WIM research lab
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The Women in Medicine® (WIM) Research Lab
conducts evidence-based research to identify and address
gender disparities in healthcare.
The lab's findings inform WIM's initiatives and contribute to the broader discourse on equity in medicine.
Are you interested in joining the Research lab?
Contact us at wimresearchlab@gmail.com
Our Research Lab is dedicated to advancing equity and disrupting systemic barriers in healthcare through rigorous research, data analysis, and innovative solutions.
Building on the foundation of WIM’s leadership programming, the lab focuses on identifying inequities, evaluating interventions, and implementing evidence-based strategies to create a more inclusive environment for women in medicine.
By embracing disruption, collaboration, and innovation, the WIM Research Lab drives measurable change through initiatives such as the iACTIVATE program and leadership development models.
Collaborating with experts, institutions, and organizations, the lab serves as a hub for cutting-edge research and impactful programs that empower the next generation of healthcare leaders while addressing the systemic challenges that limit progress in healthcare.
WIM research lab highlights
90+
Research Lab members.
40+
Peer-reviewed publications
R01
Grant
Funded faculty WIM Leadership Accelerator.
34+
Abstracts, books & Editorial pieces.
NIH R01 Grant in Collaboration with UChicago and UIC.
iACTIVATE: Investigators Advancing via Coaching at the Transition to Independence: A Value-Adding Team Experience
The iACTIVATE program, based on the Women in Medicine® (WIM) Leadership Accelerator, is a transformative initiative focused on advancing mid-career investigators as they transition to independence.
This program directly addresses persistent inequities in the biomedical sciences, which have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, disproportionately affecting female, minority, and early-career researchers.
Grounded in principles of social cognitive career theory, iACTIVATE combines individual and group coaching with tailored feedback to enhance self-awareness, motivation, and career advancement.
This randomized controlled trial evaluates key outcomes such as self-efficacy, research productivity, and professional growth for researchers with K-level or equivalent awards who identify as female or nonbinary, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
The program's scalable design includes a train-the-coach guide and toolkit to enable broader implementation across institutions.
By fostering resilience and productivity among underrepresented scientists, iACTIVATE paves the way for a more equitable and innovative biomedical research workforce, meeting the diverse health needs of our nation.