Longtime Center for Women's Health Research supporter Lyda Ludeman considers herself to be very lucky— lucky to have had a long and engaging career in technology and to have found the Center for Women’s Health Research. Lyda initially came to know the Center having been inspired by Director Dr. Judy Regensteiner’s enthusiasm and strong advocacy for women’s health and sex differences research. “I found this program and decided I wanted to learn more and do my part for women’s health,” says Lyda.

Over the past several years, Lyda has attended and generously supported the Center for Women’s Health Research Annual Community Luncheon. She has also been a loyal attendee of the Center's Let’s Talk: Conversations about Women’s Health community education events. Lyda has spent time with Center scientists and has supported junior faculty through a seed grant.

Lyda’s passion for science and technology was rooted in her 25-year career with IBM. As one of the few women system engineers at IBM in the early 1970s, she worked closely with hospitals to install IBM hardware and health-oriented software packages for more efficiently management of health care operations. Her interest in the Center blossomed out of her many years of volunteering with the ARCS (Achievement Reward for College Scientists) Foundation, which supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing STEM careers in research. Lyda saw a natural fit in also supporting the early careers of young PhD and MD scientists who are trained and funded by the Center.

Lyda has been especially impressed with how the Center has listened to her interests and has connected her to areas of research that she wants to support. Of particular interest is how analysis of large databases can bolster personalized medicine, leading to more targeted diagnoses, disease management, and treatment options. She is also intrigued by how circadian rhythm and sleep affect the body. A Center seed grant that she has generously provided supports research in this area. You can find more details within the Meet Our Researchers section of this newsletter.

She appreciates having the opportunity to support what she so deeply cares about. “It is never too late to get involved. Funding for research is the greatest struggle. I am grateful to have the energy and interest to apply what I learned in the tech world to things that are worthwhile and helpful to us all – the health of us all,” says Lyda. The Center for Women's Health Research and its scientists are equally as fortunate and extremely grateful to be connected to and supported by Lyda!