Jane D. Claflin
In 1993, the Women in Academic Medicine Committee, originally chaired by the late Mrs. Jane D. Claflin, Honorary Trustee, was established to facilitate the academic careers of women in science at Massachusetts General Hospital.
This Committee, with the sponsorship of the Executive Committee on Research, established the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards in recognition of the fact that maintaining research productivity during child-rearing years is a significant obstacle to career advancement for a number of women. The awards provide $50K in support each year for two years.
Since 1993, over 100 women have received Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards, and in 2021 eight new scholars were named, four of whom are included in this first post. Be sure to check out part one to get to know the other four scholars and their work.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate and congratulate the 2021 Claflin Scholars!
“I feel immensely humbled to work in an institution that makes me feel safe and respected as a Latina physician-scientist, daughter, sister, wife, friend, and mother of two. The Claflin Award is giving me the support I need to persevere on my work on important clinical and public health issues for the growing elderly population at a key point in my career.”
Dr. Moura is a neurologist, neurophysiologist, and health services researcher in the Department of Neurology at Mass General and Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Harvard Medical School. She is also a PhD candidate in Population Health Sciences (Epidemiology) at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.
She directs the Mass General Neurovalue Laboratory, which was launched in 2014 to guide clinicians, patients, and policy makers towards a higher value, safer, and more equitable neurologic care via scientific discovery, practice innovation, and instruction of a future generation of neurologists and epidemiologists.
She studies the effectiveness of learning healthcare systems for improving neurological outcomes and new methods for valid comparative effectiveness and safety research.
“What makes the Claflin Award so exceptional is that it recognizes women faculty who are dedicated to their research and their families. It allows me to start a new research program during the uncertain times of the pandemic, and after just welcoming my second child. Joining the women who have received the Claflin Award is a true honor.”
Dr. Rheinbay is an investigator in the Center for Cancer Research and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Several cancer drivers have been identified and characterized in regulatory, non-coding regions of DNA; however, this genomic territory remains relatively unexplored in human tumors.
The Rheinbay Laboratory concentrates on identifying and functionally characterizing these non-coding drivers in the sequences of tumor whole genomes through development of novel analysis strategies and collaborations with experimental investigators.
The Rheinbay lab is also studying how the genetic differences between men and women affect tumors. Although it has long been known that certain cancer types afflict female and male patients disproportionately, the genetic contributions of the X and Y chromosomes have not been studied extensively. Understanding the role of these sex chromosomes in cancer will allow us to look for therapeutics that specifically target sex-specific vulnerabilities.
“I am honored to receive a Claflin Distinguished Scholar Award. This grant will allow me to expand my lab and gather the preliminary data needed for future grant applications. This support comes at a critical time in my career as I work towards independence while balancing motherhood.”
Dr. Sandlin is an investigator at the Center for Engineering in Medicine & Surgery at Mass General and an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School.
She leads a translational research program that utilizes cutting-edge chemical and bioengineering technologies and concepts for applications in global health with the ultimate goal of improving the way we study, diagnose and treat infectious diseases.
Specific areas of focus in the Sandlin lab include the development of biostabilization techniques for cells, parasites and vectors, and the development of point-of-care disease diagnostics.
“The Claflin Award is like a super energy boost to junior women faculty, who are often juggling many tasks: family, parenting, clinical work, research, and personal growth. I am very honored to be part of Jane D. Claflin’s vision for women in academia and this amazing community.”
Dr. Yin is a member of the Mass Eye and Ear Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services studying the interaction between blood vessels and nerve fibers and how this interaction helps maintain corneal transparency and clear vision.
She conducts basic and clinical research in corneal and ocular surface diseases. Her basic scientific research focuses on the understanding of corneal angiogenesis (the development of new blood vessels), innervation, inflammation, and wound healing.
Her clinic research focuses on improving the diagnosis and treatment of corneal diseases, limbal stem cell deficiency, dry eye syndrome, and other ocular surface diseases.
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