Carol Bower

Caroline Isabel Bower is an Australian medical researcher, professor of medicine, and public health advocate. Now retired, she is an emeritus professor at the University of Western Australia.

Bower's area of research is epidemiology, especially as it relates to the health of babies. She founded Australia's first registry of birth defects, and led the campaign to reduce neural tube defects in babies by adding folic acid to flour. Subsequently, she conducted research on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and how it should be handled in the juvenile justice system.

In 2023 she was awarded Australia's highest civilian honour, Companion of the Order of Australia, for her service to medical research and education.

Education

Bower initially intended to practice obstetrics, but the desire to spend more time with her young family prompted her to opt for a research-oriented field instead. She graduated with a medical degree (MBBS) from the University of Western Australia (UWA). She later qualified with a Master of Science (MSc) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a PhD from UWA.