Duke Center for Global Women's Health Technologies

12/05/2024

11/08/2024

We are excited to announce that GWHT's Ignite Program—led by Ignite Director and Assistant Professor Megan Madonna—received a Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) Grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund!

The grant will support the continued work of this free, 8-week hybrid engineering design experience for Durham-area middle school students. Click the following link to learn more about the program and to register (priority deadline is Dec. 16): https://www.gwht-ignite-learning.com/learners-program

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund is an independent private foundation dedicated to advancing the biomedical sciences by supporting research and education.

Please click the link below to learn more about the SSEP grant!
https://www.bwfund.org/news/bwf-announces-2024-recipients-of-the-student-stem-enrichment-program-grants/

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (October 22, 2024) — The Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) is proud to announce the 2024 recipients of its Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) grants. These awards will provide over $1.8 million in funding to 11 organizations across North Carolina that aim to engage stu...

11/01/2024

We are thrilled to announce that we have received the 2024 Innovator Award from the Department of Defense's Breast Cancer Research Program.

Thank you to Duke Engineering and Michaela Kane Martinez for the article below highlighting our lab's present and future work! Read the article for more information on the award and the breast cancer research it will support over the next four years.

With the support from the Department of Defense’s 2024 Innovator Award, Nimmi Ramanujam and an interdisciplinary team of researchers aim to improve the detection and treatment of early-stage breast cancer

10/14/2023

Introducing our newest first-year graduate students with GWHT! Meet Katie Broun:

What motivated you to pursue a PhD/join GWHT?
My enthusiasm for research and learning in general as well as my desire to teach others motivated me to pursue my PhD. Additionally, since medical technologies are constantly being modernized, I was interested in creating more accessible, low-cost tools for cancer diagnostics, making GWHT an amazing fit.

What is your research topic/area of interest?
I am excited to join the breast cancer metabolic imaging team and work on low-cost imaging technologies developed in our lab. I am hoping to answer important biological questions while simultaneously bettering our optical technologies for potential utilization in a patient facing setting.

Where are you originally from/where did you go to undergrad, etc?
I’m originally from Wallingford, CT and grew up in the greater New Haven area (which in my personal opinion has the best pizza in the world). I also just graduated from University of Rochester with a degree in Biomedical Engineering, concentrating in Medical Optics.

What are some hobbies or interests that you have outside of your research?
Outside of research, I love to rock climb, sing, listen to music, cook, and spend time with friends. I am particularly excited to explore Durham over the course of my PhD and to go through the PhD process with Sarah and Marcia!

Are there any particular goals you have set for yourself during your PhD?
I want to set a personal goal to maintain balance while working on my PhD. While I am excited to go on a research deep dive and become a more informed thinker and problem solver, I am equally excited to learn more about and take care of myself. I am excited to make new connections with people in and out of the lab, become comfortable with being uncomfortable, and set reasonable goals both for myself and my research.

10/13/2023

Introducing our newest first-year graduate students with GWHT! Next up, meet Sarah Mekha:

What motivated you to pursue a PhD/join GWHT?
It has been a career goal to pursue research and eventually get involved in low-cost, globally oriented technologies. When I came across GWHT, I thought that it was a great opportunity to have this impact as early as during my PhD!

What is your research topic/area of interest?
I am concentrated in imaging and optics for early cancer diagnosis and treatment. Ever since high school, I have been interested in learning about the different biomedical imaging modalities and understanding their purposes and limitations. I wanted my research to have an impact in the early detection of diseases or recurrence so that treatments can be administered optimally for the patients’ needs.

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Houston TX, and my family is originally from Iraq and Jordan. I studied Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Hook ‘em!

What are some hobbies or interests that you have outside of your research?
Outside of research, you can find me on the soccer field! I play goalkeeper on the Duke Women’s Club Soccer team. I also really enjoy trying new restaurants, hiking, and exploring new cities with my friends.

Are there any particular goals you have set for yourself during your PhD?
My goal during my PhD (which I also apply to my life more generally!) is to put myself in situations where I have the potential to grow and not be afraid to make mistakes, as uncomfortable as it may be. This ranges from meeting new people that may or may not be in my program, to asking questions to lab members, and being open to learning new skills like machine learning and animal work. I aim to be comfortable with making mistakes and putting myself out there in order to grow as an inquisitive researcher.

10/12/2023

Introducing our newest first-year graduate students with GWHT!
First, meet Márcia Cunha dos Santos:

What motivated you to pursue a PhD/join GWHT?
Since I started undergrad, I knew I wanted to work in technology and social impact, which led me to work in different aspects of technology: science, industry, and entrepreneurship. Those experiences made me realize that my passion was in translational science and how to deliver that to effectively impact people. Duke BME and GWHT matched perfectly with my passion. Here, I can dive deep into medical technologies and global health while connecting with a highly entrepreneurial community.

What is your area of interest?
My area of interest is medical devices and AI. Still, more than that, I want to work with medical technologies for women's health, focusing on empowering them and community-level care.

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Brazil, more specifically, a city called São Leopoldo, in the country's southern state. I started my journey in science during high school when I participated in many national and international science fairs. Then, I studied computer engineering at UNISINOS, a private university in south Brazil, where I got involved with projects related to medical devices and bioimages.

What are some hobbies or interests that you have outside of your research?
One of my main hobbies is dancing. I love dancing, and I love trying out new styles. I also love film photography, cooking, and, of course, exploring new restaurants and foods.

