Women in Science Profiles

A series of multicolored circles behind four overlapping circular images. From left to right: NICHD researchers Dr. Keiko Ozato, Dr. Marissa Lightbourne, Dr. Alejandra Boronat-Garcia with moth larvae, and Dr. Mary Dasso.

In 2019, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) launched its Women in Science series to highlight the exceptional contributions of its female researchers.

Mary Dasso, Ph.D.

Dr. Dasso leads NICHD’s Section on Cell Cycle Regulation and serves as an associate scientific director in the Division of Intramural Research (DIR).

Gisela Storz, Ph.D.

Dr. Storz is a senior investigator in NICHD’s Section on Environmental Gene Regulation and an associate scientific director in DIR.

Keiko Ozato, Ph.D.

Dr. Ozato is a senior investigator in the Section on Molecular Genetics of Immunity.

In addition to these full profiles, we also post regularly to our #WomenInScience series on our Instagram feed .

Women in Science quote from DIR staff clinician Dr. Marissa Lightbourne: “Every discovery involves persistence, determination, resilience, mentorship, collaboration, and, sometimes, being in the right place at the right time. I’m motivated by the need to understand how the body functions so we can treat and cure diseases.”

Marissa Lightbourne, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Marissa Lightbourne leads a new clinic at NIH that helps teenagers and young adults with endocrine disorders transition from pediatric care to adult care.

Learn more about Dr. Lightbourne .

Women in Science quote from NICHD postdoctoral researcher Dr. Anshika Jain: “My favorite aspect about research is troubleshooting—the constant challenge of overcoming roadblocks to make new discoveries. Making sense of otherwise confusing data and fitting them into the story is very rewarding.”

Anshika Jain, Ph.D.

Dr. Anshika Jain studies a rare disease called multiple mitochondrial dysfunction syndrome, or MMDS.

Learn more about Dr. Jain .

Women in Science quote from DIR Office of Education director Dr. Yvette Pittman: “I’m driven by my passion of science, service, and mentorship. I want to make an impact, always helping young scientists reach their goals!”

Yvette Pittman, Ph.D.

Dr. Yvette Pittman is the director of DIR’s Office of Education, which supports the training needs of scientists, postdocs, postbacs, and graduate and summer students who work in NICHD laboratories.

Learn more about Dr. Pittman .

Women in Science quote from Dr. Jing Yu, postdoctoral researcher in NICHD’s Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch: “Conducting research constantly reminds me to be humble and curious because every discovery opens the door to a room full of more unknowns. To enjoy this lifelong journey, it is crucial to keep your passion for learning and not get easily frustrated.”

Jing Yu, Ph.D.

Dr. Jing Yu studies how racial and socioeconomic disparities affect early child development.

Learn more about Dr. Yu .

Women in Science quote from NICHD postdoctoral researcher Dr. Alejandra Boronat-Garcia: “Science is a way to channel creativity and imagination to solve problems and understand nature. I really enjoy the constant back-and-forth between observing, experimenting, and interpreting.”

Alejandra Boronat-Garcia, Ph.D.

Dr. Alejandra Boronat-Garcia explores how the brain gathers, transforms, and organizes sensory information, a process that allows people and animals to know what is happening in their environment.

Learn more about Dr. Boronat-Garcia .

Larissa Erben

Graduate student Larissa Erben studies how neurons in the brain communicate using the Neuregulin/ErbB4 signaling pathway. Genetic differences in these two proteins can increase a person’s risk for schizophrenia.

Learn more about Larissa Erben .

Women in Science quote from NICHD postdoctoral researcher Dr. Afrouz Anderson: “Science is play: the toys are now instruments and the capes have become lab coats. Science gives me the exhilaration and imagination I felt on the playground. I dream of passing the excitement of science on to the next generation!”

Afrouz Anderson, Ph.D.

Dr. Afrouz Anderson uses a non-invasive optical imaging method called near infrared spectroscopy to understand brain function and development in children with genetic disorders.

Learn more about Dr. Anderson .

Women in Science quote from NICHD postdoctoral researcher and National Institute of General Medical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Associate Program fellow Dr. Sara Young-Baird: “I approach understanding cell biology like solving a puzzle from nature, where each of my experimental results provides a piece of that bigger puzzle.”

Sara Young-Baird, Ph.D.

Dr. Sara Young-Baird studies MEHMO syndrome, a rare intellectual and developmental disability that affects males.

Learn more about Dr. Young-Baird .

Women in Science quote from NICHD postdoctoral fellow Dr. Mona Orr: “My favorite things about research are the rush you get when you find something new that nobody else knows and working with younger scientists. It’s amazing to see students gain confidence in the lab, start designing their own experiments, and taking ownership of their research.”

Mona Orr, Ph.D.

Dr. Mona Orr’s research explores whether small bacterial proteins play a role in antibiotic resistance, particularly in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Learn more about Dr. Orr .

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