Dr. Steven Cummings is a distinguished leader in clinical epidemiology and aging research with a career spanning over four decades. He currently serves as Executive Director of the San Francisco Coordinating Center, which he founded in 1979 and which is affiliated with the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute. As Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco, he maintains a significant scholarly presence following his extensive academic career. Dr. Cummings received his training in Internal Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology at UCSF, establishing the foundation for his pioneering work in clinical research methodology and translation of scientific discoveries into clinical practice. His leadership in establishing and directing the San Francisco Coordinating Center has created a vital hub for multi-center clinical research that has influenced medical practice worldwide.
Dr. Cummings has made seminal contributions to understanding osteoporosis and human aging through his design and leadership of numerous large-scale clinical trials and cohort studies. His research has fundamentally transformed the treatment landscape for osteoporosis, with several of his pivotal studies leading to FDA approval of widely used therapies that have benefited millions of patients globally. With over 700 peer-reviewed publications, he ranks among the top 100 most cited health scientists worldwide, reflecting the profound impact of his methodological innovations in clinical research design. His influential textbook 'Designing Clinical Research' has educated generations of researchers and established rigorous standards for clinical investigation methodology. Additionally, his work on electronic informed consent and Internet-based clinical trials has pioneered new approaches to conducting research in the digital age, expanding access to clinical studies for diverse populations.
Beyond his direct research contributions, Dr. Cummings has shaped the field through his leadership of the Longevity Consortium, which has advanced understanding of the biological basis of human aging for more than two decades. His service on the NIA National Advisory Council on Aging has provided critical guidance for national research priorities in gerontology and geriatrics. As an editor of major scientific publications and mentor to countless researchers, he has cultivated the next generation of clinical investigators who continue to advance evidence-based medicine. The San Francisco Coordinating Center under his direction remains at the forefront of innovative clinical research methodologies, particularly in studying complex conditions of aging. Dr. Cummings' enduring legacy is evident in the global adoption of his research frameworks and the continued impact of his work on improving health outcomes for older adults worldwide.
