A major goal of the Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology is catalyzing research through a variety of platforms, including grant funding awards, fellowships, and research collaborations. Many of these programs are aimed towards developing the careers of junior investigators in the sex/gender-informed research space. These scientists have access to not only funding for their research projects, but also mentoring, networking, collaboration, and presentation opportunities. The Center has funded nearly 100 investigators since the start of its early-stage investigator programs in 2017. More information about our research awards can be found here and more information about our early career and training programs such as fellowships can be found here.
View video testimonials by some of our Connors-Funded Investigators detailing how their funding from the Connors Center has contributed to their research and career development:
Behnood Bikdeli, MD, MS received a 2021 Specialized Cardiac & Vascular IGNITE Award for his project “Sex Differences in Presentation and Disparities in Treatment Strategies and Outcomes of Elderly Patients with Pulmonary Embolism.” Dr. Bikdeli was also awarded funding as a 2024 Tynan Research Scientist.
Vesela Kovacheva, MD, PhD received a 2021 IGNITE Award for her project “Development of Novel Algorithm for Prognostication and Therapeutic Decision Support in Pregnant Patients with Severe Hypertension.”
Morteza Mahmoudi, PhD, MSc received a 2018 IGNITE Award for his project “Mechanistic Understanding of Structural and Molecular Differences in Female and Male Cardiac Cells and Their Effects on Therapeutic Benefits of Clinically Relevant Nanoparticles.”
