to women’s health
Karyn Frick, associate professor of behavioral neuroscience in the Department
of Psychology, has been awarded the third annual Society for Women’s
Health Research Medtronic Prize for Scientific Contributions to Women’s
Health for her research on the effect of hormones on learning and memory.
T H I S
Frick received $75,000 from the society at its annual awards banquet on April
28.
Frick’s lab is studying how the hormones estrogen and progesterone influence
the brain’s ability to learn and remember. Scientists know that, both
before and after birth, these hormones help to keep cells in women’s
brains healthy, and that after puberty, hormone fluctuations during the menstrual
cycle influence how women think, feel and remember. Researchers believe that
at menopause, the loss of hormones significantly increases a woman’s
risk of memory loss and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Frick has demonstrated that hormone loss in middle age causes premature memory
decline in female mice relative to males. She has also studied whether hormone
treatment in middle-aged and older female mice can improve memory. She has
discovered a molecule in the brain that is necessary for estrogen to improve
memory, and her lab is studying whether this molecule also works with estrogen
to reduce memory loss in aging females. Ultimately, scientists such as Frick
hope to develop drugs that prevent memory loss in menopausal women but do not
produce the negative side effects of current hormone therapies.
Frick, who also holds appointments in the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program
and the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, has been a professor in
the psychology department at Yale since 2000.
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Added sun does not lower breast cancer risk, warn expertsYale affiliates are honored with election to prestigious societies
Ten appointed members of American Academy of Arts & Sciences
Mathematician Peter Jones named to National Academy of Sciences
Ian Shapiro chosen to join American Philosophical Society
Strobel’s students rediscover sense of scientific ‘wonder’ . .
Yale to celebrate 307th graduation
Summertime at Yale
Scientist Joan Steitz wins nation’s largest prize in medicine
University names 18 future leaders as 2008 World FellowsENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS
Mary E. Miller named Sterling Professor of the History of Art
Joseph Roach appointed Sterling Professor of Theater
Dr. Madhav Dhodapkar is the new Bunker Professor of Hematology
Dr. Richard Edelson is the first Lerner Professor of Dermatology
Architecture students helping to design Mideast Peace Park
China’s President Hu Jintao meets with participants in . . .
In Yale-led study, astronomers discover nine young galaxies . . .
Research on male mating behavior suggests brains may be unisex . . .
Paul Anastas honored as the founder of ‘green chemistry’
Town-gown partners honored with Elm-Ivy AwardsSCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEWS
Drug addicts can learn to save lives, says researcher
Study: No ‘Hollywood heart attack’ symptoms for most women
Findings suggest eating chocolate may be boon to pregnant women
Early-stage bone cells may offer possible estrogen replacement
Expert assesses lessons from 12 years of anti-smoking efforts
Computer program helps keep drug abusers abstinent, study shows
Noted gastroenterologist named chief medical officer at YMG
Yale Ob/Gyn researchers discuss their work at New Orleans meeting
Symposium on pain management aimed at medical school students
Exhibits explore artist’s Liverpool years, British watercolors
Two student-curated shows focus on the medium of photography
Library creates digital archive of ‘oldest college daily’
Two seniors will study at the University of Cambridge as Gates Scholars
Campus leaders discuss strategies for increasing staff diversity
Former Bucknell chaplain is named new pastor of University Church
Professor Miroslav Volf will co-teach class with . . .
Tony Blair
Council of Masters honors 10 juniors for their scholarship . . .
Conference focuses on ‘Women and Men in the Globalizing University’
The future of ‘Computers, Freedom and Privacy’ to be addressed . . .
Karyn Frick honored for contributions to women’s health
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home