People in global health news

Fauci to step down

After 54 years of public service at NIH, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of NIAID and Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden, announced he will be stepping down in December 2022. Fauci served as NIH's face for many infectious disease threats during his decades-long career, including HIV/AIDS, West Nile virus, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19.

Barbosa da Silva Jr. elected PAHO Director

Dr. Barbosa da Silva Jr. was elected Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) during the 30th Pan American Sanitary Conference in September. Dr. Barbosa da Silva Jr. will begin his tenure in February. Currently the Assistant Director at PAHO, he was previously Brazil's Secretary of Health Surveillance.

Nkengasong awarded Virchow Prize

PEPFAR Ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong has received the prestigious Virchow Prize for his long career of trailblazing contributions to global health. The prize recognizes the lifetime achievements of those dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the world's most vulnerable and whose accomplishments align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Former Fogarty scientist to lead Pasteur Network

The Pasteur Network has named Dr. Rebecca F. Grais, a former Fogarty scientist, as their Executive Director. The network brings together 33 institutions worldwide to improve human health through biomedical research, public health activities, training, and innovation. Grais formally served as the Director of Research at Epicentre and has extensive experience in epidemiological research focused on underserved populations.

South African epidemiologists receive Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize

Drs. Salim S. and Quarraisha Abdool Karim received the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize for their impact on HIV and HIV/TB co-infection treatment and for serving as scientific leaders in the COVID-19 response in Africa.

The duo led Fogarty's Columbia University HIV training and research program for over 20 years, training over 600 African researchers. The prize honors the late Japanese infectious disease researcher Dr. Hideyo Noguchi and his contributions to research on the continent.

Fogarty-funded research receives AAAS award

An inexpensive paper microscope called the Foldscope received a 2022 Golden Goose award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Support from NIH was foundational to the early research that went into its creation. Co-creator Dr. Manu Prakash first conceived of a cheap microscope while studying malaria in Thailand.

Dr. Jim Cybulski was a student in Prakash’s lab at Stanford University when he started working with Dr. Prakash on the Foldscope. He also helped field test the microscope in Southeast Asia and Africa. The award recognizes federally funded science that has led to breakthroughs in biomedical research, medical treatments, and computing and communications technologies.

NCI welcomes first female Director

Dr. Monica Bertagnolli started her role as the 16th director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on Oct. 3. Appointed by President Joe Biden, she is the first woman to hold the position. She joined NCI from Harvard Medical School where she served as a professor of surgery in the field of surgical oncology.

ARPA-H names first Director

Dr. Renee Wegrzyn was confirmed to lead Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The agency will undertake ambitious research programs to tackle the most challenging problems in health. Previously, Wegrzyn was Vice President of Business Development at Ginkgo Bioworks and Head of Innovation at Concentric by Ginkgo, where she focused on applying synthetic biology to outpace infectious diseases