Introducing the PWHR Mid-Career Excellence in Women's Health Research
Award Winners   

Dear PWHR community, 

At the Partnership for Women's Health Research Canada, we believe that advancing inclusive, equity-informed research requires not only systemic change – but also the leadership of individuals who are breaking new ground every day.

This month, we're thrilled to introduce the recipients of the 2025 Mid-Career Excellence in Women’s Health Research Award. These four remarkable researchers are driving innovation, mentorship, and impact in women’s health across Canada.

From perinatal mental health and sexual wellbeing to Indigenous health systems and sex-and-gender-responsive rheumatology, their work exemplifies the very best of inclusive women's health research, and we’re proud to celebrate their achievements with you. 

Read on to learn more about their inspiring work, and how they're helping build a healthier, more inclusive future for all women, trans, and non-binary people.

Kind regards, 
Tamil Kendall, PhD
Director, Partnership for Women's Health Research Canada

Dr. Nichole Fairbrother
Women's Health Research Institute 

Dr. Nichole Fairbrother is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia, a registered psychologist, and a Michael Smith Health Professional-Investigator. She leads the UBC Perinatal Anxiety Disorders Research Lab (PARLab), one of the only research labs in Canada dedicated specifically to perinatal anxiety.

Her pioneering work focuses on perinatal anxiety disorders, particularly in the areas of screening, epidemiology, and maternal thoughts of infant-related harm, examining their links to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and infant safety.

Dr. Fairbrother’s current research includes validating screening tools for perinatal anxiety, studying the mental health impact of gendered domestic labour, evaluating preventative interventions for postpartum OCD, and investigating fear of childbirth. Her work is supported by leading national and international funders, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Michael Smith Health Research BC, the Wellcome Foundation (UK), the Women's Health Research Institute, UBC Faculty of Medicine, and Island Health.

Through her research, Dr. Fairbrother is helping improve mental health outcomes for new parents and advancing our understanding of the complexities of perinatal mental health.

Dr. Stephanie Montesanti
Women & Children's Health Research Institute  

Dr. Stephanie Montesanti is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Health System Integration at the School of Public Health, University of Alberta, and a proud member of the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute. An internationally recognized leader in health policy and systems research, Dr. Montesanti is advancing integrated and equity-focused responses to complex public health challenges.

Her work bridges systems thinking, implementation science, and Indigenous Ways of Knowing to improve health outcomes for women, particularly in Indigenous, northern, and rural communities. She leads the Collaborative Applied Research for Equity in Health Policy and Systems (CARE) Lab, a transdisciplinary research program rooted in community partnerships that co-design scalable, culturally grounded health services and policies.

Through her commitment to participatory research and equity-centered implementation science, Dr. Montesanti is addressing critical issues such as perinatal health equity, access to community-based care, and the prevention of intimate partner violence. Her relational and culturally responsive approach is shaping meaningful and lasting transformation in health systems across Canada.

Dr. Lihi Eder 
Research and Innovation Institute at Women's College Hospital 

Dr. Lihi Eder is a Clinician-Scientist at Women’s College Research Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases (2021–2026), where her work focuses on understanding sex and gender as key determinants of outcomes in rheumatic diseases.

A leader in the field of psoriatic arthritis and Cardio-Rheumatology, Dr. Eder directs the Psoriatic Arthritis Program at Women’s College Hospital and co-directs the University of Toronto Cardio-Rheumatology Program. Her research has led to over 210 peer-reviewed publications, advancing clinical care and scientific understanding of rheumatic conditions.

Dr. Eder is an elected member of the GRAPPA (Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis) steering committee, co-Chair of its Research Committee, and serves on several national and international advisory bodies including the National Psoriasis Foundation and PPACMAN. Her work has earned multiple honours, including awards from the Arthritis Society, the Ontario Ministry of Research, and the Canadian Rheumatology Association.

Through her research and leadership, Dr. Eder is helping to transform the landscape of rheumatology with a deeper understanding of sex- and gender-based health outcomes.

Dr. Natalie Rosen
IWK Health

Dr. Natalie Rosen is a Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Dalhousie University, and a practicing Clinical Psychologist. Internationally recognized for her pioneering work in women’s sexual health, Dr. Rosen has transformed how sexual dysfunction is understood and treated, particularly during key life transitions such as the perinatal period.

Her innovative couples-based approach to studying and treating sexual dysfunction has led to evidence-based interventions that are improving the lives of women and their partners. She has authored over 175 peer-reviewed publications, delivered more than 350 academic presentations, and contributed widely through clinical book chapters, workshops, and public engagement initiatives.

Dr. Rosen is the past president of the Canadian Sex Research Forum, Sex and Gender Science Lead for the CIHR-funded Maritimes SPOR Unit, and a former Associate Editor of the Archives of Sexual Behaviour. She has served as scientific chair for several international meetings and remains deeply committed to mentorship, having guided more than 85 trainees, including postdoctoral fellows, PhD candidates, medical residents, and undergraduates. In 2022, she received the Mentorship Award from the Society for Sex Therapy and Research, nominated by her former trainees.

With a career rooted in advancing both science and care, Dr. Rosen is helping shape a more inclusive and evidence-informed future for women’s sexual health.