Dr. Catharine Whiteside’s research over several decades has uncovered how diabetes can trigger kidney disease. Her leadership abilities and training as a clinician have further allowed her to implement treatments for people living with diabetes based on her findings. She is a member of the Order of Canada, former Dean of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine (2006-2014), Chair of the Board of the Banting Research Foundation and Executive Director of Diabetes Action Canada.
Dr. Whiteside obtained her MD from the University of Toronto in 1975, with certifications in internal medicine and nephrology. She also conducted research at the University, earning her PhD in 1984 for work on glomerular (kidney) tissue biology. She went on to study the effect of diabetes and glucose levels on the interactions of glomerular cells during injury and healing. The kidney filters blood through the glomerular filtration barrier to remove water and waste from the body. Changes to the blood due to diabetes can damage the barrier and cause diabetic nephropathy, a serious kidney-related complication in diabetes.
Dr. Whiteside’s research suggests that early damage to the kidney from diabetes occurs through changes in metabolic activity and inappropriate activation of growth factors. She has detailed the resulting disruption to the architecture of kidney cells that cause the barrier to leak compounds from blood into urine. These discoveries provided insight on potential treatments that can reduce the effect of diabetic nephropathies. She was presented with the 2007 Medal for Research Excellence from the Kidney Foundation of Canada for this work.
Dr. Whiteside is deeply involved in medical education of practicing clinicians, focusing on inter-professional teamwork and patient-centred practice. As Dean of Medicine, she was involved in directing and developing the Clinician Scientists Training Program to provide opportunities for clinicians to gain new knowledge and make new discoveries through projects in research laboratories. Dr. Whiteside is a founding member and former President of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Her dedication to creating a supportive environment for trainees earned her the 2009 CMA May Cohen Award for Women Mentors and the 2016 OMA Advocate for Students and Residents Award.
As Executive Director of Diabetes Action Canada, Dr. Whiteside leads her team to improve patient experience, to foster better population outcomes and to ensure health professionals have the necessary experience to treat the multifaceted complications of diabetes.
— Written by Neil Macpherson