ICYMI: Female Scientists Awarded $541K For Research

MANHASSET, NY — Forty-one female scientists were recently recognized for their work and awarded a record-breaking $541,000 in research funding.

The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, the Manhasset-based research arm of Northwell Health, spotlighted these women at an annual fundraising event — which was held by Advancing Women in Science and Medicine (AWSM).

The organization has raised more than $2.5 million since its inception in 2010 to support medical research by female investigators, according to a press release. Funded by philanthropists, the awards range from $2,000 to $150,000 and will support research programs across the health system on topics including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and COVID-19.

"AWSM is a community supported by amazing donors that are truly committed to driving science forward," said Dr. Lior Brimberg, assistant professor at the Feinstein Institutes and co-president of AWSM. "We are thankful to our donors and proud to promote a culture of friendship, mentorship, and empowerment across the Feinstein Institutes."

The Elliott J. Netzer Award, worth $150,000, was presented to Dr. Shih-Shih Chen to study blood cancer. The Donald Rechler Award, also worth $150,000, was presented to Dr. Kim Simpfendorfer to study the mechanisms of genetic risk for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Simpfendorfer will be handing over the reins as AWSM co-president to Chen.

Three Emerging Scientist Awards, $50,000 each, were also funded. The Frank Piccirillo Award was given to Dr. Christine Metz for studying post-infection COVID-19 patient response and the Barbara Dooley Award to Dr. Nyasha Chambwe, who is looking at the genomic and molecular analyses of diverse patients to understand drivers of cancer health disparities.

Additionally, the Barbara Hrbek Zucker Emerging Scientist Award was presented to Danielle Howell, a fourth-year medical student at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. It will fund an entire year of her research looking at the role of social determinants of health in hospital settings, according to a press release. This is the first time in AWSM's history that funding has been awarded to a medical student.

"For too long, the sciences have ignored and underfunded women researchers," said Dr. said Kevin J. Tracey, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes and the Karches Family Distinguished Chair in Medical Research. "AWSM is changing that."

He added: "This year's deserving award recipients will benefit the world of medical research and the patients we seek to cure for years to come."