Organization for the Study of Sex Differences

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The Organization for the Study of [...] Differences (OSSD)

The Organization for the Study of [...] Differences (OSSD)is a non-profit, scientific membership society. Members include basic and clinical scientists from various disciplines who share an interest in exploring [...]/gender differences in all areas of biological, medical, and behavioral science.

Mission

The Organization for the Study of [...] Differences (OSSD) works to enhance the knowledge of [...]/gender differences by facilitating interdisciplinary communication and collaboration among scientists and clinicians of diverse backgrounds.

Goals and Objectives

1. To facilitate interdisciplinary research on [...]/gender differences at all levels of biological organization

2. To advance the understanding of [...]/gender differences by bringing together scientists and clinicians of diverse backgrounds

3. To encourage the application of new knowledge of [...]/gender differences to improve health and health care

4. To promote the field of [...]/gender differences research through education, mentoring, and outreach.

History

The OSSD was established in 2006, in partnership with the Society for Women's Health Research 1 (SWHR), and through the efforts and inspiration of members of the Isis Fund Network on [...], Gender, Drugs and the Brain. The overall mission of OSSD is to enhance the knowledge of [...]/gender differences by facilitating interdisciplinary communication and collaboration among scientists and clinicians of diverse backgrounds.

OSSD Presidents:

2006-2008 Kathryn Sandberg Ph.D. (Georgetown University)

2008-2010 Jill B. Becker Ph.D. (University of Michigan)

2010-2012 Virginia M. Miller Ph.D. MBA (Mayo Clinic)

Annual Meeting

The OSSD annual meeting is the leading forum for scientists to explore aspects of [...] differences research at the genetic, molecular, cellular, organ, and system levels in various model systems. The field of [...]-based biology is growing rapidly, and the OSSD annual meeting will promote the understanding and dissemination of novel findings about how [...] differences translate into human physiological and pathological processes throughout the lifespan.

A main goal of the OSSD annual meeting is to facilitate the exchange of information across disciplines and to promote interdisciplinary collaborations that will enhance the understanding of the role of [...] differences in health and disease. In order to achieve this goal, the OSSD annual meeting will cover diverse topics to attract a multidisciplinary group of basic and clinical researchers with backgrounds as wide-ranging as cellular, molecular, and developmental biology, genetics, endocrinology, neuroscience, physiology, behavioral science, pharmacology, toxicology, etc.

Past Meetings

  • First Annual Meeting - May 9-12, 2007 Washington, DC
  • Second Annual Meeting - June 4-6, 2008 New Orleans, LA
  • Third Annual Meeting - June 4-6, 2009 Toronto, ON, Canada.

Future Meetings

  • Fourth Annual Meeting 2 - June 3 - 5, 2010 Ann Arbor, MI

Awards

New Investigator Awards

The Organization for the Study of [...] Differences will award 5 new investigator awards of $500 each to defray the costs of attending the Third Annual Meeting. The award includes a complimentary 2009 meeting registration. New Investigators are students, postdoctoral fellows, residents and junior faculty within the first year of academic appointment. The sponsoring mentor must be an OSSD member in good standing.

Florence P. Haseltine Award

Florence P. Haseltine, M.D., Ph.D., is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and an expert in reproductive endocrinology. Dr. Haseltine was instrumental in founding the Society for Women's Health Research (formerly the Society for the Advancement of Women's Health Research) and is the immediate past President. Dr. Haseltine is also a Founding Member of OSSD. Dr. Haseltine has always demonstrated a tremendous enthusiasm for encouraging and mentoring young scientists. Therefore OSSD has decided to name the award for the best poster presentation by a new investigator in her name.

Membership

The OSSD membership dues are $150 for regular members and $50 for students, postdoctoral fellows, residents and trainees. These dues are used to help fund the operational infrastructure of OSSD and facilitate its growth as a unique, interdisciplinary, scientific membership society dedicated to the study of [...] and gender differences in health and disease.

Membership benefits include:

  • a discount on the OSSD Annual Meeting registration
  • bimonthly e-newsletters
  • a searchable membership directory
  • access to electronic message boards
  • the ability to edit your membership profile