Research at IRWG

The goal of the Michigan BIRCWH (Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health) is to use a mentored scholarly research experience to develop a cadre of new junior faculty scholars who will ultimately develop independent scientific careers addressing interdisciplinary women’s health concerns. This award pairs at least three clinician scientists and two nonclinical postdoctoral scientists per year with faculty mentors for a minimum of two years each. Recruitment and selection focus on identifying young scholar-scientists who have superior academic potential and scientific skills, with special attention to achieving a diversity of scholars and scholarship.

Special focus will be on scholars in (1) pelvic floor/urogynecology research; (2) health services research; (3) reproductive science and women’s medicine; and (4) biobehavioral and aging research. Of the 17 scholars trained by the Michigan BIRCWH since 2000, five are associate professors in schools of medicine, public health, and literature and science; 11 are assistant professors in schools of medicine, nursing, social work, and literature and science; and one is a research investigator. All conduct interdisciplinary research in women’s health.