Research Program

Missions  The missions of the WHCOE Research Program are to:  (1) increase the visibility of women’s health and sex/gender differences research at WFSM, (2) expand research in women’s health within the institution, (3) expand venues for disseminating cutting-edge research to women’s health scientists, clinicians, and health professionals, and (4) promote translational collaboration in women’s health and sex/gender differences research within and across campuses.

Why Women’s Health Research is Important

Biological sex and gender play major roles in the prevalence, progression and prognosis of numerous medical conditions, including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, substance abuse, depression, brain disorders, infectious and autoimmune diseases.  Our program is guided by key concerns in women’s health, including sex/gender distinctions, health disparities, diversity and transitions across the lifespan. Our research includes scientific investigations across a broad translational spectrum encompassing the basic and clinical sciences, including cellular, molecular and genetic factors, healthy lifestyles and behavior, risk reduction and disease prevention, and clinical intervention, aimed at improving the health of women.

What We Do

The Research Program promotes and facilitates women’s health research within the institution, also serving as a resource for cross-campus, interdisciplinary and translational collaborations.  

Research Program Events

The Research Program offers seminars, workshops, awards and an annual conference.  To find out more about these events, visit our Research Program Events page.

Scientific Review of Grants

The Research Program's faculty committee provides scientific review of grant proposals upon request.  The committee also provides assistance in responding to grant reviewers.  If you would like your materials reviewed or if you have questions about the process, please contact the committee coordinator Rita Groce at rgroce@wakehealth.edu or 336-713-5074 or the program director, April Ronca at aronca@wakehealth.edu or 336-716-3779. 

Incontinence Impact Questionnaire/Urogenital Distress Inventory

Now available: Survey instruments to assess impact of urinary incontinence on women's lives: The WHCOE administers the distribution and use of these two questionnaires.  For more information visit our IIQ & UDI page. 

 Graylyn Conference On Women’s Cognitive Health

From 1997 until 2009, the WHCOE hosted the Graylyn Conferences on Women's Cognitive Health to serve as a catalyst for new research on estrogen, heart disease and cognition.  For more about these conferences, please visit our Past Graylyn Conferences page.