Maryland's Organized Research Effort in Women's Health(MORE-WH), 2007-2012

NIH K-12 BIRCWH IV (Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health) Program

Program Overview

The Women's Health Research Group's NIH K-12 BIRCWH (Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health) grant was renewed for another five years beginning in September 2007.  The purpose of the grant is to train faculty level scholars to conduct interdisciplinary research in women's health.  The WHRG program, called Maryland's Organized Research Effort in Women's Health (MORE-WH), provides opportunities for individuals in the early stages of their research careers to work with experienced faculty scientists from a variety of different disciplines.  The University of Maryland is an ideal training environment because of the strong basic science, genomic, translational, clinical, behavioral, epidemiological, and health services research in women's health currently being conducted in five of the seven professional schools (dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health) on the UMB campus.

Principal Investigator:  Patricia Langenberg, Ph.D., plangenb@umaryland.edu
Program Director:  Istvan Merchenthaler, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., imerchen@epi.umaryland.edu

Program Description and Aims

The MORE-WH Program will provide tailored research training in women's health to an additional eight junior faculty scholars (half with clinical doctorate degrees and half with Ph.D.'s) during the five-year renewal period (2007-2012).  Qualified individuals will be offered faculty positions with 75% released time in the department/professional school most closely related to their area(s) of research interest.  To meet each scholar's specific needs, a personalized career plan, to include didactic coursework and performance of mentored research in the laboratory or research program of an established investigator, will be developed for each scholar.  An interdisciplinary team will be assembled to provide additional expertise and guidance in areas relevant to the scholar's own research interests.  Appointments will be made for January 1st and July 1st start dates.  The minimum appointment is for two years renewable in yearly increments until the scholar has established research independence.

Scholars will be evaluated periodically on the training and research goals established in their own personalized career development plans.  Each plan will establish milestones for publications, grant submissions/funding, and scientific presentations.  Scholars will also be evaluated on successful completion of didactic coursework and participation at seminars, journal clubs, and other educational programs.

The specific aims of the renewal program are:

• To continue to identify and recruit outstanding new investigators who are either already on the faculty of one of the seven professional schools at UMB or who would be excellent candidates for faculty positions;
• To continue to provide mentored interdisciplinary training in women's health research by developing individualized teams of mentors for each scholar taking advantage of the strong basic science, genomic, translational, clinical, behavioral, epidemiological, and health services research and the institutional research infrastructure at UMB;
• To provide junior investigators with training in bioethics and the responsible conduct of research, structured training in grant-writing and manuscript preparation, training opportunities in genomics and other areas of basic science that enhance the understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of human health and disease, research resouces, including genomic, biostatistical and bioinfomatics support, opportunities for collegial networking, and opportunties for continuing education;
• To continue to evaluate the MORE-WH program by tracking the career progress of its scholars by responding to the advice and critiques of our External Advisory Committee and by continuing to employ feedback mechanisms for program modification.

Research Themes and Lead Mentors

UMB faculty selected to be lead mentors for the program actively conduct and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects that focus on a number of areas relevant to women's health.  These are groouped together into three broad research themes:

• Women's Health and the Brain
• The Aging Woman
• Conditions Specific to Women

These themes, which are consistent with the overarching themes indentified by NIH and its Office of Research in Women's Health (ORWH) as important for this program, provide fertile ground for interdisciplinary basic science, genomic, translational, behavioral, clinical, epidemiological, and/or health services research.

Women's Health and the Brain

This research theme draws on our strengths in research on gender aspects and differences related to the brains of women, from basic science, clinical, translationl and epidemiologic perspectives.  Mentors are conducting research that concentrates on many aspects of brain development and activity, including studies focusing on pain, sexual dimorphism in the brain, central regulation of reproduction, stroke, and mood and depression.

Reflecting the well-established fact that women exhibit a higher prevalence of specific pain syndromes, laboratories within the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the School of Dentistry are examining the central and peripheral neural mechanisms underlying sex differences in pain perception and the potential influence of gonadal steroids.  Dr. Joel Greenspan's laboratory (Biomedical Sciences, Dental School) is investigating three aspects of sex differences and hormonal influences on pain.  Dr. Greenspan is also studying the physiological bases for gender differences in pain sensitivity.  Dr. Richard Traub (Biomedical Sciences, Dental School) is studying the role of gonadal steroids in sex differences in visceral pain.  Both work with and mentor current BIRCWH II Scholar Sharon Gordon, who is investigating temporomandibular disorder pain, particularly in women.  These investigators in pain have both basic science and clinical projects.  Dr. Greenspan also mentored former BIRCWH II Scholar Leonardo Tonelli.

