Dr. Thasarat Vajaranant receives funding through The WHI Extension Feasibility Study

BIRCWH Scholar Dr. Thasarat Vajaranant received funding through The WHI Extension Feasibility Study Funding Program for her proposal titled “A Feasibility Study to Assess the Accuracy of Self-reported Glaucoma outcomes and Participant Interest in Participating in Ancillary Glaucoma Studies.” This study aims to test the feasibility of obtaining medical records to assess the accuracy of self-reported glaucoma outcomes and participant interest in participating in additional glaucoma studies. 

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), a prevalent, chronic, blinding condition, negatively impacts general health and daily life functions among vulnerable, elderly women. Globally, women comprise the majority of individuals with glaucoma and blindness. Recent evidence suggests that specific genes, influenced by environmental exposure, contribute to POAG. POAG is more prevalent among African Americans (5.6%) and Hispanics (4.7%) compared with Whites (1.7%), but there is limited information on the gene-environment interactions among minorities. In this study, Dr. Vajaranant will test the feasibility of obtaining medical records to assess the accuracy of self-reported glaucoma outcomes and participant interest in participating in ancillary glaucoma studies. If successful, this research model could serve as a cost-effective way to examine the role of the gene-environment on POAG in the future. Greater insight into the role of gene-environment on POAG holds great potential in improving eye health and preventing a common cause among blindness that affects elderly women of all races and ethnicities. 

Congrats, Dr. Vajaranant!

Ovarian Cancer & Ovulation: Is there a link?

Former BIRCWH scholar Joanna Burdette was featured in the November 28 issue of UIC news for her work on examining the link between ovarian cancer and ovulation. While ovarian cancer remains prevalent, especially among post-menopausal women, the specific epithelial subtype responsible for disease development is not entirely known.

Dr. Burdette is exploring the relationship between the hormonal changes involved in ovulation and the development of ovarian cancer- specfically, how ovulation may impact a signaling pathway that transforms healthy cells into  cancer. Her works foucses on the development of ovarian cancer in the cells of two distinct areas: the ovarian surface and the lining of the fallopian tubes.

Dr. Burdette is accomplishing her work though the development of three-dimensional cell cultures within the laboratory, and focusing on one particular signaling molecule called Akt, which has been demonstrated to be activated in the development of ovarian cancer .

The full article, featuring an interview with Dr. Burdette, can be found online.

We continue to be impressed and inspired by our BIRCWH scholars, both present and former, and their contributions to women's health research!

What Makes a Mentor?

Here at the UIC BIRCWH program we are continually defining and revising the concept of mentorship. We utilize feedback from our scholars, mentors, and program development team in order to pinpoint our areas of success as well as areas for improvement. Mentorship is what defines our program- but what defines mentorship?

Our team of scholars and mentors recently revisited an article by Andrés Martin titled, “Ignition Sequence: On Mentorship,” which explores what mentorship is (and is not), and offers insights into how to improve modern-day mentoring. Martin describes what we have all experienced: a process that frequently takes place, but that is rarely articulated.

Why does mentorship commonly elude articulation? How can we best capture the experience of both mentoring and mentorship? Which matrices best measure effective mentoring? These are questions with undoubtedly complicated answers that we will continue to mull over, and we hope that by initiating a discussion with our colleagues we can  better define the process of mentorship, and therefore improve mentoring on a larger scale.

The full article by Andrés Martin  is available on the UIC BIRWCH website.

Welcome, Dr. Sadia Haider!

The UIC BIRCWH team is excited to announce the addition of new BIRCWH scholar Dr. Sadia Haider. Dr. Sadia Haider is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and recently joined the UIC faculty in September 2011. Dr. Haider received her MD from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and her Masters in Public Health in maternal and child health at Harvard School of Public Health. She then completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Harvard Medical School in 2005 which was followed by a two year Fellowship in Contraceptive Research and Family Planning at the University of California, San Francisco. Prior to her arrival at UIC, Dr. Haider worked at BIDMC, Harvard Medical School where she was the Director of the Division of Family Planning and the Ryan residency program in Family Planning from 2007 to 2011.

