Menstruation Science Day at MIT: September 30
On September 30, the Center for Gynepathology Research (CGR) is hosting several events in celebration of the MIT Menstruation Science Initiative, which joins a spectrum of MIT faculty with investigators around the world to tackle some of the most demanding challenges in gynecology and women’s health. We invite the MIT community, as well as our local community of academic and industry collaborators, patients, and clinicians, to join us to learn more about MIT-based research, the patient experience, and ways you might get involved in research and advocacy.
The centerpiece of the day is a screening of the groundbreaking endometrioisis documentary End of the Cycle, created by The Endometriosis Collective. The film not only highlights forefront scientific and clinical research, including that at MIT, but challenges decades of misconceptions—for example, the classic textbook statements that endometriosis is a disease of women in their late twenties and thirties. In reality, onset of disease symptoms is often in very early teen years and symptoms can continue after a hysterectomy or menopause.
Following the film, a panel of leading voices in endometriosis research, clinical care, business innovation, and patient advocacy will discuss the current landscape for patients, and what is happening at MIT and beyond to accelerate diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. A reception for those interested in getting involved or learning more will follow the panel, and will feature opportunities for students to engage with the panelists.
Join CGR and principal scientist Mikki Tal at a hands-on demonstration from 4-5pm showing how to measure absolutely everything, from capillary blood flow to eye movements, as well as organs-on-chips platforms for building endometriosis patients in the lab.
SCHEDULE
4:00-6:00 pm – Hands on demos (Bush room 10-105)
Join Dr. Mikki Tal and her team for a hands-on demonstration in how to measure absolutely everything, from capillary blood flow to eye movements.
5–6 pm – VIP Reception (Lobby 13)
Invitation only.
Join industry and endo community VIPs at a pre-screening reception with appetizers and hands-on demos of CGR’s organ-on-chip (NAMs) technology.
6 pm – Screening Begins (Room 10-250)
Open admission. Doors open at 6 pm for the film screening.
6:10–6:20 pm – Welcome & Introduction
6:20–7:50 pm – Film Screening: “End of the Cycle” (90 minutes)
7:50–8:30 pm – Expert Panel Discussion
Moderated by Professor Linda Griffith, director of the Center for Gynepathology Research. Panelists include:
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Sammy Jaye Lang, co-director, producer of End of the Cycle and co-founder of The Endometriosis Collective
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Dr. Steve Palmer, Baylor College of Medicine
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Prof. Eliezer Calo, MIT Assoc. Professor of Biology
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Dr. Stephanie Morris, MD (SB Biology MIT, 1996). Vice Chair, Gynecology, Newton Wellesley Hospital, and Director, Newton Wellesley Hospital Center for Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery
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Dr. Aleshia Carlsen-Bryan, PhD., MIT Associate Director of Prehealth and CAPD Program Assessment and Evaluation
Q&A to follow.
8:30 pm – Meet the panelists
After the screening and panel, meet the scientists and professors over light refreshments in Lobby 13.
ABOUT THE FILM
End of the Cycle, directed by Sammy Jaye and Soraya Simi, weaves together intimate personal narratives (featuring voices like Amy Schumer, Brittany Brown, Janel Parrish, Julianne Hough, and Fọlákẹ́ Olówòfóyèkù), frontier basic and translational science, historical revelations, and cultural commentary to challenge misconceptions about endometriosis and offer hope for revolutions in diagnosis and care.
While each woman narrates her own difficult journey through diagnosis and treatment, the film focuses on resilience. It showcases women taking charge of their health, and using their voices and talents to inspire others to do the same, with a vision of bringing about systemic change from their concerted efforts in many dimensions of science and society.
Professor Linda Griffith, Director of the MIT CGR and of the NIH-funded NAMs Technology Development Center for Women’s Health, is featured as a patient-scientist building living patient avatars. The film also highlights pioneering work in endometriosis genetics, chronic pain, systems biology, and drug development by collaborating investigators on her interdisciplinary team.
ABOUT THE DAY
Join us on September 30, to celebrate the MIT Menstruation Science Initiative, which joins a spectrum of MIT faculty with investigators around the world to tackle some of the most demanding challenges in gynecology and women’s health. We invite the MIT community, as well as our local community of academic and industry collaborators, patients, and clinicians, to join us to learn more about MIT-based research, the patient experience, and ways you might get involved in research and advocacy.
Come enjoy a sneak peak at the exciting science coming out of the Center for Gynepathology Research (CGR). Students and MIT community members are invited to join Mikki Tal, associate scientific director of the CGR for an open demo session in the Bush Room (10-105) off Lobby 10 from 4-6pm. Demos will feature a hands-on exploration of MIT’s largest clinical study, MAESTRO, Tal Research Group’s newly launched clinical study CAPRIO, patient avatars, NAMs, endometrial organoids, and microfluidic chips. Attendees will also get a close up look at WAVI and RightEye, which explore non-invasive methods to measure cognitive function. They will also have opportunities to connect with NEET, our new student outreach group, and explore academic paths that touch on women’s health and menstruation science.
Test your women’s health general knowledge to win swag in the Bush Room. The top scorer will go home with their very own CellfieScope!
Grab some popcorn from the Bush Room before you leave on your way to Huntington Hall (10-250) for the centerpiece of the day: a special screening of the groundbreaking endometrioisis documentary End of the Cycle, created by The Endometriosis Collective. The film not only highlights forefront scientific and clinical research, including that at MIT, but challenges decades of misconceptions—for example, the classic textbook statements that endometriosis is a disease of women in their late twenties and thirties. In reality, onset of disease symptoms is often in very early teen years and symptoms can continue after a hysterectomy or menopause.
Following the film, a panel including the film’s co-director, Sammy Jaye Lang, and leading voices in endometriosis research, clinical care, business innovation, and patient advocacy will discuss the current landscape for patients, and what is happening at MIT and beyond to accelerate diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
The panel will be moderated by Professor Linda Griffith, director of the Center for Gynepathology Research. Panelists include:
-
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Sammy Jaye Lang, co-director, producer of End of the Cycle and co-founder of The Endometriosis Collective
-
Dr. Steve Palmer, Baylor College of Medicine
-
Prof. Eliezer Calo, MIT Assoc. Professor of Biology
-
Dr. Stephanie Morris, MD (SB Biology MIT, 1996). Vice Chair, Gynecology, Newton Wellesley Hospital, and Director, Newton Wellesley Hospital Center for Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery
-
Dr. Aleshia Carlsen-Bryan, PhD., MIT Associate Director of Prehealth and CAPD Program Assessment and Evaluation
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A reception will follow the panel featuring opportunities for students to engage with the panelists and other industry and academic VIPs. Join us for tea and light refreshments in Lobby 13!
Stay informed as this event evolves, and get updates on CGR research, events, and opportunities: opt in for news!
REGISTRATION & DETAILS
For most events, please register here.
Questions? Email: cgood@mit.edu.
Get Involved
Join Our Student Outreach Group
Are you interested in learning how CGR engages with college and high school students about menstruation health? Consider joining our student outreach group! Sharing your contact information signals interest, but is not a commitment on your part. We’ll reach out with more details about our activities and what you can expect.
MIT Community Endo Support Group
CGR is exploring ways to connect and engage with endo patients and partners in the MIT community. Let us know if you are interested in learning more about this endeavor as we move forward.