Salvation Army of Durham Angel Tree charity drive helps local families

Beginning Nov. 25, NIEHS colleagues donated toys, clothes, shoes, bicycles, and more to over 60 families as part of the Salvation Army of Durham’s Angel Tree Program. On Dec. 10th, donated gifts were picked up from the Rall and Keystone buildings, where NIEHS volunteer “angels” gathered to help load donations onto the Salvation Army truck for later distribution. The annual charity drive, which is organized by the Office of Science Education & Diversity, provides an opportunity for institute scientists, staff, and contractors to give back during the holiday season. (ST)

Women’s health research is focus of congresswoman’s visit

U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, learned more about women’s health research conducted by NIEHS scientists and grant recipients during a campus visit Dec. 13. The visit marked the second time in 2024 that the congresswoman came to NIEHS to learn about the institute’s research priorities.

Ross met with NIEHS senior leadership, including Director Rick Woychik, Ph.D., Deputy Director Trevor Archer, Ph.D., and SCOPE Director Gwen Collman, Ph.D., who shared information about collaborative women’s health research being conducted across the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition, David Balshaw, Ph.D., Abee Boyles, Ph.D., and Thad Schug, Ph.D., provided examples of women’s health research supported through NIEHS grants, and Katie O’Brien, Ph.D., and Anne Marie Jukic, Ph.D., provided updates on women’s health research underway internally at NIEHS.

Ross also visited the Clinical Research Unit to hear about women’s health clinical studies, led by Janet Hall, M.D., and spoke with Joan Packenham, Ph.D., about the Women’s Health Awareness Program and its annual conference. (EH)