McMaster reproductive health specialist receives career award

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Foster,-Warren.jpg” caption=”Warren Foster”]A McMaster University professor who studies the effects of environmental toxicants and dietary chemicals on women's reproductive health has received a career award.
Warren Foster, PhD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, is one of two recipients of new career awards from the Ontario Women's Health Council (OWHC).
Foster, who received his PhD in medical sciences at McMaster in 1991, is the director of the Centre for Reproductive Care and head of the reproductive biology division in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at McMaster University.
Prior to joining the faculty at McMaster in 2001, he served as the associate director of women's health and the research director at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and as the head of reproductive toxicology at Health Canada.
His research investigates the role of environmental toxicants such as pesticides, flame retardants, and solvents, as well as dietary factors on human health. This award in particular recognizes Foster's ongoing studies into the effects of cigarette smoke on fertility and premature ovarian failure.
Foster is also looking into the effects of environmental toxicants on estrogen production and estrogen dependent diseases like endometriosis and breast cancer.
“This award recognizes the importance of the potential impact of environmental toxicants and dietary factors on women's reproductive health and will go along way to encouraging students to pursue careers in women's health,” said Foster.
The OWHC Career Awards fund emerging leaders in women's health who have between 10 and 15 years of research experience. The $300,000 award is given over three years.
Jane Pepino, chair of the OWHC said: “The OWHC is proud to fund these promising women's health researchers, and we anticipate great things from them.
“The recipients of these awards are already building notable careers within the field of women's health – and now they are helping the OWHC build a legacy of women's health research in Ontario.”