The CDC Leaders

“Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man′s desire to understand"

—Neil Armstrong

 

Coleen A. Boyle, PhD, MS hyg

Director, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

Dr. Boyle received her M.S.(hyg.) in biostatistics and Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and completed postdoctoral training in epidemiologic methods at Yale University. Before joining CDC in 1984, Dr. Boyle served as a faculty member in epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts, Program in Public Health.

Coleen began her career at CDC in 1984, working on a large multi-faceted project to examine the impact of Agent Orange exposure on U.S. military personnel who served in Vietnam. She joined the Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, in 1988. Coleen received the CDC Charles C. Shepard Award for scientific excellence in 1997. In 2001, Coleen was named the associate director for science and public health for the newly created National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD). In that role, she was responsible for developing and coordinating the science activities of the National Center. In September 2010, she became acting director of NCBDDD. In her acting capacity, Coleen led the finalization of the center’s five-year strategic plan.

Coleen’s educational achievements include a MS hyg in biostatistics and PhD in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. She completed postdoctoral training in epidemiologic methods at Yale University. Prior to joining CDC, Coleen served as a faculty member in epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts Program in Public Health.