Rebecca D. Jackson

Rebecca D. Jackson (born 1955) Is a medical researcher, medical practitioner and professor of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. Her research has been significant in the understanding and treatment of osteoporosis.

Jackson is director of the Center for Women's Health, the founding director of the Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science, associate dean for Clinical and Translational Research, and professor of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the Ohio State University. In 2008, she was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and received the OSU Distinguished Scholar Award, one of Ohio University's highest research honours, in 2015.

Jackson received her medical degree from Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1978.

Jackson was involved in one of the first studies to show that weight lifting rather than walking was more beneficial to maintaining bone density: that the ideal exercise to stimulate bone formation is force rather than repetition. She and her colleagues have also been involved in one of the landmark studies examining bisphosphonates, a new class of medications for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis. She has co-authored hundreds of articles that have appeared in such well-respected publications as American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Arthritis & Rheumatology, Nature and Nature Communications.

Jackson's research is concentrated in the area of women's health, with a specific focus on defining clinical factors, biomarkers, and genetic associations for diseases that disproportionately affect women (particularly osteoporosis). Her laboratory has had continuous NIH funding for almost 30 years and she has authored or co-authored more than 250 peer-reviewed manuscripts, including the landmark Women's Health Initiative Calcium Plus Vitamin D Trial. Her work focuses on the epidemiology of chronic disease in women, including cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis.

Jackson spends about thirty percent of her time as a clinician and seventy percent as a researcher. She currently practices at the Center for Women's Health in Columbus, Ohio.

Jackson suffered a spinal cord injury in the late 1970s and has used a wheelchair since then.

Jackson's work in the field of medicine has resulted in a number of awards and honors:

• 1978, American Medical Women's Association Award for Academic Excellence.
• 1988, Disabled Professional Woman of the Year Award, Pilot Club
• 1998, elected to Ohio Women's Hall of Fame
• 2003, profiled in "200 Women, 200 Years: Ohio Women of the Year"
• 2008, elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
• 2015, OSU Distinguished Scholar Award, one of Ohio University's highest research honours.