Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health

02/13/2026

Ryan Rahm-Knigge, PhD, LP, with the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, talks about relationships ahead of Valentine’s Day. 💖 Read more:

As Valentine’s Day approaches, conversations about love and connection often come into focus. Ryan Rahm-Knigge, PhD, LP, with the University of Minnesota Medical School, talks about relationships ahead of Valentine’s Day.

01/29/2026

Registration is now open for the 20th Annual University of Minnesota (UMN) Women’s Health Research Conference! The conference will take place on February 20 from 12:30 - 5:00 p.m. at the Humphrey School Conference Center in Minneapolis.

ISGH is co-sponsoring a half-day filled with insightful discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities. The focus this year will be "Past, Present and Future of Women’s Health Research."

Register here! https://bit.ly/3LDwP6V

01/15/2026

Join us on Tues., Feb. 3 when Chiara Acquati, PhD, LGSW, FAOSW, the Beatrice “Bean” E. Robinson Endowed Chair in Clinical Sexual Health with ISGH, will present “A Dyadic Approach to Oncosexology Research: Sexual Function, Dyadic Coping, and Psychological Distress in Young-Onset Breast Cancer Survivors and Partners.” Learn more and register at https://med.umn.edu/sexualhealth/about/news-events

11/06/2025

Join us for part 2 of a 3-part series to deepen intergenerational connections through sharing our histories with one another. These conversations will culminate in a published zine, featuring artwork and stories by participants. Food will be provided. We will be at New City Center on December 6 from 3-5 p.m. Attendance at the prior event is not required.

RSVP and register at z.umn.edu/IntergenConvos2

As always, to respect the health of all—please take a rapid test prior to attending. Tests will also be available on site. Please wear a mask. This event is in a large space but is indoors.

10/09/2025

Join us for a campus-based event on Oct. 28 that is being co-sponsored by ISGH, the Gender and Sexuality Center, and the Women's Center. This event is an interactive lecture and discussion led by Renee Bracey Sherman and reproductive justice activist Jasmine Burnett . This lecture is for folks who are focused on reproductive justice and grounded in frameworks like q***r theory and texts like Audre Lorde's "Uses of the Erotic." It will be on 10/28 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Health Sciences Education Center 7-152.

10/08/2025

Join us for the next ISGH Advances in Sexual and Gender Health Seminar in November! Ryan Rahm-Knigge, PhD, will present "Profiling Compulsive Sexual Behavior: How Emotion Dysregulation Contributes to Symptom Severity and Types of Sexual Behaviors."

Register today at z.umn.edu/ASGHSNov4

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
WBOB 150
Zoom webinar and in person

09/04/2025

On September 5, 2025, global leaders from 80+ organizations will come together in Porto, Portugal for the inaugural meeting of the World Sexual Health Assembly (WSHA), convened by the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS).

This unprecedented, high-level alliance unites UN agencies (as observers), international NGOs, professional societies, academic institutions, and regional federations to protect and advance sexual health, rights, justice, and pleasure worldwide.

Sexual health is non-negotiable. Sexual rights are human rights. Sexual justice is a global imperative.

🔗 Learn more: www.worldsexualhealth.net

08/07/2025

Join us for the next ISGH Advances in Sexual and Gender Health Seminar in September! Abby Girard, PsyD, LMFT, will present "Sexual Health After Cancer: Whose Job is it Anyway? Provider Practices and Communication Barriers."

Register today: link in bio!

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
WBOB 150
Zoom webinar and in person

University of Minnesota Medical School

07/02/2025

“How I view gender-affirming care . . . [it] is for anybody, both transgender and cisgender. It’s care that recognizes people’s gender identities coming in and ways that we can make sure their gender identities are validated, accepted and also given support.” -Elizabeth Panetta, clinical social worker and adjunct assistant professor at ISGH. Read more in this MN Daily opinion article: https://bit.ly/45SQes6

A lot of us take for granted the ability to look how we want to look, dress how we want to dress and be who we want to be. What...

06/25/2025

Join us for the 10th Conference of the Scientific Network on Female Sexual Health and Cancer in November, taking place on the University of Minnesota campus. We will celebrate 15 years of advancing research, care, and advocacy in oncosexual health. This year’s theme, Bridging Gaps: Advancing Women's Sexual Health in Cancer Care Through Research, Collaboration, and Innovation, highlights our shared commitment to improving outcomes for women and girls affected by cancer. Registration is now open, and the call for abstracts closes July 13. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a milestone event featuring keynote speakers, interactive panels, and networking sessions that foster collaboration and innovation in the field. Register at

The Scientific Network for Female Sexual Health and Cancer

06/17/2025

📣 ISGH is now accepting applications for one postdoctoral research fellow to join a vibrant and growing team of faculty and postdoctoral fellows! This is a one-year position with potential for renewal. Learn more and apply at https://z.umn.edu/isgh_postdoc

05/19/2025

We're proud to share that Steven John, PhD, MPH, Research Director at the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, recently presented at two national conferences!

At the Society for Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Dr. John presented a poster on a mobile health intervention supporting HIV PrEP uptake among young, sexually minoritized men.

He also served as an invited speaker at the American Academy of Health Behavior Annual Meeting in San Diego, discussing the equitable implementation of evidence-based HIV/STI prevention for sexual and gender-minoritized populations.

We celebrate Dr. John's continued leadership and commitment to advancing health equity and inclusive care through impactful research!