Carol is highly regarded nationally and internationally for her leadership in birth defects research, providing population-based evidence for prevention, diagnosis, management and development of policy and practice. Outstanding examples are her research and advocacy on neural tube defects (such as spina bifida) and their prevention with folic acid and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and their prevention through reduction in prenatal alcohol use. She is a passionate advocate for the primary prevention of birth defects, for monitoring and evaluation of preventive, screening and treatment interventions and for the involvement of consumers and community in research.