Help Ethan raise money

I’ve been part of the community at Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) since my junior year of high school, when I joined the Rohan Pharmaceutical Lab through the High School Summer Internship Program. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect working in women’s health. But very quickly, I realized something powerful.

Women’s health is not a niche—it’s the foundation of human health.

It goes far beyond reproduction or fertility. Women’s health research impacts families, communities, and entire populations. When we improve women’s health, we improve outcomes for everyone.

What truly changed me, though, was the environment. MWRI is a place where breakthroughs happen every day—where researchers, clinicians, and students are united by a shared mission to solve some of the most urgent challenges in medicine. I fell in love with that mission and the people behind it. 

That experience inspired me to continue my journey at the University of Pittsburgh, where I’m now pursuing a dual degree in chemical and bioengineering.

Why I’m Running

This year, I’m running the Pittsburgh Marathon to give back to the place that has shaped my path.

MWRI is the largest research institute in the U.S. dedicated solely to women’s health, supporting over 300 researchers and staff and advancing discoveries in areas like reproductive biology, infectious disease, cancer, and maternal health.

But research like this depends on funding—and I’ve seen firsthand what happens when that support disappears.

Last spring was one of the most challenging and eye-opening times I’ve experienced as a young researcher. Funding cuts abruptly halted critical projects—work that had been progressing rapidly toward real-world impact. Seeing that momentum disappear overnight was devastating—not just for the science, but for the patients who depend on it.

How You Can Help

By donating, you are directly supporting life-changing research at MWRI—research that:

-Advances treatments for diseases that disproportionately affect women

-Improves maternal and reproductive health outcomes

-Develops innovative drug delivery systems and therapies

-Trains the next generation of scientists and engineers

Every dollar helps ensure that groundbreaking work doesn’t stop.

Join Me

Training for a marathon is a challenge—but it’s nothing compared to the challenges researchers face when funding runs out.

If you can, please consider supporting my run and the mission of MWRI.

Together, we can keep innovation moving forward.