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Natalie Zucker Funds Endowment for Women Scientists

In 1939 Natalie Zucker completed her internship in psychology at National Jewish. At that time National Jewish was housed in just one building as a hospital for tuberculosis patients. Sixty-eight years later she is helping to give women scientists concrete encouragement. Zucker pledged $1million to endow a new Research Center for Women Scientists at National  Jewish.

"For me this is a wonderful way to help women doing such fantastic research," said Zucker. "The goal is to advance women researchers at every level."

During World War II Zucker served as a psychologist in the Navy helping soldiers returning home with post-traumatic stress disorder. She continues to work as a psychologist, working with men with HIV and AIDS.

When Zucker began her philanthropic efforts she decided she would donate to educational, women's and Jewish causes.  National Jewish seemed like a natural fit. The income from the endowment will be made available to National Jewish women scientists for grants to help fund research projects, promote pilot studies and send them to conferences to aid with their research.

"This generous endowment will help even the playing field for women," said Professor of Immunology Philippa Marrack, PhD. "One of the best things this does is provide a focus on bringing women together to collaborate and discuss their research."

A three-person board composed of female representatives from the medicine, pediatrics and immunology departments will review grant requests and distribute the grant money. The first grant request is scheduled for January 2008.

"This will hopefully enable women to get extra help for much needed research," said Zucker. "I think we are all ecstatic about the possibilities."

Zucker established a similar endowment at Tufts University Medical School six years ago, which has been a great success.

"The grants over the years have had an invaluable impact on jumpstarting the careers of several young women," said Diana Bianchi, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at Tufts University.