Dr. Jay Bhattacharya Nominated as New Director of NIH
US President-elect Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, an Indian-American physician and economist, to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the foremost institution for health research and funding in the country. Bhattacharya, who serves as a professor of health policy at Stanford University, is distinguished as the first Indian-American to be nominated by Trump for a senior position.
In a statement, Trump expressed his enthusiasm, saying, ‘I am thrilled to nominate Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, to serve as Director of the National Institutes of Health.’ He praised Bhattacharya’s extensive qualifications and his dedication to advancing health outcomes across America.
Bhattacharya’s appointment comes at a critical time as the president-elect highlighted the urgent task of tackling the nation’s ‘crisis of chronic illness and disease.’ As NIH director, Bhattacharya will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is set to chair the new Commission for Vaccine Safety, aiming to reform health policies and address pressing medical challenges, such as public health disparities.
Background on Dr. Jay Bhattacharya
Born in Kolkata in 1968, Dr. Bhattacharya is renowned for his contributions to health policy and economics. He leads the Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging at Stanford and has a notable academic background, holding both an MD and a PhD in economics from Stanford University. His research has garnered recognition in top peer-reviewed journals, underscoring his significant insights into public health issues.
Notably, he co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated for a different strategy in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing protection for vulnerable populations. His candid approach has earned him accolades, including the highest award for intellectual freedom from the American Academy of Sciences and Letters.
With his new role, Bhattacharya is expected to emphasize the intersection of economics and biomedical research, shaping the future of healthcare in America.
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