Dr. Nancy Cook is a distinguished scholar and leading authority in biostatistics and epidemiological research. She currently serves as Professor in the Division of Preventive Medicine at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, while also holding the position of Professor of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Cook received her undergraduate education at Holy Cross College before pursuing advanced degrees at Harvard, where she earned both her Master of Science in Biostatistics and Epidemiology and her Doctor of Science in Biostatistics from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her academic journey has positioned her at the forefront of methodological innovation in clinical research and population health studies.
Dr. Cook has made seminal contributions to the design, conduct, and analysis of several landmark large-scale randomized trials, including the Women's Health Study, the Physicians' Health Study, and the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL). She leads the influential Trials of Hypertension Prevention (TOHP) Follow-up Study, which examines long-term cardiovascular outcomes following interventions for weight loss and sodium reduction. Her methodological expertise has been instrumental in developing the Reynolds Risk Score for cardiovascular disease, a sophisticated prediction tool that incorporates clinical and genetic biomarkers beyond traditional risk factors. Dr. Cook's work has significantly advanced the field of risk prediction modeling, establishing improved methodologies for evaluating and comparing risk assessment frameworks used in clinical practice.
Beyond her specific research projects, Dr. Cook has served on multiple expert panels addressing critical public health issues, including those convened by the National Academies of Science and the American Heart Association related to sodium consumption and cardiovascular health. Her rigorous approach to biostatistical methodology continues to shape how researchers analyze complex observational data and translate findings into clinical applications. As an educator and mentor, she plays a vital role in training the next generation of biostatisticians and epidemiologists at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Cook remains actively engaged in advancing precision prevention strategies through innovative statistical approaches that integrate diverse data sources to improve cardiovascular risk assessment and population health outcomes.