Another area of excellence at UMB is sexual dimorphism in the brain, for which Dr. Margaret McCarthy (Physiology, School of Medicine) has an international reputation for her work.  Her research laboratory examines 1) hormonal influences on the developing brain, 2) sex differences in cognitive ability, 3) the influence of sex on response to brain damage in neonates, and 4) hormonal aspects of sex differences in psychiatric and neurological disorders.  She served as mentor for former BIRCWH II Scholars Jessica Mong and Leonardo Tonelli and mentors current BIRCWH II Scholar Tami Kingsbury.

The brain is heavily involved in CNS control of reproductive function, areas of particular strength on the UMB campus.  Normal development of the brain is essential for several aspects of reproduction including cyclicity, fertility, and sexual behaviors.  Drs. Istvan Merchenthaler (Epidemiology, School of Medicine) and Gloria Hoffman (Anatomy, School of Medicine) work collaboratively and separately on studies of hormonal regulation of cyclicity and ovulation.  Dr. Merchenthaler studies the role of estrogen and estrogen receptors as central regulators of reproduction and their role in neuroprotection.  He mentored former BIRCWH II Scholar Leonardo Tonelli.  Dr. Hoffman is also studying the role of ovarian hormones in seizure-induced brain damage.

Another area of excellence is risk factors for and prevention of stroke, a major area of research for Dr. Steven Kittner (Neurology, School of Medicine), who has recently completed a landmark study on prevention of stroke in young women, and is now funded to investigate genetics of early-onset stroke, particularly ischemic stroke in women.  Dr. Merchenthaler is also interested in the effects of sex steroids on stroke outcome in animal models.

A vital area of interest for the health of women, and a particular strength at UMB, is mood, depression, and severe mental illness.  Dr. Lisa Dixon's (Psychiatry, School of Medicine) funded research projects include family interventions to improve health outcomes for persons with severe mental illnesses, such as major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, more prevalent in women.  Other studies include a project on diabetes outcomes in schizophrenia, as well as health disparities in mental health.  Dr. Teodor Postolache's (Psychiatry, School of Medicine) research centers on associations of inflammation including allergic reactions, with depression and suicide, especially in women.  He is also testing the role of inflammation as a trigger for exacerbation of mood disorders in women with postpartum depression.  His research bridges basic science, clinical and translational approaches.  Dr. Postolache heads the Mood and Anxiety Program in the Department of Psychiatry.

The Aging Woman

Research on aging has long been an area of strength at UMB, as evidence by a System-wide Center for Research on Aging; a System-wide doctoral program in Gerontology; a Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC); a Claude D. Pepper Center in the attached VA Medical Center; and extensive funded research focusing on aging and health, especially in women.

Dr. Alan Shuldiner (Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, School of Medicine) driects the program in Genetics and Genomic Medicine, and is Principal Investigator of five NIH research grants on aspects of genetics/genomics of aging.  His research examines genetic determinants in diabetes, CVD gene-environment interactions, pharmacogenomics of CVD risk factors, longevity, and osteoporosis.  Most of his research is based on genetic studies of an Old Oder Amish population in Pennsylvanuia.

Interactions of exercise, obesity, and nutrition are topics being investigated by faculty from various disciplines across the campus.  Dr. Barbara Smith (School of Nursing) is funded by NINR to study effects of a physical activity and nutrition intervention on fat mass, insulin, glucose and C-peptide levels in HIV-infected individuals.  Dr. Alice Ryan (Medicine, School of Medicine) is funded by NIA to study the effects of weight loss and exercise trainig on muscle and glucose metabolism in sedentary, overweight individuals with special emphasis on differences by race and menopausal status.  She also studies interventions to prevent muscle atrophy in older stroke patients.  Dr. Richard Macko (Neurology and Gerontology, School of Medicine) investigates mechanisms of exercise effects on body composition and molecular mechanisms underlying insulin and glucose metabolism, especially in stroke patients.  Dr. Andrew Goldberg (Gerontology, School of Medicine) is Principal Investigator of an NIH-funded study of Race, Lipoprotein Lipase and Obesity after Menopause; he also directs a study of Menopause, LPL Genotype and Metabolism after Weight Loss.

Dr. Susan Fried (Geronotology, and Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, School of Medicine) directs a recently funded P30 Clinical Nutrition Research Unit, which focuses on the influence of nutrition and exercise on risk for age-related chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and osteoporosis.  Her multi-disciplinary research team utilizes the full spectrum of genetics methods, and bridges genetic, clinical and translational research.

Musculoskeletal disorders are being investigated from a variety of perspectives.  Dr. Jay Magaziner's (Epidemiology, School of Medicine) primary epidemiologic research relates to the consequences of osteoporosis and hip fracture; he serves as Co-Director of the Center for Research on Aging as well as lead mentor for former BIRCWH II Scholar Gregory Hicks.  Drs. Alan Shuldiner and Braxton Mitchell (Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, School of Medicine) have NIH funding to investigate genetic determinants of osteoporosis and bone density in an Amish population and previously in a Mexican-American cohort (Mitchell).  Dr. Andrew Goldberg's Pepper Center is funded to examine interventions that impact disabled older Americans with hip fracture and other conditions.

