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Professor Abigail Fowden

College position(s)

Life Fellow

Subject

Natural Sciences (Physical and Biological)

Specialising in

Pregnancy and fetal development

Degrees, Awards and Prizes

BA, MA, PhD, ScD

Joan Mott Prize of the Physiological Society 2008

Society of Endocrinology Medal 2025

Research themes

My research interests are in comparative developmental physiology with particular emphasis on the endocrine and other mechanisms controlling intrauterine development and its long-term, postnatal consequences. My long-term goal is to identify how conditions during early life programme development and increase susceptibility to adult-onset degenerative diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The research takes an integrated approach from the systems to the molecular levels and has both basic and strategic aims with direct applications to medicine, veterinary medicine and the food and livestock industries.  In particular, my research focuses on the hormonal messaging between the mother, placenta and fetus that regulates fetal development and maturation towards birth and, thereby, maximises the chances of survival at birth and a long lifespan.

Responsibilities

I have taught natural science, medical and veterinary students during my time at Girton across a range of different biomedical courses at all years of the tripos. I have also sat on a range of College committees over the years.  

Roles with the University

  • Demonstrator, Lecturer, Reader, and Professor
  • Acting Head of Department
  • Head of the School of the Biological Sciences (2015-2019)

Other

I taught in a range of University courses in the Medical Veterinary and Natural Sciences Tripos at Part I and Part II level.
I also supervised Homeostasis, Physiology and Human Reproduction for the above Tripos subjects for Girton and other Cambridge Colleges. I have been acting Head of Department and Head of the School of Biological Sciences. I also sit on a range of committees at the University, Departmental and College levels as and when required.

I arrived at Girton in 1972 as an undergraduate and have never left! I have been a Bye-Fellow (1977), Research Fellow (1978-1980) and Official Fellow (1980-2002). I also acted as a Director of Studies for the Biological Sciences from 1986 to 2002.

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