January 2017
In This Issue
What's New in 2017

Institute Happenings 

  Recent Blogs 


Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! The Women’s Health Research Institute looks forward to an exciting year ahead! In this issue, we will highlight some of the upcoming programs and events we have planned for 2017. Be sure to check out our website, womenshealth.northwestern.edu, for any additions or changes to the schedule! 

Best,
Nicole C. Woitowich, PhD
Director of Science Outreach and Education 
2017: At A Glance

Sex Inclusion in Biomedical Research Workshop & Symposium
On January 25th, 2017, the WHRI will host the Sex Inclusion in Biomedical Research Workshop & Symposium to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the NIH sex inclusion policy. Open to the public, the event will feature thoughtful discussion of this policy and best practices to conduct sex-based research. Space is limited, so register now before it is sold out! 

Likewise, if you are an investigator or trainee who examines sex or gender differences in science and medicine, consider submitting an abstract for an oral or poster presentation. The abstract deadline has been extended to January 9th, 2017, so don't delay!   
Monthly Forums
Since 2008, the WHRI has hosted monthly Women’s Health Forums which highlight basic science, clinical, or sociological research with a focus on the role of sex and gender in health and disease. The forums are open to all members of the Northwestern community, as well as the general public, and attract a diverse and interprofessional audience. Below you will find the schedule for the first half of 2017:  

February 21st –Inger Burnett-Zeigler, PhD, Northwestern University
March 21st - Katherine Wisner, MD, Northwestern University
April 18th – To Be Determined
May 16th – Ben Katz, MD, Northwestern University
June 13th – Kate Clancy, PhD, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign  
July 18th – Andrea Dunaif, MD, Northwestern University

The forums listed above will take place from 12:00-1:00 PM in Prentice Women's Hospital. As usual, a light lunch will be provided with registration. Please keep in mind there is no forum in January due to the Sex Inclusion in Biomedical Research Workshop & Symposium.

Do you have suggestions for a forum topic? We'd love to hear from you! 
IWHR Logo
Illinois Women's Health Registry 
In early 2017, The Illinois Women's Health Registry (IWHR) will be getting an upgrade! The WHRI is working closely with the Northwestern University Biomedical Informatics Center to create a user-friendly interface and an updated health survey which will only take 15 minutes of your time to complete! We will contact current Registry participants in the near future with more details about these changes. In the meantime, investigators can still utilize the Registry for clinical trial recruitment during this period. For more information about the IWHR, please visit whr.northwestern.edu or contact the registry coordinator at womensregistry@northwestern.edu
WHRI Outreach Meeting And Networking (WOMAN) 
This winter, the WHRI is hitting the road! We will be traveling to different communities and organizations across the Chicagoland area to discuss women's health and wellness. Information about the first WHRI Outreach Meeting and Networking (WOMAN) event can be found below: 

Date: January 20th, 2017 
Time: 12:30 PM 
Host: Park Ridge Centennial Activity Center 
Title: Lunch and Learn - Women's Health 
Location: 100 S. Western Ave, Park Ridge IL 

Registration for this event is required and be found at the following link: 
Park Ridge Park District - Centennial Activity Center 

Would you like to see a WOMAN event in your community? Contact the WHRI for more details! 
Two X Chromosomes in Academia 
Last year the WHRI launched the Two X Chromosomes in Academia (2XA) workshop series in order to promote the advancement of women in STEM at Northwestern throughout all stages of their career. Open to all students, post-docs, faculty, and staff the quarterly workshop series features seminars, panel discussions, and networking events designed to break down barriers that women in STEM may face.

Save the date for the next 2XA Workshop on February 8th, 2017. The WHRI will partner with the NU Center for Leadership & Community Engagement to provide a workshop on leadership skills and professional development. Keep an eye out for more details in the near future! 
Institute Happenings

WHRI Director, Dr. Teresa Woodruff, was featured in an episode of the Freakonomics Podcast entitled “Bad Medicine,” which explored some of mistakes and errors made by scientists and clinicians over the last century. In this episode, Dr. Woodruff discusses the history behind the exclusion of premenopausal and pregnant women in clinical trials and the lasting impact it has held on the field of biomedical research.

Click here to access the full transcript of the podcast!


 
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