08/30/2023

🎉 Celebrating a Major Milestone! 📚
Congratulations to Kerry Eller for passing her Preliminary Exam this week after months of hard work. 👏

08/16/2023

Exciting News from GWHT! We are thrilled to announce that PhD Student, Enakshi Sunassee, has been awarded the prestigious NIH F99/K00 Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award through the National Cancer Institute (NCI)!

This award will support her graduate student research and postdoctoral research, with the goal of facilitating her transition into a successful cancer research postdoctoral appointment.

This highly competitive award recognizes outstanding graduate students with exceptional potential and strong interest in becoming independent cancer researchers. Applicants for this award must be nominated by their institutions and each institution can only submit one nomination.

Join us in congratulating Enakshi Sunassee on this well-deserved achievement!

07/31/2023

📽 Video: Last week, GWHT Director Dr. Nimmi Ramanujam traveled to Sydney, Australia to receive the esteemed IEEE BME Award 2023 for her groundbreaking work in developing globally accessible technology for women's health related to cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

This recognition highlights the importance of Dr. Ramanujam's contributions in addressing healthcare disparities and improving the lives of women worldwide. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement!

07/18/2023

The application for the 2023-2024 Ignite Makers programs for high school students is now live! 💡 🎉

Applications can be found here: https://www.gwht-ignite-learning.com/join-a-program and applications are due by August 15th. Applications should be completed and submitted by students. Please pass along this opportunity to anyone you think may be interested.

You can learn more about the Ignite STEM education program for middle and high school students by reading our blog post all about Ignite's year-end event, Duke Day back in April! 👩‍⚕️ ⚡ 💧 https://www.dukegwht.org/post/ignite-learners-and-makers-shine-bright-on-2nd-annual-duke-day

06/29/2023

This week, we are excited to introduce you to our new post-baccalaureate fellows at GWHT! Today, meet Eliza Steinberg – her current project will focus on solving engineering design challenges related to the Pocket Colposcope, Callascope, and corresponding software in order to optimize workflow for clinical collaborators. Read more below!

Welcome aboard! What inspired you to join GWHT and what aspect of your new role are you most excited about?
“I’m so happy to be here! My life goal is to improve women’s health outcomes globally through the application of scientific principles and human-centered design approaches. Previously I worked on a student team that designed and implemented a portable gynecological examination table for LMIC regions where patient access to cervical examination is limited. Having studied the burden of cervical cancer in LMICs and witnessed the positive impact of collaboration and innovative thinking I view GWHT as the natural step for me to continue the work and learning that I find meaningful. I am excited to learn technical skills for device implementation. Additionally, I look forward to assisting with a large-scale clinical study.”

Where are you from?
“Ann Arbor, Michigan”

Could you tell us about some of the experiences that led you here?
“After living in Ann Arbor Michigan for 22 years I’ve relocated for the first time in my life! I recently graduated from The University of Michigan with a BS in Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience with a minor in Gender and Health. Through my studies, I’ve become passionate about understanding human behaviors and the unique ways that individuals’ experiences affect their interaction with a problem and its solution space. Following my own health experience, I’ve become fascinated with issues in women’s health.”

How do you like to spend time outside of work?
“In my free time I love to scale rock walls (or at least try!), so you can find me at the local rock climbing gym, watching climbing videos, or consuming climbing media. Aside from that I’ve recently been practicing my juggling in order to improve my hand-eye coordination. Lastly, I work on a start-up team that is creating a device to stabilize fetal position to prevent adverse health outcomes.”

What is one of your bucket list items?
“For a long time, I’ve wanted to find all of the words on Delta Airline’s “Anagram Game” within the time limit. Unfortunately, they recently removed the game so my new bucket list item is to get them to reinstate my favorite plane pass time.”

You can learn more about the post-bac experience at GWHT here: https://youtu.be/MAfKZkaQbZ4

06/27/2023

This week, we are excited to introduce you to our new post-baccalaureate fellows at GWHT! Today, meet Olivia Santos – her project will focus on using the Pocket Colposcope and software to support our international and domestic clinic partners as part of our ongoing implementation efforts and studies with the Pocket Colposcope. Read more below!

Welcome aboard! What inspired you to join GWHT and what aspect of your new role are you most excited about?
“I am especially interested in how human biology, cultural values, and health systems interact to influence reproductive healthcare. My interests led me to the WISH Bass Connections class hosted by GWHT where I learned more about the power of women’s empowerment and healthcare policy in preventing and treating cervical cancer in Peru. I found the work so inspiring that I decided to pursue research through GWHT in a more hands-on manner. I am most excited to explore my interests in clinical research through a unique project where innovative technologies intersect with clinical medicine.”

Where are you from?
“I grew up in Winston-Salem, NC, and moved to Atlanta, GA at the start of high school.”

Could you tell us about some of the experiences that led you here?
“I just graduated from Duke with a degree in evolutionary anthropology and minors in chemistry and religious studies. My classes in anthropology have given me insight into how our evolutionary pasts inform human health in modern environments. Concurrently, my religion classes have helped me to create connections between the body, faith, and spirituality. I am particularly interested in how Christian texts and teaching inform views on women’s bodies, fertility, and family planning.”

How do you like to spend time outside of work?
“Outside of work, you can find me cooking, baking, and trying restaurants around the Triangle. I also love exploring exhibits at the Nasher and NCMA and pursuing my own craft projects. I am currently working on my first quilt!”

Any hidden talents?
“I am a classically trained violinist, but I also love to fiddle and play bluegrass music.”

You can learn more about the post-bac experience at GWHT here: https://youtu.be/MAfKZkaQbZ4