Dr. Haider has received foundation funding to conduct research during her fellowship and as a junior faculty which has focused on the consequences of unplanned pregnancies in the U.S. and abroad. She has conducted research in Afghanistan evaluating contraceptive practices and decision-making amongst Afghan couples and evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Mexican abortion providers. She is currently a co-investigator on a qualitative study funded by Boston Children’s Hospital evaluating adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes and use of long-acting reversible contraception and the principal investigator on a study evaluating the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary care providers in relation to adolescent contraception.
During her time as a BIRCWH scholar, Dr. Haider plans to focus on the reproductive health disparities that affect adolescent women in the U.S. Her goal is to create effective strategies to prevent adolescent unintended pregnancy focusing on the complex interplay between the health care system, primary care providers and adolescent women’s perspective and behaviors. Dr. Haider plans to investigate adolescent females’ perceived barriers and enhancers in the prevention of unplanned pregnancies and provider’s perspectives on adolescent pregnancy prevention

Welcome, Dr. Bethany Everett!

The UIC BIRCWH team is excited to announce the addition of another BIRCWH scholar, Dr. Bethany Everett. Dr. Bethany Everett is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She received her Ph.D. from the Department of Sociology at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2012. During her training at the University of Colorado, Dr. Everett served as a researcher at the Institute for Behavioral Sciences Population Program and was selected as Pre-Doctoral Fellow at the Fenway Center for Population Research in LGBT Health. Her R03-funded dissertation research focused on the social determinants of health disparities and emphasizes the synergistic impact of individual, interpersonal, and contextual factors for shaping health behaviors and outcomes among sexual minorities. Dr. Everett’s research has also received funding the National Science Foundation and the American Psychological Foundation. As a BIRCWH scholar, Dr. Everett will continue to investigate the role of social environments, discrimination, and gender expression on sexual minority women’s health behaviors and outcomes using two longitudinal data sets, the National Study of Adolescent Health and the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women.

We look forward to working with you, Bethany!

Welcome, Dr. Kirstie Danielson!

The UIC BIRCWH team is excited to announce the addition a new BIRCWH scholar, Dr. Kirstie Danielson. Dr. Danielson is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Transplant Surgery, and a departmental affiliate in the Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at UIC.  She received her PhD in Population Health, with a focus in Epidemiology, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and subsequently completed postdoctoral training in Endocrinology at the University of Chicago and Epidemiology & Biostatistics at UIC.  Building upon her research on interrelationships between diabetes, bone, and sex hormones in women, her goal is to establish an independent research program in diabetes epidemiology and women’s health at UIC, initially focused on two interrelated and synergistic tracks: the bidirectional association between diabetes and bone and sex-based differences in islet transplantation. For the first aim, Dr. Danielson will describe the prevalence and etiology of sex-based differences in bone fragility due to type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes; and following islet (insulin-producing cells) transplantation to cure type 1 diabetes. In light of recent experimental evidence demonstrating lack of the bone protein osteocalcin leads to diabetes in mice, she will determine whether bone metabolism is prospectively associated with the disease course in humans with type 1 diabetes and islet transplantation outcomes; and if there are sex-based differences. For the second aim, Dr. Danielson will explore whether there are sex-based differences in islet function and clinical outcomes following islet transplant to cure type 1 diabetes. Islets grow during pregnancy and estrogen enhances their function.  However, there have been no systematic comparisons of islet function in vitro and following transplant by sex of donor or recipient. 

Dr. Danielson focuses on chronic diseases because they encompass major public health challenges, and diabetes and bone fragility are examples of chronic diseases with differences in prevalence and outcomes by sex. Elucidating potential sex-based differences is critical for individualized medicine in preventing, treating, and curing chronic diseases.

Welcome, Dr. Melissa Lamar!

The UIC BIRCWH team would like to introduce our newest BIRCWH associate, Dr. Melissa Lamar. Dr. Lamar's research at UIC - including her recently funded K01 from NIH- focuses on identifying vascular risk factors disrupting neurocircuitry associated with the prefrontal cortex using novel neuroimaging markers including myelin mapping and the impact these factors have on executive dysfunction and depression in an aging population. 

  

Dr. Lamar has a long-standing interest in the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive and affective dysfunction in normal and pathological aging. She has focused on structural and functional neuroimaging technologies including learned during her time at the Laboratory of Personality and Cognition, National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Institute of Psychiatry (IOP), King’s College London. Dr. Lamar focuses on experimental paradigms from both non-human primate and human lesion studies to strengthen the neuroanatomical accuracy of her work. She melds this neuroimaging approach with the Boston Process Approach to Clinical Neuropsychology. In addition to her research activities, Dr. Lamar serves as a member of staff on the Neuropsychology Service within the Department of Psychiatry.

Welcome, Melissa, and we look forward to working with you!

Congratulations to former scholar Hyun-Young Jeong!

