Celebrating excellence in women's health research: Anne McLaren Award recipients announced

Kellogg College is delighted to announce the recipients of this year’s Anne McLaren Award: Veronika Denner (MSc Global Health Science and Epidemiology) and Katarzyna Galka (MSc by Research in Women’s and Reproductive Health), both recognised for their outstanding contributions to advancing knowledge in women’s health.

Named in honour of Dame Anne McLaren, a pioneering figure in developmental biology and a champion of access, innovation and public engagement, the Award supports promising Kellogg College students in science or social science. It is especially intended for women and those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, and offers both financial support and a platform to share their research with wider audiences.

Veronika Denner

Veronika Denner’s research addresses the urgent need for improved understanding of endometriosis – a chronic inflammatory condition that affects one in ten women of reproductive age and is notoriously underdiagnosed and understudied. Her dissertation explores a potential genetic link between iron metabolism and endometriosis, using genome-wide association data and advanced genetic epidemiology methods.

Veronika plans to use the Award funding to help share her research findings with both scientific and patient communities, with the aim of raising awareness, and improving diagnosis and care for the condition. She will share her research at a planned roundtable on endometriosis and genetics in Barcelona, and through the German advocacy group #EndEndoSilence, of which she is co-president.

Reflecting on the Award, Veronika said:

It is a privilege to receive this award in Dr McLaren’s name and to contribute, in my own way, to addressing persistent challenges in reproductive and gynaecological health. I am grateful to Kellogg College for championing research that focuses on underserved communities.

Katarzyna (Kate) Galka

Katarzyna Galka’s work centres on improving risk prediction for adverse pregnancy outcomes, with a focus on the impact of maternal smoking. Her research highlights the value of breath carbon monoxide (CO) testing – both for detecting smoking in pregnancy and for identifying women at higher risk of adverse outcomes. Building on these findings, her next study investigates differences in ultrasound markers between smokers and non-smokers, to inform when and how pregnancies affected by smoking should be monitored. Her thesis aims to improve outcomes through more targeted surveillance and a better understanding of the mechanisms by which maternal smoking affects pregnancy.

Katarzyna will soon present her work at two high-profile conferences: the World Congress in Fetal Medicine in Prague and the RCOG World Congress, major international events in obstetrics and gynaecology. She explained:

I am incredibly grateful to have received the Anne McLaren Award. It has enabled me to focus fully on completing my thesis and to share my research with academic audiences and beyond.

Professor Jonathan Michie, President of Kellogg College, congratulated the recipients:

“Anne McLaren’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of researchers. We are proud to support Veronika and Katarzyna as they pursue work with the potential to transform lives.”

• Find out about the 2025 Anne McLaren Lecture on 23 May, when Prof Dame Kay Davies, Prof Niki Trigoni and Dr Hilary Wynne will discuss the challenges, contributions and achievements of women in science.