Dr. Karen Schliep, PhD, MSPH, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Public Health at the University of Utah. She completed her undergraduate degrees in English from Carleton College and Biology from the University of Utah. Dr. Schliep earned her MSPH and PhD in Public Health from the University of Utah and later completed pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in the Epidemiology Branch.
Dr. Schliep’s research primarily focuses on understanding the impact of modifiable factors, such as lifestyle, psychosocial elements, and pharmacotherapy, on female endocrinology and reproductive health. She is particularly interested in the short- and long-term consequences of gynecologic disorders and pregnancy complications. Her work aims to identify strategies for improving health outcomes for women, particularly through tailored interventions that can benefit not only women’s health but also the well-being of future generations.
Through her research, Dr. Schliep seeks to inform interventions that can address reproductive health challenges, enhance women’s well-being, and provide economic benefits. Her goal is to help create personalized approaches that support women’s health throughout their lives, ultimately promoting healthier outcomes for families and communities.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the leading agency of the U.S. government responsible for conducting and funding biomedical and public health research. Established in 1887, it operates under the Department of Health and Human Services. NIH’s headquarters are located in Bethesda, Maryland, with additional facilities in Research Triangle Park (North Carolina) and other locations across the U.S. The NIH is known for its significant contributions to scientific advancements, funding groundbreaking medical research, and its ongoing work to improve public health.
The NIH’s Intramural Research Program (IRP) conducts cutting-edge scientific research internally, employing over 1,200 principal investigators and 4,000 postdoctoral fellows. As the world’s largest biomedical research institution, the NIH makes significant strides in basic, translational, and clinical research. In addition, the Extramural Research Program provides substantial funding to academic institutions, hospitals, and research organizations outside of NIH. In 2003, the extramural program contributed approximately $26.4 billion annually to the U.S. biomedical research sector.
The NIH comprises 27 institutes and centers, each dedicated to specific areas of biomedical science. These institutes have been instrumental in groundbreaking discoveries, such as the development of vaccines for HPV, hepatitis, and HIB, and the discovery of fluoride’s role in preventing tooth decay. The NIH’s reputation for excellence is reflected in its rank as the second-largest contributor to biomedical publications worldwide, according to the Nature Index of 2019. Through its vast research efforts and funding, the NIH continues to be a critical leader in advancing global health and scientific knowledge.