The Society for Women’s Health Research announced the election of two new members to its Board of Directors: Dr. Linda G. Griffith, professor of biological engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Dr. Michael Ybarra, vice president of medical affairs and strategic alliances at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
“Dr. Griffith is an impassioned advocate for innovations in women’s health, as evidenced by her efforts to tackle difficult and understudied areas of women’s health research,” SWHR President and CEO Dr. Amy M. Miller said. “Dr. Ybarra’s expertise in partnership-building will greatly benefit SWHR as we look to collaborate with organizations whose missions align with our own. We are pleased that Dr. Griffith and Dr. Ybarra have agreed to join our Board to help further our work in eliminating imbalances in care for women.”
Linda G. Griffith, PhD
Griffith is a professor of biological engineering and director of the Center for Gynepathology Research at MIT. She received a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech and a PhD degree from the University of California at Berkeley, both in chemical engineering. She is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.
Her research encompasses molecular-to-systems level analysis, design and synthesis of biomaterials, scaffolds, devices and micro-organs for a range of applications in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and in vitro drug development. A central theme is connecting the experimental systems to systems biology measurements. The Griffith lab leads a substantial program to build the “Human Physiome on a Chip,” funded by DARPA and NIH. In this program, 10 microphysiological systems, including liver, gut, lung, and reproductive systems, are interconnected in a physiologically relevant manner. Griffith is also a member of SWHR’s Estrogen-Driven Diseases Network as both an endometriosis patient and a researcher whose work in endometriosis has been recognized by NIH’s Office of Research on Women’s Health as well as the Endometriosis Foundation of America.
Michael Ybarra, MD
Ybarra is a board-certified emergency physician and vice president of medical affairs and strategic alliances at PhRMA, where he oversees outreach to stakeholder organizations on federal advocacy issues. He is a graduate of Stanford University and Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed his residency training in emergency medicine at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. In addition to his advocacy work, he continues to practice clinically in the emergency department at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
A full list of the SWHR Board of Directors is available here.