Giving

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

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

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

Research Collaboration, Serendipity, and Following the Yellow Brick Road

Dr. Dwinell will discuss 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.

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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 will describe efforts to improve health equity in Wisconsin and also in low-to-middle income countries.

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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 will discuss typical and atypical aging, dementia biomarkers, treatments for dementia, and future research.

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Presentation of the 2021 Woman Pioneer in Research Award, Rising Pioneer in Research Award, the Edward J. Lennon, MD Award for Outstanding Woman Postdoctoral Researcher, and Women in Science Student Awards.

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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 award will be presented during a virtual lecture on October 14, 2021 as part of the Women in Science Lecture Series. We require that the awardee attend this virtual lecture and give a brief presentation of their research.

Nomination Process

Any MCW faculty member may nominate a qualified researcher. Self-nomination is allowed.

The electronic nomination package must be received by July 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Please email required materials to awsm@mcw.edu.  The awardee will be selected by an awards committee overseen by the Council for Women’s Advocacy and notified by September 1, 2021. If you would like clarification on the criteria for this award please contact awsm@mcw.edu.

Electronic Nomination Package for the 2021 Woman Pioneer in Research Award

1. Nomination letter: a 1-2 page letter that addresses the following:

• Research:
  • Summary of nominee’s research accomplishments, innovation and impact
  • Identification of 1-5 significant published papers
  • National and international reputation of the nominee
  • Comment where appropriate on grants, patents and other awards and honors received by the nominee
• Other criteria as appropriate for the nominee:
  • Leadership
  • Mentorship
  • Teaching
  • Advocacy for Women
  • Community Engagement

2. Two one-page letters of recommendation from:

• A scientist outside of MCW who is qualified to address the national and international reputation of the nominee and the impact of their research
• A MCW or affiliate colleague, mentee or student of the nominee who addresses one or more of the other criteria noted above
• Current CV in MCW format
• All documents (nomination letter, two letters of recommendation and CV in MCW format) submitted as a single PDF

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 award will be presented during a virtual lecture on October 14, 2021 as part of the Women in Science Lecture Series. We require that the awardee attend this virtual lecture and give a brief presentation of their research.

Nomination Process

Any MCW faculty member may nominate a qualified researcher. Self-nomination is allowed.

The electronic nomination package must be received by July 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Please email required materials to awsm@mcw.edu.  The awardee will be selected by an awards committee overseen by the Council for Women’s Advocacy and notified by September 1, 2021. If you would like clarification on the criteria for this award please contact awsm@mcw.edu.

Electronic Nomination Package for the 2021 Rising Pioneer Award

1. Nomination letter: a 1-2 page letter that addresses the following:

• Research:
  • Summary of the nominee’s research accomplishments, innovation and impact, and why their research is likely to be influential for years to come
  • Identification of 1-3 significant published papers
  • Regional or national reputation of the nominee
  • Comment where appropriate on grants, patents and other awards and honors received by the nominee
• Other criteria as appropriate for the nominee:
  • Leadership
  • Mentorship
  • Teaching
  • Advocacy for Women
  • Community Engagement

2. Two one-page letters of support from:

• A MCW, affiliate, or other scientist who addresses the regional and growing national recognition of the nominee and the impact of their research
• A MCW or affiliate colleague, mentee or student of the nominee who addresses one or more of the other criteria noted above
• Current CV in MCW format
• All documents (nomination letter, two letters of recommendation, and CV in MCW format) submitted as a single PDF

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 award will be presented during a virtual lecture on October 14, 2021 as part of the Women in Science Lecture Series. We require that the awardee attend this virtual lecture and give a brief presentation of their research.

Nomination Process

Self-nomination is allowed. All applications require a letter of support from the applicant’s PI.

The electronic nomination package must be received by July 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Please email required materials to abooker@mcw.edu. The awardee will be selected by an awards committee overseen by the Office of Postdoctoral Research and notified by September 1, 2021. If you would like clarification on the criteria for this award, please contact Amanda Booker at abooker@mcw.edu.

Electronic Nomination Package for the 2021 Edward J. Lennon, MD Outstanding Postdoctoral Researcher Award

1. Edward J. Lennon, MD Outstanding Woman Postdoctoral Researcher Award Application 
2. A 1-2 page letter of support from your PI
3. Current CV in MCW format

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 award will be presented during a virtual lecture on October 14, 2021 as part of the Women in Science Lecture Series. We require that the awardee attend this virtual lecture.

Application Process

Mentors are encouraged to inform their mentees of this opportunity. Students may nominate themselves or be nominated by another individual.

The electronic application package must be received by July 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Please email required materials to Sydney Earle at searle@mcw.edu.  The awardees will be selected by an awards committee overseen by the Women in Science Advisory Committee and be notified by September 1, 2021. If you would like clarification on the criteria for this award, please contact searle@mcw.edu.

Electronic Nomination Package for the 2021 Women in Science Student Awards

1. A 2-paragraph letter including:

• Background information about the nominee
• The nominee’s specific area of study
• How this award will support the nominee’s career
• Self-nomination: Your vision for your career
• Other nomination: Describe the impact of your nominee on the scientific community

2. A 1-page professional reference

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.

The award will be presented during a virtual lecture on October 14, 2021, as part of the Women in Science Lecture Series. We require that the awardee attend this virtual lecture.

Application Process

Qualified applicants must be nominated by a mentor, professor or fellow student.

The electronic application package must be received by July 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Please email required materials to Sydney Earle at searle@mcw.edu.  The awardees will be selected by an awards committee overseen by the Women in Science Advisory Committee and be notified by September 1, 2021. If you would like clarification on the criteria for this award, please contact searle@mcw.edu.

Electronic Nomination Package for the 2021 Mary Jane Shanks Trailblazer Award

1. A 2-paragraph letter including:

• Description of the nominee:
  • What program are they in?
  • What year are they in their program?
  • Are you aware of any post-graduation plans or career goals?
• What makes the nominee deserving of this award?
• What characteristics about the nominee inspire you?

2. Written approval from nominated individual to be recognized as an award recipient, including willingness to accept the award at the virtual Women in Science Awards Presentation on October 14, 2021.