Catherine Weikart Yeckel

Catherine Weikart Yeckel is a Senior Lecturer at Yale School of Public Health's Environmental Health Sciences department. She holds a Ph.D. in Preventive Medicine/Community Health from University of Texas Medical Branch (2001) and an MS in Exercise Physiology from University of Pittsburgh (1992).

• Education: Ph.D. UTMB-Galveston (2001), MS University of Pittsburgh (1992), BA Oberlin College (1983)

Her research focuses on cardiometabolic health across lifespan stages, particularly examining obesity-related metabolic dysregulation, insulin resistance mechanisms, and environmental factors like arsenic exposure. She also investigates brown adipose tissue imaging techniques and autonomic nervous system responses to physiological challenges.

Recent publications highlight her work on obesity and sympathetic nervous system activity (2023), glycemic variability in healthy obesity (2018), and innovative imaging approaches for metabolic tissues (2012). Her 2005-2007 studies demonstrated long-term exercise benefits for insulin sensitivity in aging populations.

Dr. Yeckel created YSPH's Physiology of Public Health course and co-directed The Art of Public Health workshops bridging public health with arts. She collaborates with Yale School of Medicine endocrinologists and consults for government agencies and health-focused organizations.

Professional Contributions

• Director of Physiology of Public Health course
• Co-founder of Art of Public Health workshops
• Scientific advisor to government/museums/companies
• Research in Romania (cardiovascular risk/low birth weight)

Current affiliations include Yale School of Public Health's Obesity Research Working Group and Yale Ventures. Her work combines physiological challenge models with environmental health perspectives to address metabolic syndrome and public health prevention strategies.