In 2022, MUSC SCORE received funding to establish and lead the nation’s first BIRCWH Scholars Innovation Program (BSIP). After receiving R25 funding In 2026, BSIP transitioned to the Sex Differences in Education in Substance Use Disorders (SEEDS) scholar program, led by Drs. Karen Hartwell and Aimee McRae-Clark.
SEEDS provides education, training, and mentorship at the intersection of women’s health and substance use for BIRCWH, NIDA K12, and SCORE Career Enhancement Core scholars nationwide. In addition to a monthly didactic series and mentor consultations, SEEDS now supports pilot awards, travel awards to meetings such as OSSD and CPDD, and visiting scholar awards to facilitate external mentorship experiences.
SEEDS didactic sessions are held on the 1st Tuesday of every month, 12:00-1:00PM EST, and are open to anyone interested in attending. Please email Amanda Wagner to obtain Zoom link/calendar invitations. Upcoming sessions include:
| Date |
Topic |
Presenter |
| November 3, 2026 |
Why Sex Differences & Substance Use Disorders Matter in Research |
Kathleen Brady, MD, PhD-MUSC |
| December 1, 2026 |
Incorporating Sex as a Biological Variable |
Nathaniel Baker, MS- MUSC |
| January 5, 2027 |
Substance Use/Disorder Measurements |
Cecilia Bergeria, PhD- University of Maryland |
| February 2, 2027 |
Mechanisms Linking Sex Differences & Substance Use |
Rachel Penrod Martin, PhD- MUSC |
| March 2, 2027 |
TBD |
|
| April 6, 2027 |
TBD |
|
| May 4, 2027 |
Hormones, Reproductive Milestones & Addiction |
Alicia Allen, PhD- University of Arkansas |
