Why Didn't I Know This?

In 2017, Dhikshitha Balaji, Class of ’18, began her fellowship with Women’s Health Research at Yale. Not long into her fellowship, Balaji kept asking herself the same question over and over again: “Why didn’t I know this?” She was shocked when she learned of the historical lack of sex-and-gender-specific research and was inspired to get the word out by starting a student-led blog. The blog — fittingly titled “Why Didn’t I Know This?” — focuses on how WHRY and others are narrowing that gap. Suyeon Hong, Class of ’20, took over the blog for the 2018-19 school year, followed by Anjali Walia, Class of ’21, Ke'ala Akau, Class of ’22, Gillian Clouser, Class of ’23, and Margaret Hankins, Class of ’24. Kayla Yup, Class of ’25 has been writing for the blog since Fall 2022.

Kayla (pictured) is a junior studying Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health. She is an aspiring science journalist. Kayla is offering her personal perspectives on the latest in women’s health issues, and thoughts on advancing both policies and practices to help the health of women.

View the latest blog posts below or check out our archive of former posts.