Women faculty members in the life sciences have until Nov. 5 to apply for a grant from the Schwartz Research Fund for Women. The grant assists women faculty members conducting research in the life sciences or using life science methodologies.

Assistant and associate professors based in Ithaca, Geneva or Cornell Tech (whose tenure home is in Ithaca) are eligible to apply for up to $15,000 for research likely to generate preliminary data supporting a subsequent funding application from a major funder, such as the National Science Foundation.

For associate professors, the research should open a significant new line of inquiry or serve as a bridge grant prior to funding from a major funder. Schwartz grants can be used to support students involved in the research, as well as travel, lodging and conference attendance expenses.

“The Schwartz award made it possible for my lab to conduct a simulation study to evaluate the population level benefits, and potential risks, of controlling human exposure to the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes,” said Renata Ivanek, Ph.D. ’08, associate professor of epidemiology. A 2018 Schwartz grant recipient, she is working with graduate student Alison Stout.

“We found that when both harmful and more benign strains of Listeria monocytogenes are removed proportionate to current levels, generally there is reduced listeriosis sickness. Our research finds that from a public health perspective, some exposure to benign strains may be beneficial if they build immune response,” Stout said.

Jeongmin Song, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, used the Schwartz award she received earlier this year to obtain preliminary data defining the mechanism explaining how typhoid fever-causing Salmonella establishes persistent data.

“Using these preliminary data, we have submitted an R01 grant proposal to the National Institutes of Health,” she said.

Offered through the Provost’s Office of Faculty Development and Diversity, the program is endowed by Joan Poyner Schwartz ’65 and Ronald H. Schwartz ’65.

For application details, visit the Office of Faculty Development and Diversity’s website or email ofdd@cornell.edu.

Lori Sonken is the communication manager for the Office of Faculty Development and Diversity.