Moving the needle: Women & women's health at the forefront of science 2025

Co-founder and Chief Science Officer, Estrigenix

Distinguished Professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of Psychology

About Estrigenix: Estrigenix Therapeutics, Inc. was formed in 2018 to improve women’s health by developing safe, clinically proven treatments for alleviating the mental and physical effects of menopause. Leveraging deep expertise in estrogen biology, focused chemical libraries, and associated intellectual property to address women’s health issues, Estrigenix technology concentrates on alleviating the symptoms of menopause without the risks of breast cancer and stroke associated with traditional hormone replacement therapy.

About Professor Frick: Dr. Karyn Frick is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a co-founder and the Chief Scientific Officer of Estrigenix Therapeutics, Inc. She has over 30 years of experience studying the neurobiological mechanisms underlying memory formation, with a particular focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which estrogens regulate memory, hot flashes, and mood. She has published over 120 articles and book chapters, and edited the 2020 book "Estrogens and Memory: Basic Research and Clinical Implications” (Oxford University Press).

Dr. Frick is currently the Associate Department Chair and Head of the Neuroscience Area in her department, is the founding Co-Director of UWM’s Neuroscience B.S. Program, and is the Director and PI of the National Institute on Aging-funded program entitled, “UWM Promoting Equity, Diversity, and Academic Success Through Aging Research (UWM STAR)”, which provides mentored research opportunities in aging and health disparities research for underrepresented undergraduates. Dr. Frick is also a fellow of the American Psychological Association and Association for Psychological Science, and has been awarded the Society for Women’s Health Research/Medtronic Prize for Scientific Contributions to Women’s Health.  

Surgical Oncologist, Division of Surgical Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Associate Professor, University of Toronto Co-Program Director, Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Provincial Skin Cancers Lead, Ontario Health

About Dr. Look Hong: Dr. Look Hong completed her undergraduate degree from Queen's University with a major in life sciences and a minor in music. She obtained her MD at the University of Toronto where she also completed her general surgery residency. During her residency, she completed a Masters degree in clinical epidemiology as part of the surgeon scientist training program. After completion of her surgical residency, Dr. Look Hong completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham & Women's Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. During this time, she was also able to expand her interest in health economics at the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Look Hong's clinical practice focuses on breast cancer and melanoma. Her research interests focus on economic evaluations, surgical innovation, and the application of qualitative methodology in surgical studies. She is appointed as an associate professor in the Department of Surgery, and cross appointed to Sunnybrook Research Institute, and the Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation.

Megan Dover is a principal and co-founder at Cross Border Impact Ventures (CBIV), with extensive experience in impact investing, angel investing, venture advisory, M&A, business strategy and Financial Planning & Analysis. At CBIV, she invests in Series A stage health technology companies in North America and Europe that address unmet needs for women and children globally.

Michelle McBane is a managing director and co-founder at StandUp Ventures with extensive experience in venture capital, managerial and product development as well as sales and marketing in both engineering and scientific industries. At StandUp, she invests in early- and later- stage companies in ICT and Health.