Why Health Research Leaves Women Behind – And How We Fix It

For decades, most health research has been based on young adult males—but what about the rest of us? Dr. Liz Engler Chiurazzi, an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Tulane University is working to unravel the critical connections between the brain, the immune system, and how we respond to stress. Her research sheds light on how mental health disorders like depression impact men and women differently—and why we need more inclusive health science.

Meet the women changing the face of STEM! The IF/THEN Collection, now proudly housed at the Museum of Science, Boston, is the world’s largest free digital library showcasing real, contemporary women in science, technology, engineering, and math. From groundbreaking researchers to space explorers, these role models prove that if she can see it, she can be it. Explore videos featuring behind-the-scenes interviews, and hands-on STEM inspiration for students, educators, and lifelong learners.

This project is funded by Lyda Hill Philanthropies.

Dr. Liz Engler-Chiurazzi grew up surfing in California, went to school in Arizona (Go Sun Devils!) to earn her PhD in psychology, moved to Morgantown for her postdoctoral fellowship in 2013 (Go Mountaineers!), launched her laboratory (Liz’s Lab) at WVU in 2017, and recently relocated to the Big Easy to join the Green Wave as an Assistant Professor at Tulane University. There Liz does research to study how the immune system affects the brain, an awesome job where she learns every day, teaches others to love science, and solves important problems. Her science has taken her around the world, convenient since Liz loves to travel, experience new cultures like a local, speak Spanish with the lisp she picked up living in Andalusia, and eat her way through every new place she visits. As her roller derby name (Five Star Fancy) hints, Liz enjoys life’s finer things and is an unapologetic food snob, knowing full well that great food comes from many places, be it a Michelin star restaurant, a hole-in-the-wall spot, or a friend’s kitchen. Most importantly, she is mom to her favorite daughter Isabella, and partner to her long-time spouse, Don.

IF/THEN Collection: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxeUBLGfcIB-QvZYMpEjxRU-eo11xV4Fr