People in the news

Colleagues, collaborators mourn Mayosi

Professor Bongani Mayosi, a noted cardiologist and dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town, died in July. His international research collaborations include serving as principal investigator with the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) initiative, managed by NIH’s National Human Genome Research Institute and Fogarty. Mayosi’s numerous honors include election to the U.S. National Academy of Medicine.

Photo by Michael Hammond/University of Cape Town

Top U.S. science advisor nominated

Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier has been nominated to head the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and serve as the president’s top science advisor. A meteorologist with a Ph.D. in atmospheric science, Droegemeier is Oklahoma’s secretary of science and technology, and has been the vice president for research at the University of Oklahoma. He’s served on the National Science Board, which provides guidance to the National Science Foundation, during the two prior administrations.

NIH announces new biomedical institute director

NIH has tapped Dr. Bruce J. Tromberg to lead its National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), where he will oversee an annual budget of $378 million. Tromberg comes to NIH from the University of California, Irvine, where he’s held dual appointments in biomedical engineering and surgery. He has been the principal investigator on multiple NIH grants, including the Laser Microbeam and
Medical Program (LAMMP).

Sizemore to lead Fogarty international relations

Dr. Christine F. Sizemore is the new director of Fogarty’s Division of International Relations. Sizemore, who holds a Ph.D. in bacterial genetics and microbiology, began her NIH career at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases where she most recently led its Tuberculosis, Leprosy and other Mycobacterial Diseases Section, and contributed to the development of numerous international collaborations. Prior to joining NIH, she worked in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.

Nursing institute director Grady retires

After 30 years at the NIH, National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) Director Dr. Patricia Grady has retired. Her NIH career began at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke where she served as deputy director and acting director, before being tapped to lead the nursing institute in 1995. Her accomplishments include developing an intramural research program that improved understanding of fatigue in cancer patients and pain associated with digestive disorders.