Dr. Joanne Luoto, scientist administrator in NICHD’s Contraception and Reproductive Health Branch, died on June 9 from a rare form of cancer. She was 58 years old.
Her work focused on research evaluation of contraceptive methods, including oversight of spermicide contraceptive efficacy trials and studies of steroidal contraception and potential HIV risk. She also oversaw research in the evaluation of colposcopy, intrauterine devices and acquired tubal infertility, and the studies of hormones, cervical ectopy and STI (sexually transmitted infection) acquisition. She worked collaboratively with other organizations dealing with barrier contraceptives, including the FDA.
“Dr. Luoto was a good friend and colleague and a fine scientist,” said NICHD director Dr. Duane Alexander. “Her concern for the patients affected by the results of the clinical trials she oversaw drove her to carry out the trials with rigor and all possible speed.”
Luoto received her B.A. in biology from Swarthmore College. After receiving her M.D. from the Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1973, she began her career at the National Cancer Institute as a program director for gynecologic oncology. She later joined the office of the assistant secretary for health, first in the Office on Smoking and Health and later as director of the Office of Refugee Health.
She joined NICHD’s Contraception and Reproductive Health Branch as a scientist administrator in 1995. In 2003, she received the NIH Director’s Award for her work establishing a network of interrelated studies of women’s HIV risk and steroidal contraceptive use in Africa.
“Joanne was a person of great integrity and loyalty, both to the NIH and the federal government,” said Dr. Bob Spirtas, former chief of the Contraception and Reproductive Health Branch. “She was deeply involved with her work and carried it out to the highest standards.” Picture of NICHD’s Dr. Joanne Luoto with former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop.
Away from work, Luoto enjoyed cooking for her friends and colleagues. She also collected jewelry and was interested in gemology. Remembers one of her closest friends, NIH coworker Lois Thomas: “Joanne was good-hearted and very down-to-earth. If she could help you with anything, she would.”
Jeffrey Hart
Dr. Joanne Luoto, scientist administrator in NICHD’s Contraception and Reproductive Health Branch, died on June 9 from a rare form of cancer. She was 58 years old.
Her work focused on research evaluation of contraceptive methods, including oversight of spermicide contraceptive efficacy trials and studies of steroidal contraception and potential HIV risk. She also oversaw research in the evaluation of colposcopy, intrauterine devices and acquired tubal infertility, and the studies of hormones, cervical ectopy and STI (sexually transmitted infection) acquisition. She worked collaboratively with other organizations dealing with barrier contraceptives, including the FDA.
“Dr. Luoto was a good friend and colleague and a fine scientist,” said NICHD director Dr. Duane Alexander. “Her concern for the patients affected by the results of the clinical trials she oversaw drove her to carry out the trials with rigor and all possible speed.”
Luoto received her B.A. in biology from Swarthmore College. After receiving her M.D. from the Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1973, she began her career at the National Cancer Institute as a program director for gynecologic oncology. She later joined the office of the assistant secretary for health, first in the Office on Smoking and Health and later as director of the Office of Refugee Health.
She joined NICHD’s Contraception and Reproductive Health Branch as a scientist administrator in 1995. In 2003, she received the NIH Director’s Award for her work establishing a network of interrelated studies of women’s HIV risk and steroidal contraceptive use in Africa.
“Joanne was a person of great integrity and loyalty, both to the NIH and the federal government,” said Dr. Bob Spirtas, former chief of the Contraception and Reproductive Health Branch. “She was deeply involved with her work and carried it out to the highest standards.” Picture of NICHD’s Dr. Joanne Luoto with former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop.
Away from work, Luoto enjoyed cooking for her friends and colleagues. She also collected jewelry and was interested in gemology. Remembers one of her closest friends, NIH coworker Lois Thomas: “Joanne was good-hearted and very down-to-earth. If she could help you with anything, she would.”
Source: https://nihrecord.nih.gov/newsletters/2006/10_20_2006/milestones.htm
Jeffrey Hart
Jeffrey Hart
Yearbook Photo