Current Research Mentors

THEME NO.1: WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

This theme includes research efforts on gonadal development (Heckert), fertility (Albertini) and pregnancy (Soares).   The research efforts of Audus are listed in Drug Design, Drug Delivery, and Pharmacogenomics but also fit well within the Women’s Reproductive Health theme.

David Albertini, PhD Hall Professor of Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology University of Kansas School of Medicine

Leslie H. Heckert, PhD Marion M. Osborn Professor for Reproductive Sciences Dept. of Molecular and Integrative Physiology University of Kansas School of Medicine

Michael J. Soares, PhD Distinguished Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Director, Institute for Regenerative Biology and Medicine University of Kansas School of Medicine

THEME NO. 2: MATERNAL HEALTH

This theme includes research related to maternal behavior and breast feeding (Carlson, Levant, Wambach).  The research efforts of all three also fit within Prevention and Intervention theme.  Gustafson, listed as a peer mentor, is also included in this theme.

Susan E. Carlson, PhD AJ Rice Professor of Nutrition, Department of Dietetics and Nutrition University of Kansas School of Allied Health

Beth Levant, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, & Therapeutics University of Kansas School of Medicine

Karen A. Wambach, PhD, RN, IBCLC Associate Professor University of Kansas School of Nursing

Kathleen Gustafson, PhD Research Assistant Professor Hoglund Brain Imaging Center

THEME NO. 3: PATHOGENESIS OF DISEASES PREVALENT IN WOMEN

This theme includes investigative efforts focused on the role of estrogen as a mediator of gender differences in pain (Berman, Smith) endometriosis (Nothnick), and common female neurological disorders (Nudo, Barohn, Michaelis and Burns).  Weiner’s work also fits under the theme of Drug Design, Drug Discovery and Pharmacogenetics.  Fabian’s work included under Prevention, Intervention and Health Disparities fits with the theme of pathogenesis of breast cancer.

Nancy E. Berman, PhD Professor, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology University of Kansas School of Medicine

Peter G. Smith, PhD Professor, Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology Director, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Center University of Kansas School of Medicine

Kenneth E. McCarson, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics University of Kansas School of Medicine

Randolph J. Nudo, PhD FAHA Professor, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology Director, Landon Center on Aging University of Kansas School of Medicine

Richard Barohn, MD Gertrude and Dewey Zeigler Professor of Neurobiology and Chair, Department of Neurology University of Kansas School of Medicine

Mary Lou Michaelis, PhD Professor, Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology Kansas University School of Pharmacy

Jeffery M. Burns, MD Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Assistant Director, General Clinical Research Center and Director, KU Alzheimer and Memory Program University of Kansas School of Medicine

Carl. P. Weiner, MD, MBA The K.E. Krantz Professor and Chair, Obstetrics and Gynecology Professor, Molecular and Integrative Physiology University of Kansas School of Medicine

Warren B. Nothnick, PhD, HCLD Associate Professor, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Molecular and Integrative Physiology University of Kansas School of Medicine

Buddhadeb Dawn, MD Professor of Medicine and Vice Chair of Research, Department of Medicine Director, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Cardiovascular Research Institute University of Kansas Medical Center

THEME NO. 4: DRUG DESIGN, DRUG DELIVERY, AND PHARMACOGENOMICS

This women’s health research theme includes efforts in drug delivery (Audus) and pharmacogenomics (Godwin) of drugs targeted to women.  The research efforts of Dr. Audus also fit well within the Women’s Reproductive Health theme.

Kenneth L. Audus, PhD Dean, School of Pharmacy Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry University of Kansas School of Pharmacy

Andrew K. Godwin, PhD Chancellors Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Sciences and Endowed Professor, Associate Director of the Translational Research, University of Kansas Cancer Center

THEME NO. 5: PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND HEALTH DISPARITIES

This women’s health research theme includes behavioral research on the prevention of disease through early detection and intervention (Fabian, Ellerbeck, Donnelly, Sullivan, Thomas) with a focus on health disparities (Ellerbeck, Thomas, Sullivan).  The research efforts of Carlson and Wambach are listed in Maternal Health theme, but also fit within this theme.

Edward F. Ellerbeck, MD, MPH Professor and Chair, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health University of Kansas School of Medicine

Joseph E. Donnelly, EDD, FACSM Professor/Director, Energy Balance Laboratory & The Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management, The Schiefelbusch Institute for Lifespan Studies University of Kansas

Carol J. Fabian, MD Professor/Director Breast Cancer Prevention Unit University of Kansas School of Medicine

Patricia A. Thomas, MD, MA, FCAP, FASCP Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Associate Dean in the Office of Cultural Enhancement and Diversity University of Kansas School of Medicine

Carol Smith, PhD, RN Professor, School of Nursing Adjunct Professor, Preventive Medicine

Marc E. Fey, PhD Professor, Department of Hearing and Speech University of Kansas School of Allied Health

Debra K. Sullivan, PhD, RD, LD Midwest Diary Council Professor and Chair, Department of Dietetics and Nutrition University of Kansas Medical Center

Allen K. Greiner, MD, MPH Associate Professor, Departments of Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine University of Kansas School of Medicine

Kimber Richter, PhD, MPH, MA Associate Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health University of Kansas School of Medicine

General  Category Mentors

Paula Cupertino, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health University of Kansas School of Medicine

Robin Maser, PhD Research Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Kansas School of Medicine

Christine Daley, PhD, MA, SM Associate Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health University of Kansas School of Medicine

Junior Mentors

Christie Befort, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health University of Kansas School of Medicine

Nicole Nollen, PhD, MA Assistant Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health University of Kansas School of Medicine

Ann Davis, PhD, MPH Associate Professor, Department of Behavioral Pediatrics University of Kansas School of Medicine