The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is starting its first federally-funded training program to provide support for postdoctoral fellows in reproductive sciences.
A grant from the National Institutes of Health will enable postdoctoral fellows to train in basic and clinical research and focus on subjects such as miscarriage and endometriosis. This grant is part of the National Institute of Health’s efforts to fund translational research — studies that solve fundamental questions about a disease and that translate into new treatments and better patient care.
“Research training in reproductive sciences in obstetrics and gynecology has been needed nationwide for many years,” says Irving Boime, Ph.D., program director and professor of obstetrics and gynecology. “This is very exciting for the University because this is the first training grant the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has received.”
Four postdoctoral fellows will train for two years in the laboratory of a mentor, where they will actively participate in ongoing research. Trainees will select from among nine faculty members in three subgroups: molecular reproductive endocrinology, biology of maternal-fetal interactions and gynecologic oncology.
In addition, trainees will learn grant and manuscript writing as part of their career development. The newly formed Office of Postgraduate Affairs at the School of Medicine also will provide support and resources to these individuals.
Kelle H. Moley, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and of cell biology and physiology, and Hyunjung J. Lim, Ph.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and of cell biology and physiology, are co-principal investigators of the program.
“Our hope is that these trainees will establish their own labs some day and pursue problems in reproductive medicine,” says Boime, who also is professor of molecular biology and pharmacology. “What we learn here can be translated into new solutions for the problems that affect so many women.”
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has 33 full-time faculty and nine faculty holding joint appointments from six different departments.
Washington University School of Medicine’s full-time and volunteer faculty physicians also are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals. The School of Medicine is one of the leading medical research, teaching and patient care institutions in the nation, currently ranked second in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare.