWH) meeting, held on October 8, 2024, further highlighted the intersection of technology and women’s health. Reports from Bruce J. Tromberg, Ph.D., Director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, and Matthew McMahon, Ph.D., Director of NIH’s Small Business Education and Entrepreneurial Development Office, showcased the growing role of biomedical technologies and entrepreneurship in reshaping the field. Additionally, Susan Margulies, Ph.D., Assistant Director at the National Science Foundation, heading the Directorate for Engineering, shared insights into how engineering innovations are creating new frontiers in women’s health through multidisciplinary collaboration. The meeting concluded with a panel discussion that reinforced the importance of partnerships and innovation in advancing research and improving outcomes for women’s health.
All together, these activities highlighted innovation and technology and the growing recognition of sex and gender as critical factors in research focused on improving the health of women. ORWH remains steadfast in supporting the researchers and institutions that are shaping the future of women’s health, advancing science and innovation, and nurturing the next wave of researchers.
New Perspectives on Infectious Diseases and Women’s Health In Focus
I am excited to announce the release of Women’s Health In Focus at NIH, Volume 7, Issue 3. This latest edition delves into key research on sex and gender differences in infectious diseases, highlighting the unique ways that conditions such as HIV, bacterial vaginosis, and respiratory infections impact women. The issue also highlights groundbreaking research on the vaginal microbiome’s role in preventing sexually transmitted infections and using three-dimensional brain organoids to investigate neurological complications from infections.
The Scientist Spotlight features an interview with Jeanne Marrazzo, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Dr. Marrazzo shares her insights on advancing women’s health in infectious disease research, particularly in areas that disproportionately affect women, such as sexually transmitted infections. She also emphasizes the importance of mentorship, gender equity in science, and the pressing need for vaccines targeting diseases such as syphilis and herpes.
The Institutional Spotlight shines on the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, recipient of the NIH Prize for Enhancing Faculty Gender Diversity in Biomedical and Behavioral Science. MD Anderson’s strategic initiatives have significantly increased women’s representation in leadership roles, and its forward-thinking policies serve as a model for promoting diversity across academic medicine.
Other highlights include the launch of the first state-mandated endometriosis biorepository in Connecticut, as well as updates on NIH-supported research initiatives. I encourage you to explore In Focus to stay informed about these significant advancements and the latest developments in women’s health research.
NIH Invests in Columbia University’s NEXUS Initiative to Advance Exposomics Research
NIH has awarded $7,722,583 to Columbia University to establish the NEXUS: Network for Exposomics in the U.S. Coordinating Center, an innovative initiative focused on the human exposome—the cumulative measure of environmental exposures and their biological impacts.
Co-funded by the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research in ORWH (OADR-ORWH), along with other Institute and Center partners, NEXUS will enhance the application of exposomics across all NIH Institutes and Centers. Its goals include creating a standardized framework and best practices for analyzing biological and environmental samples, developing geospatial studies to examine environmental and social influences on health and disease, and building a comprehensive digital infrastructure for precision environmental health.
NEXUS will collaborate with academic, community, and industry partners in the U.S. and globally. The center will also provide educational opportunities, including boot camps and conferences, to advance the field of exposomics, with an emphasis on addressing socioeconomic inequities in health outcomes.
Charting the Future: New Leadership and Ongoing Research
I am pleased to share my new publication, “Raising the Bar: Putting Science to Work for the Health of Women,” which highlights ORWH’s mission to enhance women’s health research, ensure inclusion in NIH studies, and promote the advancement of women in biomedicine.
At ORWH, we envision a future where all women receive personalized, evidence-based diagnostics and treatments. To achieve this vision, ORWH leads the development of NIH-wide strategic plans for women’s health research and supports signature programs such as BIRCWH and SCORE, aimed at training the next generation of women’s health researchers and promoting sex differences research, respectively. I invite you to explore the publication to learn more about our newest initiatives and how we are making a difference.
I am also honored to announce my election to the National Academy of Medicine. This recognition highlights the critical opportunity to advance health equity and address public health challenges collectively and collaboratively. I look forward to partnering with fellow members to drive initiatives that enhance health outcomes for women.
As we move forward, our commitment to advancing women’s health remains strong. Insights and collaborations from ORWH’s recent initiatives will spur innovation and advance policy discussions that prioritize women’s health. I encourage everyone to engage in these efforts and play your part on our journey toward meaningful change.
Thank you for your continued dedication.