Diane Becker

Diane M. Becker (née Demarest) was an American nurse, public health scientist, and professor who made significant contributions to cardiovascular disease prevention research.7 She was the founding director of the GeneSTAR Research Program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, a multidimensional longitudinal study of cardiovascular disease that has been ongoing for over 30 years.51

Born on March 27, 1943, Becker passed away on November 17, 2021, at her home in Baltimore, Maryland.73 She held the positions of Professor of Medicine and Director of the GeneSTAR Research Program at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine from 1984 to January 2012.4

Becker's academic background included a Doctor of Science (ScD) and a Master of Public Health (MPH), in addition to her training as a Registered Nurse (RN).6 Her research focused on the prevention and management of coronary disease, with a particular emphasis on studying patterns of coronary heart disease and related risk factors in families with early-onset coronary disease.13

In 1982, while still a doctoral student at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Becker designed the study that would become the foundation for the GeneSTAR Research Program.1 This program has since made significant contributions to understanding the familial clustering of heart disease and stroke, particularly in cases of early-onset coronary disease.1

Throughout her career, Becker was recognized for her expertise and contributions to public health. She served as a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow in 1995-1996, working with Senator Chafee (R-RI).2 Her work has been instrumental in establishing that family history of coronary disease carries an excess risk beyond what would be predicted by traditional risk assessment tools.1