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NIH selects Marrazzo to lead NIAID

Dr. Lawrence Tabak, acting NIH director, has named Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo as director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Marrazzo is currently the director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is expected to begin her role as NIAID Director in the fall. She led a landmark trial on PreP adherence in sub-Saharan Africa.

Troyer named NHGRI extramural director

NHGRI has appointed Dr. Jennifer Troyer as the incoming director of the Division of Extramural Operations (DEO) within their Extramural Research Program. As DEO director, she will provide leadership in coordinating the institute’s extramural research grants, operations and policies. Troyer was NHGRI program director for the H3Africa program.

NIDCR scientists recognized by IADR

Drs. Rena D’Souza, John Chiorini, and Niki Moutsopoulos of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) received 2023 International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Distinguished Scientist Awards. D’Souza, director of NIDCR, received the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Craniofacial Biology Research for her work studying tooth anomalies like dentinogenesis imperfecta, ectodermal dysplasia, and cleft palate.

Chiorini was recognized for his contribution to significant advances in viral vector development for gene therapy. He is principal investigator on the first clinical trial to use adeno-associated virus vectors for the treatment of radiation damaged salivary glands.

Moutsopoulos was recognized for important contributions to understanding host factors implicated in susceptibility to periodontitis. Her studies of patients with genetic immune defects have provided fundamental insights into oral mucosal biology and led to the identification of new therapeutic targets.

Gray steps down as SAMRC President

Dr. Glenda Gray has resigned as the president of the South African Medical Research Council, the first woman to hold the position. A former Fogarty trainee, Gray serves as co-principal investigator on the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) and board chair of the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD).

Nkengasong named African of the Year

Dr. John Nkengasong, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator & Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security, has been awarded the the All Africa Business Leaders Awards, All Africa African of the Year. Created in partnership with CNBC Africa, the award is given to those who exemplify the best in African Leadership.

Deputy U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator retires

After more than 40 years of service to the global malaria community, Deputy U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator Dr. Rick Steketee will retire. Steketee has been instrumental in guiding the global malaria community on issues ranging from maintaining malaria services during the COVID-19 pandemic to maximizing the impact of the new malaria vaccine.