Wellbeing of Women, a UK charity dedicated to funding research in all areas of women’s reproductive and gynaecological health, has announced an investment of more than £1.2 million into 18 new research projects. The funded studies span a wide range of women’s health areas, including menstrual and sexual health, pregnancy, fertility, contraception, and gynaecological cancers.
The 18 awarded projects will begin in 2025, addressing critical gaps in women’s health research and nurturing the next generation of women’s health researchers.
Professor Hilary Critchley, Wellbeing of Women Research Advisory Committee Chair, said: “We are excited to see the broad range of award recipients and their research areas that Wellbeing of Women has funded this year. These awards will nurture the next generation of women’s health researchers while also increasing understanding of women’s health, something we know has long been neglected.”
Jeremy Barratt, Wellbeing of Women Director of Research, said: “We are delighted to support 18 new research awards exploring the breadth of women’s reproductive and gynaecological health. These grants reflect our commitment to developing future women’s health leaders and driving vital progress that will change and save the lives of women, girls, and babies. We extend our sincere thanks to our esteemed research partners, whose collaboration and shared passion have made many of these awards possible.”
The funded projects cover a diverse range of women’s health issues:
In the area of sexual health, Miss Aurora Almadori at University College London will identify gaps in female genital mutilation reconstruction clinical trials, to ensure that surgeries are safe and effective. This project is co-funded by the British Society for the Study of Vulval Disease.
Seven projects focus on gynaecological cancers, including Dr Shimrit Mayer’s work at the University of Cambridge using Imaging Mass Cytometry to take “molecular photographs” of tumor samples to understand how cells and structures interact and predict treatment responses. Dr Haleema Azam at University College London will assess how heated chemotherapy impacts ovarian cancer cells’ ability to repair and survive, while Professor Sophia Karagiannis at King’s College London is designing and testing a new generation of antibodies to penetrate tumors and activate the immune system against ovarian cancer.
Other cancer-focused projects include Dr Caitlin Fierheller’s work on genetic risk of womb cancer, Dr Sarah Bowden’s research on innovative HPV and cervical cancer detection, Dr Michael Rimmer’s investigation of how ovarian cancer spreads, and Dr Geoffrey Maher’s study on genetic tests for predicting Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.
Five projects address pregnancy, birth, and postpartum health. Dr Laura Ormesher at the University of Manchester will track the heart, blood vessels, and metabolic health of women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy to assess future health risks. Alice Hodder at University College London will identify best labour techniques and positions to reduce unnecessary caesareans, while Elizabeth Glyn-Jones will investigate water birth safety. Dr Benjamin Greenfield’s work focuses on benchmarking lactate levels during labour, and Dr Amanda Firth will research mental health support for pregnant women who need interpreters.
In menstrual and gynaecological health, two projects received funding: Dr Gael Morrow’s research on understanding blood clotting mechanisms in patients with endometriosis, potentially paving the way for a blood test diagnosis, and Dr Abbie Jordan’s study on how period pain affects school life for UK teenage girls.
Finally, two projects focus on fertility, contraception, and abortion care. Charlotte Glynn at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service will evaluate methods to support better discussions about birth control, while Dr Amy Hough at University College London will investigate barriers to accessing contraception after giving birth.
