Giving

Allison Ebert, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Cell Biology Neurobiology and Anatomy

Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
Dr. Ebert presented the foundational properties of stem cells and discuss how they can be used, or misused, to study development and treat diseases. 

Melinda Dwinell, PhD
Professor, Department of Physiology, Genomic Sciences & Precision Medicine Center

Research Collaboration, Serendipity, and Following the Yellow Brick Road

Dr. Dwinell discussed how her career path crossed with influential partners and developed into collaborative projects, eventually pushed outside of her comfort zone to develop a coordination center and data “toolkit” for an NIH initiative focused on somatic cell genome editing.

Laura D. Cassidy, MS, PhD
Professor & Director, Epidemiology
Director, PhD Program in Public and Community Health
Founding Director, MS Program in Global Health Equity

Programs and Partnerships to Promote Health Equity, Locally and Globally
Public Health works at the local level, within cities and communities and neighborhoods, but also on national and international scales. Dr. Cassidy described efforts to improve health equity in Wisconsin and also in low-to-middle income countries.

Laura Umfleet, PsyD
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Division of Neuropsychology

The Spectrum of Typical Aging to Dementia: Current Knowledge and Future Research
There is nothing “normal” about aging. In this presentation, Dr. Umfleet discussed typical and atypical aging, dementia biomarkers, treatments for dementia, and future research.

The Woman Pioneer in Research Award is given annually to honor and recognize an established Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) female, non-binary or genderqueer faculty member for outstanding, internationally recognized basic science, translational, clinical, educational, or community research. Additional selection criteria may include leadership, mentorship, teaching, advocacy for women and community engagement.

An award of $10,000 will be given to the awardee to support future research endeavors. 

The Rising Pioneer Award is given annually to honor a Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) female, non-binary or genderqueer faculty member who is in the rising stage of their research trajectory. The award will recognize a qualified faculty member whose research is pioneering and is deemed likely to be highly influential for decades to come. The Rising Pioneer Award will be given to a faculty member who is highly respected by their peers and experts and is gaining momentum in building their national and international reputation in basic science, translational, clinical, educational, or community research. Additional selection criteria may include current leadership, mentorship, teaching, advocacy for women and community engagement.

An award of $5,000 will be given to the awardee to support future research endeavors. 

The Edward J. Lennon, MD Outstanding Woman Postdoctoral Researcher Award is given annually to honor a Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) female, non-binary or genderqueer postdoctoral fellow. Established in memory of former Dean and President of MCW from 1978 through 1990, Edward J. Lennon, MD, this special award continues his legacy. Dr. Lennon was a bench scientist, a physician and a teacher, who during his time at MCW appointed the first woman Department Chair and fostered an environment supportive of women faculty in leadership roles. The Edward J. Lennon, MD Outstanding Woman Postdoctoral Researcher Award will be given to a postdoc who is making exceptional strides in areas such as basic science, translational, clinical, educational, or community research.

An award of $1,000 will be given to the awardee to support future research endeavors. 

The Women in Science Student Awards are given annually to honor three Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) female, non-binary or genderqueer students. The Women in Science Student Awards will be given to MCW students who are already making impressive strides at the beginning of their careers, to assist them in their journeys of becoming outstanding women in science.

An award of $500 will be given to an awardee from each of the three MCW Schools: Graduate, Medical and Pharmacy to support their careers as women in science. 

The first annual Mary Jane Shanks Trailblazer Award will be given to honor a Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) female, non-binary or genderqueer student. Ms. Mary Jane Shanks was a talented and respected teacher in Rockford, Illinois. This fulfilling career was due to her ability to attend college and complete her degree. Ms. Shanks was a non-traditional college student – a single mother who had three children to care for during her education. The family of Ms. Shanks has established this memorial scholarship to recognize the strengths of non-traditional students who thrive despite barriers to success. Frequently, these barriers can result in fewer traditional measures of success (high grades, number of publications and presentations, etc.), but greater resiliency and determination, which are critical qualities for successful researchers and physicians. It is their hope that this award can provide both financial relief and well-deserved recognition to the other “Mary Janes” out there who stand to make great contributions to their community and to the world in their future career.

An award of $500 will be given to an awardee currently enrolled at MCW as a full-time student in any degree granting program. Preference will be giving to those who are juggling multiple responsibilities in addition to their education. Examples include:

• Caring for young, disabled or elderly dependents
• Overcoming a significant personal challenge or loss during time in school
• Providing advocacy or support for a community experiencing disparities, external to their responsibilities as a student.