Staff: Catherine A. Schweppe, Ph.D.

Catherine A. Schweppe

Catherine A. Schweppe, Ph.D.

(she/her/hers)
Former Fellow, Transitioned Outside of the Program

Presidential Management Fellow
Former Organization:

Catherine Schweppe, Ph.D., was a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Presidential Management Fellow (PMF) on rotation with the Basic Biobehavioral and Psychological Sciences Branch (BBPSB) of the Behavioral Research Program from January 2023 to June 2023.

Dr. Schweppe's areas of focus during her rotation were visual perception, data visualization, and communication of risk for cancer patients and health care providers as well as executive functioning assessments in cancer related cognitive impairment.

As a PMF, Dr. Schweppe has rotated in offices in NCI and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) focused on scientific program development and policy. She completed a rotation with the President's Cancer Panel focused on public health communication and policy as well as a rotation with the NCI Division of Cancer Biology focused scientific programs in biomaterials and artificial intelligence. Catherine most recently rotated in the NINDS Office of Science Policy and Planning, where she helped coordinate a research strategic planning effort for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Dr. Schweppe earned a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2020, where she studied transcriptional mechanisms of neural repair following stroke. Following her PhD, she served as a postdoctoral associate with the University of Massachusetts Medical School's Center for Biomedical Career Development where she led professional development courses and programs for trainees in biomedical sciences. Catherine also holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and Psychology from the University of Washington.


"Where are they now?": Following up with past BRP fellows
Updated September 2023

Current Title
Program Director
Division of Cancer Prevention
National Cancer Institute

How has your BRP fellowship influenced your career?
My 5-month rotation in BRP as a Presidential Management Fellow helped me build experience in grants management and scientific program development. I also gained valuable understanding of clinical neuropsychological assessments from a cognitive psychology perspective.

Describe a favorite memory or two from your fellowship experience.
A highlight of my rotation in BRP was the opportunity to connect with fellow team members during our Spring retreat! It was one of the only times I was able to meet co-workers in person, and I greatly enjoyed learning from the group in that setting.

Describe your current position, your current organization, and what you do.
I am currently a Program Director in the Division of Cancer Prevention at NCI, managing a portfolio of investigator-initiated grants in cancer symptom science research. My area of focus is neurological symptom science—understanding the ways in which cancer and cancer treatment impact the nervous system—with an emphasis on preclinical and translational studies of cancer-related cognitive impairment. I am also active in the Trans-NIH Music & Health Working Group as well as the Trans-NCI Artificial Intelligence Working Group.



Current and/or past BRP mentors include Todd Horowitz and Paige Green.

To request edits to this profile, please contact us at ncidccpsbrpadvances@mail.nih.gov.