The goal of the Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR K12) Career Development Program at Magee-Womens Research Institute is to prepare outstanding junior faculty in the field of obstetrics and gynecology for a productive and exciting investigative career in reproductive biology and biomedical research.

Our ideal candidates are dedicated early career OBGYN physicians who wish to impact women’s health through clinical care and research to improve our understanding of disease processes, and by translating discoveries from the lab to the clinical setting. Although they may have limited basic research experience, candidates of our WRHR program are eager to develop a comprehensive set of investigative skills that can be employed in their investigations. Our candidates recognize that a collaborative approach is crucial in addressing complex medical questions. They expect their experiences as a WRHR scholar will not only enhance their growth as an investigator, but also build the foundation for their mentorship to future reproductive biologists.

At the time of appointment to the WRHR Program, candidates for support as WRHR K12 Scholars must:

• Be a physician holding the M.D. or D.O. degree;
• Have completed postgraduate residency training in obstetrics-gynecology;
• Be in the final research year of postdoctoral fellowship training in obstetrics and gynecology if the candidate has chosen to subspecialize;
• Identify an approved mentor or mentors with extensive research experience;
• Devote at least nine months (equivalent to 75%) of full-time professional effort to conducting research and research career development;
• Not be or have been a PD/PI on an R01, R29 or subproject of a Program Project (P01), Center (P50, P60, U54) grant, independent mentored career development (K-series) grants, or other equivalent research grant awards. Although individuals who are or were PD/PIs on NIH Small Grants (i.e., R03s) or Exploratory/Developmental Grants (i.e., R21s) may be eligible providing they meet the other eligibility requirements.
• Be a U.S. citizen or noncitizen national, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess a Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551) or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent citizen.

At Magee-Womens Research Institute, we believe that basic and translational reproductive biology research is essential for propelling progress in clinical care for women. We have the critical mass of reproductive biology researchers who mentor environment and infrastructure in order to distinctively target training for OBGYN clinicians in basic and translational research. We emphasize intellect, ingenuity, and creativity to achieve our training objectives.

Program Curriculum

The program curriculum is divided into three types of courses:

• Mandatory course/class training that every scholar must take. If these courses/classes have exams, scholars are required to pass the exam.
• Basic courses/classes that are primarily important for the novice WRHR scholar during the 2nd year.
• Advanced or specific courses/classes offerings.

Additional workshops and courses may be completed by the scholar in consultation with her/his mentor, and with approval of the Advisory Committee.

WRHR Offered Curriculum

The table below depicts examples of offered coursework:

Required Coursework	Basic Coursework	Advanced Coursework
Scientific Ethics	Bioethics	Postdoctoral Professionalism Series	Gene Delivery
Ethics and Regulations in Clinical Research	Introduction to Research Methods I	Course in Scentific Management and Leadership	Cancer Biology and Therapeutics
From Benchtop to Bedside: What Every Scientist Needs to Know	Introduction to Statistical Methods I	Guidelines for Providing Feedback	Cell Therapy
Health Disparities Research: Methods and Interventions	Health Disparities Research: Methods and Interventions	Health Disparities Research: Methods and Interventions	Introduction To Gene Mapping
Medical Writing and Presentation Skills	Approaches in Molecular Biology	Translational Research Seminar Series	Introduction To Gene Mapping
Making the Most of Mentoring	Molecular Biology of Microbial Pathogens	Biostatistics	Biochemical and Molecular Genetics of Complex Diseases
-	Molecular Fundamentals	Introduction to Statistical Methods II	Principles of Pharmacology
-	Biomarkers and Molecular Epidemiology	Introduction to Biological Assays	Comprehensive Immunology
-	Cell and Molecular Physiology	Statistical Foundations for Bioinformatics Data Mining	-
-	Genetics	Advanced Developmental Biology	-
-	Chromosomes and Human Disease	Mech. of Cellular Comm., Structure and Morphology	-
-	Genetic Analysis in Model Organisms	Biochemistry of Macromolecules	-
-	Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics	Receptors and Signal Transduction	-
-	Bioethics	Postdoctoral Professionalism Series	Gene Delivery

Scholars' Review and Feedback

Every three months, the scholars, their mentors and the Internal Advisory Committee will meet to evaluate scholars’ progress as well as the mentorship process. During the meeting, each scholar provides a summary of her/his research and has the opportunity to seek additional advice on strategies for progress and alternative approaches. Scholars may also express any concerns, complaints or requests. Additional feedback from the Advisory Committee is provided to the scholars by their mentors after the meeting.

Each scholar selects one principal mentor and at least two supporting mentors. Progress review meetings between principal mentors and mentees will occur on a preset frequency, as well as meetings with the full mentoring committee of principal and supporting mentors. This process will allow the mentors to monitor the satisfactory progress of the experiments, and will also ensure that the trainee can take advantage of supporting or alternative biological approaches that may be available through the supporting mentors or at other laboratories. They will execute experiments and analyze and prepare data for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at local and national venues. Most importantly, scholars will work with their mentors and advisory committee to prepare and submit an independent research proposal. A list of program mentors is provided below. Scholars may also identify a mentor not included in the list below.

Current Scholars

Sarah E. Taylor, MD, PhD Candidate (2019 -

Project: Phase IIA Trial of Delayed Initiation of Olaparib Maintenance Therapy in Platinum Sensitive Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Primary Mentor(s): Ronald Buckanovich, MD, PhD
Supporting Mentor(s): Edward Chu, MD; Jan Beumer, PharmD, PhD; Heidi Donovan, PhD, RN

Training:

• PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Present
• MD, West Virginia University SOM, 2008
• Residency in OBGYN, University of Pittsburgh, 7/2008-6/2012
• Fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, 7/2012-6/2015

Research Summary: Focus on clinical and translational research in the development and implementation of early phase clinical trials with a specific area of interest in women with gynecologic malignancies.

