Dr Ruth Cordiner graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2010. Following graduation, she completed a period of research with The Royal Marsden Hospital in London. She then returned to Glasgow to complete her Foundation and Core Medical Training.

Dr Cordiner gained her Membership of the Royal College of Physicians in 2014 and began speciality training in diabetes, endocrinology and general internal medicine in the West of Scotland. She was appointed Chief Resident for Medicine at Glasgow Royal Infirmary between 2016 – 2018.

Dr Cordiner moved to Tayside in February 2018 and completed a PhD with research funded by the Wellcome Trust with a thesis entitled “Modernising the Use of Sulphonylureas in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus”. She conducted two clinical studies involving human participants, which explored potential synergy between sulphonylureas and endogenous GLP-1 to promote incretin-mediated insulin secretion and whether this was further augmented in combination with DPP4-inhibitors.

Dr Cordiner also conducted a large population-based cohort study using complex modelling of nearly 28000 individuals receiving insulin or sulphonylureas for type 2 diabetes, which aimed to determine the incidence and clinical predictors of severe hypoglycaemia. This model formed the foundation for the severe hypoglyacaemia stem of the iDiabetes precision medicine platform between NHS Tayside and The University of Dundee, funded by the Scottish Government Chief Scientists Office. 

Dr Cordiner transferred her speciality training to become a general practitioner in 2021, as she recognises the fundamental role that primary care must play to bridge the translational gap in clinical practice and research, and to provide a valuable platform for education of our future clinicians.

Dr Cordiner completed was awarded Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2024 and is now a GP in the East Neuk of Fife.

Dr Cordiner has enjoyed teaching medical students from the Universities of Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and St Andrews in her various roles. She joined The University of St Andrews in 2025 and is passionate about how we can improve our teaching and research in our community.