The BIRCWH program at UIC remains invested in our former scholars and we take great pride in their continued successes.We are excited to congratulate our former scholar Hyun-Young Jeong, PharmD, PhD, on her recent promotion to Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Biopharmaceutical Sciences.

Dr. Jeong's primary interests include regulation of drug metabolizing enzymes in livers, altered pharmacokinetics of drugs in pregnancy, and general clinical/preclinincal pharmcokinetics. Additional areas of interest include molecular pharmacology, population pharmacokinetics, and nuclear receptors. 

We wish Dr. Jeong continued success in her new role, and have great confidence in her academic future. Congratulations, Dr. Jeong, from the UIC BIRCWH community!

Sex Hormones & Brain Function: New Research from our own Dr. Pauline Maki

The majority of maturing women know first-hand about the physical symptoms of menopause and the impact of these changes on energy, mood, sleep patterns, and overall functioning. But is this the whole story on hormones and aging? 

It turns out that the impact of hormones on our bodies may extend into cognition as well. Researchers are actively studying possible links between hormones and mental functioning to determine the exact extent that our mental functioning may be impacted by fluctuating hormone levels during menopause and beyond.

Our very own UIC BIRCWH Program Director, Dr. Pauline Maki, was recently featured on an ABC Channel 7 "HealthBeat" segment to discuss her research on the effects of sex hormones and phytoestrogens on cognition and brain function in women. Dr. Maki's preliminary research suggests that hormone therapy may benefit memory and mood. While this does not mean that hormone replacement therapy is recommended as a solution to boost memory and mood, it does point to another important aspect of aging and menopause that has clear implications: Dr Maki hopes that her research may eventually be used to help doctors individualize hormone therapy for aging women. 

Check out a video of the broadcast online.

BIRCWH Research Day 2012

The UIC BIRCWH program hosted another successful Research Day on March 29, 2012. Attendance from the various health sciences colleges at the University was strong, with over 75 attendees present. Dr. Cora Lee Wetherington was the keynote speaker, presenting on research findings on male-female differences in drug abuse across a range of topics including epidemiology, animal model research, vulnerability factors, brain imaging, prevention and treatment. In her talk, Dr. Wetherington illustrated the importance of taking a sex/gender-based approach to drug abuse research and the scientific pitfalls of failing to do so. Following her presentation, Dr. Wetherington engaged the multidisciplinary audience in a dynamic discussion session.

Dr. Wetherington’s talk was followed by a closed lunch session, during which each of the BIRCWH scholars presented their current research and findings to Dr. Wetherington. The company was delightful and the conversation plentiful. As our BIRCWH scholars shared their recent research developments and future directions, Dr. Wetherington and our cohort of mentors provided insightful feedback. Several new collaborations emerged from these conversations, and we look forward to seeing where these efforts will lead.  

Wetherington’s presentation from BIRCWH Research Day is available on the BIRCWH website via the following link: http://www.uic.edu/orgs/womenshealth/bircwhcalendar.htm#Seminars.

Happy International Women’s Day from the UIC BIRCWH Program!

Today, Tuesday, March 8, 2012, marks the 101^st anniversary of International Women’s Day, an effort to recognize and celebrate the advancements made toward equality between the sexes. Less than a century ago, women could not vote, and professional career opportunities for women were virtually non-existent. International Women’s Day was launched in 1909 by American suffragettes to bring awareness and support to the suffrage movement. Enthusiasm for this movement quickly spread, and the following year the holiday became an international event due to the influence of a German woman named Clara Zetkin, who was a member of the Social Democratic Party. International Women’s Day is now celebrated around the world, and is a catalyst for the advancement of women’s position in society.

The overarching theme of the holiday this year is “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures,” and over 250 official celebrations are planned across the US today in honor of the holiday. The United Nation’s International Women’s Day theme for this year has been designated “Empower Rural Women- End Hunger and Poverty.” For more information about local and international events associated with the holiday, as well as the official list of themes for participating countries this year, visit the official website for International Women’s Day. Each year, over 1000 events are held by corporations, women's groups, schools, governments, charities, and individuals across the world, a true testament to the international commitment to women.

As important as it is to recognize our past achievements, we must also continue to foster activism and research in the arena of women’s rights and women’s health. As far as we have come in the last 101 years, there is always room for improvement, and we must continue to stay motivated and dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities for women around the world.

Here at UIC, we are proud of our BIRCWH scholars and the contributions they are making towards both research and clinical practice; in applying a critical lens to women’s health research, our scholars are demonstrating a commitment to women’s rights and offering tangible evidence to improve the status quo in research and practice.