Mary Ackenbom, MD, MSc (2017-

Project: Postoperative Cognitive Impairment in Older Women Undergoing Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery

Primary Mentor(s): Halina Zyczynski, MD, (Primary); Meryl Butters, PhD, (Primary); Esa Davis, MD (Primary); Judy Chang, MD, MPH

Training:

• MSc, University of Pittsburgh, 2017
• MD, The Ohio State University, 2010
• Residency in OBGYN, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 2010 to 2014
• Fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 2014-2017
  

Research Summary: Focus on improving outcomes of surgical patients in the geriatric urogynecology population.

Alumni

John A. Harris, MD, MSc (2016-2019)

Project: Examining End-of-Life Healthcare Quality for Women with Obesity and Advanced Gynecologic Cancer

Primary Mentor(s): Nicholas Castle, PhD (Primary), Judy Chang, MD, MPH

Current Appointment: Assistant Professor of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh

Marie Menke MD, MPH (2011-2016)

Project: Mechanisms Underlying Sexually Dimorphic Differences in Adipose Tissue Turnover and Composition

Primary Mentor(s): Yaacov Barak, PhD; Erin Kershaw, MD

Current Appointment: Assistant Professor of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh

Katherine Himes, MD (2013-2015)

Project: Genomic Imprinting and Placental Lipid Transport

Primary Mentor(s): J. Richard Chaillet, MD, PhD

Current Appointment: Assistant Professor of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh

Marcia Klein-Patel (2010-2012)

Project: The Foreign Body Reaction in Pelvic Floor Reconstruction: Characterization and Modulation of the Immune Response to Synthetic Meshes Used for Pelvic Organ Prolapsed Repair

Primary Mentor(s): Pamela Moalli, MD, PhD

Current Appointment: Midlife Women’s Associates, Pittsburgh, PA

Jacob Larkin, MD (2013-2015)

Project: Placental Injury And Cholesterol Metabolism

Primary Mentor(s): Yoel Sadovsky, MD

Current Appointment: Assistant Professor of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh

Christina Scifres, MD (2010-11)

Project: FABP4 and Fetal Macrosomia in Obesity and Diabetes

Primary Mentor(s): Yoel Sadovsky, MD

Current Appointment: Assistant Professor, Oklahoma University College of Medicine

Kristin Zorn, MD (2010-2012)

Project: Proteomic Evaluation of the Ovarian Surface Epithelium, Fallopian Tube, and Peritoneum at the Time of Risk-Reducing Surgery in Women at Increased Genetic Risk for Ovarian Cancer

Primary Mentor(s): Thomas Conrads, PhD, Nathan Yates, PhD

Current Appointment: Associate Professor of OBGYN and Genetics, Director, Division of GYN Oncology, Director, Hereditary GYN Cancer Clinic, University of Arkansas Medical School

The application process consists of two phases:

PHASE I

The following documents should be submitted electronically to Margie Seskey at seskeyma@mwri.magee.edu

• Completed WRHR application form
• Current curriculum vitae
• A one-page statement of the candidate’s career goals and description of her/his expectations from the training period—discussion should include the total period of training (up to 3 years), the Scholar’s intended area of expertise, and prior research training (if applicable).
• Three letters of recommendation to be sent via mail or email directly from the recommender to the WRHR Program Coordinator at seskeyma@mwri.magee.edu, as follows:
  
  * Candidate’s chair, division director, or training program director, and
  * Previous mentors or other physician or scientist familiar with the candidate’s qualifications

Phase one applications will be reviewed by the PI and the program director. Selected applicants will be invited to participate in Phase II.

Phase II

Selected applicants will be matched with a mentor and together they will prepare and submit a research and career development plan, consisting of:

• Candidate’s biosketch.
• Mentor’s biosketch, the personal statement section should include the mentor’s past mentoring experience and current research focus
• Candidate’s research proposal of no more than five pages with the following structure: Abstract and specific aims (one page), significance, innovation, and experimental design (four pages)
• Budget for the proposed experiments
• Mentor’s statement (up to two pages) outlining the mentorship plan (including suggested members for the mentorship team), career development plan, and coursework. The mentor should describe the research environment, and the availability and quality of needed research resources
• Copies of certificates in training in Human Subjects Research and Research Integrity for the candidate and the mentor
• New mentors will also be required to provide a list of up to 5 past or current trainees, which includes the name, degree(s), dates, where trained, title of project, academic level, and present position and institution

Please note that the research proposal does not need to be the exact research plan ultimately pursued by the candidate if they are accepted to the program, and may be modified after review and discussion with the Advisory Committee.

Each proposal will be reviewed initially by the PI and Research Director to ensure that the application criteria are met. Applications will then be reviewed by the entire Internal Advisory Committee. Candidates who proceed to Phase II may be invited to interview with Internal Advisory Committee members, concluding with a presentation of their research plan to committee. The proposed primary mentor will also be expected to attend this presentation. The Internal Advisory Committee will provide feedback to candidates.

Principal Investigator

Robert Edwards, MD

Chair and Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Co-Leader, Breast and Ovarian Cancer Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Co-Director, Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Director, Transformational Medicine, UPMC

Research Director

Janet M. Catov, PhD, MS

Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Associate Professor of Epidemiology & CTSI, Program Director, Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR)

WRHR Program Coordinator

Margie Seskey

seskeyma@mwri.magee.edu
(412) 641-7531