Alumna’s NIH Expertise Rooted at NC State
By Amy Burtch
Dr. Catherine Gordon is quick to acknowledge NC State University’s role in springboarding her career.
Her professional path may have started studying biochemistry and rooting for the Wolfpack, but Gordon has since become an internationally recognized expert in adolescent bone health and reproductive endocrinology at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Gordon graduated from NC State in 1986, then earned her medical degree and is now clinical director and senior investigator at the NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
“I was interested in pursuing a pre-med curriculum, and the biochemistry major provided the rigorous background in both chemistry and biology I enjoyed,” Gordon says. “It provided the perfect foundation for med school. I ultimately pursued a career in pediatric endocrinology, which is grounded in biochemistry.”
Gordon’s work today involves overseeing clinical research for pediatric and adult patients at the NIH Clinical Center, which is the world’s largest research hospital.
“We are a destination center for individuals with rare diseases that often involve an underlying biochemical defect that results in major medical sequelae,” says Gordon, who also leads her own laboratory called the Adolescent Bone & Body Composition Laboratory.
“I have a special interest in adolescents who may be at risk for early bone loss and osteoporosis and also to explore novel ways to evaluate bone density and body composition.”
An Extensive, Rewarding Career
Gordon’s extensive career includes time at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service Children’s Nutrition Research Center in Houston and over 20 years leading an adolescent bone health research group. Along the way, Gordon’s teams have completed multiple clinical research studies and investigated unique conditions.
“Many of the children I have cared for are biochemical puzzles,” Gordon says. “It’s rewarding to identify the underlying diagnosis, which often involves an inherited error in a metabolic pathway. I also enjoy being involved in research that helps to advance the medical field and identify new therapies to help children.”
Gordon sees many of her patients grow into adults, which helps provide the motivation for her long-term goal of bringing laboratory findings to the bedside.
“It is immensely rewarding to take care of children and adolescents because most of my patients have been diagnosed with a chronic condition, so I follow them for many years and get to watch them grow up,” Gordon says. “I enjoy working with the patients and their families and hopefully have played a helpful role in their development.”
From CALS to a Career in Medicine
Gordon cites her biochemistry undergraduate degree at NC State as a solid foundation for her career in pediatrics and endocrinology.
“Biochemistry is the perfect undergraduate major for an endocrinologist learning complex metabolic pathways,” Gordon says. “Throughout my career, I’ve been able to follow the genetic discoveries and advances in care. This has been rewarding.”
Many of Gordon’s internships and leadership program opportunities were the result of becoming a Caldwell Scholar and Fellow during her tenure as an NC State student. For example, Gordon spent a summer internship working at the same NIH Clinical Center where she works today.
“As a Caldwell Fellow, I was able to pursue other opportunities for leadership development,” Gordon says. “Those early experiences played a key role in shaping my development as a leader and a person.”
Love for NC State Began 40+ Years Ago
Gordon’s time at NC State began before Centennial Campus landed its first tenant in 1988. She took many classes at Harrelson Hall, a building demolished in 2017. However, some buildings, like Polk Hall and Dabney Hall, where Gordon also took classes, remain the same.
“There is nothing more beautiful for an NC State grad than the Belltower and the Court of North Carolina,” says Gordon, who counts other NC State graduates among her closest friends. “I always enjoy walking through the older parts of the original campus.”
Gordon also stays up to date on what’s happening at CALS and with other industry leaders who share NC State roots.
“I enjoy reading about the exciting new CALS programs involving NC State-trained scientists who are engaging in important work all over the world,” Gordon says. “I’m proud to be among the alumni who trained at NC State.”
This post was originally published in College of Agriculture and Life Sciences News.