On October 25, we paid tribute to three of Chicago’s “Heroes of Medicine” dedicated to turning their research into treatments at the Halo Awards. They were Teresa K. Woodruff, PhD at Northwestern, Andrea Domenighetti, PhD at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Eugene B. Chang, MD at the University of Chicago.
Read on to see photos and learn more about these inspiring scientists. Do you know a “Hero of Medicine”? Nominate a deserving scientist to be recognized at the 2019 Halo Awards on October 12 at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Thomas J. Watkins Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Northwestern University and a trailblazer in the study of fertility preservation in cancer patients. She pioneered a new interdisciplinary field of medical research she coined “oncofertility” that combines elements of oncology and fertility. In August 2018, she helped pass Illinois legislation requiring that health insurance companies cover egg freezing for cancer patients.
Research Scientist at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab studying muscle tissue and stem cell dysfunction in patients with neurological conditions. He discovered that an FDA-approved cancer drug may cure muscle contractures in children with cerebral palsy.
Professor of Medicine at University of Chicago globally-recognized for his research on the microbiome. Dr. Chang is an expert in “gut health” and its impact on a wide variety of diseases, from diabetes to depression. He also co-founded and serves as Chief Medical Officer of AVNovum, a microbiome startup exploring preventative treatment for immuno-compromised patients.