We hope that our colleagues both nationally and internationally are taking time today to recognize and celebrate empowered women who are enacting change to build a better future for their families, communities and countries.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month!

January has been designated as the Cervical Health Awareness Month by the United States Congress. As part of this special recognition, The Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer has launched its “Take the Pearl Pledge” initiative, an effort which urges women to take control of their health through preventive screening efforts. The campaign asks women to schedule their annual gynecologic examination, wear a Pearl of Wisdom in support of cervical cancer prevention, and encourage 5 friends to do the same. Launched in 2009 by the European Cervical Cancer Association, this campaign is a united, global effort to raise awareness of the opportunities now available to prevent cervical cancer and includes support from over 100 organizations across Europe. Cancer charities, cancer treatment centers, medical associations, university teaching hospitals, and health education organizations have all pledeged their committment to support cervical cancer prevention.

Cervical cancer is distinguished as the second leading cancer in women worldwide, with more than 12,200 women expected to be diagnosed this year alone, and 4,210 of these women predicted to die from this cancer. The good news is that cervical cancer is almost always preventable— routine Pap smears and HPV testing can be utilized to detect the cancer in its earliest (and most treatable) stages, while the HPV vaccine can prevent the cancer altogether. Therefore, with proper screening and vaccination, no woman should die from this disease.

According to the Pearl of Wisdom campaign, every woman should be empowered to take control of her health through the following measures:

• Girls and young women: Ask your healthcare provider about the HPV vaccine, which protects against the two types of HPV (human papillomavirus) that cause the majority of cervical cancers. The vaccines are recommended for girls 11 to 12 years old, and are approved for girls and young women up to age 26. Even women who have been vaccinated will still need to be screened.
• Women age 21 or older: Get the Pap test, which detects abnormal cells that can lead to cervical cancer.
• Women age 30 or older: Get the Pap test and the HPV test together as part of routine cervical cancer screening. The HPV test detects the virus that causes cervical cancer, identifying those women at increased risk who will need to be monitored more closely.

Take part in this important campaign to take charge of your own health and support the health of women worldwide!

The Women's Health and Minority Checkbook

A new statistical resource on women’s health is now available! The Women’s Health and Mortality Chartbook was released by the Office on Women’s Health and provides an easy-to-use collection of current jurisdiction data on critical issues of relevance to women. In total, 28 different health indicators are featured, highlighting key issues related to women’s health and providing the most accurate and up-to-date data available for each state, including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Indicators include major causes of death (heart disease, cancers, and stroke, among others) as well as health risk factors (obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, etc.) and preventive care measures (mammogram, pap smear, colorectal screening, etc.) Complete profiles for all states are available as pdf documents, with detailed technical notes and documents also available as additional resources.

Data available for Illinois indicates the following:

“Of the state’s 6.5 million women, nearly two thirds are non-Hispanic White. Its largest minority populations are non-Hispanic Black, at 16 percent, and Hispanic, at 14 percent. It ranks in the top 15 states in its low rates of death for suicide, unintentional injuries, diabetes-related causes and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. It has a much poorer record in rates of death for breast cancer, coronary heart disease, influenza and pneumonia, and colorectal cancer. Not surprisingly, it ranks among the worst states in the percentage of women who have had recent colorectal cancer screening. Illinois ranks in the middle of the nation in cholesterol screening, mammograms, and Pap smears. Eighty-seven percent of its women have health insurance, with Hispanic women having the lowest rate of insurance coverage, at 68 percent. Eighty-seven percent of its women have health insurance, with Hispanic women having the lowest rate of insurance coverage, at 68 percent.”

A look at breast cancer death rates across the nation demonstrates the geographic variability of this indicator. Certain areas of the south and east have the highest rates of breast cancer deaths among women, while the west exhibits the lowest rates, as seen below:

Clearly, this data has implications for women's health research and practice in Illinois and beyond. At a local level, there is a need to increase screening and prevention programs for both colorectal and breast cancer, and significant improvements are also possible in the areas of cholesterol screening, mammograms, and Pap smears. At a national level, geographic disparities are present for every indicator, indicating the need for continued research and prevention programs that are tailored to the prominent needs of the local population. Our own BIRCWH scholars are actively engaged in a number of research efforts that address the health indicators presented in this publication.

Access the Women’s Health and Mortality Chartbook to learn more about your state and our greater nation. The full publication, which offers profile of each state as well as national comparison rates for the each indicator, is also available online.