6D: Sex, Age, and Equity as Biological Variables in Biomaterials Research

This session will cover recent advances in biomaterials research and engineering innovations aimed at improving women’s health, including maternal health, reproductive technologies, gynecologic conditions, and cancers such as breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer. Speakers will present biomaterials-based approaches in drug delivery, implantable devices, diagnostics, and tissue engineering that address clinical needs unique to women. We will also emphasize sex and age as important biological variables in biomaterials research, and include emerging technologies to understand immune responses, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic outcomes. In addition,
this session will incorporate principles of health equity and biomaterials-based solutions to address health disparities.