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 Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) 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 2025, Mass General announced eight new Claflin Distinguished Scholars.
Here, we highlight these deserving recipients and share their thoughts on what this award means to them and their research.
Sara Barmettler
Sara Barmettler, MD
Physician-Investigator, Division of Allergy, Rheumatology and Immunology
Director, Program in Primary and Secondary Immune Deficiencies
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Barmettler has clinical and research expertise in primary and secondary immunodeficiency (the inability of the body’s immune system to protect against disease due to inherited or acquired factors). She is also highly involved in quality improvement and education, with projects in anaphylaxis recognition and management as well as chemotherapy desensitization.
Quote:
“I am deeply appreciative of the Claflin Award and the invaluable support it provides for advancing my research into the immunologic mechanisms of disease. Receiving this award at this pivotal point in my career is both exciting and humbling, and I am grateful for this opportunity.”
Kendra Becker, PhD
Kendra Becker, PhD
Director of Translational Research, Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program
Director of Psychology, Mass General Brigham’s Women’s Sports Medicine Program
Assistant Professor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Becker’s research interests include exploring the influence of emotions and personality on eating behaviors, as well as investigating the neurobiological features of disordered eating.
She is co-author of more than 70 scientific publications focused on eating disorders and how eating behaviors impact bone health, endocrine function, cognitive flexibility and brain functioning.
Quote:
“The Claflin Distinguished Scholar Award is uniquely special as it celebrates the impact mothers are making both at home in raising their families and in the larger community by improving patient care and advancing scientific discoveries. I am deeply honored to join the ranks of the many exceptional women who have received this award.”
Maria Clavijo Jordan, PhD
Maria Clavijo Jordan, PhD
Investigator, Martinos Center for Biomedical Engineering
Assistant Professor of Radiology, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Clavijo Jordan’s interests include the use of molecular magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to detect and characterize inflammation, fibrosis and cancer.
She is interested in understanding the role metals play in the development of disease. Recently, she and colleagues have been using molecular MRI probes that detect metals such as zinc and copper in the body.
Quote:
“This award allows me to bring in additional help in the lab, so I can focus on securing grants without compromising my availability for my children and family. But importantly, it truly makes me feel seen and valued in a society where mothers are too often overlooked. MGH clearly understands the unique challenges we face and is committed to empowering women in science.”
Elisabetta Morini, PhD
Elisabetta Morini, PhD
Investigator, Center for Genomic Medicine
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Morini’s research focuses on understanding how mRNA splicing is regulated and how its disruption leads to neurological diseases.
Her ultimate goal is to develop new therapeutics for these diseases.
Quote:
"The Claflin Award means a great deal to me as a junior faculty member and mother of two young daughters. I’m deeply honored to receive this award and to be part of a community of such inspiring and successful women."
Nina Gold, MD
Nina Gold, MD
Director of Prenatal Medical Genetics and Associate Director for Research, Mass General Brigham Personal Medicine
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Gold specializes in the diagnosis and care of children and adults with genetic and metabolic conditions.
Her research interests include newborn screening and the identification of actionable genetic disorders.
Quote:
"I am delighted to join the inspiring group of women investigators named Claflin Distinguished Scholars. I am deeply grateful for the institutional support, especially as my husband and I raise our young children, Shira (age 5) and Gabriel (age 2)."
Melissa Rengarajan, MD, PhD
Melissa Rengarajan, MD, PhD
Physician Investigator, Division of Endocrinology
Instructor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Rengarajan specializes in treating endocrine disorders, with a particular focus on thyroid disorders, endocrine autoimmunity, and immunotherapy toxicities.
She conducts translational research on thyroid cancer as well as autoimmune endocrine diseases, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves disease and type 1 diabetes.
Quote:
“I am thrilled and honored to receive the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Award, especially after witnessing many women I deeply admire build impressive scientific careers with its support.”
Bin Song, PhD
Bin Song, MD, PhD
Scientific Director, The George A. “Doc” Lopez, MD Laboratory for Regenerative Cell Therapy
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Song is researching the role of signaling transduction (the process by which cells convert external signals into processes) and gene regulation in neuronal survival and programmed cell death.
Her goal is to identify new targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.
Quote:
As I begin my journey as a new faculty member in a new institution and country, while heading a newly established lab and raising a teenage daughter, I am juggling many roles and responsibilities. This award comes at a pivotal moment, greatly facilitating my ability to balance these commitments.
Melissa Walker, MD, PhD
Melissa Walker, MD, PhD
Physician-Investigator, Department of Neurology
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Walker is working to decipher mechanisms of mitochondrial disease using the transcriptome (the study of which genes are active at a given time), and to develop a single blood test for mitochondrial disease.
Quote:
“Just as being a physician-scientist in no way diminishes or reduces the obligation to the patient, being a parent-physician-scientist or other caregiver-physician-scientist in no way diminishes our obligations to our families. Claflin support allows for additional hands in the lab to move experiments forward while allowing me to maintain these other, paramount commitments.”
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