VCU Institute for Women’s Health hosts 2nd annual Woman’s Health Research Day

By Leslie Nelson
University News Services

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Institute for Women’s Health recently hosted its 2nd annual Women’s Health Research Day, a networking event that celebrates and promotes excellence in interdisciplinary women’s health research.

The event was attended by VCU faculty, students, staff and community members with an interest in innovative research in women’s health.

This year’s keynote address was given by Jerome Strauss, M.D., dean of the VCU School of Medicine, who discussed, “Women and the Future of Reproductive Science.”

Part of Women’s Health Research Day also included a display of more than 70 research posters by VCU students. Thirty-three of the posters were entered in competition for the Elizabeth Fries Young Investigator Award - in honor of Dr. Elizabeth Fries, a VCU psychology professor who served as co-director of cancer control at the VCU Massey Cancer Center. Fries died last May.

The award is given to the graduate student, fellow, post-doc or assistant professor whose research shows the most potential to improve women’s health.

This year’s winning poster was presented by Jennifer Patterson, a graduate student in the department of Microbiology & Immunology. The title of her work was "Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide and Lactic Acid on Planktonic versus Adherent Biofilm Cultures of Gardnerella Vaginalis.”

Patterson received a certificate as well as a stipend donated by Fries' husband, Dr. Viktor Bovbjerg.

John Quillin, instructor in the Department of Human Genetics, and Tanvi Shah, a graduate student in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Physiology, received honorable mentions for their research poster entries.

In addition, there were panel discussions presented by Faye Belgrave, Ph.D., professor in psychology; Cathy Bradley, Ph.D., professor in health administration; and Robert Downs, M.D., professor in internal medicine. Moderated by Saba Masho, M.D., research day co-chair, the panel discussed topics including osteoporosis studies and HIV prevention among African American women.

The mission of the VCU Institute for Women's Health is to improve the health of women through health education, research, clinical care, outreach and leadership development.

For more information, visit http://www.womenshealth.vcu.edu/.