By Cindy Abole
Public Relations

Finding effective biomarkers to better detect and diagnose human papillomavirus (HPV) among college-age and other female groups is the research interest of gynecologist Jennifer L. Young, M.D.

An assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Young will have a chance to conduct this research as the first recipient of the John R. Raymond Mentoring Fellowship.

Dr. Jennifer Young, left, Dr. John Raymond and Lucia A. Pirisi-Creek celebrate at the June 30 fellowship reception.

The award was established by members of MUSC's Women Scholars Initiative (WSI) and university leadership to create financial support for a qualified full-time female faculty members to initiate a collaborative mentor relationship with colleagues outside of the institution.

This dedicated research time also will allow Young to collaborate with research mentor Lucia A. Pirisi-Creek, M.D., a professor at the University of South Carolina's Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology.

The fellowship also honors John R. Raymond, M.D., former MUSC Provost and vice president of academic affairs from 2003 to 2010. Raymond is the current president and CEO of the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Throughout his tenure at MUSC, Raymond was a tireless advocate who was committed to faculty development and was instrumental in establishing the Women Scholars Initiative.

Young said she was overwhelmed when she was notified that she was selected among dozens of applicants for this inaugural fellowship. "It's affirmation from my colleagues and others in the research community that people believe in me and my research efforts."

The award provides Young with a two-year GYN fellowship funding. She said she'll look forward to working with Pirisi-Creek who has previously trained and mentored 23 post-doctoral researchers, sits on the board of directors for the International HIV Papillomavirius Society and has written more than 60 published papers on this topic.
"I'm excited about this collaboration and my role as a mentor. I'm hoping our work will help expand the research outlook for the future," said Pirisi-Creek.

Fellowship namesake, John R. Raymond, M.D., said that he has been pleased to see the progress of MUSC's Women Scholar's Initiative since helping to establish it in 2003. The group represents a visible sign of achievement and highlights conducted by the group. "I'm honored to be associated with this group and the many efforts and commitments gained."

Mary Mauldin, Ed.D., director for the Center for Academic Research and Computing, chaired a JRR mentoring fellowship advisory committee tasked from July 2010 to March to select the first fellowship recipient.
Applicants were reviewed based on a number of criteria and said that Young's application rose above others sharing a clear and concise goal.

For information on the JRR Mentoring Fellowship and WSI, visit http://www.musc.edu under Women's Scholar Initiative.