M-PROGRESS WRHR Scholars Program
Critical and unmet needs in women’s healthcare urgently require a new generation of physician investigators dedicated to discovery and real-world impact.
The Michigan Program for Reproductive and Obstetric-Gynecologic Research, Education, and Scientific Success (M-PROGRESS) Women's Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Scholars Program seeks to recruit, train, and empower exceptional obstetrician-gynecologist researchers at the forefront of women’s health.
For More Information
Program Overview
The M-PROGRESS WRHR Scholars Program is funded by the Gynecologic Health and Disease Branch of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and co-sponsored by the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health as part of NICHD’s prestigious K12 Institutional Career Development Program.
Since its inception in 1998, the WRHR program has offered comprehensive opportunities for recently trained obstetrician-gynecologists (OBGYNs) to gain advanced experience and skillsin basic, translational, and clinical research focused on women’s reproductive health. By increasing the research capacity of OBGYN departments and building a strong pipeline of juniorinvestigators, we are shaping the future of women’s health nationwide.
Why Train With Us
Mentored Research Training: Each M-PROGRESS scholar receives guidance from a multidisciplinary mentorship team, fostering growth across research, clinical, and professional skills.
Competency-Based Education: The M-PROGRESS WRHR curriculum is tailored to provide state-of-the-art training in women’s health research, spanning multiple methodologies and emerging areas.
Individual Development Plan: Scholars work closely with mentors to craft a personalized roadmap toward career success and scientific contributions.
Scientific Portfolio: Each scholar will generate a body of innovative research ready for publication and grant funding consideration.
How to Apply
M-PROGRESS candidates will be expected to display outstanding potential for contributions to women's health discovery as evidenced by exemplary scholarly performance, strong vision forcareer goals, and excellent letters of support. A call for proposals will be released along with a deadline for proposal submission when M-PROGRESS scholar openings are anticipated, with appointments typically beginning July 1.
Applicants will be asked to provide the following:
Candidate personal statement
Scientific proposal
Learning objectives
Two letters of recommendation
CV
Copy of two first-author manuscripts
M-PROGRESS scholars will be appointed as faculty members within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Initial appointment will be made for two years, reviewed annually, andrenewable in one-year reappointments for a maximum total of five years. Eligible applicants will meet the following criteria:
Must have received an MD or comparable degree (e.g., DO, MBBS) from an accredited domestic or foreign institution and must have completed postgraduate OBGYN residency (in good standing) in a U.S. program.
While not required, a research or science degree (e.g., MSc, MHS, PhD, DPhil) from an accredited domestic or foreign institution and/or advanced research experience will be weighed heavily.
Must be a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen national of the U.S. or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence with an Alien Registration Card (Green Card) at the time of appointment.
Must have completed or be in the final year of fellowship training in OBGYN . Fellow candidates will be considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Selection Committee intheir last year of fellowship if all eligibility criteria are otherwise met.
Must never have been PI on an R01, R29, U01/U10, subproject of a Program Project, Center grant, or individual mentored or non-mentored career development award (e.g., K01, K02, K08,K22-K25, K99).
Must be interested in research commitment of 75% FTE, with clinical duties confined to those that are an integral part of the training experience. Consideration of 50% FTE for surgeon-investigators with active surgical duties will be considered on a candidate-by-candidate basis by the Selection Committee.
Professional society career development awards (from AAOGF, SMFM, ABOG, and others) are an exceptional honor for the recipient and a point of pride for their institution. Respecting this, we will not select current awardees as an M-PROGRESS Scholar, but past awardees meeting other eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply.
Principal Investigator: Dee Fenner
Research Directors: Molly Stout and John DeLancey
Recruitment Directors: Stacey Missmer and Michelle Moniz
Who We Support
The M-PROGRESS WRHR Scholars Program is proud to support up to two outstanding physician investigators for 2–5 years of immersive research training. Our scholars represent a diversearray of subspecialties within OBGYN and are united by a commitment to addressing the most pressing challenges in women’s health.
M-PROGRESS leverages the University of Michigan’s excellence in multidisciplinary women’s health research, enabling scholars to close fundamental knowledge gaps and lead transformative change.
If you are a recently trained OBGYN passionate about advancing the science of women’s health, the M-PROGRESS WRHR Scholars Program offers the mentorship, resources, andcollaborative environment you need to launch a successful research career.
Current Scholars
- Christopher Hong, MD: Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Natasha Kumar, MD, MSCE: Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Program Leadership
Dee E Fenner, MD
Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Professor of Urology
Medical School
Molly Jean Stout, MD, MSCI
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Section Head, Maternal Fetal Medicine
Medical School
John O DeLancey, MD
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professor of Urology
Medical School
Stacey Missmer, ScD
Medical School
Michelle H Moniz, MD, MSc, FACOG
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Medical School
Julie Tumbarello
Program Manger, M-PROGRESS WRHR Scholars Program
Sarah Block, BGS
Chereen Mroz
- George Mashour, MD, PhD
- David Brown, MD, PhD
- Michele Heisler, MD, MPA
- Naomi Laventhal, MD
- Genevieve Neal-Perry, MD
- George Macones, MD, MSCE
