Dr. Bonita Falkner is currently a Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Falkner’s research has focused on characterizing preclinical phenotypes of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in the young. She has examined the role of cardiovascular reactivity, sodium sensitivity, ion transport, insulin resistance, obesity, and nutrition as early markers of developing cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and nephropathy. She has also served on many NIH committees, study sections, and working groups to address early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Falkner has authored many papers which provide guidelines for risk reduction and disease prevention beginning in the young.