Catherine D. Lewis, director of the NIGMS Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics (CBB), retired in January after more than 30 years of service at the NIH. Throughout her career, Cathy was widely recognized for her scientific foresight and leadership, including the early recognition of important emerging research opportunities in molecular biology, biophysics and microscopy. Her tireless work behind the scenes ensured that these transformational new research approaches were seamlessly integrated into the NIH portfolio and able to grow rapidly.
Cathy earned an M.S. and Ph.D. in biochemistry from Princeton University and joined NIH in 1983 as a staff fellow at NIDDK in the lab of Gary Felsenfeld, where she studied chromatin structure and the regulation of beta-globin gene expression during development.
Her career at NIGMS started in 1989, when Cathy moved to the Institute as a program director in the Genetics Division—led at the time by Judith Greenberg. She managed grants on cell nuclear structure and function and was instrumental in the development of programs focused on epigenetic regulation. Eight years later, Cathy became CBB’s Biophysics Branch chief. In that role, she at one point managed nearly 400 grants, some of which led to breakthroughs such as the structure of the ribosome. She also initiated NIGMS programs focused on new single-molecule methods and nanotechnology. In 2006, Cathy took over as director of CBB. During this period, she oversaw changes in the direction of the NIGMS Protein Structure Initiative, promoted advances in high-resolution optical microscopy and cellular imaging, and led efforts to support atomic resolution cryo-electron microscopy, including a new Common Fund initiative.
During her tenure at NIH, Cathy received two NIH Director’s Awards, for her work on trans-NIH initiatives and her leadership on science education in elementary schools.
Cathy’s door was always open to all, and her advice was constantly sought by colleagues, not only in her own division, but widely across NIGMS and NIH.
Most importantly, Cathy maintained warm professional and personal relationships with those around her, while getting things done and influencing others. “Leading a division that worked well and where people respected each other and got along is something that I’m happy to have been involved in,” she says.
Working in the CBB division was fun, because she helped make it so. She will be missed.
Leading by example, having true passion for your work, and understanding the importance of balance – a true inspiration for all to aspire to!
Thank you for all of your support of sound research. Wishing you the best of times during retirement.
Dr. Lewis,
As my Program Officer during the early and critical stages of my career, you gave me useful feedback, timely advice and sound suggestions on multiple occasions. I thank you for your help and wish you all the best in whatever comes next.
My own field on cilia and ciliopathies got its start under the leadership of Deatherage and Lewis.
Thanks for their vision!
Joel Rosenbaum
Cathy, you were the Program Officer for my first RO1 and your advice, understanding, and help were absolutely crucial in advancing my research program; I thank you!! It has also been great touching base with you at ASCB meetings. I wish you the best and hope to run into you in the future.
Cathy-
Always a pleasure to interact with you! Thanks for your efforts on behalf of GM in many ways… and for being a friendly, constructive, and scientifically responsible program leader! Hope you have fun stuff planned…