Dr. Linda Simoni-Wastila from the School of Pharmacy's Pharmaceutical Health Services Resarch Department conducts research on the older population, in particular on Prescription Drug Use and Abuse.  She and other members of her department collaborate closely with investigators in the Center for Research on Aging.

Conditions Specific to Women

Conditions specific to women that are strong areas of research include cancers in women, fertility and infertility, and effects of sex steroid hormones including menopausal symptoms.

UMB has significant research efforts on cancer in women, not only in etiology and treatment but also in cancer disparities and community-based prevention.  The Hormone Responsive Cancers Program in the Greenebaum Cancer Center (UMGCC) is focused on malignancies of hormonally-responsive tissues, chiefly breast and prostate, and has 31 full members.  Oral complications and palliative care in cancer are areas of active investigation, as are cancer screening disparities in race and sexual orientation subgroups, and the genetics of breast density.  Dr. Angela Brodie (Pharmacology, School of Medicine) developed the concept of targeting the aromatase enzyme to treat hormone-dependent breast cancer, and now aromatase inhibitors have supplanted tamoxifen as first line therapy in both early and late stage tumor progression.  Dr. Brodie's current research centers on investigation of changes in gene expression during aromatase and antiestreogen treatment; she mentors current BIRCWH II Scholars Laundette Jones and Tami Kingsbury.  Dr. Amy Fulton (Pathology, School of Medicine) directs the Hormore Responsive Cancers Program; her research focuses on the biology of cyclooxygenase in breast cancer.  Dr. Fulton serves on mentor teams for Drs. Jones and Kingsbury.  Dr. Anne Hamburger (Pathology, Oncology, School of Medicine) conducts research on the ability of the Epidermal Growth Factor (ErbB) family of receptors to modulate growth and differentiation of human breast and ovarian cancer cells.

Dr. Deborah McGuire (School of Nursing) and Dr. Renee Royak-Schaler (Epidemiology, School of Medicine) research palliative care in cancer.  Dr. Royak-Schaler is also funded to conduct research in race disparities in cancer screening, and mentored former BIRCWH II Scholar Kate Tracy, who is studying disparities in treatment of Lesbian women.

Reproductive and gynecologic conditions are also an area of strength among faculty working in women's health.  Dr. Istvan Merchenthaler (Epidemiology, School of Medicine) is funded to study effects of sex steroid hormones, including epidemiology and pathomechanisms of hot flushes.  Dr. Charles Chaffin's (Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine) laborabory conducts studies relevant to fertility and infertility, specifically to understand mechanisms of p53 action and luteinization in the primate ovary.  Dr. Susan Fried (Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, School of Medicine) studies maternal nutrition and fetal programming, an area of emerging interest.  Dr. Patricia Langenberg (Epidemiology, School of Medicine) has served as biostatistician or co-investigator for a large number of funded projects in women's health research, particularly involving gynecologic conditions.

Scholar Eligibility and Qualifications

Eligible candidates must:

1. have a Ph.D. degree or a clinical doctoral degree (M.D., D.O., D.D.S., Pharm. D., Physical Therapy, Clinical Psychology or Nursing) or an equivalent degree; 
2. have completed any postgraduate training normally expected for a faculty appointment in their field (including clinical or postdoctoral fellowship training, or residency if they have chosen not to subspecialize);
3. not be or have been a Principal Inbvestigator on an R01, R29 or subproject of a Program Project (P01), Center (P50, P60, U54) grant, mentored career development (K-series) grant, or other equivalent research grant awards, except for R03 and R21;
4. not have more than six years of research training experience beyond their last doctoral degree; and
5. be a U.S. citizen or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration Receipt Care (I-151 or I-155) or some other verifcation of legal admission as a permanent citizen; individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.

MORE-WH Scholar Qualifications

Successful scholars will have:

1. demonstrated excellence in scholarship as evidenced from their academic records and letters of reference;
2. a career commitment to research in women's health;
3. well-defined professional goals and the potential to meet those goals;
4. research interests and a proposed project that fits into one or more of the research theme areas selected for this program:  Women's Health and the Brain, the Aging Woman, and Conditions Specific to Women; and
5. recommendations from three current or past mentors.

Potential candidates should send a letter confirming eligibility for this program, desired start date (January 1 or July 1, 2007-2012) along with a current CV, a statement of professional goals and research interests in one of the program research theme areas and why you are a good candidate for the MORE-WH Program, and contact information for three (3) references (former or current mentors) to:

Joel D. Greenspan, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, MORE-WH Scholar Recruitment Committee
Dept. of Biomedical Sciences,
University of Maryland Dental School
650 W. Baltimore Street, 7 South
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Tel: 410-706-2027
Email: jgreenspan@umaryland.edu