Jane Claflin
Although women enter into the fields of science and medicine in approximately the same numbers as men, they are much less represented at the leadership level.
One reason for this disparity is the challenges of managing the dual demands of work and home while raising a family.
To provide extra support during this challenging time, the Women in Academic Medicine Committee at Mass General established the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards in 1993.
The awards were named after the late Jane Claflin, a longtime volunteer at the hospital and the chair of the Women's committee at the time.
Each recipient is provided with $60K per year for two years that they can use to help sustain their clinical and research careers.
Since 1993, over 100 women have received Claflin awards, many of whom have gone on to become leaders at the hospital and in their fields.
In 2024, Mass General announced eight new Claflin Distinguished Scholars:
Leigh Anne Dageforde, MD, MPH | Department of Surgery
Leigh Anne Dageforde, MD, MPH
Leigh Anne Dageforde, MD, MPH, specializes in minimally invasive living kidney donor transplant surgery using both robotic assisted and laparoscopic technology.
Dr. Dageforde is also the Surgical Director of Liver Transplant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she works with both the Mass General and Brigham hepatology teams to bring collaborative care across the two campuses for liver transplant candidates.
Her research focuses on using implementation science to improve outcomes for patients after transplantation.
"It is a tremendous honor to receive a Claflin award, especially recognizing the impressive careers of prior recipients.
"As a clinically busy transplant surgeon, mom to a toddler, and recent recipient of a career development award, the Claflin will support a post-doctoral fellow to work with me on my research optimizing post-liver transplant patient care.
"I am incredibly grateful for the support of Mass General at this busy time in life allowing me to continue to pursue my research and career goals."
Emily Lau, MD | Department of Medicine
Emily Lau, MD
Emily Lau, MD is a women’s cardiovascular health specialist and investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Dr. Lau directs the Cardiometabolic Hormones and Health Clinic in the Corrigan Women’s Heart Health program. Her research focuses on understanding how biologic sex differences and female-specific cardiovascular risk factors contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease uniquely in women.
“I could not be more grateful to be awarded the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Award. This award comes at a critical time in my career/life as I embark on the transition to independence as a physician-scientist while juggling the demands and joys of being a newly minted mom of two.
Thanks to the legacy of Jane Claflin and her visionary commitment to advancing women in science at MGH, our research team is working to better understand the unique factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease in women.
Even in 2024, women physician-scientists are a rarity, which makes this award even more impactful. I am deeply honored to join this illustrious community of talented and visionary women scientists.”
Jessica Lin, MD | Department of Medicine
Jessica Lin, MD
Jessica Lin, MD cares for patients with lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies and performs clinical and translational research.
Her major research interests include studying the genetics of non-small cell lung cancer and development of resistance to targeted therapies.
She leads clinical trials of novel targeted therapy and immunotherapy agents in lung cancer.
“It is an honor to join the impressive community of Claflin Award recipients who share the dedication and passion for their research.
"The Claflin Award is so rare in that it recognizes the challenges that talented women investigators and physicians face as they drive their research forward, while simultaneously investing their time and energy in parenting and family.
"It is incredibly inspiring and invigorating to know how much Mass General values this support for women faculty. I am looking forward to growing my research program and expanding its scope and reach with the support of the Claflin Award.”
Julie Miller, MD, PhD | Department of Neurology
Julie Miller, MD, PhD
Julie Miller, MD, PhD, is interested in understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms driving the development and progression of primary brain tumors, particularly IDH-mutant gliomas and glioblastoma.
Her recent research has focused on the disruption of normal metabolism that is observed in IDH-mutant gliomas, with the goal of developing new drugs and treatment strategies to more effectively treat patients with these tumors.
“As a physician-scientist and mother, I am truly honored to be named as a Claflin Scholar and join the other talented women who have received this award. This support comes at a critical time, as I establish an independent research program, expand my lab and embark on an exciting new project related to metabolism in glioma.
"The award will help as I strive towards balance, providing an opportunity to preserve my research productivity while affording me a chance to be present for the big and small moments in my kids’ lives. “ – Julie Miller, MD, PhD
Aderonke Pederson, MD | Department of Psychiatry
Aderonke Pederson, MD
Aderonke Pederson, MD, is a physician scientist whose research is centered on alleviating health disparities for underserved and vulnerable populations.
Dr. Pederson has focused on the identification of mechanisms that result in barriers to engagement in mental and physical health services for underserved populations, including Black adults.
She also conducts research on the development of health models that address medical mistrust and promote early engagement in health services.
"Awards like the Claflin Distinguished Scholar award can make all the difference for a successful research career. With this award, I am able to maintain my research productivity, and hire a post-doc, at a time when many women as caregivers (to children or their families) lose out on necessary productivity for advancement.
"We have tons of research that proves women can advance in an equitable manner in academia when the right mentorship and resources are put in place.
"At the intersection of my identity as a Black woman, a mother, a spouse, and a caregiver to my extended family, I greatly appreciate this affirmation through the Claflin to keep running as I juggle my many roles. Success in my research is a legacy for the women and girls who come after me, including my young daughters."
Davida Schiff, MD | Department of Pediatrics
Davida Schiff, MD
Davida Schiff, MD, is a general academic pediatrician and health services researcher focused on understanding how substance use in pregnant and parenting women impacts the health of children and families.
She is the medical director of the HOPE Clinic (Harnessing support for Opioid and substance use disorder in Pregnancy and Early childhood) at Mass General, a multidisciplinary program caring for women and families with substance use disorder from the time of conception through the first two years postpartum.
“Being selected for the Claflin award provides tremendous support at a transitional point in my research career. I’m in awe of the incredible women selected alongside me and chosen previously; I feel so lucky to be included amongst these phenomenal researchers and mothers!
"This award will allow me to continue to experience a sense joy in discovery and developing deep relationships that I hope to also instill in my two young daughters.”
Lydia Shook, MD | Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
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Lydia Shook, MD
Lydia Shook, MD, is investigating how prenatal exposure to maternal immune activation in utero impacts long-term offspring cardiometabolic disease risk.
Her work seeks to understand the role of the placenta in mediating the crosstalk between mother and fetus during pregnancy.
Her research includes investigating the impact of COVID-19 disease and COVID-19 vaccines on the health of the next generation, and patient-oriented research to improve the health of pregnant individuals with diabetes and their newborns.
“It is an honor and privilege to have received the Claflin award, which will provide me with much-needed support at this critical time in my career. As a physician scientist with two children, the demands on my time and attention are ever-increasing.
"With the support of the Claflin, I feel more confident in my ability to rigorously pursue answers to scientific questions in service of my patients and their families.”
Wei Zhou, PhD | Department of Psychiatry
Wei Zhou, PhD
Wei Zhou, PhD is a researcher who is focused on developing and applying statistical methods to uncover genetic risk factors for human diseases using large-scale biobanks as well as leveraging high-dimensional omics data to interpret the genetic association discoveries.
"I am incredibly honored to receive the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Award. The award supports me in launching my research team as a new independent investigator while balancing career and motherhood.
The support ensures continued productivity and advances projects for significant preliminary results, leading to further funding applications!"
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