Agnes Higgins Award in Maternal-Fetal Nutrition

The Agnes Higgins Award, which recognizes distinguished achievement in research, education or clinical services in the field of maternal-fetal nutrition
agnes higgins

Recognizing distinguished achievement in research, education or clinical services in the field of maternal-fetal nutrition.

The Agnes Higgins Award offers one recipient a cash award not tied to any research aims.

A pioneer in devising methods of nutritional assessment and counseling, Mrs. Higgins greatly advanced the understanding of healthy eating and nutrition as a crucial factor in healthy pregnancy and prevention of low birthweight. While science, technology and discovery in the maternal health field has progressed and researchers have begun asking ever more nuanced questions, nutrition remains at the forefront of a healthy pregnancy, with an increasing body of data pointing to its interconnectedness to maternal morbidity and mortality, as well as fetal and neonatal health. 
 

Award: A cash prize, a commemorative award reflecting the honor, and a presentation at the Pediatric Academic Society annual meeting

Areas of Research: maternal-fetal nutrition           
 

Open to: those candidates widely involved in maternal-fetal nutrition through teaching, research and/or clinical practice for at least five years         
 

Note: The current cycle is now closed

Nomination window opens: April 8, 2024   
Nomination window closes: August 9, 2024   
Selection Committee meets: October 2024   
Awardee is announced: November 2024   
 

How to nominate: 

  1. Download a nomination form here and a copy of the Call for Nominations including instructions here or request a nomination form and call for nominations document by email from Courtney Dower, Sr. Manager Research Grants at [email protected] and then submit it with all required attachments back to [email protected] by August 9, 2024.
  2. Required attachments include:
    1. A written description of the nominee’s achievements in maternal-fetal nutrition (300 word maximum)
    2. A list of nominee’s publications most relevant to the achievement for which the nomination is made
    3. The nominee’s curriculum vitae
    4. Letters from colleagues in support of the nominee’s qualifications and achievements (maximum of seven)
    5. Manuscript samples (maximum of three)

 

To apply for the Agnes Higgins Award, candidates must have been widely involved in maternal-fetal nutrition through teaching, research and/or clinical practice for at least five years; shown a demonstrable effect in raising the quality of maternal-fetal nutritional care through scholarly pursuits, research, education and/or practice; and demonstrated an ability to apply maternal-fetal nutritional standards of practice and/or facilitate their implementation by others.

Nominations are accepted from those in the field as well as previous Agnes Higgins awardees. Self-nominations are accepted. If you would like a nomination package and more details, please contact Courtney Dower, Sr. Manager Research Grants, at [email protected]

How to nominate: 

Download a nomination form here and a copy of the Call for Nominations including instructions here or request a nomination form and call for nominations document by email from Courtney Dower, Sr. Manager Research Grants at [email protected] and then submit it with all required attachments back to [email protected] by August 9, 2024.

Required attachments include: 

  1. A written description of the nominee’s achievements in maternal-fetal nutrition (300 word maximum) 
  2. A list of nominee’s publications most relevant to the achievement for which the nomination is made 
  3. The nominee’s curriculum vitae 
  4. Letters from colleagues in support of the nominee’s qualifications and achievements (maximum of seven) 
  5. Manuscript samples (maximum of three)

March of Dimes works with a variety of researchers from around the world. It is our hope that our awardees view their time as scholars, grantees, or center partners as mutually beneficial, and with value beyond the monetary consideration.

We expect our awardees to attend key meetings that pertain to their award program, or assign an appropriate delegate if not possible. We expect members of our research centers to collaborate scientifically and collegially with other centers or non-profit organizations that are identified during the course of the award period. We expect that our awardees will attend scientific meetings that may be established by MOD and use good faith efforts to help MOD raise funds for future awards through attendance at some events, interviews, or other public-facing opportunities.

We expect our awardees to make an impact on the thematic areas outlined in our strategic plan as the relate to their awards. To that end, we expect awardees to notify us of publications, posters, and presentations so that we may help to amplify their good work to the public. 
All these things we do so that our awardees can be successful now and in the future… 

Questions: 
Please direct any questions to [email protected]

2024 Award Recipient

Dr. Villar has spent more than a half century researching the effect of maternal nutrition on the health, growth, and development of babies.

2022-23 Award Recipient

Dr. Gunderson is the scientist behind decades-long studies that have produced some of the field’s most important and astounding findings on pregnancy and breastfeeding’s links to diabetes and cardiovascular disease in young women.

2021 Award Recipient

Dr. Krebs serves as the Head of the Division of Nutrition and Associate Vice Chair of Academic Affairs in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Making an Impact with Research

March of Dimes research is focused on making an impact NOW to end preventable preterm birth; we do this by approaching research in several key ways. At both the bench and bedside– through descriptive research that aims to characterize and understand the factors that lead to preterm birth and other adverse outcomes; and through work that leads to mitigation and prevention of preterm birth- through therapeutics, diagnostics, and/or policy changes. 

We know that pregnancy is complex. March of Dimes research approach takes a whole-system view and brings the best talent and minds to bear, so we can make a difference in our lifetime. 

Recent examples

  • How are we making a difference: March of Dimes research programs have made discoveries that lead to direct impact on the health of moms, babies, and their families.
  • PRC microbiome studies leading to bedside testing; rapid, low cost predictive testing.
  • Early detection of preeclampsia and other adverse pregnancy outcomes through several approaches, including cell-free RNA, data analytics, and other diagnostic markers.
  • Understanding maternal-infant nutrition, to wit, NEC and how breastfeeding can improve outcomes  
     

Your Support Helps us Fund Research

There are a number of ways to support research at March of Dimes. Your time – through volunteering at events, raising awareness in your community, and recruiting new and impactful researcher to our network; your attention – by focused attention on how research can impact your community, your country, and the global family; and your resources – by way of funding, access to your network, and getting involved in research directly.

We need your help to continue developing diagnostics, therapeutics, and understanding of the complex factors that lead to preterm birth, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, and overall adverse outcomes in pregnancy. Moms, Babies, and their Families can’t wait for you to step up and get involved. 

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