Marnie Peterson Receives BIRCWH award

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (Jan. 1, 2009) - The University of Minnesota Deborah E. Powell Center for Women’s Health has selected Marnie Peterson, Ph.D., Pharm.D., BCPS, as one of two recipients of the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) award.

Peterson is an assistant professor in the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology in the College of Pharmacy. She will be doing research on the study of molecular bacterial pathogenesis as it impacts women’s vaginal health, with subsequent translation into the development of topical vaginal microbicides, with a goal of providing a greater understanding of the interplay between the mucosa of the female reproductive tract and microbes for the promotion of women’s health, including development of novel topical microbicides.

The second scholar selected in 2009 is Deheia Barr-Anderson, Ph.D., MSPH, an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Education and Human Development.

The BIRCWH program, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), is currently funding four scholars. The additional two scholars will be funded by the University of Minnesota’s Academic Health Center Office of Clinical Research and by the University Office for Equity and Diversity. Each of these scholars’ departments and the Powell Center provide additional financial support for research.

The BIRCWH program fosters the career development of junior faculty members who are engaging in basic, clinical, translational, behavioral or health services research in any area relevant to women’s health with an emphasis on sex and gender factors. BIRCWH Programs accomplish this goal by mentoring junior faculty to bridge advanced training with independent research in areas that integrate scientific disciplines. The Scholars learn not only research techniques, but also the skills to become independent investigators and mentors. The mentors at each site are established investigators who have a commitment to fostering interdisciplinary approaches to research in women’s health and sex and gender factors. This program develops a cadre of independently funded scientists who can further advance and perpetuate an interdisciplinary team approach to science and gender specific health care.

Media contact:
Amy Leslie, 612-624-7654, johns423@umn.edu