Name: Catherine Aiken
Role title/s Professor of Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Email: cema2@cam.ac.uk
Twitter: NA
LinkedIn: NA
Mastodon/other social media: NA
Biography
I trained at the University of Cambridge via the MB/PhD course, completing my PhD in mammalian post-implantation embryology, followed by clinical training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology within the East of England on the NIHR integrated academic training pathway. Following sub-specialty training in Maternal and Fetal Medicine, I was appointed as a University Lecturer at Cambridge. I have been Professor of Maternal and Fetal Medicine at the University since 2024. I am also Clinical Director of Studies for Medicine at Trinity College.
Research Approach:
I am a clinician scientist whose research focuses on understanding and optimising the long-term outcomes of medically complex pregnancies, including those affected by cardiovascular disease. My research group spans both laboratory and data science, with interests in both maternal and neonatal health.
Current projects:
Recent research aims include (i) understanding the experiences of women affected by cardiovascular disease in both the antenatal and postnatal periods, (ii) large-scale data analysis to predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in pregnancy, and (iii) understanding cardiovascular risk in Ugandan women following pregnancies affected by pre-eclampsia. My clinical work focuses on managing medically complex pregnancies within the East of England Maternal Medicine Network, particularly within the Pregnancy Heart Clinic.
Selected Publication
1: Nakimuli A, Okello E, Kesiiga A, Adroma M, Akello J, Nabweyambo S, Sekikubo M, Namagembe I, Kayesubula R, Galiwango R, Jasper B, Moffett A, Aiken CE, Wilkinson IB, McEniery CM. Postpartum Cardiovascular Health in African Women Following Pre-Eclampsia: A Prospective Cohort Study. BJOG. 2025 Aug;132(9):1319-1328. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.18192. Epub 2025 Apr 28. PMID:
40292525; PMCID: PMC12232584.
2: Aiken CE, de Souza FS, Kumaran K, Ozanne SE. Challenges with developing nutritional recommendations to improve pregnancy outcomes. BMJ. 2025 Apr 15;389:e081325. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2024-081325. PMID: 40233972; PMCID: PMC11997744.
3: Olga L, Sovio U, Wong H, Smith GCS, Aiken CEM. Maternal high body mass index, but not gestational diabetes, is associated with poorer educational attainment in mid-childhood. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024 Jul;231(1):120.e1-120.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.11.1227. Epub 2023 Nov 21. PMID: 37981092.
4: Kiley JX, Corlett A, Mitchell-Sparke E, Jasper B, Wishlade T, Bhagra C,
Wetzler S, Aiken CE. Postnatal experiences of women with cardiac conditions: a systematic review and meta-synthesis. AJOG Glob Rep. 2025 Sep 1;5(4):100564. doi: 10.1016/j.xagr.2025.100564. PMID: 41078581; PMCID: PMC12509772.
5: Stock SJ, Aiken CE. Barriers to progress in pregnancy research: How can we break through? Science. 2023 Apr 14;380(6641):150-153. doi:
10.1126/science.adf9347. Epub 2023 Apr 13. PMID: 37053324.
