Catherine Cowie

Catherine Cowie is a renowned epidemiologist and medical researcher known for her significant contributions to the field of diabetes research. She is currently serving as the Senior Advisor and Director of the Diabetes Epidemiology Program at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Early Life and Education

Catherine Cowie was born and raised in United States. She pursued her undergraduate studies in biology and later earned her Master's degree in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins University. She further obtained her Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the same institution.

Career

Cowie started her career as an epidemiologist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Her work primarily focuses on the epidemiology of diabetes, its complications, and other metabolic disorders. She has been instrumental in the development and execution of several large-scale epidemiological studies that have significantly advanced our understanding of diabetes.

At the NIDDK, Cowie oversees the Diabetes Epidemiology Program, which aims to understand the distribution and determinants of diabetes and its complications in diverse populations. She has been involved in numerous research projects and has published extensively in peer-reviewed medical journals.

Contributions to Diabetes Research

Cowie's research has provided valuable insights into the prevalence, progression, and risk factors of diabetes. Her work has highlighted the importance of early detection and intervention in preventing the onset and progression of this chronic disease.

One of her notable contributions is her work on the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a major multicenter clinical research study aimed at discovering whether modest weight loss through dietary changes and increased physical activity or treatment with the oral diabetes drug metformin could prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in people at high risk for the disease.

Recognition

Cowie's contributions to the field of diabetes research have been widely recognized. She has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the prestigious Kelly West Award for Outstanding Achievement in Epidemiology.